Articles

The Miami Herald

New exams, treatments for Alzheimer's in the pipeline
By ANA VECIANA-SUAREZ

Sometime in the near future, probably in our lifetime, a patient will be able to undergo a test that will identify the biological markers of Alzheimer's disease, much like cholesterol now serves as a biomarker for heart disease. Treatment will come in the form of a vaccine.

Such developments will be a huge breakthrough for a disease that today has no cure and can only be definitely diagnosed after death, when a patient's brain is autopsied. What's more, these tests and treatments aren't the stuff of science fiction.

"A ton of work is being done in the field," says Dr. Maria Carrillo, director of Medical and Scientific Relations for the Alzheimer's Association. "We are on the hunt for early detection tests that can be done in a general practitioner's office. And as far as medicines are concerned, we're looking at a very robust pipeline."

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The Miami Herald

More people live with paralysis than doctors knew
By LAURAN NEERGAARD

Five times more people are living with a spinal-cord injury than doctors have thought - nearly 1.3 million - says surprising new research that finds many of them unable to afford key health care.

Overall, 5.5 million people in the U.S. have some degree of paralysis due to a variety of neurologic problems, from multiple sclerosis to strokes, says a report released Tuesday.

The findings will help health authorities finally understand the scope of need in this largely hidden population.

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Click on some of the articles below to learn more of the potential of stem cell research:

1.) NIH prohibits stem cells from embryos created for science

2.) 5.5 million Americans paralyzed, study finds