Articles tagged with Animal Diseases
Researchers at Howard Hughes Medical Institute have identified a link between faulty glycan construction and the onset of autoimmune diseases like lupus. Knocking out a gene involved in modifying sugar molecules on cell surfaces led to mice developing lupus-like abnormalities, including inflamed kidneys and autoreactive antibodies.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison have identified the genetic basis of Alexander disease, a rare and devastating childhood brain disorder. The discovery confirms mutations in the GFAP gene as the cause, leading to an abnormal protein buildup that damages the nervous system.
Researchers discovered a modified antioxidant enzyme that delayed onset and increased survival of mice with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease). The study found that the polyamine-modified catalase better penetrated the blood-brain barrier, reducing levels of hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide.
Researchers found a specific protein, OX2, that controls inflammation in the brain. OX2 deficiency may lead to chronic brain inflammation, associated with Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and AIDS-related dementia.
Researchers found that low-level manganese exposure accelerates Parkinson's symptoms in rats with pre-Parkinsonism, highlighting the need for further studies on toxic substance effects. Manganese toxicity targets different brain regions, exacerbating neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's.
A recent Penn study reveals that bone is actively involved in the process of sinus disease, confirming a link between bone involvement and disease spread and chronicity. The study suggests that removal of bony partitions during endoscopic sinus surgery may be crucial for effective treatment.
A new Mayo Clinic study suggests that coffee drinkers may have less than half the risk of developing Parkinson's disease compared to non-coffee drinkers. The study found that individuals who consumed four or more cups of coffee per day had an average age of onset eight years older for the disease.
Researchers used gene therapy to deliver GDNF directly to the brain cells of monkeys, resulting in a dramatic increase in dopamine production and prevention of disease progression. The treatment also reversed functional deficits and symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease.
Researchers found that ibuprofen significantly reduced inflammation and amyloid plaques in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease, which may help prevent the disease. The study suggests that taking anti-inflammatory drugs early on could delay the onset of AD by about a decade.
A Cornell University study reveals that a naturally occurring disease can regulate a wildlife population, with house finches experiencing a dramatic drop in numbers after an epidemic began. The research provides insight into the dynamics of other host/disease systems and has implications for understanding diseases like AIDS.
A large study of over 13,000 participants found an inverse relationship between blood levels of vitamin C and the prevalence of gallbladder disease in women. Women with higher vitamin C levels had a lower risk of symptomatic gallbladder disease and asymptomatic gallstones.
Researchers at UB School of Dental Medicine found a strong link between obesity and gum disease, with overweight individuals showing a 50% increased risk of severe periodontal disease. The study also suggests that bacteria in the mouth may contribute to insulin resistance, increasing the risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Researchers have created a fly model of Parkinson's disease, replicating the dense protein inclusions and symptoms of the disease. The flies exhibit loss of dopamine-producing neurons and motor deficits, similar to those found in humans, making them an ideal model for testing new drugs and therapeutic approaches.
Feline infectious anemia has been identified as caused by Haemobartenella felis, a previously suspected but now confirmed mycoplasma organism. The discovery of this tiny parasite provides hope for developing a diagnostic tool and potentially a vaccine to combat the disease.
A new transgenic mouse model has been developed to simulate Parkinson's disease and related disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. The model shows impaired motor function and protein deposits in specific brain regions associated with the diseases, offering a new tool for studying and treating these conditions.
Researchers identified a new treatment approach that could prevent life-threatening complications of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. A drug called 4-phenylbutyric acid (PBA) improved secretion of mutant protein, increasing levels by 20% to 50%. This approach may also help patients with other diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
A new report highlights the significant threat of emerging infectious diseases in wildlife to both human health and global biodiversity. The study reveals that many diseases have spread from domestic animals to wildlife populations through various means, including globalization, animal trade, and environmental changes.
Harvard Medical School scientists identify protein p25 as a possible trigger for Alzheimer's disease by turning brain enzyme cdk5 into a menace. The study supports one of two major hypotheses explaining the complex condition, offering a new handle on underlying molecular pathways.
A new transgenic mouse model develops damaging tau protein tangles as it ages, exhibiting clinical symptoms similar to tauopathies. The tau mouse is expected to aid in understanding the role of tau tangles in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Scientists have created a genetically-engineered mouse model with human tau genes, allowing for the study of tau-containing lesions in various brain disorders. The new model shows abnormal tau filaments accumulating in nerve cells, similar to those found in Alzheimer's disease.
For the first time, researchers have produced three-dimensional images of Alzheimer's disease plaques. The milestone was made possible by combining high-resolution magnetic resonance microscopy with powerful computers. The technique allows for non-invasive detection and study of plaque development in human and animal brain tissue.
Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine have cloned the gene responsible for primary hyperoxaluria type II, a rare inherited form of kidney stone disease. The discovery may lead to better understanding and treatment of the disease, which can cause severe kidney failure and early death if left untreated.
A new drug has been discovered that can prevent the death of brain cells endangered by neurological injury or disease. The drug works by switching off the production of an inflammatory protein called cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which is known to precede brain cell death in conditions of injury or disease.
Researchers developed a transgenic mouse model of chronic liver disease caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV), enabling the study of immune responses and drug development. The model opens opportunities for scientists to test drugs in the liver and understand how HBV causes liver disease.
Researchers created genetically engineered mice with pathological characteristics of Alzheimer's disease, providing a new model for studying the disease. The mice exhibit amyloid deposits similar to those found in human patients, and further elevation of beta-amyloid accelerates the age of onset of pathological changes.
