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Brain cells keep growing well into our 70s For years, scientists have believed that hippocampal neurons stop being generated as we reach old age. But, a new study dramatically overturns this long-held belief. As the population of the United States lives longer and the number of older adults slowly rises, understanding how the brain reacts as it ages is becoming ever more important. Of particular interest is the production of new neurons, or neurogenesis, in the hippocampus. This is a brain region vital for turning short-
term into long-term memories, among other tasks, such as navigation. If the hippocampus degenerates, so too does memory performance. Over the years, the idea that neurogenesis in the hippocampus stops as we enter our twilight years has been hotly debated. In rodents and primates, for instance, the ability to grow new neurons in this region has been shown to slow with age. As this occurs, one part of the hippocampus called the dentate gyrus, particularly important for the formation of new memories, shrinks in volume. For some
time, scientists have believed that this occurs in humans, too. Recently, researchers from Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, both in New York City, NY, ran an experiment in the hope of reaching a definitive conclusion. The aging hippocampus revisited Previous studies have explored hippocampal volume in aging humans, but the results have been hampered by the technical difficulties of accurately measuring parts of the brain using scanning technology. To circumvent these issues, the researchers inspected the
whole, autopsied hippocampi of 28 men and women, all aged 14– 79, who had died suddenly. None of the individuals had long-term health problems or cognitive deficits, and none had had a significantly stressful life event in their last 3 months of life. The team also ensured that none of the individuals had been depressed or taking antidepressantmedicatio ns. This is important because previous research by the same team demonstrated that antidepressants negatively affect neurogenesis….Read More
Could berries help to fight cancer? Compounds found in a range of berries may soon help to treat cancer and slow the aging process. According to a new study, the magic resides in their naturally occurring pigments. There is little more pleasing to the eye than a freshly plucked berry. Part of this beauty is thanks to their pigments, or anthocyanins. Particularly prevalent in blueberries, cr anber r ies, raspberries, and blackcurrants, the antioxidantcapabilities of
anthocyanins have intrigued researchers for years. Anthocyanins are a type of flavonoid. Much of the work looking at their antioxidant action has, to date, been carried out in the laboratory rather than in animals. Because of this, there is some debate about whether anthocyanins are easily absorbed in the body. After all, there is a substantial difference between introducing a compound to a cell in a petri
dish and eating it. Despite these concerns, there is growing evidence that anthocyanins may help to protect against some human diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Others have investigated whether or not they might also help in the fight against cancer, and while some laboratory and animal studies have offered hope, observational studies in humans have not been so
encouraging. In short, there is a lot to learn about anthocyanins and how they impact human health. Anthocyanins and their influence Currently, there is little known about how anthocyanins may interact with and influence molecular pathways in the body. This is where today's study comes in.….Read More
US senators question cancer drug’s 1,400% price hike A bipartisan group of senators asked the head of a pharmaceutical company why the cost of a 40year-old, cancer-fighting drug has spiked 1,400 percent over the last four years. A letter released Monday by Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, DNev., Sen. Susan Collins, RMaine, and Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., is the first step toward a Senate probe into Tri-Source Pharma and its subsidiary NextSource
Biotechnology. NextSource acquired the drug lomustine in 2013 and raised its price. Lomustine was first approved by the Federal Drug Administration in 1976 to treat brain tumors and Hodgkin lymphoma. In a March 22 letter to TriSource Pharma CEO and President Robert DiCrisci, the senators asked for documents to “better understand the factors contributing to the rising cost of lomustine, which has increased nearly 1,400 percent since 2013
for the highest dose.” Collins is chairwoman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging. Cortez Masto also sits on the panel. McCaskill is the ranking Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Collins and McCaskill have introduced legislation to curb price hikes in medicines and streamline the process for the FDA to approve generic drugs. The senators are asking for
NextSource documents on the sale of lomustine, company profits from sales of the drug, and any communications referring to cost estimates, profit projections and market share analysis. The spike in the drug’s cost prompted a number of media stories in December. A telephone call to NextSource about the Senate inquiry went unanswered. But an undated statement about media coverage of the cost increase of lomustine was posted on the Tri-Source Pharma’s website...Read More
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