New research gives hope to those with Huntington’s diseaseDecember 25, 2017 - 13:38 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Researchers at Leonard Wolfson Experimental Neurology Centre in London have tested an experimental drug that safely reduced the toxic proteins in the brain that cause Huntington’s, Times News says. Though more research needs to be done, this finding has doctors feeling optimistic that the progression of the disease could be slowed or even stopped in some patients. “It’s fascinating,” said Alana Cozier, a neurohospitalist with Wellmont Medical Associates. “It has the potential to be life-altering for people who have Huntington’s and people at risk, also.” Cozier describes Huntington’s as a “progressive, inherited neurodegenerative disorder.” In simpler terms, this means the disease is passed down from parent to child, and it causes nerve cells in the brain to degenerate and die over time. Other neurodegenerative disorders include Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The experimental drug was tested on 40 people via a lumbar puncture, or spinal tap. After injecting the drug into each person’s spinal fluid, researchers then took samples of the fluid and measured the amount of Huntington’s disease-causing proteins that were present. Researchers found that after administering the drug, the amount of toxic proteins in a patient’s spinal fluid had decreased. Patients who received the highest dose of the drug experienced the greatest decrease in toxic proteins, Cozier said. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |