-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/" >