The poet Robert Burns has reminded us that the tiniest, even most repulsive, living thing can teach us valuable lessons.  Sitting in church, he noticed an elegant lady on the pew in front of him.  Her clothing, hair, and “bonnet “were impeccable.  Curiously, however, he suddenly detected a living organism disturbing the sedate scene, and crawling out of an immaculate curl to its outer edge as if making a grandiose stage appearance.  It was a louse! After experiencing this scene, Burns wrote an unforgettable poem, first scolding the louse for this audacious invasion of nobility.  Then he gave to all of us an enduring lesson. Rarely, if ever do we see ourselves as others see us.  When we are fortunate enough to have someone help us with honest feedback, it is a gift.  So, thanks to the louse for its part in our body of philosophical literature. 

In scientific research, the lowly mouse is often used to bring hope to the human family. Controversial as some research may be, we say thanks to whatever mouse helped with some of the research briefly reviewed in this article. The Mouse Brain To Our Rescue in the January 29, 2007 issue of Time by Alice Park described how we are benefiting from the mouse brain to discover new insights about the human brain.  She notes that the brains of humans and mice are drastically different in many variables from size to cognition.  But she points out that the genes for operating both are 90% identical. 

So what? Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen has launched a resource called Allen Brain Atlas (ABA).  The atlas is web-based, available to the public, and has information about what goes on where in the mouse brain.  The information is a valuable resource for research of the human brain, especially in the aging and/or unhealthy brain. 

This information enables researchers to do in weeks what would have taken months without this database (ADA). Scientists can isolate genes responsible for specific behaviors in mice, and then evaluate the variant gene(s) in humans.  Think of the results possible for treatment and development.  On a faster track, using the ABA, genes are isolated that seem to be involved in memory loss.  Already some of this has been done by researcher Dietrich Stephan who has also developed treatment compounds, three of which seem to improve memory in aging rodents.  So, our thanks to the mouse, but most of all to the researchers whose patient, meticulous work gives us hope for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease. 

Setbacks and Progress 

Although, in a previous article, I indicated there are several promising drugs for Alzheimer’s in the development pipeline, there have been some setbacks.  Expectations are still high, however, according to the Alzheimer’s Update (Fall, 2008).  The July 2008 meeting of the International Conference on Alzheimer’s  Disease reports that “results from clinical trials of several potential Alzheimer’s therapies raise hope for new and better treatments of the disease.”  The report from this meeting also indicates that testing of drugs targeting amyloid plaque is continuing.  

The July 30, 2008 Tennessean reported promise for halting the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by breaking up the tangles disturbing the brain.  The drug is called Rember but must be more thoroughly tested before possibly becoming available.

Those of us who wait and hope should be aware that others are vigilant and unyielding in their effort to find help for the wonderful people suffering from this egregious disease.