What is Digg?35 Comments
- aechase, on 05/12/2008, -0/+9DBS is very, very different from electro-convulsive therapy (which can be seen in the comments in the article) and other forms of electric shock (e.g. tazers). The 'high voltages' discussed in the article are still minuscule in absolute terms, and on par with typical neuroelectric activity.
IMHO, DBS will not be as effective in Alzheimer's as it is in Parkinson's. DBS in Parkinson's can be likened to a pacemaker regulating heartbeat, but cognitive impairments in Alzheimer's stem from plaque and tangle build-ups that I believe are unlikely to be related to neuroelectric activity. - Nougat, on 05/12/2008, -0/+4I recall seeing this kind of thing as a treatment for Tourette's, too. Discovery channel show, maybe? The change in behavioral tics was huge when the guy turned off the little box that sent the charge.
- Borgcube, on 05/12/2008, -1/+5Does that mean Terry Pratchett is going to be alright?
- iamgreg007, on 05/12/2008, -0/+5People who arent funny....YOU!
- manova, on 05/12/2008, -1/+4Agreed. This is probably functionally serving the same purpose as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors do now in the treatment of Alz symptoms, helping the neurons that are left function more efficiently. With increased neuronal loss in the medial temporal region as the disease progresses, I'm sure DBS will be less and less effective. The real trick is to avoid or remove the excessive amounts of long form beta-amyloid. This is when we will have a real treatment.
- davidg11, on 05/12/2008, -2/+7"Lozano's team found that turning on the electrical stimulation triggered old memories in the patient; the higher the voltage, the more details he recalled"
Shock Therapy ROCKS!
I can not see anyone abusing this method!....MORE VOLTAGE! - inigomntoya, on 05/12/2008, -0/+3I think all tazer victims will agree - they will NEVER forget that experience...
- davidg11, on 05/12/2008, -0/+2Maybe shocking the brain might enhance humor.
- Walker2323, on 05/13/2008, -0/+2It's called desperation, ***** face. If you had Alzheimer's, or some other horrible disease, wouldn't you at least consider a risky but potentially effective treatment? Or do you think stem cells are evil, too, Bush-boy.
- FiestyPumpkin, on 05/13/2008, -0/+2Marijuana has also been shown to prevent plague build up. It won't reverse anything but it will slow it down and possibly halt the progression. Aricept only reduces amyloid aggregation by 22% and Cognex by only a whopping 7%. I got this information from the Scripp's Institute (an independent research facility) website:
http://www.scripps.edu/news/press/080906.html
I have been trying to talk my aunt, who has POA, to talk to my grandmother's doctor about Marinol. She refuses because it's "pot." We live in Maryland where medical marijuana is legal now. I don't care if it is "pot", I just hate to see my grandmother wasting away like that. It's very sad. - quomen, on 05/12/2008, -0/+2Not sure more voltage would do the trick. I've got Alzheimer's, and the only prescription is more cowbell.
- inactive, on 05/12/2008, -0/+2Lol, it's true though:
http://digg.com/search?section=all&s=alzheimer - Chromedaffodils, on 05/13/2008, -0/+1Hello, does anyone know if this has been tested for neuropathy or chronic pain. I did see someone posted if you have issues untreated, you get desperate. I am in cronic pain and have neuropathy from cancer treatment and hate the stigma that goes along with narcotics, although they work very well. The doctors I have seen, most are scared of the DEA when they write scripts for this stuff, eventhough they know it will help me. But at times I feel like my arms and legs are in some other dimention of hell and burning on fire, while people look at me with the "what's your problem?" look in their eyes then come to the conclusion I must be a seeker. sigh, I wish there was hope for a cure. shout me if you know anything.... take care diggers! ;-)
- MiniHopper, on 05/12/2008, -1/+3Digg is curing Alzheimer! Again! And again! And again...
Next up: Aids and cancer - DCGaymer, on 05/12/2008, -0/+1Check out iO9's coverage of the movie "Socket" .... I think they movie makers agree. ...not that I do....but they do.
- DCGaymer, on 05/12/2008, -0/+1Might the increased electrical stimulation be causing a nuero chemical change, over time, that decreases or breaks up plaque deposits? Couldn't someone just put one in a petry dish and see what happens?
- DCGaymer, on 05/12/2008, -1/+2Get out of my house.
- davidg11, on 05/12/2008, -3/+4SHOCK THE MONKEY!
- zadadka, on 05/13/2008, -0/+1lol...
... & Dugg. - bootie, on 05/12/2008, -0/+1The common pathology of Alz. is a-beta plaque build up (plaque) in the brain and connecting arteries. There are both passive and active vaccines being tested that clear the brain of these plaques and stabilize and in some cases improve cognition and daily function. See AAB-001 if you're interested....there is no use stimulating the brain if the neurons are coated and non-conductive so this article makes for a good science read.
Companies that are doing Alz. vaccines are Elan Pharma, Transition Therapeutics, Wyeth, and Eli Lilly. Something could be on the market that would be the first disease modifying agent as early as 2009! - SirDomino, on 05/12/2008, -0/+2Salvia divinorum is a 100% nontoxic, anti-addictive plant that has shown incredible promise in a medicinal treatment, and possible cure for Alzheimer's. Not to mention as a medicinal treatment for dozens of other disorders.
Unfortunately most states are making it illegal, and the DEA will most likely schedule it very soon. - Action54, on 05/12/2008, -0/+1This is a very interesting concept. I imagine it's similar to shocking a heart?? In theory i can see how it works i mena the brain is a muscle like a heart right?
- JeffreyLloyd, on 05/12/2008, -0/+1rtfa
- FiestyPumpkin, on 05/13/2008, -0/+1Doesn't work! We tried to for my grandmother and she still almost burnt the kitchen up.
- ctrlfreak13, on 05/12/2008, -0/+1Not surprising since deep brain stimulation had been used in the treatment of Parkinson's patients fro years now, and the two diseases are closely linked (the primary difference between the two is the region of the brain that each effects).
- quomen, on 05/12/2008, -1/+2Why is it that the first comment always seems so suspicious. It's always something like "Awesome post!" or "Great writing". =
- JeffreyLloyd, on 05/12/2008, -1/+2Wonderful news!
- kipmartin, on 05/12/2008, -2/+2i am so down with shock addiction!
- zadadka, on 05/12/2008, -3/+4A most interesting side-benefit. The results of the formal clinical testing will be the nub of course, but we shall see.
Anecdotally, I would also ask if there are any tazer victims reading here? Do you know if your memory improved after the experience? - MysticSavage, on 05/12/2008, -0/+0Milgrom experiment FTW!!
- ha1Con, on 05/12/2008, -1/+0Shouldn't we have DBS'd the entire brain by now? Or, is this just the requisite time lag from Flowers for Algernon and The Terminal Man?
- mnemy, on 05/12/2008, -3/+2So they're testing humans in parallel to rats now? I guess it's a lot easier to get permission to experiment on humans than it used to be...
- inactive, on 05/12/2008, -5/+5treat the disease by posting post-it notes everywhere.
- LJU1492, on 05/12/2008, -5/+0I can't help it, and I know I am going to get flamed big time,but....
It seems that the guys down in Florida have another way to cure Alzheimer's
http://uk.god.tv/Publisher/Article.aspx?ID=1000030 ...
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