Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print New Brain Test to Monitor Alzheimer's Disease

New Brain Test to Monitor Alzheimer's Disease

March 15, 2004

A new test that taps brain records so accurately it caught out a serial killer, could soon be used by pharmaceutical companies to speed up approval of drugs for Alzheimer's and other brain diseases, reports Marina Murphy in Chemistry & Industry Magazine.

'Brain Fingerprinting' is the patented technology that can measure objectively, for the first time, how memory and cognitive functioning of Alzheimer sufferers are affected by medications. First generation tests have proven to be more accurate than other routinely used tests, and could be commercially available in 18-24 months.




The 30 minute test involves wearing a headband with built-in electrodes; technicians then present words, phrases and images that are both known and unknown to the patient to determine whether information that should be in the brain is still there. When presented with familiar information, the brain responds by producing MERMERs, specific increases in neuron activity. The technician can use this response to measure how quickly information is disappearing from the brain and whether the drugs they are taking are slowing down the process.

Another potential application of the test is identifying trained terrorists before they strike. With the right questions, it is possible to detect records in the brain of crimes committed or in the planning or information specific to terrorist groups or gangs.

The test has been judged scientifically rigorous enough to be admissible in court. Already it has been used to trap a serial killer and free a man jailed for a crime he says he did not commit.

A full copy of the article is available from the SCI Press Office: Email press@soci.org
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7598 1573 or 1571

Society of Chemical Industry



Related Alzheimer Disease Current Events and Alzheimer Disease News Articles Alzheimer Disease Current Events and Alzheimer Disease News RSS Alzheimer Disease Current Events and Alzheimer Disease News RSS
Delirium in hospitalized adults: Situation critical, no relief available
Every year as many as seven million adults in the United States experience delirium during hospitalization.

New data demonstrate potential for early detection of Alzheimer's disease
Data published in the June issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease demonstrated that minimally-invasive biospectroscopy was able to identify changes in oxidative stress (OS) levels in blood plasma, which may prove to be a useful biomarker in the early detection of Alzheimer's disease.

Another McGill/JGH breakthrough opens door to early Alzheimer's diagnosis
A new diagnostic technique which may greatly simplify the detection of Alzheimer's disease has been discovered by researchers at McGill University and the affiliated Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research at Montreal's Jewish General Hospital (JGH).

Measuring brain atrophy in patients with mild cognitive impairment
Scientists at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have shown that a fully automated procedure called Volumetric MRI - which measures the "memory centers" of the brain and compares them to expected size - is effective in predicting the progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer's disease.

Commonly used medications may produce cognitive impairment in older adults
Many drugs commonly prescribed to older adults for a variety of common medical conditions including allergies, hypertension, asthma, and cardiovascular disease appear to negatively affect the aging brain causing immediate but possibly reversible cognitive impairment, including delirium, in older adults.

Commonly used ulcer drugs may offer treatment potential in Alzheimer's disease
In a new study, published in the May issue of Elsevier's Experimental Neurology, scientists at the University of British Columbia have discovered that drugs commonly used to treat ulcers have significant neuroprotective properties, which appear to be enhanced when used in combination with ibuprofen, a widely used anti-inflammatory drug.

New test for mysterious metabolic diseases developed at Stanford/Packard
Scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine have devised a much-needed way to monitor and find treatments for a mysterious and devastating group of metabolic diseases that arise from mutations in cells' fuel-burning mechanism.

Recalibrating 'fight or flight'
A Canadian/U.S. research team has reported a novel approach to stimulating recovery from chronic stress disorders. Details of the therapeutic model, which exploits the natural dynamics of the body's "fight or flight" system, are published January 23 in the open-access journal PLoS Computational Biology

Vitamin B does not slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer's
A clinical trial led by Paul S. Aisen, M.D., professor of neurosciences at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, showed that high-dose vitamin B supplements did not slow the rate of cognitive decline in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease.

