Author Archives: Fredricko

More on DNA Methylation and Aging

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DNA methylation is a part of epigenetics, one of the mechanisms by which protein machinery produced from DNA creates feedback loops to change the production levels of many different proteins. Genes are decorated with a continually altering array of chemical signals, changing with circumstances and environment. The cell nucleus is a factory, DNA the component blueprints, and DNA methylation one portion of the chaotic parts order list: from moment to moment, how much to make of each piece of protein machinery encoded in the genome.

DNA methylation changes with age, location within the body, and type of cell, a fuzzy and very complicated pattern of decorated genes. Some of the myriad changes are sufficiently similar from person to person to be a possible method to determine age quite accurately. Others are known to reflect the degree to which a person becomes frail with age. Many more are not understood at all, or may be largely random.

A great many debates within aging science revolve around the difference between cause and consequence - and so too with DNA methylation. Is it a part of the expected attempts by the body to adapt to increasing levels of cellular damage caused by aging, or is at least some alteration in DNA methylation a form of damage in and of itself? Good arguments can be made either way, but for my money I'd be surprised to see significant levels of epigenetic changes that were anything other than the results of underlying damage and evolutionary adaptations that try (and ultimately fail) to cope with that damage.

This debate is significant, of course, because of how it directs research and development funding. Will scientists try to patch over the root causes of aging by altering its secondary effects - inevitably doomed to be expensive and comparatively ineffective - or will they work to repair the true causes, and thereby remove the secondary effects for free? There's been a great deal too much work on patching over the cracks in the medicine of past decades, and in this age of biotechnology it seems a sin to continue that way when we don't have to.

In any case, here is news of more recent work on DNA methylation that has been doing the rounds:

DNA Switches Discovered to Decline Significantly with Age

An important element of the DNA is what is known as the epigenome. This refers to the pattern of added chemical tags on the DNA called methyl groups. These tags may alter the expression of genes near or on which they reside. Usually they turn off expression of the gene on which they reside.

...

A team of researchers decoded and compared the entire epigenome from blood cells in a neonate, a 26 year old, and a 103 year old. The results were striking. The researchers discovered that as the cells aged, the epigenome changed dramatically. They found 80% of all cysteine residues were methylated in the newborn compared to just 73% of them in the centenarian. A 26 year old subject had 78% of them methylated. They also found almost 18,000 locations in the genome where methylation varied the most. About one third of those regions occurred in genes linked to increase risk of cancer. Mostly aging involved loss of methyl groups.

Why do we age? Genomes of baby and 103-year-old may offer clue

The researchers analyzed the genome of the baby's white blood cells (obtained from cord blood). They found more than 16 million spots where methyl groups had been attached to the baby's DNA. But when they did the same thing with the old man's DNA (obtained from his white blood cells), they found nearly 500,000 fewer sites with methyl groups attached. The sites weren't as densely methylated either.

The scientists got a similar result when they looked in a larger group of 19 Caucasian newborns and 19 Caucasian nonogarians (average age 92.6). And they found an intermediate level of methylation when they examined the white-blood-cell DNA of 19 middle-aged people (average age about 60).

The scientists went on to take a closer look at a few specific genes where they'd spotted changes in methylation in their samples and found that the activity of the genes that had been depleted in methyl groups was, indeed, changed. And they noted that some of the genes - such as two called Sirtuin 5 and Sirtuin 7 - are thought from other studies to be involved in the biology of aging.

As I said above, I don't think epigenetic changes have much to say about why we age, as they are not a fundamental change. They may encode many of the details of how we age, however - ways in which low-level damage translates into characteristic changes in the way that cells, systems, and organs operate. This may be very valuable, but equally it doesn't change the basic goal, which is to repair the fundamental forms of damage that drive aging.

Source:
http://www.longevitymeme.org/newsletter/latest_rss_feed.cfm

Malaysia Goes Biotechnology Way

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Malaysia is realizing the importance of biotechnology and for that purpose it has allocated a sum of around RM210 million in its budget for developing its biotechnology sector. Malaysia has plans to acquire technology through the Biotech Acquisition Programme with a grant of RM60 million. Under the Biotechnology Commercialization Fund, commercialization of R&D findings would be undertaken by international corporations and companies. Along with that around RM59 million have been allocated under the R&D for production of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products, genomics and molecular biology and promotion of agro-biotechnology activities. The government is also planning to set up Bio Innovation Centre in order to offer site facilities and equipment for new companies in order to undertake bio-manufacturing activities and commercialization. Some of the other incentives which the Malaysian government would be offering are: First: bionexus companies be given income tax exemption for 10 years, beginning from the first year the company is profitable. Second: after the expiry of the 10-year exemption period, a bionexus company will be taxed at a concessionary rate of 20 per cent for another 10 years. Third: tax deduction equivalent to the amount of investment made in seed capital and early stage financing be given to companies or individuals investing in bionexus companies. Fourth: stamp duty and real property gains tax exemptions be given to a bionexus company undertaking merger with or acquisition of a biotechnology company, within a period of five years. Fifth: buildings for research activities related to biotechnology be given Accelerated Industrial Building Allowance, whereby the cost of constructing or acquiring the building is written off over a period of 10 years.

