Author Archives: jrwthrfr

Feb
26
2014

Epilepsy, an Early Sign of Alzheimer’s Disease

Posted by

          Epilepsy is characterized by short, recurrent attacks of motor, sensory, or psychological malfunction.  It affects about 1%of the entire world’s population.  Epilepsy is better known as seizures, or when the muscles of the body contract uncontrollably.  There are many causes, such as; brain damage, toxins, metabolic disturbances, and head injury.  A very common trigger for an epileptic episode is flashing lights.  There are medications available that can reduce or eliminate one’s epilepsy.

          While Epilepsy is a very serious disorder, it can be treated.  However, new studies suggest that the continuance of seizures late into life could be an early sign of Alzheimer’s Disease(AD).  The research suggests that patients with Epilepsy could endure much more severe effects from AD than patients without Epilepsy.  There is roughly a five to seven year difference in the occurrence of cognitive decline between epileptics and non-epileptics.  Epileptic patients can expect to see more neuronal damage, faster onset of symptoms, and a much faster rate of cognitive decline from AD.

           In conclusion, Epilepsy is a serious condition that can lead to even more harmful diseases.  The recent study has discovered a link between being epileptic and a faster development of AD.  Epilepsy in the earlier stages of life does not seem to affect the intelligence or normal functions of one’s brain.  However, over the period of sixty years, it has shown to cause more severe Alzheimer’s.  There will very likely be more research done into both disorders and possibly cures or treatments developed.  Neuronal-based sciences are still in a very early stage, and there are likely many discoveries ahead.

Tortora, Gerard J.  Bryan Derrickson.  A&P; principles of anatomy & physiology 13th edition.  John Wiley & Sons, inc.  2011.  Chapter 12.  Nervous Tissue.  Page 486.

The JAMA Network Journals. “Seizures late in life may be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease.” ScienceDaily, 8 Jul. 2013. Web. 1 Dec. 2013.

Feb
26
2014

Muscle Regeneration Improvements

Posted by

Muscle Regeneration Improvements

            Muscular Atrophy is when muscles waste away usually because of disuse or malnourishment.  As myofibrils are lost, the muscle fibers shrink in size and capability.  Those with disuse atrophy experience a decrease in nerve impulses traveling to their muscles and also significantly less strength.  However, disuse atrophy is reversible with proper diet and exercise.  Denervation atrophy occurs when the connection from the nerves to the muscles is cut or disrupted.  With this disorder, the muscle, without connection to the nerves, shrinks to one-fourth of its original size within 6 months to 2 years.  Denervation atrophy is not a reversible disorder because the muscle fibers are replaced with fibrous connective tissue.

            However, there is some recent research that has the potential to cure or reverse many muscular disorders and diseases.  Researchers believe that stem cells are the answer.  In the past, the insertion of stem cells into those with muscular disorders has not had a high success rate.  Now, researchers are coupling the use of stem cells with tissue engineering.  This two-pronged process has been tested and results were seen.  The muscle cells began to regenerate and rebuild muscle cells in the body of one who has muscular dystrophy.

            This stem cell research and application can be used to change the lives of those who have been otherwise forced to live with muscular diseases and disorders.  Further testing and reviews are needed of course.  This revolutionary two-pronged idea has the potential to get rid of muscle deficiency altogether.  With more time and further research, perhaps more diseases could be treated or cured with this stem cell insertion and tissue engineering team.  It could free patients from bed, wheelchairs, and walkers!  It could possibly even lead to other tissue regenerations such as organ and limbs.

Sources:

Tortora, Gerard J.  Bryan Derrickson.  A&P; principles of anatomy & physiology 13th edition.  John Wiley & Sons, inc.  2011.  Chapter 10.2.  Skeletal Muscle Tissue.  Page 331.

BioMed Central Limited. “From degeneration to regeneration: Advances in skeletal muscle engineering.” ScienceDaily, 26 Nov. 2012. Web. 1 Nov. 2013.

Oct
11
2013

How HIV Utilizes the DNA of Cells

Posted by

Blog 1:  HIV and the Immune system.

 

Through the process of Mitosis, cells divide.  During this process, the cell replicates its DNA and forms new cells.  This process is the cell’s way of reproducing itself and ensuring that it can continue to carry out the function it is specified for.  What could happen when a virus interferes with this vital life process?  That virus could have devastating effects on the cell and every other process dependent upon it.  A prime example of this is the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Research has shown that HIV invades and hosts itself in the cells of our immune system.  For some reason, unknown until now, the human immune system is powerless to stop the virus from spreading and taking over.  Recent research has shown that HIV is able to gain control over the cells during their time of mitosis.  When the cell is attempting to replicate its DNA, the HIV virus is blocking the cell’s information from being transcribed and coding itself into the cell’s DNA.  With itself coded into the cell’s DNA, the virus can simply initiate an order and instantly terminate the immune cell.

With this research and insight into the cellular level of infection, new treatments can now be developed.  It has been theorized that early medication for HIV can decrease or even stop the virus taking over the cell’s DNA.  By stopping this, it is hoped that it will allow for a higher immune system of HIV infected individuals.  This research will likely provide a much deeper understanding of how the virus functions and how it rapidly progresses.  Ultimately, it may be possible to vaccinate or even cure HIV in the future.

 

Sources:

Tortora, Gerard J.  Bryan Derrickson.  A&P; principles of anatomy & physiology 13th edition.  John Wiley & Sons, inc.  2011.  Chapter 3.7 Cell Division.

NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.  “Scientists discover how HIV kills immune cells; findings have implications for HIV treatment.”  ScienceDaily, 5 Jun. 2013. Web. 12 Sep. 2013.