Forum for Science, Industry and Business
Sponsored by:     Siemens  n-tv 
Search our Site:

Topic (optional):

 

Home Reports Health and Medicine Content

Education - the best pill of all for preventing Alzheimer's

next article
21.12.2006

Disclaimer
The following press release refers to an upcoming article in PLoS ONE. It has been contributed by the article authors and/or their institutions. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff or the editors of PLoS ONE.

 

A study published in PLoS ONE today addresses the impact of neuroprotection on Alzheimer's disease. Remarkably, the study shows that even very modest neuroprotective effects at the cellular level can lead to dramatic reductions in the number of cases of Alzheimer's. Based on data derived from 26 epidemiological studies worldwide (comprising over 60,000 subjects), Dr de la Fuente-Fernandez developed a simple mathematical model that will allow researchers to test the effect of new neuroprotective drugs.


Perhaps not too surprisingly, the study suggests however that the most effective neuroprotective therapy for Alzheimer's disease may well not be a pill, but education and intellectual activity. Mounting evidence accumulated over the last few ye ars supports the notion that intellectual activity increases what neuroscientists call "the cognitive reserve". According to the model, a mere 5% increase in the cognitive reserve in the general population would prevent one third of Alzheimer's cases. Dr de la Fuente-Fernandez, a neurologist at the Hospital A. Marcide in Ferrol (Spain), points out that public health policies aimed at implementing higher levels of education in the general population are likely the best strategy for preventing Alzheimer's disease.

Citation: de la Fuente-Fernández R (2006) Impact of Neuroprotection on Incidence of Alzheimer’s Disease. PLoS ONE 1(1): e52. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0000052

Andrew Hyde | Source: alphagalileo
Further information: www.plos.org
dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0000052

next article

More articles from Health and Medicine:

nachricht Immune system activated in schizophrenia
20.11.2009 | Karolinska Institutet

nachricht New research helps explain why bird flu has not caused a pandemic
20.11.2009 | Imperial College London

All articles from Health and Medicine >>>

B2B Search

Product / Service
Company / Organisation

Latest News

Scientists Unravel Evolution of Highly Toxic Box Jellyfish

20.11.2009 | Life Sciences

When good companies do bad things: Examining illegal corporate behavior

20.11.2009 | Business and Finance

UCR plant scientist's research spawns new discoveries showing how crops survive drought

20.11.2009 | Agricultural and Forestry Science

VideoLinks

Event News

Multidisciplinary meeting on Urological Cancers aims to benefit cancer patients

20.11.2009 | Event News

'Golden Age' for clinical psychology in Northern Ireland

20.11.2009 | Event News

New Perspectives in Marine Anti-Fouling Research

11.11.2009 | Event News