April 03, 2014

Today's Top Alzheimer's News

New maps of the mouse and human brain, Cardiff University launches global Alzheimer's study, and physics celebrity Michio Kaku talks about the future of the brain and Alzheimer's (read more).

Must read and watch 

  • An April 2, 2014 Voice of America article reported that "Scientists have published two of the most detailed brain maps to date: one tracing the wiring diagram of the mouse brain and the other, an atlas of gene activity in the developing human brain." According to the article, "The maps are a key tool for researchers seeking to better understand how this incredibly complex organ works, and to study what goes wrong in diseases such as Alzheimer’s and autism…Scientists will be searching the map for clues that will help them understand brain diseases, such as how memory fails in Alzheimer’s disease. Mice get a version of the disease that is very similar to the human type. They start to lose brain function even before the characteristic clumps of protein form."
  • An April 2, 2014 C-Span Washington Journal segment featured a conversation with Abigail Jones about her Newsweek article on Alzheimer’s, “Alzheimer’s Is Expensive, Deadly and Growing. So Where’s the Research Money.” Watch here
Research and science 
  • An April 3, 2014 BBC News article reported on the launch of a global Alzheimer's study led by Cardiff University that "will explore the combined influence of genetics and lifestyle in the development of Alzheimer's in one million people."
  • An April 3, 2014 NBC News interview with physicist Michio Kaku highlighted his belief in a "brain-net" that could potentially lead to advancements in treating Alzheimer's. According to the article, "The Internet will eventually be replaced by a brain-net, in which we can experience emotions, memories and sensations. Of course, teenagers are going to go crazy on Facebook — they'll share the memory of their first kiss, their first date, the senior prom. All those emotions and hormones will be pumping away, on Facebook! The first steps in this direction were taken just last year. For the first time in history, a memory was recorded. It was recorded in a mouse. Next, we'll do it for primates. The short-term goal is to create a 'brain pacemaker' for Alzheimer's patients, so they can push a button and they'll know who they are and where they live. And beyond that — well, maybe we'll be able to upload a vacation that we never had."