It seems that many of our ills are self-induced . The salt intake of very young infants is way too high and this can lead to problems in later life (obesity etc): This study concludes "Clear and practical education is needed on complementary feeding practice for mothers highlighting what foods to introduce and when. Manufacturers have a responsibility to reduce the sodium content of food products "
I would add that governments have a duty to ensure that they do.
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Aberrant immune responses in a mouse with behavioral disorders. (autism-like)
"Autistic mice", it seems, also have problems with their immune system showing high levels of serum immunoglobulins (IgG and IgE) andof IgG anti-brain antibodies , increased expression of brain cytokines, especially IL-33 IL-18, and IL-1β, and an increased proportion of MHC class II-expressing microglia.
Autism genes risk factora and pathways
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Autism genes risk factora and pathways
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The Parkinsonian Mimetic, MPP+, Specifically Impairs Mitochondrial Transport in Dopamine Axons
MPP+ effects on Dopaminergic mitochondria were completely blocked by the thiol-anti-oxidant N-acetyl-cysteine or membrane-permeable glutathione.
Parkinson's disease risk factors
Parkinson's disease gene KEGG pathways including glutathione
Parkinson's disease risk factors
Parkinson's disease gene KEGG pathways including glutathione
Anti-ATP Synthase Autoantibodies from Patients with Alzheimer's Disease Reduce Extracellular HDL Level.
These antibodies block ATP synthase, an effect that would compromise energy supply
Impaired Cardiac Function in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome measured using Magnetic Resonance Cardiac Tagging.
This study shows clear changes in cardiac function in chronic fatigue: Basically, the heart pumps less blood per beat.
Chronic fatigue genes and risk factors
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Chronic fatigue genes and risk factors
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In the mind or in the brain? Scientific evidence for hyperalgesia in chronic fatigue
Chronic fatigue is often dismissed as a psychosomatic illness: however, two recent review show clear cut physiological differences in CFS patients. This one deals for evidence of increased sensitivity to pain. Chronic fatigue genes and risk factors
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One antibody to bind them all : Nature News
This concerns the influenza virus, which mutates very often: However, a small part of the influenza's haemagglutinin protein.relatively buried on the surface, does not, and is common to many viral strains. Antibodies to this region work against many influenza strains, althogh vaccination has yet to be tested.
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A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of simvastatin to treat Alzheimer disease.
Although statins have been shown to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in some studies see Alzheimer''s risk factors , simvastatin was ineffective in patients already afflicted with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, despite lowering cholesterol levels: Tweet
Risk factors: Alzheimer's : Autism : Bipolar disorder : Childhood obesity: Chronic fatigue: Multiple sclerosis Parkinson's disease Schizophrenia Kegg pathways Alzheimer's Parkinson's Schizophrenia Herpes simplex infection Cystic fibrosis CFTR interactome
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Fructose consumption increases risk factors for heart disease
A recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM) found that adults who consumed high fructose corn syrup for two weeks as 25 percent of their daily calorie requirement had increased blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, which have been shown to be indicators of increased risk for heart disease.
Increased risk of Parkinson's disease in methamphetamine users, study finds
Methamphetamine use was linked to a greater risk of developing Parkinsonism in this study: the compound releases dopamine and is able to kill dopaminergic neurones, so perhaps not too surprising.
New Treatment for Obesity ? | Medical News and Health Information
Well, not yet, but a transcription factor normally asociated with cancer ( hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)) also appears to be involved in sensing glucose in the hypothalamus , and in whole body energy balance. Increasing hypothalamic HIF activity made mice resistant to obesity despite nutritional excess
The long-term effects of prenatal development on growth and metabolism : prenatal gene methylation affects later obesity:.
Methylation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) or retinoid receptor(RXRA) genes was associated with the subsequent development of adiposity.
MicrobeWorld - Gut bacteria may contribute to autism
The original paper by Yap et al, 2010 describes urinary metabolite changes in autism indicating modified sulphur and amino acid metabolism and in mammalian-microbial cometabolites including dimethylamine, hippurate, and phenyacetylglutamine.
