Scientists in the United Kingdom have tested a drug, called Rember, which shows tremendous promise for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
The illness, as many know, causes a slow deterioration of memory and cognitive function. Nicknamed "the long goodbye" by many physicians, Alzheimer's is often the hardest on those close to the patient, who are confronted with the bit-by-bit loss of the person they know and love. However, the patient must also suffer the embarrassment and pain of knowing the effects of the incurable condition, and many fear becoming a burden to their families.
That's why the promise of this new drug is so uplifting. In medical trials among 321 patients, there was an 81% difference in the rate of mental decline between those who took Rember and those who were given a placebo. According to researchers, after a 19-month period, those who took the new drug had no significant decline in mental function.
The Goose has previously reported on research pertaining to excess protein, or plaque, which builds up in the brains of Alzheimer's sufferers, and treatment focused on this plaque. Rember, technically known as methylthioninium chloride, treats instead a protein called Tau, which builds up inside the cells of the brain responsible for memory. This different angle of treatment may be responsible for Rember's apparent success.
Further trials are planned, however Rember may be available as early as 2012.
To read more about this remarkable drug, visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7525115.stm
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
By Banning Toy Toxin, Playtime Safer Across America
USA
A group of harmful, yet widespread chemicals found in many children’s toys have finally been banned from use after long debate in Congress. The ban is the result of hard-won campaigning on the part of parents and health experts going up against the heretofore unchallenged chemical industry. The act is good news for two reasons: first because it means safer toys and healthier families. Secondly, because the act may represent a shift away from government favoring of industry and towards consumer rights.
The chemicals, known as phthalates, are found in many children’s toys. Phthalates studies show, however, that when ingested into the body over the course of time these chemicals become toxins, damaging the reproductive system especially in males. They are also thought to contribute to cancer of the liver and kidney. The added danger is that if mothers are exposed to phthalates, the toxins can be passed to their infants through breastfeeding. The toxins have been illegal in the European Union since 2007.
The bill is part of a wider reform of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The legislation also provides for the creation of a new database consumers can use to log complaints or accidents about the goods they use. In addition, new laws will strengthen regulation enforcement and violations of these laws will be met with harsher punishments.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/28/AR2008072802586.html?hpid=topnews
A group of harmful, yet widespread chemicals found in many children’s toys have finally been banned from use after long debate in Congress. The ban is the result of hard-won campaigning on the part of parents and health experts going up against the heretofore unchallenged chemical industry. The act is good news for two reasons: first because it means safer toys and healthier families. Secondly, because the act may represent a shift away from government favoring of industry and towards consumer rights.
The chemicals, known as phthalates, are found in many children’s toys. Phthalates studies show, however, that when ingested into the body over the course of time these chemicals become toxins, damaging the reproductive system especially in males. They are also thought to contribute to cancer of the liver and kidney. The added danger is that if mothers are exposed to phthalates, the toxins can be passed to their infants through breastfeeding. The toxins have been illegal in the European Union since 2007.
The bill is part of a wider reform of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The legislation also provides for the creation of a new database consumers can use to log complaints or accidents about the goods they use. In addition, new laws will strengthen regulation enforcement and violations of these laws will be met with harsher punishments.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/28/AR2008072802586.html?hpid=topnews
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