Source:
http://www.biotechblog.org/rss.xml

Bioreactor Design and Bioprocess Controls for Industrialized Cell Processing

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A short and sweet note to point you to a great article on bioreactor technologies related to cell therapy bioprocessing by CTG consultant and Director of Stem Cell-based Drug Discovery, John E. Hambor, who you can now follow on Twitter @StemCellonDrugs.


"Bioreactor Design and Bioprocess Controls for Industrialized Cell Processing" was published in the June issue of BioProcess International.  


The BPI team has made a real and meaningful commitment to representing cell therapy bioprocessing and we applaud them for their contribution to this emerging discipline.




If this is a topic of interest to you, I recommend you also check out a conference being held this Fall by BPI's sister company, IBC LifeSciences, entitled "Cell Therapy BioProcessing" to be held September 11-12 in Arlington, Virginia.





Source:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/CellTherapyBlog

$30 Million Round Attracts Strong Industry Interest; More Cash Coming?

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The California stem cell agency is
considering adding more cash to its upcoming $30 million award round
aimed at aiding projects that can complete – within the next four
years – a clinical trial for a therapy.

CIRM Chairman J.T. Thomas,
a Los Angeles bond financier, last month told agency directors that
there is "some real quality in the mix" among the firms
that have expressed initial interest. Depending on the judgment of
CIRM award reviewers later this year, Thomas said the board could
well be asked to increase the funding.
The "strategic partnership"
round has already exceeded expectations in terms of volume. CIRM told
the California Stem Cell Report that the agency has received
letters of intent from 37 enterprises, including 29 biotech
companies.
The round is an outgrowth of
recommendations two years ago from an "external review"
panel that said that CIRM needed to do a better job of engaging the
biotech industry. The RFA for the round said the agency's intent is
to "enhance the likelihood that CIRM-funded projects will obtain
funding for phase III clinical trials" and attract additional
financing.
Elona Baum, the agency's general
counsel and vice president for business development,, said in a news release earlier this spring,

“The Strategic Partnership Funding
Program represents a new era for CIRM, one that is increasingly
focused on moving therapies from the lab to the clinic, while still
recognizing the importance of maintaining investments in early stage
science,”

As the RFA is currently configured, CIRM
will provide grants or loans of up to $10 million to three
recipients. Applicants will have to match the size of the award. For
the first time, CIRM will also require applicants to demonstrate the
financial ability to carry the project forward.
In response to a query, CIRM spokesman
Kevin McCormack said,

"We received 37 letters of intent
(LOIs), including 8 from non-profits and 29 from biotech companies.
 Based on the information in the LOIs, and on discussions with
applicants, we were able to determine that some of the proposals were
for projects that were outside the scientific scope of the RFA and
that some of the applicants did not meet the minimum specified
criteria in the RFA for 'Commercial Validation.' We currently expect
to receive 10-15 applications for projects that appear to be
eligible."

A "commercial validation"
review is scheduled for this fall by the directors' Intellectual
Property and Industry Subcommittee, which is co-chaired by
Stephen Juelsgaard, former executive vice president of Genentech,
and Duane Roth, CEO of CONNECT, a San Diego nonprofit
that supports technology and life sciences business development. The
others on the six-member panel are Chairman Thomas, Michael
Goldberg, a general partner at the MDV venture capital
firm, and two academics, Os Steward, chair and director of the
Reeve-Irvine Research Center for Spinal Cord Injury at UC
Irvine, and Susan Bryant, former vice chancellor for research,
also at UC Irvine.
CIRM's short version of commercial
validation says that applications must have "the financial
capacity to move the project through development or of being able to
attract the capital to do so. This may be evidenced by, for example,
(i) significant investment by venture capital firms, large
biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies and/or disease foundations;
(ii) a licensing and development agreement with a large biotechnology
or pharmaceutical company, or a commitment to enter into such an
agreement executed prior to the disbursement of CIRM funding; and/or
(iii) financial statements evidencing significant liquid assets."
Applications are due June 26 with
reviews in September. The directors' Industry Subcommittee will meet
following the reviews. CIRM said funding would come no earlier than
January of next year.

Source:
http://californiastemcellreport.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss

Finding on 'Evil' Stem Cells Boosts Stem Cell Agency PR

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The California stem cell agency, which
is struggling to spread the word about its good deeds, made a bit of
progress last week when it was praised – not once but three times –
on a widely followed national media outlet.
Jill Helms, Stanford photo
The PR bonus occurred on Science
Friday, the NPR program that is a favorite on PBS radio stations
around the country. It has 1.4 million listeners and 600,000 podcast downloads each week.
Jill Helms, a surgery professor at
Stanford and a specialist in regenerative medicine, was the guest
last Friday. She talked about what Science Friday host Ira
Flatow called a "paradigm-shifting" finding that
cholestrol and fat are not the likely villains in clogging arteries.
Instead the villain is a stem cell – an evil one.
While evil stem cells are not a matter that is pushed by the California stem cell agency, Helms said her
collaboration began as a result of a CIRM-sponsored meeting in Japan.
Although she and lead researcher Song Li, an associate professor of bioengineering at UC Berkeley, work nearly within shouting distance,
they had never met. She said,
Zhenyu Tang (at microscope) examines vascular stem
cells in culture along with Aijun Wang (left) and Song Li.
UC Berkeley/Zoey Huang photo

"Even though he works just across
the (San Francisco) Bay from me - I met him at a meeting in Japan
that was sponsored by the California Institute for Regenerative
Medicine, or CIRM, and they fund a lot of stem cell research in
California."

