A novel view of the mechanisms of neurodegeneration: "o one knows the cause of most cases of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative disorders. But researchers have found that certain factors are consistently associated with these debilitating conditions. One is DNA damage by reactive oxygen species, highly destructive molecules usually formed as a byproduct of cellular respiration. Another is the presence of excessive levels of copper and iron in regions of the brain associated with the particular disorder. ... A high level of copper or iron, they say, can function as a 'double whammy' in the brain by both helping generate large numbers of the DNA-attacking reactive oxygen species and interfering with the machinery of DNA repair that prevents the deleterious consequences of genome damage. ... We don't yet know enough about all the biochemical mechanisms involved, but we have found multiple toxic mechanisms linking elevated iron and copper levels in the brain and extensive DNA damage - pathological features associated with most neurodegenerative disorders. ... some people's tissues contain much larger quantities of iron or copper, which overwhelm the proteins that normally bind the metals and sequester them for safe storage. The result: so-called 'free' iron or copper ions, circulating in the blood and able to initiate chemical reactions that produce reactive oxygen species. Reactive oxygen species cause the majority of the brain cell DNA damage that we see in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, as well as most other neurodegenerative disorders."
Link: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-05/uotm-hic052011.php
- Vitamin K Delivers Kick to Cancer Risk [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 7th, 2010]
- Magnesium for Memory [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 7th, 2010]
- The Long Road Towards Prosthetic Nerves [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- More on DAF-16 and Longevity in Nematodes [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- Rapamycin and Alzheimer's Disease [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- Rapamycin and Alzheimer's Disease [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- Better Understanding Cytomegalovirus [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- On Mitophagy and Aging [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- A Trial of Giving Stem Cells Orders [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- Methuselah Foundation Launches NewOrgan Prize [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- The Contributions of Mitochondria to Longevity [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- Dual Action Antibodies Versus Cancer [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- Longevity and the End of Empire [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- The Long Road Towards Prosthetic Nerves [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- More on DAF-16 and Longevity in Nematodes [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- Rapamycin and Alzheimer’s Disease [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- Better Understanding Cytomegalovirus [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- On Mitophagy and Aging [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- A Trial of Giving Stem Cells Orders [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- Methuselah Foundation Launches NewOrgan Prize [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- The Contributions of Mitochondria to Longevity [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- Dual Action Antibodies Versus Cancer [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- Longevity and the End of Empire [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- Longevity Meme Newsletter, April 12 2010 [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- Printing New Tissue Directly Onto the Body [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- Reprogramming Autoimmune Disease [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- Diet and Exercise Can Override the Genetic Disposition towards Obesity [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- Your Heart Truly Loves Chocolate! [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- CSC news roundup 2010-04-11 [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2010]
- Longevity Meme Newsletter, April 12 2010 [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2010]
- Printing New Tissue Directly Onto the Body [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2010]
- Reprogramming Autoimmune Disease [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2010]
- Diet and Exercise Can Override the Genetic Disposition towards Obesity [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2010]
- Your Heart Truly Loves Chocolate! [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2010]
- Trialing Stem Cells to Heal Heart Damage [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2010]
- Selection Effects and Longevity Genes [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2010]
- How Exercise Can Awaken Your Creative Genius Within [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2010]
- Trialing Stem Cells to Heal Heart Damage [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- Selection Effects and Longevity Genes [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- How Exercise Can Awaken Your Creative Genius Within [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- WILT, ALT, and Zscan4 [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- Damage in Early Life Shortens Life Expectancy [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- WILT, ALT, and Zscan4 [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2010]
- Damage in Early Life Shortens Life Expectancy [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2010]
- Synthetic Biology and the Extracellular Matrix [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2010]
- The Tithonus Error as Prospection Error [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2010]
- F.D.A. Says Millions Got Unapproved Drugs, Should the new bioequivalence and bioanalytical guidelines for 2010, be made more stringent [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2010]
- Synthetic Biology and the Extracellular Matrix [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2010]
- The Tithonus Error as Prospection Error [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2010]
- Towards an Artificial Pancreas [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2010]
- Immortality Isn't Unethical [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2010]
- Immortality Isn't Unethical [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2010]
- Alcohol in Adolescence: A Cancerous Combination? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2010]
- Green Tea for Weight Loss [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2010]
- Towards an Artificial Pancreas [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2010]
- Immortality Isn’t Unethical [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2010]
- Alcohol in Adolescence: A Cancerous Combination? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2010]
- Green Tea for Weight Loss [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2010]
- On Calorie Restriction Research [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2010]
- AGE Precursor Methylglyoxal Also an Issue? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2010]
- On Calorie Restriction Research [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2010]
- AGE Precursor Methylglyoxal Also an Issue? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2010]
- Longevity Meme Newsletter, April 19 2010 [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2010]
- Let Them Eat Wheat [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2010]
- An Appetite for Alzheimer’s Avoidance [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2010]
- Steps Towards Controlling Regeneration [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2010]
- Another View of What to Do About Aging [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2010]
- Rare flowers and common herbal supplements get unmasked with plant DNA barcoding [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2010]
- Steps Towards Controlling Regeneration [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2010]
- Another View of What to Do About Aging [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2010]
- Stopping Metastasis [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2010]
- Humanity+ Summit at Harvard [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2010]
- Stopping Metastasis [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2010]
- Humanity+ Summit at Harvard [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2010]
- An Update on Scent and Longevity [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2010]
- Tissue Engineered Skin Progresses [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2010]
- Because Someone Has to State the Obvious [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 23rd, 2010]
- Deciphering Regeneration [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 23rd, 2010]
- Politics and Historical Aspirations to Engineered Longevity [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2010]
- Exercise and Alzheimer's Disease [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2010]