Autism genes risk factors and pathway
Autism genes risk factors and pathway
Epigenetic effects of prenatal violence on glucocorticoid receptor gene methylation the offspring
In abused mothers, gene methylation was observed, not in the mothers, but in the children screened 10-19 years after birth. Maternal stress during pregnancy, of this and many other sorts, is associated with many psychiatric disorders.
Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution | USDA Petition | Jamie Oliver (US)
Incentives such as these could have a massive impact on childhood obesity problems.
Vascular Contributions to Cognitive Impairment and Dementia
The vascular input to Alzheimer's disease includes carotid artery atherosclerosis Silvestrini and others , which diminishes blood flow to the brain, and also atherosclerosis of the leptomeningeal arteries or of the circle of Willis Roher and others. Reduced cerebral blood flow, hypoxia, hypoglycaemia or ischaemia can all induce beta-amyloid deposition. Review
Cystic fibrosis modifier genes related to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.
Cystic fibrosis modifier genes related to Pseudomomonas aeruginosa.
Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis: interaction with HLA.
HLA genes may influence the risk of multiple sclerosis partly via the immune control of Epstein-Barr virus infection.
MicrobeWorld - Human virus transfers oncogenic molecules horizontally
This relates to the oncogenic Epstein-Barr virus and exosomes
Drug improves brain function in condition that leads to Alzheimer's
The drug is levetiracetam, an anticonvulsant drug that improves function in mild cognitive impairment
Alzheimer's :
Alzheimer's :
Probiotic Microbes: The Scientific Basis, June 2006
This report details how beneficial microbes could represent the future of medicine, with the potential to treat a variety of diseases in humans and animals from diarrhea and eczema to gum disease and autoimmune disorders.
The microbiome: Viruses and pathogens implicated in disease
The microbiome: Viruses and pathogens implicated in disease
Over Half of Alzheimer's Cases May Be Preventable, Say Researchers | www.ucsf.edu
Prevention is better than cure, and a concerted attack on the many preventable risk factors that together cause Alzheimer's disease could drastically cut the incidence of this curse. This is up to general practitioners and government agencies.
Alzheimer's genes risk factors and pathways
Alzheimer's genes risk factors and pathways
Regulatory T cell induction during Plasmodium chabaudi infection modifies the clinical course of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
While certain infections may be dangerous, others can be protective. In this study, malaria infection in mice increases the number of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and is able to reduce the effects of Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis , an animal model of multiple sclerosis.
While not a recommended therapy, perhaps these types of effect could be harnessed in the clinic.
While not a recommended therapy, perhaps these types of effect could be harnessed in the clinic.
Experimental drug raises 'good' cholesterol, may help control diabetes
The drug is a cholesteryl transfer protein (CETP inhibitor): this molecule transfers triglycerides and cholesteryl esters between lipoproteins.
See slides at LipidsonLine
See slides at LipidsonLine
Extensive viral mimicry of 22 AIDS related autoantigens by HIV-1 proteins and pathway analysis of 561 viral/human homologues suggest an initial treatable autoimmune component of AIDS.
The autoantibodies seen in HIV-1/AIDS target many members of the immune network and the autoantigens are homologous to viral proteins: Antibodies raised to the virus may target the immune system because of this mimicry.
Genes and other pathogens affecting the progression of AIDS
Genes and other pathogens affecting the progression of AIDS
Alzheimer's Pathways: An update of KEGG pathways (BIN1, CD33, CD2AP. MS4A2, etc)
These pathways include novel genes and a number of new pathways recently added by KEGG: Compounds relevant to Alzheimer's disease (cholesterol, homocysteine, vitamins, etc.) have been added, and proteins related to the herpes simplex life cycle are also colour-coded.
Alzheimer's genes and risk factors :
Alzheimer's genes and risk factors :
Asymmetry in parkinsonism, spreading pathogens and the nose
Why is Parkinson's disease often one-sided ? (while genes are not): The author argues for an olfactory route of pathogen transmission.