Protecting patient privacy the new fashioned way
Protecting patient privacy has been recognized as the duty of health-care providers for about as long as doctors have seen patients. In 1996 that duty became a legal obligation when Congress passed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
More Alzheimer Disease Current Events and Alzheimer Disease News Articles
A Caregiver's Guide to Alzheimer's Disease: 300 Tips for Making Life Easier

A Caregiver's Guide to Alzheimer's Disease: 300 Tips for Making Life Easier
by Patricia R. Callone (Editor)

Written for patients, their families, and caregivers, the practical information here will help readers understand what is physically happening to the brain so they can empower their own special skills and talents throughout the disease process. The book is divided into three sections that correspond to the progression of Alzheimer’s, and the unique challenges encountered at each stage.

*Section A: The four stages of Alzheimer's with hundreds of practical tips for coping at each level

*Section B: Q&A for caregivers, including legal and financial issues, medication, helping children understand, handling the holidays and more.

*Section C: Resources and websites.

This is an essential book for all those who want to focus on the capabilities that...

Learning to Speak Alzheimer's: A Groundbreaking Approach for Everyone Dealing with the Disease

Learning to Speak Alzheimer's: A Groundbreaking Approach for Everyone Dealing with the Disease
by Joanne Koenig Coste (Author), Robert Butler (Foreword)

More than four million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s, and as many as twenty million have close relatives or friends with the disease. Revolutionizing the way we perceive and live with Alzheimer’s, Joanne Koenig Coste offers a practical approach to the emotional well-being of both patients and caregivers that emphasizes relating to patients in their own reality. Her accessible and comprehensive method, which she calls habilitation, works to enhance communication between carepartners and patients and has proven successful with thousands of people living with dementia. Learning to Speak Alzheimer’s also offers hundreds of practical tips, including how to · cope with the diagnosis and adjust to the disease’s progression · help the patient talk about the illness · face the...

Alzheimer's Disease: Facing the Facts

Alzheimer's Disease: Facing the Facts
Starring: n/a
Directed By: n/a

Studio: Wgbh Wholesale Release Date: 03/17/2009 Run time: 56 minutes

The Alzheimer's Action Plan: What You Need to Know--and What You Can Do--about Memory Problems, from Prevention to Early Intervention and Care

The Alzheimer's Action Plan: What You Need to Know--and What You Can Do--about Memory Problems, from Prevention to Early Intervention and Care
by P. Murali Doraiswamy M.D. (Author), Lisa P. Gwyther M.S.W. (Author), Tina Adler (Author)

What would you do if your mother was having memory problems?

Five million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, with a new diagnosis being made every seventy-two seconds, with millions more at risk. Although experts agree that early diagnosis and treatment are essential, families don’t know where to turn for authoritative, state-of-the-art advice and answers to all of their questions.

Now, combining the insights of a world-class physician and an award-winning social worker, this ground-breaking book tells you everything you need to know, including:

The best tests to determine if this is—or is not—Alzheimer’s disease...

  Journal of Alzheimers Disease
by Ios Press



My Journey into Alzheimer's Disease

My Journey into Alzheimer's Disease
by Robert Davis (Author)

A book of encouragement of how one man of faith faced the oncoming darkness of Alzheimer's disease. In a powerful story of courage and faith, Davis shows how God gives strength and grace.

FlameEz-Memory, 60 Capsules/Bottle

FlameEz-Memory, 60 Capsules/Bottle
by FlameEz

Memory loss is caused by a condition in which cells of the brain are damaged or lost. Dementia and Alzheimer's disease are the common disorders that cause memory loss. Studies have shown that neuron damage begins long before an individual experiences any symptoms and the symptoms are only recognized when many cells have died and the brains can no longer function properly. Unlike many cells in the rest of the body, neurons are not readily regenerated. For this reason, memory loss is a progressive condition that only gets worse, there is no coming back from it. Advanced science has shown critical role of inflammation in Alzheimer's and neurodegenerative diseases. When the brain is injured or infected, cells in the brain called microglia produce inflammatory cytokines. Normally, this...

Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias [VHS]

Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias [VHS]
Directed By: Mark Julian Campbell



Caring for the Caregiver -- A Guide to Living with Alzheimer's Disease

Caring for the Caregiver -- A Guide to Living with Alzheimer's Disease

171 pages

Part 1: Alzheimer's and Related Dementia

Part 1: Alzheimer's and Related Dementia
Directed By: Matt Connolly
Also With: H. Diane Connolly (Producer)



© 2009 BrightSurf.com