Wednesday, March 22, 2006

memory Organ in brain fights Alzheimer plaques. Researchers have discovered that an organ in the brain called the choroid plexus apparently plays a critical role in preventing the accumulation of a protein associated with Alzheimer's disease. The researchers found that the choroid plexus acts as a sort of "fishnet" that captures the protein, called beta-amyloid, and prevents it from building up in the cerebrospinal fluid. read more [Science Blog -] 5:27:18 PM    comment

aging Good news: Quality of life can improve in old age. Increasing age does not necessarily cause a reduction in the quality of life, and in some cases, can even improve it. Research published online this month in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, describes how researchers looked at indicators of the quality of life, and found that in England it is above average between the ages of 50 and 84, and in some cases increases compared with earlier years. read more [Science Blog -] 5:21:24 PM    comment

addiction Researchers Find 'Switch' for Brain's Pleasure Pathway. Amid reports that a drug used to treat Parkinson's disease has caused some patients to become addicted to gambling and sex, University of Pittsburgh researchers have published a study that sheds light on what may have gone wrong. read more [Science Blog -] 5:14:17 PM    comment