Stem cell research and Alzheimer's disease 10/25/05

What are stem cells anyways?

They are human cells that divide themselves in the body as long as the person is alive. When these cells called stem cells divide they can become another stem cell or become a new type of cell like a brain or nerve cell. They have tremendous potential to repair the body or replenish other cells,, in this case with Alzheimer's disease, brain or nerve cells.

Embryonic stem cells are the cells of interest to the Alzheimer community; as they have the ability to convert to all types of cells needed for the nerves or brain cells. Embryonic stem cells can be cultured in a lab test tube for months or years. The city of New Orleans recently lost a good amount of these during the Hurricane Katrina in August of 2005. ( National Institution of Health)

Ronald Reagan's death on June 5,2004 catapulted the interest in the human embryonic stem cell research. Many senators urged President Bush to lighten the restrictions that require the destruction of human embryos at that time. (Information obtained from Washington Post Article June 10, 2004 written by Rick Weiss).

Embryonic Stem Cells Created without Harm

Embryonic stem cells have been recently created without harm to the living embryo according to the Science News article of October 22, 2005. This method opens the door to satisfy the ethical concerns of people who are against the destroying of human embryos to treat a disease or for research.

Fezl important?

Neurons, the nerve cells that carry information between the body and the brain have a subtype called Fezl which is short for forebrain embryonic zinc fingerlike. Fezl has been identified as important in the development of neurons that are crucial to proper brain activity according to author Bradley Molyneaux says Tom Fagan of the Alzheimers Research Forum.

For more information visit www.healthymemory.net on the web.

About the Author

The authors Dad started exhibiting signs of forgetfulness in the mid 1990's and the disease was openly obvious 4-5 years later. The author worked hand in hand with family members to extend the life span of this great man.

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