Later she said,

"I will tell you that cancer is
certainly a disease that looks very much like a stem cell gone out of
control. And so if we understand what normally regulates a stem
cell's behavior, then we gain some crucial insights into what
regulates maybe a cancer cell's behavior. It's that kind of approach
that I think that CIRM is largely funding initiatives to try to
target human diseases, the big ones, and the ones that make us all
sort of quake in our shoes, and attempt to come up with new
therapies."

And then still later, she said,

"Most basic scientists that work
in stem cells and in the area of stem cell are trying as hard as
possible to move this into translational therapies, things that can
be used in humans. And, of course, CIRM, our funding institution, is
very adamant about this being the trajectory. So, you know, I'll be
taking a stab at it about five to seven years. I think that the
ability to rapidly screen existing drugs for their ability to target
this cell population is why we think that it might have a shorter
course to getting into humans."

We should note that Helms has not
received a grant from the stem cell agency nor is she even one of the
featured players in CIRM's many videos. Song Li does have a $1.3million grant from the agency.
The three-pronged push by Helms is just
what the agency needs if it is to sell its efforts, which are almost
totally ignored by the mainstream media. However, the Science Friday
audience consists almost entirely of "true believers" in
the virtues of science and research. If CIRM is to accomplish its
PR-communications-marketing goals it also has to reach the unwashed
heathens, who are, however, unlikely converts. But most importantly,
CIRM needs to persuade fence-sitters. All of which will require a
long, hard and sometimes frustrating campaign.
One final note: The UC Berkley press release on the research said it was supported by cash from CIRM, the
NIH and the United States Army.  According to CIRM's research blog post
on Li's work, his team included two researchers who were
part of Berkeley’s CIRM-funded training program.

Source:
http://californiastemcellreport.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss

Finding on ‘Evil’ Stem Cells Boosts Stem Cell Agency PR

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The California stem cell agency, which
is struggling to spread the word about its good deeds, made a bit of
progress last week when it was praised – not once but three times –
on a widely followed national media outlet.
Jill Helms, Stanford photo
The PR bonus occurred on Science
Friday, the NPR program that is a favorite on PBS radio stations
around the country. It has 1.4 million listeners and 600,000 podcast downloads each week.
Jill Helms, a surgery professor at
Stanford and a specialist in regenerative medicine, was the guest
last Friday. She talked about what Science Friday host Ira
Flatow called a "paradigm-shifting" finding that
cholestrol and fat are not the likely villains in clogging arteries.
Instead the villain is a stem cell – an evil one.
While evil stem cells are not a matter that is pushed by the California stem cell agency, Helms said her
collaboration began as a result of a CIRM-sponsored meeting in Japan.
Although she and lead researcher Song Li, an associate professor of bioengineering at UC Berkeley, work nearly within shouting distance,
they had never met. She said,
Zhenyu Tang (at microscope) examines vascular stem
cells in culture along with Aijun Wang (left) and Song Li.
UC Berkeley/Zoey Huang photo

"Even though he works just across
the (San Francisco) Bay from me - I met him at a meeting in Japan
that was sponsored by the California Institute for Regenerative
Medicine, or CIRM, and they fund a lot of stem cell research in
California."

Later she said,

"I will tell you that cancer is
certainly a disease that looks very much like a stem cell gone out of
control. And so if we understand what normally regulates a stem
cell's behavior, then we gain some crucial insights into what
regulates maybe a cancer cell's behavior. It's that kind of approach
that I think that CIRM is largely funding initiatives to try to
target human diseases, the big ones, and the ones that make us all
sort of quake in our shoes, and attempt to come up with new
therapies."

And then still later, she said,

"Most basic scientists that work
in stem cells and in the area of stem cell are trying as hard as
possible to move this into translational therapies, things that can
be used in humans. And, of course, CIRM, our funding institution, is
very adamant about this being the trajectory. So, you know, I'll be
taking a stab at it about five to seven years. I think that the
ability to rapidly screen existing drugs for their ability to target
this cell population is why we think that it might have a shorter
course to getting into humans."

We should note that Helms has not
received a grant from the stem cell agency nor is she even one of the
featured players in CIRM's many videos. Song Li does have a $1.3million grant from the agency.
The three-pronged push by Helms is just
what the agency needs if it is to sell its efforts, which are almost
totally ignored by the mainstream media. However, the Science Friday
audience consists almost entirely of "true believers" in
the virtues of science and research. If CIRM is to accomplish its
PR-communications-marketing goals it also has to reach the unwashed
heathens, who are, however, unlikely converts. But most importantly,
CIRM needs to persuade fence-sitters. All of which will require a
long, hard and sometimes frustrating campaign.
One final note: The UC Berkley press release on the research said it was supported by cash from CIRM, the
NIH and the United States Army.  According to CIRM's research blog post
on Li's work, his team included two researchers who were
part of Berkeley’s CIRM-funded training program.

Source:
http://californiastemcellreport.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss

Ludzik won't be bullied by Parkinson's disease

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Steve Ludzik woke up one day and realized he'd traveled this road before.

