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Drug blocks Alzheimers in mice, study says
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Blocking an immune cell in the brain could prevent memory loss related to Alzheimers, according to a study published Wednesday. - photo by Natalie Crofts
Natalie Crofts
KSL
Published: Apr 17, 2015, 4:29 AM
DURHAM, North Carolina Blocking an immune cell in the brain could prevent memory loss related to Alzheimers, according to a study published Wednesday.

Researchers at Duke University claim they were able to prevent memory loss and brain plaques characteristic of Alzheimers in the brains of mice. They used a small-molecule drug to protect the brain from immune cells called microglia, which consume an important nutrient known as arginine in those who have the disease, according to the study.

All of this suggests to us that if you can block this local process of amino acid deprivation, then you can protect the mouse, at least from Alzheimers disease, study author Matthew Kan said in a statement.

When acting properly, microglia protects the brain from infection. But researchers said they observed the immune cells begin to divide and change early in the disease in the type of mouse that has an immune system similar to humans. The changing cells are highly expressed in the regions of the brain involved in memory, according to the study.

The mice performed better on memory tests if they were given the drug difluoromethylornithine before starting to show symptoms of Alzheimer's, researchers said. They also reported seeing fewer altered microglia and plaques develop in the brain.

The drug, also known as DFMO, hasnt yet been tested as an Alzheimer's treatment for therapy in humans. However, it is being used in clinical trials as a treatment for cancer.

The study was published in the Journal of Neuroscience.
Its toxic: New study says blue light from tech devices can speed up blindness
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A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers. - photo by Herb Scribner
Herb Scribner
Deseret News
Published: Aug 13, 2018, 1:39 PM
It turns out checking Twitter or Facebook before bed is bad for your health.

A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers.

That process can lead to age-related macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of blindness in the United States, according to the researchs extract.

Blue light is a common issue for many modern Americans. Blue light is emitted from screens, most notably at night, causing sleep loss, eye strain and a number of other issues.

Dr. Ajith Karunarathne, assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, said our constant exposure to blue light cant be blocked by the lens or cornea.

"It's no secret that blue light harms our vision by damaging the eye's retina. Our experiments explain how this happens, and we hope this leads to therapies that slow macular degeneration, such as a new kind of eye drop, he said.

Macular degeneration is an incurable eye disease that often affects those in their 50s or 60s. It occurs after the death of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Those cells need retinal to sense light and help signal the brain.

The research team found blue light exposure created poisonous chemical molecules that killed photoreceptor cells

"It's toxic. If you shine blue light on retinal, the retinal kills photoreceptor cells as the signaling molecule on the membrane dissolves," said Kasun Ratnayake, a Ph.D. student researcher working in Karunarathne's cellular photo chemistry group. "Photoreceptor cells do not regenerate in the eye. When they're dead, they're dead for good."

However, the researchers found a molecule called alpha-tocopherol, which comes from Vitamin E, can help prevent cell death, according to Futurism.

The researchers plan to review how light from TVs, cellphones and tablet screens affect the eyes as well.

"If you look at the amount of light coming out of your cellphone, it's not great but it seems tolerable," said Dr. John Payton, visiting assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. "Some cellphone companies are adding blue-light filters to the screens, and I think that is a good idea."

Indeed, Apple released a Night Shift mode two years ago to help quell blue lights strain on the eyes, according to The Verge. The screen will dim into a warmer, orange light that will cause less stress on the eyes.