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So it interests me to read the latest releases from ScienceDaily. Don't roll your eyes, I like to be informed! =o)

So when I see a new release entitled "Enabling Nerve Regeneration Means Evicting The Cleanup Crew" I am intrigued and need to sit and read and try to understand it all.

"Macrophages are the immune cells that engulf and destroy the debris of damaged tissue to enable the healing process to begin. Their presence at the scene of damage is critical, but once their task is complete, it is just as critical that macrophages exit rapidly, ending the inflammatory process and making way for regrowth. In fact, the continued presence of macrophages could damage tissue, compromising repair."

Ah yes, maybe you know why this particular scientific release interests me so much. Why? Because it very much relates to multiple sclerosis, since it has to do with the inflammation of myelin (the neural tissue that protects the nerves of the central nervous system). Being able to regulate inflammatory responses so as to aid the repair and rebuilding of immune cells, would be beneficial for not just MS patients, but also survivors of strokes, spinal cord injuries and other CNS pathologies.

Labels: health

Today is March 4, 2007 and tomorrow starts the beginning of national MS Awareness Week.

You can read about current funded research at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's website.

As a surviving person inflicted with MS, I think it is very important not to let it beat you down. It is imperative that you look at yourself as someone surviving every day and never as a victim.

It is hard to do this, especially when so many marketed drugs for the treatment of MS are nearly lethal. I am still amazed at how so many people can be diagnosed with something terrible, only to then find out the treatment is worse than the disease. But technology and medicine as a combined force are evolving productively by the minute and I have faith that better treatments and even cures will see the light of day sooner rather than later.

Labels: health, life

For three days now I have had an awful headache. Last night it was a full blown migraine. It made me feel like I had super sonic bat ears that could pick up every sound within 15 miles of me. And even the dimmest of lights was all but blinding.

This morning I still have a headache, but I'm not covering my ears and squinting anymore. At least not yet. If anyone has any tips for this, I beg of you, please tell me. I took many pain relievers and had a heated pad on the back of my neck/shoulder for HOURS. Any other ideas?

Labels: health, life

I really must quickly blog about this, nerd or not, I think it is very interesting and educational. As most of you know, I am fascinated with the brain, in specific, neurological disorders.

Autism is one of the disorders that has most intrigued me. And since I frequently peruse the National Institute of Health's website, I was pleased to see the latest study on Autism.

Largest-Ever Search for Autism Genes Reveals New Clues

In short, the article discusses the link between this disorder and chromosome 11.
"A site on chromosome 11 most strongly linked to autism in this study harbors genes for proteins that shuttle glutamate across the synapse."

Chromosome 11 only represents 4 to 4.5 percent of your DNA make-up. It, unfortunately, is already known to be one of the most disease ridden chromosomes in our genetic make-up. Chromosome 11 has been linked to things ranging from breast cancer to more rare diseases like beta-ketothiolase deficiency. The specific gene that is being looked into is neurexin 1. Neurexin belongs to a family of genes that help nerve cells communicate.

Anyway, basically, being able to pinpoint this is huge in the study of autism. Scientists and doctors have always thought that autism might have something to do with a person's genetic make-up, but until this study have been unable to prove that theory. Yay for the Autism Genome Project!

Labels: health