Shelley Emling of The Huffington Post reports a rather dramatic finding that Antidepressant May Slow Alzheimer's Disease, Study Finds. Citalopram dramatically slowed the growth of amyloid beta and the plaques that it causes which are closely related to the memory and other cognitive problems caused by Alzheimer's according to a study published in Translational Medicine.
Brain plaques are closely connected to memory problems and other cognitive difficulties caused by Alzheimer's. If researchers can stop the plaque buildup, they may be able to stop the horrific mental decline caused by the disease.
Scientists found that the antidepressant citalopram stopped the growth of plaques in a mouse model of Alzheimer's. What was even better is that a single dose of the antidepressant lowered production of amyloid beta -- the primary ingredient in plaques -- by 37 percent in young healthy adults.
"Antidepressants appear to be significantly reducing amyloid beta production, and that's exciting," said senior author Dr. John Cirrito, assistant professor of neurology at Washington University School of Medicine, in a written release. "But while antidepressants generally are well tolerated, they have risks and side effects. Until we can more definitively prove that these drugs help slow or stop Alzheimer's in humans, the risks aren't worth it. There is still much more work to do."
Emling also reports giving citalopram to older mice with plaques "stopped the growth of existing plaques and reduced the formation of new plaques by 78%"
Huffington Post notes that the number of people living with dementia is expected to double to 65.7 million by 2030.
Let's hope further research replicate these findings in human subjects and we can save millions of people and their families from so much suffering from this dreadful disease.
11:33 PM PT: Please check out my other posts from today and late last night.
Harry Reid calls for reexamination of post-9/11 Authorization of Use of Military Force
John Stanton and Kate Nocera of Buzzfeed write this excellent original article reporting that Harry Reid Backs Reexamination Of Post-9/11 Military Authorization Law. The Authorization of Use of ...
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Antidepressent citalopram may slow the development of Alzheimer's disease
Shelley Emling of The Huffington Post reports a rather dramatic finding that Antidepressant May Slow Alzheimer's Disease, Study Finds. Citalopram dramatically slowed the growth of amyloid beta and ...
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What does U.S. look like with a 10 feet rise of sea level asks Climate Central
Ben Strauss of Climate Central asks What Does U.S. Look Like With 10 Feet of Sea Level Rise? Then ...
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Attorney for Bill Stepien demands retraction in Mastro GWB report, threatons to sue
Here is a quick report from Sue Livio of the Star-Ledger reports Attorney for Christie campaign manager demands retraction on GWB report, threatens to sue," saying Bill Stepien did not mislead ...
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Rapid 15mm/yr bedrock uplift in the Antarctic Peninsula explained by global warming ice loss
Anna Shane sends me this dramatic news that global warming has melted enough antarctic ice to change the shape of the earth to the extent scientists can measure it. RDMag reports the strange news ...
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270 Dead, 120 still trapped in largest Turkish mining fire in their history, anger at P.M. Erdagon
The BBC World News reports Turkish coal mine disaster: Anger at PM Erdogan, where an explosion in power equipment caused a pit to collapse and a fire in a Turkish mine that has killed 270 and ...
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Ex-Lt. Gov. Carrol says working for Florida Gov. Rick Scott was 'bad' for minorities (DI) (DRSI)
Steve Boussquet of the Tampa Bay Times Ex-Lt. Gov. Carroll says working for Scott ...
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2nd U.S. MERS patient spent 4 hours in busy Orange County ER room, 8 more hours before isolated
2nd MERS patient spent 4 hours in busy ER waiting room. U.S. Health officials confirmed the second case of Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome, MERS CoV, has been confirmed in Orange County, Florida,
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Four star generals declare climate change a national security risk
Bill Briggs of NBC News reports, Four-Star ...
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Hundreds killed in Turkish coal mine collapse, 200 still trapped
Desmond Butler and Suzan Fraser of The Associated Press report Grief, Sadness and Shock as Hundreds Perish in Turkish Coal Mine.
Rescuers desperately raced against time to reach more than 200 ...
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05/13/2014 |
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Magic Johnson says he will pray for Donald Sterling, CNN reviews Magic's many contributions
Nina Mandell of USA Today writes Magic Johnson is 'going to pray' for embattled Clippers owner Donald Sterling. Magic also said his "whole life is devoted to urban America" in an interview with ...
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Russia to 'evict' NASA from the International Space Station in 2020 in retalition for U.S. sanctions
Mark Whittington of the Houston Space News Examiner reports that Russia to evict NASA from the International Space Station in 2020, as punishment for what Russia considers to be intrusive bullying ...
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Michael Drewniak testifies he told Christie on Dec 5 about staffs' role in Bridgegate (DI, DFSI)
( Note to Readers : Who would have thought we would have had a chance to practice our DFSI , ( Disturbing Flaming Skull Image ), label only 12 hours after I announced it along with the other DI, DRP,
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