When I was in grade six, there was a kid who would wait for me after school and slap me around, Ludzik recalls. I was just a skinny, little kid, and one night I came home with a black eye after he beat me up.

In today's America, there are protocols for handling bullies. In 1960s Canada, there was only one way to solve the problem.

My mom was an angel, and when she found out what was going on, she got right on the phone and said she would straighten it out, Ludzik said. My dad said, 'Put that phone down!'

My dad told me that when I get out of school tomorrow, get the drop on this kid and hit him, and then keep hitting him.

Like all bullies, the guy was a coward. I grabbed him the next day and throttled him. I never had another problem, and that kid never bothered anyone after that.

That's how we were raised. Take care of it yourself and don't get pushed around.

The 51-year-old Ludzik had been thinking about that time in his life early this year. It was eating away at his conscience. He felt what he was doing was wrong.

I looked at my own kids and I knew what I had to do, Ludzik said by phone from Niagara Falls a couple of days ago. I said, 'I'm not going to get kicked around by Parkinson's disease.' Not anymore.

That's when Ludzik announced to the world that he was ill.

See the original post:
Ludzik won't be bullied by Parkinson's disease

Interest being gauged for Parkinson's support group in Steamboat

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Dr. Ralph Dittman

Steamboat Springs A part-time Steamboat Springs resident who has lived with Parkinsons disease for 14 years is seeking people who would be interested in participating in a support group.

What were doing is taking a head count to see how many people are interested, Dr. Ralph Dittman said. If they are interested, they need to raise their hands now.

Dittman, who splits his time between Steamboat and Houston, was a surgeon before Parkinsons came into his life at age 51.

The disease causes certain cells in the brain to become inactive, causing loss of motor functions and some neurologic functions. Notable Parkinsons sufferers include Muhammad Ali and Michael J. Fox.

The disease did not allow Dittman to be a surgeon anymore, so for the past eight years, he has been working in the laboratory and has become a renowned stem cell researcher and has published several novels.

Dittman thinks there are people in the community who could benefit greatly from a Parkinsons support group, especially those who take care of people suffering from the disease.

Theyre the people that take the real brunt of this thing, Dittman said. Theyre the ones that really need the help.

He said that to form the group, he needs to find at least 20 people who want to participate.

View original post here:
Interest being gauged for Parkinson's support group in Steamboat

Parkinson's Disease – Smelling Test For Early Detection

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Editor's Choice Main Category: Parkinson's Disease Article Date: 16 Jun 2012 - 0:00 PDT

Current ratings for: 'Parkinson's Disease - Smelling Test For Early Detection'

5 (1 votes)

Researchers have now discovered that the sense of smell provides valuable indications. Hyposmia, i.e. losing the ability to smell for no known cause could be a markers for the non-motor signs of Parkinson's disease. Dr Ulrich Liebetrau, chief physician for Parkinson's consultations at the Neurological Department of Kliniken der Stadt Kln, declared at the 22nd Meeting of the European Neurological Society (ENS) in Prague: "Smelling tests in doctors' offices are suitable for detecting hyposmia but so too are tests conducted in public places such as pedestrian zones."

Parkinson's is a very common neurological slowly progressive disease that usually affects individuals aged between 50 and 60 years. In Germany alone there are about 300,000 people diagnosed with Parkinson's. Scientists still remain uncertain for the reasons of cell death occurring in the substantia nigra in the basal ganglia of the brain of Parkinson's patients, but suspect that genetic factors may be involved. The cell death causes a shortage of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which leads to loss of control over voluntary and involuntary movements. German neurologists from Cologne have now tested a new early detection method for subtle signs of Parkinson's which focuses on the partial loss of the sense of smell, which they based on previous studies that demonstrated that one in ten people with hyposmia develop Parkinson's in later years.

Dr Liebetrau explained: "Our objective was to reach as many people with hyposmia as we possibly could."

The team used an unusual method for their trial. They performed a public smelling test on a Saturday in a banqueting hall in Cologne's pedestrian district that is well known. Liebetrau described the requirements the venue needed to fulfill, saying:

They asked 187 participants to smell vanilla, lemon, cloves and lavender to smell. Overall, 46 participants were identified as having hyposmia, who were all offered a follow-up at the City of Cologne Clinics (Kliniken der Stadt Kln). Dr Liebetrau explained: "The test was to be followed up by a professional examination done by neurologists and ENT specialists at a separate time and place. After all, hyposmia can be a sign of any number of diseases."

The result revealed that three of the 46 individuals with hyposmia were diagnosed with Parkinson's, even though they had no former knowledge prior to the test that they were affected by the disease.

One of the key advantages of low-threshold tests is that diseases that would otherwise go undetected are identified early, which also prevents these diseases from becoming chronic. Early diagnosis is advantageous, even if they involve severe neurological disorders like Parkinson's.

Read the original here:
Parkinson's Disease - Smelling Test For Early Detection

Parkinson’s Disease – Smelling Test For Early Detection

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Editor's Choice Main Category: Parkinson's Disease Article Date: 16 Jun 2012 - 0:00 PDT

Current ratings for: 'Parkinson's Disease - Smelling Test For Early Detection'

5 (1 votes)

Researchers have now discovered that the sense of smell provides valuable indications. Hyposmia, i.e. losing the ability to smell for no known cause could be a markers for the non-motor signs of Parkinson's disease. Dr Ulrich Liebetrau, chief physician for Parkinson's consultations at the Neurological Department of Kliniken der Stadt Kln, declared at the 22nd Meeting of the European Neurological Society (ENS) in Prague: "Smelling tests in doctors' offices are suitable for detecting hyposmia but so too are tests conducted in public places such as pedestrian zones."

