A story from the Agence France-Press wire service documents the strides being taken toward greater understanding of the aging process. The AFP highlighted a new technique out of France by which “cells from elderly donors can be rejuvenated as stem cells, erasing the ravages of age and showing that aging is reversible.”
Is Alzheimer’s disease contagious?
Is Alzheimer’s disease contagious? Dozens of headlines ran earlier this month suggesting Alzheimer’s patients potential to infect others, but before quarantining forgetful friends and family, I advise further reading.
Alzheimer’s is the only top 10 killer disease in the U.S. that cannot be prevented, cured or even treated effectively over time. One big barrier: there are not enough volunteers for experimental drug trials for Alzheimer’s disease.
And Naked Came the Mole Rat
Here at the Alliance for Aging Research we are huge fans of the African naked mole rat. Now, why would anyone love a 4-inch squinty-eyed hairless wrinkled rodent with buck teeth?
Scientists at the New York Stem Cell Foundation Laboratory have done what scientists do best: they have narrowed the question. By creating cells capable of growing into any cell type in the human body, research is moving us beyond fear mongering over cloning technologies to study these cells as potential weapons against Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes and other medical maladies.
Below you will find the link to one of the best articles on Alzheimer's I’ve seen to date. It is written by Don C. Reed, a stem cell activist in California, on the promise of current research, and on embryonic stem cells; bringing attention to a subject that is often forgotten and underfunded.
FINAL COUNTDOWN…
For years we have been urging federal funding increases in biomedical research by citing the countdown to the first wave of Baby Boomers turning age 65 and joining the Medicare rolls.
An Early Salvo
When world class scientists and physicians call for a global project to modify human aging, it is time for policymakers in Washington and elsewhere to take notice.