Parkinson's disease genes, pathways and risk factors
Parkinson's disease genes, pathways and risk factors
Knome Assists Canadian Team Identify Parkinson’s Disease Gene - Bio-IT World
The gene involved, isolated from a family with a form of inherited Parkinson's disease, is VPS35 which is involved in the retrograde transport of proteins from endosomes to the trans-Golgi network and is a component of the retromer
Parkinson's disease genes, risk factors and pathways
Parkinson's disease genes, risk factors and pathways
Being healthy wards off dementia and Alzheimer's:
There are many risk factors associated with dementia; Singly they might not look very impressive, but each adds an element of jeopardy and they can act together to accumulate risk. Similarly, protective agents might chip away at segments of these risk factors and a multifactorial approach to prevention -basically a healthy lifestyle avoiding the bad and favouring the good - could have a large effect.
Alzheimer's disease genes, risk factors and pathways
Vitamin A deficiency, herpes simplex reactivation and other causes of Alzheimer's disease (other infections, cholesterol, homocysteine, saturated fat and diet, diabetes, low cerebral blood flow, etc.)
Alzheimer's disease genes, risk factors and pathways
Vitamin A deficiency, herpes simplex reactivation and other causes of Alzheimer's disease (other infections, cholesterol, homocysteine, saturated fat and diet, diabetes, low cerebral blood flow, etc.)
European society of Cardiology:Our mission: to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease | Prevention & Rehabilitation
This site contains a number of useful webcasts relavant to cardiovascular problems, but also to obesity and degenerative disorders
Drugs Can Avert HIV Infection : Discovery News
The drug is Truvada, a combination of
tenofovir , and emtricitabine both nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
When well-known flu strains 'hook up' dangerous progeny can result: viral sex
This is the equivalent of viral sex: When two strains of virus infect the same cell, their genomes get mixed up creating a novel strain. Perhaps this happens between different viruses as well ?
Promoting Public Health Toward new medication for chronic brain diseases
Image via Wikipedia
Bodyguard for the brain: Researchers identify mechanism that seems to protect brain from aging
Knocking out the cannabis receptor CB1 makes brains age faster, with signs of memory loss and degeneration, Perhaps this is linked to the beneficial effects of cannabis in multiple sclerosis. The same receptor is also responsible for the effects of marijuana, so it is not yet a realistic target for drug development, but interesting nevertheless.
The Fox and the Rabbits—Environmental Variables and Population Genetics (1) Replication Problems in Association Studies and the Untapped Power of GWAS (2) Vitamin A Deficiency, Herpes Simplex Reactivation and Other Causes of Alzheimer's Disease
Classical population genetics shows that varying permutations of genes and risk factors permit or disallow the effects of causative agents, depending on circumstance. For example, genes and environment determine whether a fox kills black or white rabbits on snow or black ash covered islands. Risk promoting effects are different on each island, but obscured by meta-analysis or GWAS data from both islands, unless partitioned by different contributory factors. In Alzheimer's disease, the foxes appear to be herpes, borrelia or chlamydial infection, hypercholesterolemia, hyperhomocysteinaemia, diabetes, cerebral hypoperfusion, oestrogen depletion, or vitamin A deficiency, all of which promote beta-amyloid deposition in animal models—without the aid of gene variants. All relate to risk factors and subsets of susceptibility genes, which condition their effects. All are less prevalent in convents, where nuns appear less susceptible to the ravages of ageing. Antagonism of the antimicrobial properties of beta-amyloid by Abeta autoantibodies in the ageing population, likely generated by antibodies raised to beta-amyloid/pathogen protein homologues, may play a role in this scenario. These agents are treatable by diet and drugs, vitamin supplementation, pathogen detection and elimination, and autoantibody removal, although again, the beneficial effects of individual treatments may be tempered by genes and environment.
Fats Stimulate Binge Eating - Science News
This effect is mediated via cannabinoid receptors (cannabis gives you the munchies - or so I am told): This effect was mediated in the gut, so the development of cannabinoid antagonists that do not enter the brain is a possibility.
