Joined: 12/6/2011
Posts: 3326
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From Alzheimer's Daily News:
Weird! How did the researchers come to decide on trying this?
(Source: Public Library of Science) - Study results indicate that the parasite Toxoplasma gondii has some favorable effects on the pathogenesis and progression of a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.
Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite commonly hosted in cats and generally known for the potential complications it can cause for human pregnancies, suppressed the immune system.
Researchers led by Eun-Hee Shin of the Seoul National University College of Medicine found that this immune system suppression had positive effects on Alzheimer's disease mouse models, resulting in a significant decrease in the amount of b-amyloid plaque deposition, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, and better performance in behavior tests like a water maze.
Go to full story: http://www.eurekalert.org
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