Parkinson's is a very common neurological slowly progressive disease that usually affects individuals aged between 50 and 60 years. In Germany alone there are about 300,000 people diagnosed with Parkinson's. Scientists still remain uncertain for the reasons of cell death occurring in the substantia nigra in the basal ganglia of the brain of Parkinson's patients, but suspect that genetic factors may be involved. The cell death causes a shortage of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which leads to loss of control over voluntary and involuntary movements. German neurologists from Cologne have now tested a new early detection method for subtle signs of Parkinson's which focuses on the partial loss of the sense of smell, which they based on previous studies that demonstrated that one in ten people with hyposmia develop Parkinson's in later years.

Dr Liebetrau explained: "Our objective was to reach as many people with hyposmia as we possibly could."

The team used an unusual method for their trial. They performed a public smelling test on a Saturday in a banqueting hall in Cologne's pedestrian district that is well known. Liebetrau described the requirements the venue needed to fulfill, saying:

They asked 187 participants to smell vanilla, lemon, cloves and lavender to smell. Overall, 46 participants were identified as having hyposmia, who were all offered a follow-up at the City of Cologne Clinics (Kliniken der Stadt Kln). Dr Liebetrau explained: "The test was to be followed up by a professional examination done by neurologists and ENT specialists at a separate time and place. After all, hyposmia can be a sign of any number of diseases."

The result revealed that three of the 46 individuals with hyposmia were diagnosed with Parkinson's, even though they had no former knowledge prior to the test that they were affected by the disease.

One of the key advantages of low-threshold tests is that diseases that would otherwise go undetected are identified early, which also prevents these diseases from becoming chronic. Early diagnosis is advantageous, even if they involve severe neurological disorders like Parkinson's.

Read the original here:
Parkinson's Disease - Smelling Test For Early Detection

A Genetic Cause For Multiple Sclerosis Is Identified And Funded By Science Patron, Jeffrey Epstein

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NEW YORK, June 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent study at Oxford University in England and published in Annals of Neurology, has identified a gene that causes vitamin D deficiency and may also be the cause of multiple sclerosis. The study was partly funded by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, The Wellcome Trust and the support of science investor, Jeffrey Epstein and The Jeffrey Epstein VI Foundation.

Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disease caused by the decay of myelin, the fatty sheath that protects the axons around the brain and spinal cord. Myelin is an essential part of neural communication because it not only protects the nerve circuits but promotes efficient conductivity. Every year, approximately 400,000 people in the United States develop the disease and about 2.5 million people worldwide. Symptoms vary widely, ranging from mild tingling to blindness and paralysis.

The cause of myelin damage is still hotly debated: some believe it to be an autoimmune disease while others cite viruses or the environment as the culprit. There is growing evidence however of a correlation between multiple sclerosis and vitamin D deficiency. Epidemiological studies also show that populations closer to the equator and the sun, have far fewer case of multiple sclerosis than populations closer to the north or south poles. Researchers at Oxford University have now taken this premise a step further by showing that vitamin D deficiency and therefore multiple sclerosis could have a genetic cause.

The study examined the DNA of a group of people with multiple sclerosis who also have a large number of family members with the disease. All the DNA samples showed a distortion of the CYP27B1 gene which controls vitamin D levels in the body. And in a few rare cases where the DNA showed two copies of the distorted gene, the person was found to have a genetic form of rickets caused by vitamin D deficiency as well as multiple sclerosis.

Despite this pivotal link, not all people with vitamin D deficiency develop multiple sclerosis. More research is needed to fully understand why only some people develop multiple sclerosis from vitamin D deficiency and why others don't. However, a distortion of the CYP27B1 gene is increasingly apparent in MS cases and it's possible that the gene generates other, yet undetected, complications that lead to the diseasesuch as genetically caused rickets.

"Although vitamin D deficiency doesn't always cause MS, it unveiled a critical genetic source that could be causing other problems that lead to MS," Jeffrey Epstein asserted, whose foundation, advances science and medical research across the United States. "Even if we don't understand all of the implications of that gene's distortion, research can focus on gene therapy, and that will accelerate a cure."

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society which also helped fund the Oxford study provides more than 325 research grants worldwide and training fellowships on a broad range of topics from immunology, nerve tissue repair and myelin biology, clinical trials, rehabilitation, psychosocial issues and health care delivery.

http://www.jeffreyepsteinfoundation.com

Go here to read the rest:
A Genetic Cause For Multiple Sclerosis Is Identified And Funded By Science Patron, Jeffrey Epstein

Seniors' Attitude on Age May Affect Dementia Test Results: Study

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THURSDAY, June 14 (HealthDay News) -- Seniors who regard themselves as "older" are five times more likely to meet the criteria for dementia than those who see themselves as "younger," a small new study suggests.

The study included 68 people, aged 60 to 70, who were divided into two groups. One group was told that the study participants ranged in age from 40 to 70 and that they were at the upper end of the age range. The other group was told that the participants ranged in age from 60 to 90 and that they were at the lower end of the age range.

