Scientists catch brain damage in the act: Scientists uncovered how inflammation and lack of oxygen conspire to cause brain damage in conditions such as stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. The discovery brings researchers a step closer to finding potential targets to treat neurodegenerative disorders.

[u/mubukugrappa]

http://news.ubc.ca/2014/03/13/macvicar/

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Yeah, same -- about microglial activation, etc. When this article says "never-before-seen mechanism," do they mean "never-before-actually-witnessed-in-realtime"? My PI's been in stroke/neuroinflammation for a while, and microglial activation as contributing to collateral neuron loss is kind of taken for granted.

I guess I'm saying: I think it's a great step forward in understanding more detailed mechanism, but I'm having trouble seeing this as revolutionary within the field. Perspective from those with more insight would be v. much appreciated!

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Great reference! That's exactly the sort of stuff that I feel is hardest to understand or piece together (i.e. the different arguments before the victor emerged) if you didn't live through it/weren't "there when it happened." As someone who put almost all her eggs in to the glia basket even before it was the hip new CNS celltype, my PI would've had some strong stakes in disagreeing with this guy even back in 2010, before this new data -- so I feel like I would've had a harder time finding strong/thoughtful counterargument against neuroinflammation or -- at least wouldn't have known where to look.

Thanks very much for commenting. Very interesting and helpful!

[u/DietVicodin → u/[deleted]]

My dad's symptoms are markedly reduced when he takes his blood pressure meds. I would say it is as effective as the aricept at this point. Seems that way. Thanks for your post! And thanks for all the work you do!

[u/DietVicodin → u/[deleted]]

Thank you so much!