-Janet, I have a question that I believe you can help me address.
    I wrote to my senator urging support for  stem cell legislation.  I
would like to respnd to his concerns, which are the usual source of cells
 abortions) - issue. Is there a standard rebuttal to this common
conservative reluctance to support anything that even suggests enencouraging
abortions
    I am sure you have heard it many times before.  No federal funds  should
be used to encourage creating fetal material  to be used for human research.
I am especialy desireous of obtaining Senator Gregg's support. Our knowledge
of each other is more than casual.  He was New Hampshire's governor for a
term and I served as his Health Commisioner.
    I look forward to your reply.  I welcome any other replies from the
list.                          Bill Wallace
IFrom: "janet paterson" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 21, 2000 12:22 PM
Subject: NEWS: BBC: 'First real test' for Alzheimer's


> 'First real test' for Alzheimer's
>
> Tuesday, 20 June, 2000, 00:00 GMT 01:00 UK - Scientists claim to have
developed a test allowing an earlier confirmation of Alzheimer's disease.
>
> Until now, the only way of making a definite diagnosis was by looking at
the brain in detail after death.
>
> The test, if successful, could mean that Alzheimer's patients could be
placed on treatments earlier, before their condition has declined further.
>
> This would keep them in a less badly-affected state for longer.
>
> It would also allow scientists to monitor the success or otherwise of any
new treatments for Alzheimer's.
>
> The research team, from the Pennsylvania School of Medicine in the US, has
found a chemical molecule which can enter the brain and bind with the
"plaques" which form in brain tissue - a key feature of the disease.
>
> So far their experiments have only been carried out in animals, but the
team is confident that their results will translate into humans.
>
> Blood brain barrier
>
> The key to success is breaching the "blood-brain barrier", which is
designed to stop harmful chemicals reaching the brain from the rest of the
body.
>
>
> The team is using a "stealth" molecule, called BSB, which can pass this,
and go on to bind with the plaques.
>
> This dye-like molecule then shows up on certain types of brain scan,
showing exactly how much plaque is present in the brain.
>
> The work has been successfully carried out in mice which are prone to
developing similar plaques.
>
> The molecule was injected into the mouse's vein, and managed to reach the
plaques in the brain, described by the researchers as the "Holy Grail".
>
> Dr Virginia Lee, leading the research, said: "This is definitely proof of
concept.
>
> "This is an essential first step for the development of an antemortem
diagnostic for Alzheimer's disease."
>
> The team plans to work on to improve the ability of BSB to slip through
the blood brain barrier, and the way in which it shows up on scans.
>
> A spokesman for the Alzheimer's Disease Society said: "There is currently
no way to make a definite diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease until the post
mortem.
>
> "The current tests are all about interpreting scans and symptoms."
>
>
> BBC News Online: Health
> "http://news.bbc.co.uk/low/english/health/newsid_797000/797715.stm"
>
> janet paterson
> 53 now / 41 dx / 37 onset
> 613 256 8340 / PO Box 171 Almonte Ontario K0A 1A0 Canada
> visit my website "a new voice" at: "http://www.geocities.com/janet313/"
>