Contact allergies may trigger immune system defences to ward off cancer
Contact allergies include those to metals such as nickel and chemicals. Other allergies to dust mites and pollen have also been linked to lower cancer rates.
Cough Syrup (Dextromethorphan) Treats MS? | The Scientist
Dextromethorphan is primarily a glutamate (NMDA) receptor channel blocker: Glutamate can damage oligodendrocytes via receptor mediated toxicity Matute, 2011: dextromethorphan is relatively well tolerated, and it remains to be seen whether this will work in the clinic.
Activation of PKR Causes Amyloid ß-Peptide Accumulation via De-Repression of BACE1 Expression
PKR is a kinase activated by double stranded DNA from a number of viruses including herpes simplex.This study showed that PKR activation activates the beta secretase, BACE , resulting in beta-amyloid accumulation and adds to growing evidence for a role of herpes simplex as a cause of Alzheimer's disease.
Parkinson’s: Thinking Outside the Brain’s Black Box - AlzForum Alzheimer Research News
This is a nice review of Braak and Del Tredici's work suggesting that Parkinson's disease is likely to have a viral or pathogenic origin, starting in the periphery - rendered all the more likely by the knowledge that both influenza (Jang et al, 2009) and helicobacter pylori infection can kill substantia nigra neurones.
Parkinson's disease genes risk factors and pathways
Parkinson's disease genes risk factors and pathways
Artificial food dyes and attention deficit hyperac... [Nutr Rev. 2011] - PubMed result
Artificial food dyes have been banned, and rightly so, in the UK. While meta-analyses may have cooled down their suspected involvement in ADHD , they do not take into account other confounding factors , such as genes, that may determine whether or not such risk factors are contributing.
ADHD genes and risk factors
ADHD genes and risk factors
Epstein Barr virus-encoded microRNAs (in exosomes)
Exosome Explosion | The Scientist
Exosomes are vesicles secreted from mammalian cells: They help to get rid of intracellular rubbish (and pathogens' proteins) but also play a role in intercellular signalling and contain microRNA (sometimes from viruses) . They play an important role in the immune system, but also in many other tissues and cell types
A gut-full of probiotics for your neurological well-being
Gut bacteria secrete and deliver (and absorb) neurochemicals that can affect mood and behaviour. Perhaps this can be controlled by modifying the species present.
Genetics and the environment (Vitamin D) converge to dysregulate N-glycosylation in multiple sclerosis : Nature Communications : Nature Publishing Group
Susceptibility genes (IL2RA , IL7RA and CTLA4 ) and the protective environmental factor, Vitamin D3, pivot around a see-saw that controls the activity of a glycosylation enzyme, MGAT1 , whose increased activity decreases the risk of developing multiple sclerosis , with decreased activity increasing risk.
MGAT1 regulates autoimmunity via T cell modulation Grigorian et al, 2007 and other mechanisms are discussed in this key paper
Multiple sclerosis genes risk factors and pathways
MGAT1 regulates autoimmunity via T cell modulation Grigorian et al, 2007 and other mechanisms are discussed in this key paper
Multiple sclerosis genes risk factors and pathways
Stressed Out | the epigenetic effects of stress passed on through generations
The paper in CELL "Inheritance of Stress-Induced, ATF-2-Dependent Epigenetic Change" by Seong et al, showed that an epigenetic change ( heterochromatin disruption following stress) can be passed on to the next generation. This is very important as it shows a link between environmental risk factors and genetics - polymorphisms, mutations, deletions or copy number variations are not the only way of inheriting risk.
Prenatal exposure to certain antidepressants may modestly increase risk of autism spectrum disorders, study suggests
The antidepressants involved were the serotonin uptake inhibitors (SSRI's) and mothers prescribed for a SSRI's were more than twice as likely to have a child later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders.. This association was less evident for non-SSRI's
Other autism genes and risk factors
Other autism genes and risk factors
Effects of artificial sweeteners on body weight, food and drink intake.
