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Replies to #56676 on Biotech Values
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Tuff-Stuff

12/26/07 8:39 AM

#56678 RE: DewDiligence #56676

Omega-3s Linked to Prevention of Parkinson's Disease and More
Wednesday December 26, 8:35 am ET

DENVER, Dec. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- A milestone report links long-chain (marine) omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) with the prevention of Parkinson's disease, according to the December 2007 Fats of Life and PUFA Newsletter electronic publications, which summarize the latest scientific findings on PUFAs.

"Papers with the potential to redirect our thinking about diseases are rare, but this study from Laval University in Quebec City, Canada, might do it for Parkinson's disease," said Editor Joyce Nettleton. "The researchers showed that the consumption of marine omega-3s-mainly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-- protected Parkinson's animals from losing their dopamine-producing neurons. Animals without these omega-3s lost 30 percent of these essential cells, a hallmark of the disease. The implication is that sufficient brain DHA might be able to prevent the onset of Parkinson's disease."

The e-newsletters cover other studies linking marine omega-3s and better cognitive abilities in aging. Eating fish regularly or having higher amounts of omega-3s in the blood are characteristic of older people who have escaped dementia or Alzheimer's disease, according to research from France and the Netherlands. In Norway, participants in their 70s who consumed fish at least once a week had superior mental abilities compared with those who avoided eating fish.

Cognitive benefits from omega-3s seem not to be limited to older adults. Research from Australia found that infants consuming breast milk high in DHA had higher cognitive scores at age 21/2 years. The same study showed that mothers taking a high dose of fish oil in their last part of pregnancy increased the amount of omega-3s in their milk and in the infant for at least 6 weeks after delivery.

Research from Spain reported that more frequent fish consumption in children 6 1/2 years of age with higher risk of allergies was linked to significantly lower chance of developing allergic conditions. Evidence now suggests that maternal intake of omega-3s in pregnancy and a child's consumption of fish are associated with lower risk of childhood allergies.

"For all of these reasons, expecting mothers and people at risk for Parkinson's disease should resolve in the new year to consume more marine omega-3s," Nettleton concluded.

The quarterly Fats of Life and PUFA Newsletter, sponsored by DSM Nutritional Products, are online at http://www.fatsoflife.com and by complimentary subscription.
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masterlongevity

12/26/07 3:17 PM

#56693 RE: DewDiligence #56676

great article.. thanks for sharing.
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apljack

12/26/07 4:59 PM

#56699 RE: DewDiligence #56676

Re: Early detection of Alzheimer's disease

Dew, I have posted elsewhere that the process of very early detection of Alzheimer's disease is quite a daunting task indeed (at least from the perspective of finding a commercially acceptable compound that would be useful in detection and/or treatment.) The pool of subjects would have to be quite large, would have to be followed for MANY years, and the costs associated with this type of research would be extraordinary. If this type of research was to validate a treatment, the question of treatment costs would also be extraordinary.

Consider one such candidate: Flurizan from MYGN.
Phase 2 data suggested that this compound, which clears Beta amyloid via aB42 lowering, clinically improved mild, but not moderate AD patients' cognitive functioning. I have suggested to some in the business that it was exactly because the brain burden of total amyloid for any patient past mild dementia would be so great as to create an environment where Flurizam could not address the damage already done. If there is already a baserate of 20-25% of amyloid buildup in unsymptomatic people at 65 years of age (I've heard some colleagues suggest that the presence can be documented MUCH earlier) the numbers of patients needing to be put on this type of drug would be unprecedented and the duration of treatment would rival that of meds like statins.

Those who followed the rise of statin drugs know that the evidence was glaring and in the face of the cardiology community for years before any tipping point occurred in the widespread use of these drugs.

Can it happen for Alzheimer's drugs? Sure. Will it? Only time (alot of it) will tell, IMO.

regards and happy new year to all

aj