Tag: neurology

Fish oil prevents onset of schizophrenia: treatment breakthrough

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Research starting in the early 90’s has suggested a neurodevelopmental basis for schizophrenia. Other studies suggest a biochemical basis for this abnormal development in schizophrenics related to insufficient fatty acids – fatty acids that contribute to the phospholipids which are the building blocks of neuronal membranes. Growth of axons and dendrites, making new synaptic connections and pruning of old ones, involves the synthesis and breakdown of phospholipids.

Based on findings of reduced fatty acids in people with schizophrenia, researchers have been studying whether giving Long-chane omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to patients at high risk for developing psychotic disorder would prevent them from developing psychotic disorder.

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Update on Autism research

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Although repeated studies show little or no correlation between vaccination with the MMR vaccine and the onset of autism, there is a lot of popular support for the idea that there is some causal link. Originally the use of mercury in the form of thiomersal in vaccines was suggested as the culprit, but this seems less likely since mercury was removed from vaccines in North America and Europe by 2001 and the incidence of Autism continued to rise

Still many people remain unconvinced there is NO link between vaccination and autism, despite all the negative results, so other ideas have been floated. These include:

  • Some children’s immune systems may be predisposed to be overwhelmed by the combination vaccines, and they develop high fevers and sometimes febrile seizures which cause or contribute to the onset of autism.
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    • Recent research on Alzheimers: Blocking an immune signaling chemical allows macrophages to clear plaques in mice

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    Blocking TGF-β-Smad2/3 innate immune signaling mitigates Alzheimer-like pathology.

    A new possible treatment target has been demonstrated by a group of researchers working with transgenic mice that are used to model Alzheimer’s in humans. According to New Scientist:
    “Richard Flavell at Yale University and colleagues created transgenic mice predisposed to develop brain plaques, and doubly transgenic mice that also had a gene that blocks TGF-beta, a chemical used by the immune system.”

    “The researchers expected the second set to fare worse than the first. But to their surprise, the doubly transgenic mice performed better on various mazes”…

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    Recent research on Alzheimer’s Disease: Inflammation, and the role of viral and bacterial infection

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    The last year saw some very exciting developments in Alzheimer’s research. Among them, the relationship of inflamation processes to cognitive decline and a possible relationship of the herpes simplex virus in the presence of a certain genotype to the development of Alzheimers.

    Simon Cooke, who writes a blog called the "Accidental Scientist," has posted a very readable and informative summary of some of the most interesting highlights of the latest research. He does a great job of explaining the new discoveries, and speculates about links between infectious diseases and chronic diseases yet to be confirmed. In particular his post on the use of an anti-inflammatory drug to treat Alzheimers – in minutes!, and his post on the possible role of Herpes in many chronic diseases are particularly worth reading.

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