U.S. researchers have identified three genes which are linked to the spread of breast cancer to the brain. The study has been published in the journal Nature. This could be path breaking finding that can lead to new treatments to stop the spread of breast cancer to the brain.

Breast cancer victims often have a brain and lung relapse even after tumour has been successfully removed. Previously scientists had identified two genes COX2 and HB-EGF which were involved in the spread of cancer to lungs. Now researchers have identified that these two genes and a third gene ST6GALNAC5 which is more active in brain tissues may be responsible for the fatal metastasis.

The study was conducted by Cancer Biology and Genetics Program at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York and Howard Hughes Medical Institute. The researchers hope that this would lead to new treatment possibilities and drugs could be used to target interactions between cancer cells and these three genes. This is indeed good news for millions of breast cancer patients.

Via Health

Researchers from Scotland have found a protein that may make nerve cells sensitive and prone to seizures. The tests on mice suggest that amyloid protien which causes clumps in brains could be primary cause of it.

Nearly one third of Alzheimer’s patients suffer from epileptic seizures. Unfortunately the medications of Alzheimer’s could trigger seizures. On the contrary the drugs that can control these seizures may also worsen the Alzheimer’s symptoms. This new study may enable researchers to develop and design different drugs which can treat both the disease and the seizures. The side effects of drugs could be minimized as well.

This scientific research may actually unlock the cellular mechanism, which could be the missing link between Alzheimer’s and seizures. Any new understanding brings a new hope of treatment.

Alzheimer’s itself is a degenerative disease. Dementia coupled with seizures only worsens the situation for the patient and the family. It is distressing that only treatments available are symptomatic. The brain mechanisms are still largely unknown and untamed. There is no single drug which can control Alzheimer’s and epilepsy.

Via BBC