Desert island toxic algae may hint to a treatment for dementia

[valley ranch]

Health

Desert island toxic algae may hint to a treatment for dementia
By Michelle Roberts Health editor, BBC News online

• 21 January 2016
• From the section Health

Image copyright SPL
Image caption Cyanobacteria produce the BMAA toxin and cause blue-green blooms of algae
Scientists say they now have good evidence in animals that exposure to a toxin from algae can trigger dementia-like changes in the brain.

If the US team is right, they may have found a new route towards treating and preventing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's .

Their work, in the Proceedings B journal, lends weight to a scientific theory experts have been chasing for decades.

The story began in the 1950s on a small Pacific Island called Guam.

Image copyright SPL

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-35350450

 

[Smart Red]

Interesting read. Cure can't come soon enough for us.

 

[digitS']

Hmmm. Algae aside, I didn't know this:

"Most cases of Alzheimer's are caused by a mix of age, genetic and lifestyle factors.

The risk can be cut by:

• not smoking
• keeping blood pressure in check
• getting enough exercise
• eating a healthy and balanced diet"

Well, I had the idea that some forms of dementia were related to ill health, diet and environment. On the otherhand, Alzheimer's specifically was caused age and genetics. Mental exercise might help slow the development but "lifestyle factors" were blameless. Where has been the emphasis on those? Have I missed it? Forgotten?

Steve

 

[thistlebloom]

Those four risk cutters are true for every illness aren't they?

 

[digitS']

I don't know much about genetic disease. I would imagine that people with hemophilia would greatly shorten their life with unhealthy behavior but, of course, living a healthy life, or even their parents living a healthy life, won't decrease the chance of a child being born with hemophilia.

Or developing, ALS ... or, Multiple Sclerosis.

I don't know much about these things. I've been so surprised about the longevity of MS patients in recent years but I don't think the health care people are saying that ... well, I just don't know. Wasn't Alzheimer's the dementia that some people just could not avoid just by living to an old age?

Steve

 

[thistlebloom]

I guess what I meant was you can always help yourself out by following those risk cutters. Just general good sense, but it's not going to keep you from the unavoidable.

 

[digitS']

It doesn't look like this BBC story is telling us that Alzheimer's is a genetic certainty.

In itself, that is good news!

If environmental factors can cause Alzheimer's, maybe they and the illness can be avoided.

"Clean Water" the researcher says: "If what we found in these animals holds up in man, then it means a few things.

"We need to protect people from this toxin.

"We have to get very serious about clean water supplies.

"And it may be possible to prevent some other neurodegenerative diseases."

D**n straight! Might be a good idea to pay attention to water and food and air.

Steve

 

[Smart Red]

Hmmm. Algae aside, I didn't know this:

"Most cases of Alzheimer's are caused by a mix of age, genetic and lifestyle factors.

The risk can be cut by:

• not smoking
• keeping blood pressure in check
• getting enough exercise
• eating a healthy and balanced diet"

Steve

My DH quit smoking 46 years ago, had good blood pressure without needing meds, worked his muscles more then most men ever do, and ate well -- keeping his weight the same as when he was 18. In addition, his genetics were excellent, with relatives living well into their 90s with good mental health. Alzheimer's was probably the only disease I'd never expected to deal with.