All of the participants were then given one of two articles to read, which either described how aging affected memory or how aging affected general thinking ability.

The participants then underwent a standard dementia screening test.

Seventy percent of the people who were encouraged to see themselves as older and read the article that said aging was associated with a general decline in thinking ability met the criteria for dementia, compared with 14 percent of those in the other groups.

"Our research shows that the effect of age perceptions on performance can be dramatic, and that seeing oneself as 'older' significantly increases a person's risk of being diagnosed with dementia on such tests. It highlights the importance of taking a person's attitude towards their age into account when assessing for dementia," study lead author Dr. Catherine Haslam, of the University of Exeter, in England, said in a university news release.

The study was scheduled for presentation Tuesday at the International Conference on Social Identity and Health, hosted by the University of Exeter. The data and conclusions should be viewed as preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

-- Robert Preidt

Copyright 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

SOURCE: University of Exeter, news release, June 11, 2012

Originally posted here:
Seniors' Attitude on Age May Affect Dementia Test Results: Study

Make-A-Wish fulfills boy's dream to see Disney's Cars Land

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ANAHEIM Lucas Appleton wheeled himself toward the wrought-iron safety gate separating him from the ride he was about to experience Luigi's Flying Tires, a personal hovercraft attraction in Cars Land.

As he watched the super-sized "flying tires" bumping and bouncing their way across an expansive arena, he inched his wheelchair closer and closer to the gate. It wasn't long before his front wheels started drifting upward.

Lucas Appleton, 9, at left, with his brother William, 13, makes a funny face at his parents while waiting for Mater's Junkyard Jamboree ride to start. Make-A-Wish made it possible for Lucas, of Grover Beach, to go to California Adventure's new Cars Land attraction before it officially opened.

MINDY SCHAUER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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If you'd like to donate

Lucas Appleton's family is raising money to buy him a service dog, expected to cost $12,000 to $15,000. To make a donation to the Lucas Appleton Trust Fund, which is being maintained at Rabobank in Pismo Beach, call the bank at 805-773-5255 and ask to speak with the branch manager.

"Not that close, buddy!" a ride operator cheerfully reminded the 9-year-old boy.

"He's so excited," said his mother, Cassandra, shaking her head as she warned him (again) to not do wheelies in line.

Lucas, who has a rare form of muscular dystrophy called Friedreich's ataxia, was one of four kids with life-threatening illnesses who got to experience the new attractions at Disney California Adventure park Thursday through children's dream-granting charity Make-A-Wish.

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Make-A-Wish fulfills boy's dream to see Disney's Cars Land

Researchers urge EU not to cut stem cell funding

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* European Parliament debating funding for 2014 to 2020

* Scientists fear cuts to embryonic stem cell research

* Experts say cutting funds would hold back entire field

LONDON, June 15 (Reuters) - Leading scientists, biomedical research bodies and patient groups urged the European Parliament on Friday to maintain vital European Union funding for studies using embryonic stem cells.

Hailing the field as "one of the most exciting and promising" in modern biomedical research, the group said they feared research grants currently under review may be under threat from pro-life European parliamentarians who say public funds should not be spent on embryonic stem cell work.

"(EU) Commission funding must be available to continue to support scientists investigating all types of stem cells - including human embryonic stem cells - with potential to make advances in regenerative medicine," they wrote in an open letter released by the Wellcome Trust, a charitable health foundation.

The European Parliament is currently debating the future outline of Horizon (Euronext: HOR.NX - news) 2020, the EU's programme for research and innovation which will run from 2014 to 2020.

Draft rules provide for stem cell research funding, including embryonic stem cells but some member states have been lobbying for embryonic stem cell research to be excluded.

Many scientists believe stem cell research has the potential to lead to the development of treatments for a whole host of diseases including incurable neurodegenerative illnesses such as Parkinson's, motor neurone disease and multiple sclerosis, as well as type 1 diabetes, various serious heart conditions, liver damage, spinal cord damage and blindness.

Europe (Chicago Options: ^REURUSD - news) , and particularly Britain, is considered a world leader in stem cell research. The experts, from charities, funding bodies and patient groups, said if Europe is to hold on to this competitive edge, it is crucial to maintain funding for all stem cell research.

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Researchers urge EU not to cut stem cell funding

Parkinson's group to meet

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MERIDIAN When the Meridian Parkinson's Disease Support Group first met a few months ago there were only four people in attendance who suffer from the debilitating condition.

The last meeting of the group saw 50 people show up looking for mutual support, information and peace of mind. Needless to say, Jimmy Gossett, one of the founding members of the group, was both astonished and pleased at the response.

"It is so nice to meet so many people who have the same condition as you," said Gossett, explaining he doesn't wish the disease on anyone. "But when you have this kind of problem, having friends and meeting new ones who through sheer numbers can build you back up, that is a nice thing."

With each new group meeting, Gossett said more and more health professionals work to assist in any way they can. Gossett said in the upcoming meeting, set forTuesday, June 12 at 10 a.m.at the Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church in Meridian, three health professionals will be on hand to lend their expertise in the realm of Parkinson's Disease (PD).

"We will have physical therapists and speech pathologists on hand to help with information on what we face as PD sufferers," Gossett said. "But we will have fun, laugh, and fellowship. That is the best therapy we can have."

