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The Biochemist, June 2001 Edition, Theme: Take The Strain - Brain Degeneration

June 01, 2001

Older and wiser - Introduction by Elaine Snell

Sadly, in the UK alone, one in every 100 people over the age of 65 years has Parkinson's disease. Globally, the number of people with Alzheimer's disease will double to 30 million in the next 30 years. By the middle of the century, the number of people over the age of 90 years will have trebled. Neurodegenerative diseases are necessarily a major focus of research. The 2000 Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine was awarded to Greengard, Kandel and Carlsson for discoveries in neuro-transmission. According to the European Dana Alliance for the Brain, an organization that promotes brain research: "We are at an extraordinarily exciting time in the history of neuroscience." (p.10)
Contact: Elaine Snell, PO Box 10461, London SW11 6ZJ; tel: + 44 (0)20 7738 0424; e-mail: elaine.snell@which.net

Metals and disease - Copper on the brain

The recent interest in the role of copper in biology has been fuelled by the discovery of novel structures of copper sites in some enzymes. Copper has now been ascribed various critical roles in the pathology of Menkes' disease, Wilson's disease, motor neuron disease, prion diseases and Alzheimer's disease. The scientific world is waiting with baited breath to discover if this new copper kid-on-the-block has more therapeutic staying power than iron or aluminium. (p. 11)
Contact: Chris Cooper, Department of Biological Sciences, Central Campus, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ; tel: +44 (0)1206 872752; fax: +44 (0)1206 872592;
e-mail: ccooper@essex.ac.uk

Sound barrier - Nitric oxide and blood-brain barrier permeability

The blood-brain barrier critically controls the entry into the brain of both high- and low-molecular weight molecules, and of cells from the blood. It also regulates the environment of the brain via specific carrier mechanisms. During inflammation of the central nervous system, reactive oxygen species, such as nitric oxide, can be found in high levels. The article describes mechanisms by which nitric oxide may decrease blood-brain barrier integrity, and compensatory mechanisms which exist, as well as examining the possible future nitric oxide may play in therapeutic interventions. (p. 15)
Contact: Roger Hurst, Centre for Research in Biomedicine, University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY; tel: +44 (0)117 344 2531; fax: +44 (0)117 344 2904; e-mail: Roger.Hurst@uwe.ac.uk

Test case - Huntington's disease and insurance

The Genetics and Insurance Committee's decision that insurance companies can ask those who have had a predictive DNA test for Huntington's disease to disclose the results when seeking life insurance cover, was greeted with dismay by the media. Press coverage was associated with misinformation, and how this has changed from previous practice. It was portrayed as a heartless commercial giant using its muscle to bear down on some poor unfortunate. However, what precisely has changed as a result of the GAIC decision? Alastair Kent, Director of the Genetic Interest Group has his say. (p. 21)
Contact: Alastair Kent, Genetic Interest Group, Unit 4D, Leroy House, 436 Essex Road, London N1 3QP; tel: +44 (0)20 7704 3141; fax: +44(0)20 7359 1447; e-mail: mail@g-i-g.demon.co.uk

Brain waves - Stroke and interleukin-1

Stroke has proved to be one of the most intractable of the neurodegenerative diseases, with a string of failed clinical trials. Treatment also needs to be initiated within a few hours. Nancy Rothwell describes how immune cells have recently been found to be able to cross the blood-brain barrier, and that cytokines (intercellular signals) have an important role to play. Interleukin-1 was the first cytokine to be discovered and the first to shown to act directly in the brain where it is a key regulator of fever. A key inhibitor of interleukin-1 action, IL-1ra, has recently entered clinical trials and is providing hope for sufferers of stroke. (p. 23)
Contact: Nancy Rothwell, School of Biological Sciences, 1.124 Stopford Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT; e-mail: nrothwel@fs1.scg.man.ac.uk

Policy Matters - Animal experimentation needs support

The Biochemical Society has responded to the House of Lords committee, which is considering the effectiveness of, and the justification for, animal experiments. The Biochemical Society emphasizes that cost-benefit analysis is essential, that non-animal approaches must always be considered, but that animal experiments are necessary and produce enormous benefits for human healthcare. The Home Office is urged to join the life sciences community in getting these messages over to the public. (p. 40)
Contact: Mike Withnall, Assistant Director, Policy, Education and Professional Affairs, The Biochemical Society, 59 Portland Place, London W1B 1QX; tel: +44 (0)20 7580 5530; fax: +44 (0) 7323 1136; e-mail: mike.withnall@biochemistry.org

Other articles
Nerve healing - Studies at the Blond McIndoe Centre, which is at the forefront of tissue engineering research, using biomaterials, cultured cells and natural proteins to create substitute tissues. (p.27)
Bristol fashion - The Biochemical Society's Bristol Meeting reviewed, with Medal Lectures given by Sara Courtneidge and Stephen Halford (p.31)
The Young Scientist of the Year Award goes toJulie Wain! Coverage of all entrants (p.37)
Advancement - The Education Colloquium in April discusses changes to the post-16 curriculum (p.32)
Learning curve - The way forward for A-levels
Day in the lifeof an artist in residence (p.45)
Super market - Are the new breed of supercomputers really necessary? (p.49)


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