Far from benefiting body weight, long term treatment with saccharin, cyclamate or acesulfame-K based sweeteners, and aspartame increased body weight in mice.
Energy Density, Portion Size, and Eating Occasions: Contributions to Increased Energy Intake in the United States, 1977–2006
One third of all US adults (over 72 million people) are now classified as obese : The number of daily meals and snacks consumed by U.S. adults rose from 3.8 in 1977 to 4.8 in 2006. The Medcape today byline is simple "Study Finds Americans Are Eating More" . In simple terms, they eat too much .
Other recent posts suggest that saturated fat as well a toxins in sugar-free drinks are also able to kill hypothalamic neurones in appetite control centres.
These combined effects are not just about obesity: The associated medical conditions (diabetes, heart disease, atherosclosis, liver failure, Alzheimer's and probably many more) are killing people - unnecessarily, - and the problem is being exported to other countries by the expansion of western "culture".
Childhood obesity risk factors
Other recent posts suggest that saturated fat as well a toxins in sugar-free drinks are also able to kill hypothalamic neurones in appetite control centres.
These combined effects are not just about obesity: The associated medical conditions (diabetes, heart disease, atherosclosis, liver failure, Alzheimer's and probably many more) are killing people - unnecessarily, - and the problem is being exported to other countries by the expansion of western "culture".
Childhood obesity risk factors
The Power Of Vitamin D - Science News
Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to a host of infections and diseases and many are aruing for much higher daily reccomended intakes.
The oral metagenome in health and disease. [ISME J. 2011]
The oral microbiome in this study differed in those with and without dental caries, and a number of extracts from those with healthy teeth inhibited the growth of bacteria associated with caries : A bacterial toothbrush.
The microbiome in health and disease
The microbiome in health and disease
Childhood overweight after establishment of the gut microbiota:the role of delivery mode, pre-pregnancy weight and early administration of antibiotics
Maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index and antibiotics in infancy affect the the risk of being overweight in later childhood: The antibiotic effect may perhaps be related to the microbiome .
Are Toxins in Seafood Causing ALS, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's? | Mental Health | DISCOVER Magazine
The original ALS paper was published some time ago in 2009
A cluster of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in New Hampshire: A possible role for toxic cyanobacteria blooms Caller et al, 2009
ß-methylamino-L-alanine is a neurotoxin, also found in cycad plants, that has also been linked to Parkinson's disease and dementia
Gastric bacterium Helicobacter pylori protects against asthma
Pathogens can have both beneficial and dangerous effects: H.Pylori causes peptic ulcers and gastric cancer and has also been implicated in Alzheimer's and Parkionson's disease - : About 50% of the world's population are infected with H.Pylori - (but not all develop ulcers): The authors relate the effects on asthma to the hygiene hypothesis: Bugs and dirt in small doses at an early age correctly affect the immune system and this is good - but if the immune system has not been correctly primed, infections at a later age can be dangerous.
Pre-pregnancy diet affects the health of future offspring, mouse study suggests
It is known that events during pregnancy can markedly affect the development of the offspring and also the risks of developing diseases much later in life, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This study ( in mice) showed that poor diet prior to conception (even when the diet was normal in pregnancy) also had effects on the offspring , including altered insulin sensitivity. This is likely to go even further - for example famines have been associated with an increased incidence of both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder at later dates.
FDA Drug Safety Communication: Children born to mothers who took Valproate products while pregnant may have impaired cognitive development
Depakote or sodium valproate are histone deacetylase inhibitors. The reasons for their undeniable effectiveness in epilepsy or bipolar disorder are not clearly understood, but histones play a crucial role in DNA packaging and this would explain the teratogenic and longer term effects of these compounds.
Bipolar disorder genes risk factors and pathways :
Bipolar disorder genes risk factors and pathways :
Nutrition and Alzheimer's disease: the detrimental role of a high carbohydrate diet.
High intakes of sugar, particularly fructose, could well be implicated in Alzheimer's disease according to this review. Alzheimer's disease genes risk factors and pathways
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