I just saw this on AOL. Alan
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Delivering Results: A Progress Report On Brain Research Issued On
Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON, May 16 /PRNewswire/ -- A new report from the Dana
Alliance for Brain Initiatives foresees dozens of treatments emerging in
the next five years that will help tens of millions of Americans
suffering from neurological and psychiatric disorders.
The remarkable projected therapies range from genetically engineered
drugs and cell implants to electronic "pacemakers" for the brain.
"Delivering Results: A Progress Report on Brain Research" was
released to the public on Capitol Hill today to mark the mid-point of
the federally declared Decade of the Brain. The 36-page document is the
work of the Dana Alliance which was formed in 1993 to increase public
understanding of the brain and to encourage support by the public and
policy makers for brain research.
The Progress Report covers 15 categories of brain disorders. Among
the illnesses for which new treatments are projected are cocaine
addiction, schizophrenia and stroke.
The Dana Alliance noted that this report is the first ever to
describe the likely path treatment will take for problems originating
with the brain and nervous system, both neurological and psychiatric.
The scientists peg the impact of these disorders at nearly $600 billion
in direct and indirect costs, with 207 million Americans affected.
The cost and magnitude of brain-related problems is often
unappreciated because federal and private surveys compile figures on
neurological and mental diseases separately. But, medical researchers
now consider both types of illnesses to have the same biological
underpinnings.
Advances in research projected by scientists include:
-- Medication that will block the action of cocaine in the brain.
-- In five years, screening for Parkinson's disease will be likely
and a new gene therapy will be available.
-- Replenishment of lost or damaged cells or the adding of cells
with "engineered" genes is a possibility to reverse damage to the brain
from Alzheimer's disease.
-- The use of brain "pacemaker" implants to send an electrical or
chemical pulse to prevent the onset of seizures for those with severe
epilepsy, who are now dependent on medications, is possible in the next
ten years.
-- Major reduction of spasticity in cerebral palsy should be
attainable.
-- New technology will enable family physicians to screen children
for language based learning disabilities including dyslexia; while
high-tech innovations will help relieve the brain sensory processing
problems responsible for these impairments.
Dana Alliance Chairman David Mahoney said, "Everyone of us, or
someone we love, will be affected by the suffering related to a
brain-related disease or disorder. Most of us just aren't aware of how
common brain-related problems are, because it's not been as clear as it
is now that the brain is the origin of the disorder. But, the next five
years will be an era of unprecedented progress in brain-related
research. As Americans become more familiar with the help this science
will bring, they will support it."
The Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives is an independent, nonprofit
organization of more than 135 leading neuroscientists, including five
Nobel laureates. The Alliance's sole commitment is to advance education
about the personal and public benefits of brain research.
CO: Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives
ST: District of Columbia
IN: MTC
SU:
Transmitted: 95-05-16 18:59:46 EDT
