September 25, 2014

Health News: Scientists Create Animal Model for ALS Dementia

Photo by Diego Ph on Unsplash

In a new study published by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, scientists created a mouse model with the trademark symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS Dementia). This new animal model will allow them to monitor test drugs for ALS and determine their impact on the brain.

The researchers in charge of the study believe they have successfully replicated various behavioral, neurophysiological and pathological changes in the mouse that mimic the form of dementia commonly linked with ALS in humans. “This new model will allow rapid testing and monitoring of drugs in real time,” stated Teepu Siddique, lead author and Northwestern scientist. “This will allow scientists to move quickly and accelerate the testing of drug therapies.”

You must be aware that many prescriptions, as well as commonly used over-the-counter drugs, cause potentially serious nutrient depletions.

ALS affects about 350,000 people worldwide, and the average survival rate for those with the disease is only three years. It is a progressive neurological condition that results in rapid decline in muscle function, speaking, swallowing, and breathing. Eventually, ALS leads to paralysis and death. There is currently no known cure.

Fortunately, the researchers are hopeful that their discoveries may lead to possible treatment options.

Power Memory and Brain Health by Jerry Hickey, R.Ph

As we age, our brain function slows down naturally. First, there is a drop in the concentration of growth factors that repair spaces between nerves (known as the synaptic region). This leads to a slower healing process of the synapse and a decrease in the efficiency of nerve transmission, causing cell-to-cell communication to falter. Secondly, the numerous tiny power plants called mitochondria found in each nerve cell become old and wrinkled. Their efficiency decreases, therefore decreasing the creation of energy in the brain.

With a proper cocktail of nutrients that address the health of these tiny power plants you can protect your brain, improve its health, and restore mental energy. You will most likely notice an improvement in focus, attention span, creativity, energy, mood, memory function and learning skills. This is especially true if you eat the right foods in addition to taking the correct supplements – your brain’s energy production and healing process are both likely to improve significantly, leading to improvement in brain metabolism as well. With the correct nutrients, supplements, and diet, you can literally turn back the hands of time on an aging brain!