Antibody therapy may be useful in Alzheimer’s disease – DiarioMedico.com

Diariomedico.com
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THE MOLECULES are more effective
Antibody therapy may be useful in Alzheimer’s disease
Some antibodies specifically designed to go beyond the blood-brain barrier would improve the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, according to Science Translational Medicine published today.

Updated – Thursday, 26 May 2011 – drafting to 00: 00 h.

Two studies published today in Science Translational Medicine show how to improve the effectiveness of drugs against Alzheimer’s disease; to this end, some antibodies specifically designed are used. These molecules Act by blocking one of the enzymes needed to produce peptide amyloid beta, to add in the brain of patients with Alzheimer’s disease induced Neurodegeneration.

Researchers have designed the antibody so it ligue a recipient of the blood-brain barrier; Unlike other antibodies, the new molecule not binds to transferrin, another recipient of blood-the brain barrier that moves by the blood vessels, without reaching the brain tissue. Thanks to these new antibodies do not have a high affinity for transferrin, can overcome the blood-brain barrier and reach the brain without getting lost along the way; Instead, bind to the enzyme beta secretasa (BACE1), which is a therapeutic target in Alzheimer’s disease.

In fact, as they have seen these researchers in models of the disease in mice and monkeys, there is a reduction in the amount of amyloid peptides in the blood of animals, as well as in the brain, although the latter is more modest. Despite these findings, clinical studies to determine whether the efficacy seen in experimental models reproduces in patients are needed.

Both works have been made by the Group of Ryan j. Watts, of the Department of neuroscience of the biotechnological Genentech, based in San Francisco, and by the team of Mark S. Dennis, of the Department of engineering of antibodies, the aforementioned company. The works are accompanied by an editorial, in Steven M. Paul, at Cornell University (New York), also in this issue of the magazine, on the implications of this type of therapy

(Science Trans Medicine 2011; 3: 84ra43/84ra44).
Antibody therapy may be useful in Alzheimer’s disease – DiarioMedico.com

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They counteract the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease with Tai Chi classes – NYTimes.com

Rehabilitation / initiative for the neurological society of Argentina
They counteract the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease with Tai Chi classes
Given its proven benefits, recommended practice it as early as possible
Wednesday, may 25, 2011 | Published in print edition.
Fabiola Czubaj
THE NATION

Although it may seem strange, slow movements, paused and coordinated an ancient Chinese physical discipline such as Tai Chi are ideal for people with Parkinson’s. Moreover, such is the relaxation that generated that, little by little, the session manages to begin to fade one of the most well known symptoms of the disease, tremor.

“The practice of Tai Chi in people with Parkinson’s is very innovative, as they are other secondary therapies in rehabilitation (tango or yoga).” “In this case, they should concentrate in order to slow and very measured, movements that improve the elongation and coordination, and allow them to counter the classic symptoms of the disease, which are the rigidity, tremor, or involuntary movements (dyskinesias)”, explained Dr. Cecilia Peralta, of the Group of unusual movements and Parkinson of the Argentina neurological society (NSS).

And this was the case with more than 50 patients in a Tai Chi session during a meeting organized by a program of SNA that promotes the exercise overseen in people living with the disease, which affects nerve cells in an area of the brain known as substance nigra and that control muscle movements. Therefore people with Parkinson’s are losing expressiveness in the face, move hand more slowly, write with a smaller font or walk dragging your feet.

“As they are losing some balance and postural reflexes, all physical therapies to stimulate the re-education of the posture and balance, such as Tai Chi, will to succeed only if done them in a sustained manner, i.e. weekly or daily – said the doctor Diego Bauso”, of the same working group. “And sometimes even complement each other very well drug treatment.”

It is that, according to agreed Peralta, Bauso and Dr. Nélida Garretto, driving the Parkinson programme in movement, it is common think patients and may be much less than it really can. “This kind of exercises in controlled environments allow them to develop certain skills that are latent,” it added Bauso.

That Yes, consistency is the key: “When they stop doing the exercise, the benefit is lost – said the expert-.” “If they are constant, the benefits are clear.” The list includes the improvement of postural control, which is affecting more moderate or advanced stage disease and predisposes to drops. To recover the balance and the orientation is another positive effect, according to motor assessment scales.

In fact, these results changed medical practice. “When we send patients to perform traditional physical rehabilitation, is high drop-out – noted Garretto-.” “With Tai Chi, as with tango, we see that this is not true and that to stimulate the social exchange.”

But that’s not all. “We indicated earlier, the rehabilitation in more advanced cases of the disease”. “Now, do so as soon as possible”, said Peralta. It is that, as you pointed out Bauso, start doing these exercises at the initial stage of Parkinson’s disease “improves its evolution”.

Ten minutes a day

For nearly an hour, the leisurely and gentle voice of the instructor led the slow movements with which more than 50 people made different figures body in one of the salons of the circle sea officers. In the end, the instructor advised them: “repeat these exercises at home, 10 minutes in the morning.” “With a little every day, a month will go better.”

Eleodoro, of 68 years, that it co-exists with Parkinson’s for 6 years and never stopped working in the bakery, ended the session without visible tremor in hands and relaxed. “I am relieved – he said-.” “We have little stability, but here not we got, so it is worth trying it, do not…?”

Elena frameworks, 58 years and neighbor of Lincoln, it was all new. “Do not know, and that I test everything I can.” I’m starting to lose their balance and here I noticed no. “It gives agility and sense of serenity, which is what we need to be well.”

Tai Chi does not increase the heart rate or the natural shaking of the body, explained Garretto. “As the tremor in Parkinson’s disease is closely related to anxiety and emotional stress, it is a symptom which improves.” “The patients apply relaxation techniques at any time,” he concluded. For more information about the program, info@sna.org.ar.

They counteract the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease with Tai Chi classes – NYTimes.com

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