Gossett said the therapists will bring with them years of experience in dealing with PD sufferers. He said the health professionals will address such issues as speech deficits including reduced volume in their voices, decreased intelligibility, poor breath support and swallowing. Speech pathologists Angela Ramsey and Lesley Smith will be speaking to the group about oral motor exercises, respiratory exercises, and patterning techniques. The subject of neuromuscular e-stim to improve speech and swallowing will be covered.

Also, Amanda Sayers, a physical therapist, will be on hand to discuss some exercise techniques and different treatment approaches for the group as related to gait patterns, how to deal with "freezing" and tremors, and safety precautions.

"Each of these presentations will be followed by question and answer sessions so each person there can get the answers unique to their conditions," said Gossett.

Gossett said everyone is invited. He said he hopes that all PD suffers, not only in Meridian and Lauderdale County, but also throughout the East Mississippi area, will come and discover this group so they can seek the help and support so many sufferers need.

"It is all up to us, the PD sufferer, to increase our knowledge and understanding of this condition so that we can better cope with it," Gossett said. "We encourage those family members who have a person suffering from PD to come as well so they can get a firm grip on what their loved one is going through."

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Parkinson's group to meet

Parkinson’s group to meet

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MERIDIAN When the Meridian Parkinson's Disease Support Group first met a few months ago there were only four people in attendance who suffer from the debilitating condition.

The last meeting of the group saw 50 people show up looking for mutual support, information and peace of mind. Needless to say, Jimmy Gossett, one of the founding members of the group, was both astonished and pleased at the response.

"It is so nice to meet so many people who have the same condition as you," said Gossett, explaining he doesn't wish the disease on anyone. "But when you have this kind of problem, having friends and meeting new ones who through sheer numbers can build you back up, that is a nice thing."

With each new group meeting, Gossett said more and more health professionals work to assist in any way they can. Gossett said in the upcoming meeting, set forTuesday, June 12 at 10 a.m.at the Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church in Meridian, three health professionals will be on hand to lend their expertise in the realm of Parkinson's Disease (PD).

"We will have physical therapists and speech pathologists on hand to help with information on what we face as PD sufferers," Gossett said. "But we will have fun, laugh, and fellowship. That is the best therapy we can have."

Gossett said the therapists will bring with them years of experience in dealing with PD sufferers. He said the health professionals will address such issues as speech deficits including reduced volume in their voices, decreased intelligibility, poor breath support and swallowing. Speech pathologists Angela Ramsey and Lesley Smith will be speaking to the group about oral motor exercises, respiratory exercises, and patterning techniques. The subject of neuromuscular e-stim to improve speech and swallowing will be covered.

Also, Amanda Sayers, a physical therapist, will be on hand to discuss some exercise techniques and different treatment approaches for the group as related to gait patterns, how to deal with "freezing" and tremors, and safety precautions.

"Each of these presentations will be followed by question and answer sessions so each person there can get the answers unique to their conditions," said Gossett.

Gossett said everyone is invited. He said he hopes that all PD suffers, not only in Meridian and Lauderdale County, but also throughout the East Mississippi area, will come and discover this group so they can seek the help and support so many sufferers need.

"It is all up to us, the PD sufferer, to increase our knowledge and understanding of this condition so that we can better cope with it," Gossett said. "We encourage those family members who have a person suffering from PD to come as well so they can get a firm grip on what their loved one is going through."

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Parkinson's group to meet

'Muckers' get dirty in fight against multiple sclerosis

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By PATTI MENGERS pmengers@delcotimes.com

NEWTOWN Dozens of youngsters were being encouraged to play in the mud on Sunday at the Ellis Preserve. It was no wonder.

They were just following the examples of their parents.

In fact, Saturday and Sunday a total of nearly 4,000 people of all ages were wallowing in the watery dirt as part of the Muck Ruckus MS, staged by the Greater Delaware Valley Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Multiple sclerosis victims and their loved ones were raising funds through pledges to help fight the disabling, autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system that affects 400,000 Americans and has no known cause or cure.

Our goal is to raise $1.1 million and were really close, said Jena C. Visconto, development coordinator for the local National Multiple Sclerosis Society, late Sunday morning.

About 100 volunteers over two days helped implement the event, which was sponsored by Bryn Mawr Hospital, Main Line Today, AFC Fitness, Chickies & Petes restaurant, Wawa convenience stores, Videon Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep, BPG Properties Ltd. and the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association.

Children age 11 and under, known as Little Muckers, got to help the cause by cavorting amid the mud on a makeshift slide, balance beam and small wooden pyramid created by Event 360. A baby pool was mercifully nearby for rinsing.

Adult participants navigated a 10K run with 31 natural and manmade obstacles, including Swing Set from which they leapt into a giant mud puddle, and Fun to be a Fireman, which required participants to climb a platform, then jump over to a firehouse-style pole on which they slid into the muck.

A lot of people are afraid of heights. Theres a gap between the platform and the poles. But they are conquering their fears for people they know who have MS, said Visconto, who noted multiple sclerosis patients were also meeting the muddy challenge.

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'Muckers' get dirty in fight against multiple sclerosis

‘Muckers’ get dirty in fight against multiple sclerosis

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By PATTI MENGERS pmengers@delcotimes.com

NEWTOWN Dozens of youngsters were being encouraged to play in the mud on Sunday at the Ellis Preserve. It was no wonder.

