Bacteria on Easter Island

Bacteria on Easter Island

Rapamycin is a drug that keeps the immune system from attacking and potentially destroying transplanted organs (heart, lungs, kidneys, etc.). This drug has another use, which fights Alzheimers. The drug was first found isolated in soil on Easter Island (Rapa Nui). A team from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio reported that the drug rescued memory in a mouse with Alzheimers. The team also found a reduced amount of brain lesions, similar to the ones found in humans that die of Alzheimers. Because Rapamycin is a approved United States drug it could be used to start fighting Alzheimers. Three institutions reported that the life of the lab mice was extended. It was the first pharmacologic intervention shown to extend the life of an aging animal.

During a 10 week period mice with Alzheimers were fed chow containing the drug Rapamycin. Each mouse 6 months old (age of a young adult), and showed signs of having Alzheimers. At the end of the 10 weeks the mice were put through the Morris water maze (miniature swimming pool used for memory testing). The brains were then tested to see if the Rapamycin made a difference on the lesions. The drug is also being tested on cancer mice to see if it can stop or help cancer. The conductors of the test are still unsure as to whether or not this could work on humans.

By Venice Gordon, Cindy Cochran, Matthew Winter

Source:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100224165259.htm