Researchers have developed new chemicals that target the butyrylcholinesterase enzyme, which may help attack Alzheimer's disease. The study's findings suggest that inappropriate BChE activity increases the risk and progression of Alzheimer's disease, and preliminary studies indicate improved cognition and learning in rodents.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that stimulating environments can help prevent neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Rats living in enriched surroundings showed 45% less brain cell death compared to those in basic conditions.
A new study by Ohio State University proposes five research areas to understand why men and women respond differently to autoimmune diseases. The task force aims to uncover the cellular mechanisms behind hormonal effects and identify genetic factors that may contribute to the diseases.
A UK study found that decreasing food intake can help ward off age-related brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The research team led by Mark Mattson discovered that eating less made nerve cells in the brain more resistant to deterioration and death.
Researchers found that angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, contributes to arthritic disease progression. Treatment with an integrin antagonist reduced joint swelling, pannus formation, and cartilage erosion in animal models.
Three university hospitals will receive funding to advance understanding of Parkinson's disease and develop new treatments. Investigators will study the cause of the disease, diagnose and treat it, and provide training for young scientists.
Researchers at Virginia Tech will study the potential connection between pesticide exposure during the Persian Gulf War and an increased risk of developing Parkinson's Disease. The three-year project aims to investigate neurochemical changes in mice exposed to insecticides, which could provide insights into the disease.
Researchers identify three mutations in tau gene causing hereditary neurodegenerative diseases, providing new direction for exploring Alzheimer's disease. The findings suggest that abnormal tau protein accumulation kills brain cells, potentially leading to the development of treatments for related diseases.
Researchers have created a transgenic mouse model of Huntington's disease, exhibiting progressive behavioral and motor dysfunction. The mice developed similar neuropathological changes to those seen in human Huntington's disease, with symptoms worsening as the abnormal gene load increased.
Researchers have successfully released nerve growth factor (NGF) via pea-sized pellets implanted in test animal brains, which showed improved health. This breakthrough treatment could potentially help treat Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders.
Scientists at Case Western Reserve University and Queen's University have identified the first step in the formation of toxic amyloid plaques believed responsible for Alzheimer's destruction. Researchers have found promising lead molecules that may prevent plaque aggregation, potentially leading to new treatments.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine discovered that a virus related to mononucleosis and Kaposi's sarcoma can injure arteries in mice, suggesting a possible link between viruses and vascular diseases. The study found lesions resembling early stages of human vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis.
Researchers have identified a new tick-borne disease in North Carolina and the Southeast that is distinct from Lyme disease. The disease, caused by an unknown organism, produces symptoms similar to ehrlichiosis but without a telltale rash. Investigation led by Dr. Kathryn Kirkland suggests the infection can be cured with antibiotics.
Researchers have discovered a new genetic variation that increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The study found that changes in the APOE gene can lead to higher levels of beta-amyloid, contributing to the development of senile plaques in the brain.
A new study by the University of Georgia has found a significant increase in disease incidence among Florida's coral reefs, with 211% more coral species affected. The researchers are stymied in understanding the causes of these devastating losses, which threaten the entire reef ecosystem.
Researchers successfully delivered genes encoding dopamine-producing enzymes into the brains of rats with induced Parkinson's disease, significantly reducing abnormal rotational movement. The treatment showed greater improvement when both genes were used together.
Researchers at Emory University report that a growth factor stimulation increases new neurons in the brain's striatum and cortex, raising hope for treating neurodegenerative diseases. The study confirms previous findings on adult mammalian forebrain's capacity to produce new neurons.
African tortoise ticks found on imported reptiles in Florida may carry heartwater, an exotic disease that kills livestock and wildlife. The US is considered a serious threat to the cattle, sheep, and goat industries, with no practical treatment for infected animals.
Researchers have identified a key to targeting retroviruses to specific cells, paving the way for precise gene therapy delivery. The high-resolution structure of the virus's envelope protein reveals a precise pattern of ridges and valleys that determines cell accessibility.
The USGS National Wildlife Health Center has detected Newcastle disease in Salton Sea cormorants, which has killed over 1,600 birds. The laboratory is conducting further analysis to determine the specific strain of the virus, with implications for domestic poultry and bird migration patterns.
A group of genes has been discovered that makes wild tomatoes resistant to wilt disease, allowing breeders to speed up the development of new disease-resistant varieties. The findings also enable the design of genetically engineered crops with optimal resistance properties.
Researchers at Stanford University have identified two separate clusters of neurons in the hippocampus involved in encoding and retrieving memories. These findings provide insight into the neural basis of memory and could lead to better treatments for Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders.
New research suggests that Lewy bodies may entrap life-sustaining cellular organelles, leading to neuronal death in diseases such as Parkinson's and ALS. The study provides a potential strategy for developing treatments by targeting the formation or elimination of Lewy bodies.
Researchers have developed a new method to examine mitochondria in the living brain using PET scanning, linking mitochondrial energy deficits to Parkinson's disease. They found that mild mitochondrial damage converts glutamate from a transmitter to a toxin, leading to nerve cell death.
A genetically-engineered mouse exhibits both behavioral characteristics of Alzheimer's dementia and protein-derived plaques. The oldest mice had significantly higher levels of A-Beta peptides associated with amyloid plaques, raising questions about the relationship between plaques and behavior.
Researchers at Oregon Health Sciences University identify a new family of molecules regulating attention and cognitive functions. The SK channels play a prominent role in controlling cell firing and are expressed abundantly in brain regions responsible for cognition.
A new study reveals that a protein called apolipoprotein E (apoE) can protect cultured nerve cells from the damaging effects of oxygen molecules associated with Alzheimer's disease. The apoE protein has different levels of antioxidant activity, with E2 being the most effective.