They were just following the examples of their parents.

In fact, Saturday and Sunday a total of nearly 4,000 people of all ages were wallowing in the watery dirt as part of the Muck Ruckus MS, staged by the Greater Delaware Valley Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Multiple sclerosis victims and their loved ones were raising funds through pledges to help fight the disabling, autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system that affects 400,000 Americans and has no known cause or cure.

Our goal is to raise $1.1 million and were really close, said Jena C. Visconto, development coordinator for the local National Multiple Sclerosis Society, late Sunday morning.

About 100 volunteers over two days helped implement the event, which was sponsored by Bryn Mawr Hospital, Main Line Today, AFC Fitness, Chickies & Petes restaurant, Wawa convenience stores, Videon Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep, BPG Properties Ltd. and the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association.

Children age 11 and under, known as Little Muckers, got to help the cause by cavorting amid the mud on a makeshift slide, balance beam and small wooden pyramid created by Event 360. A baby pool was mercifully nearby for rinsing.

Adult participants navigated a 10K run with 31 natural and manmade obstacles, including Swing Set from which they leapt into a giant mud puddle, and Fun to be a Fireman, which required participants to climb a platform, then jump over to a firehouse-style pole on which they slid into the muck.

A lot of people are afraid of heights. Theres a gap between the platform and the poles. But they are conquering their fears for people they know who have MS, said Visconto, who noted multiple sclerosis patients were also meeting the muddy challenge.

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'Muckers' get dirty in fight against multiple sclerosis

Ft. Worth Chiropractor Uses Atlas Orthogonal Adjustments for Multiple Sclerosis Patients

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FT. WORTH, Texas, June 10, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ft. Worth chiropractor, Dr. Chris Michlin is the only board-certified Atlas Orthogonal adjustment doctor in North Texas, and he uses this technique to treat patients suffering from neck pain, back pain and conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS). A chiropractic Atlas Orthogonal (AO) adjustment realigns the Atlas vertebra at the very base of the skull. According to Dr. Michlin, when this vertebra is improperly aligned, nervous system impulses from the brain to the rest of the body are interrupted, which can cause pain. Dr. Michlin reports that he has helped patients experience relief from conditions such as sciatica, headaches, migraines, fibromyalgia, autism and multiple sclerosis (MS) with this specific type of adjustment.

Dr. Michlin says that people have driven all the way from Mexico to his and his wife's Ft. Worth chiropractic care center for the AO treatment. "The Atlas Orthogonal adjustment is so effective because the Atlas vertebra is literally the front door leading from the brain down through the spinal cord. If that bone is misaligned, and the skull is not sitting correctly, the nervous system cannot communicate with the rest of the body and things start to go wrong. Back pain, neck pain, headache and migraine problems are just a few symptoms. Misalignment in this vertebra also affects the alignment of all the other vertebrae in the spine, like a chain reaction." Dr. Michlin says that patients whose Atlas vertebrae are out of alignment often have one leg that measures longer than the other because the rest of the spine and hips become uneven.

Dr. Michlin demonstrated that the AO adjustment technique is gentle and does not involve any cracking or twisting of the neck. He first examines the patient manually, feeling for soreness and tenderness in the neck that indicate a misalignment of the Atlas vertebra. X-rays verify the extent of any misalignment. Dr. Michlin then positions the patient on an adjusting table and uses a small instrument that delivers vibration impulses to the Atlas vertebra through the skin. Over a series of adjustment sessions, the vibrations reposition the Atlas.

Dr. Michlin says the results of the AO adjustment have been aired across national TV and that it has helped people overcome conditions as difficult as MS, as well as neck and back pain, headaches, migraines and even autism and colic. He points to celebrity talk show host Montel Williams, who suffers from MS, as an example. After undergoing AO adjustments, Williams reported drastic relief of his MS symptoms. Dr. Michlin says his own patients have similar stories. "When I see the results of the AO chiropractic adjustment in my own patients, it is inspiring. The misalignment of this one vertebra can do so much damage, yet realigning it can bring so much relief."

Dr. Chris Michlin is the only board-certified Atlas Orthogonal adjustment chiropractor in Ft. Worth. More information is on his website at http://backtohealthtexas.com.

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Ft. Worth Chiropractor Uses Atlas Orthogonal Adjustments for Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Volunteers do home improvements for people with multiple sclerosis

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Readmore: Local, Health, News, Multiple Sclerosis, Beth Farrell, Fayetteville, Home Improvements, Multiple Sclerosis Society

Volunteers with the Upstate New York chapter of theMultiple Sclerosis Societywere lending a helping hand on Saturday. The goal was to provide home improvements for people with multiple sclerosis.

Beth Farrell, who lives in Fayetteville, has struggled with multiple sclerosis for about 20 years, but she says this past year, her symptoms took a turn for the worse, putting her in the hospital.

"I couldn't walk or anything, and my whole body basically shut down on me," says Farrell.

Farrell is back home now, but the work around the house has piled up, so volunteers spent the day helping her out.

Farrell's daughter Courtney says she's grateful for the help.

"Some of the things that someone might do day to day become hard for her to do," says Courtney. "To have all of these people help its incredible, amazing."

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Volunteers do home improvements for people with multiple sclerosis