Scientists induce brain disorders in Alzheimer's mice

Injecting extracts of the brains of people who died from Alzheimer's can induce brain disease in mice that includes prion brain disorders such as mad cow's disease, according to a research group at the Farber Institute for Neurosciences at Thomas Jefferson University. The scientists say that this is the first time that researchers have been able to induce pathology by working with the brains of Alzheimer's victims. They also say that there are different strains of Alzheimer's. The researchers worked with mice that were genetically engineered to produce beta-amyloid similar to the type that is produced in humans. The injections appeared to significantly hasten the development of the plaques associated with Alzheimer's. Experts say the work points to the existence of an outside element, such as a viral agent, in inducing Alzheimer's and may help pave the way to new therapies.

- read the report on the Alzheimer's research from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel