http://harvardscience.harvard.edu/stories/person/1379 Stories and external links referencing a person (RSS) en http://harvardscience.harvard.edu/medicine-health/articles/combination-therapy-shows-promise-delaying-progression-lou-gehrigs-disease <!--paging_filter--><p>In a study, researchers reported that the combination of minocycline and creatine resulted in additive neuroprotection in the case of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. After treatment with combination therapy, survival for mice with ALS was extended by 25 percent -- or an additional 35 days -- when compared to baseline. Survival was extended 13 and 12 percent, respectively, when compared to minocycline and creatine alone. Additionally, the disease onset was also postponed by an additional 28 days, when comparing the cocktail treatment to the control group. The findings are especially compelling, given that both compounds are presently available for human use. Currently, human trials testing both drugs alone are underway. Researcher Robert M. Friedlander and his team speculate that a "cocktail" human trial will be the next logical step, and one that may bring researchers closer to preventing the fast and deadly progression of ALS. The findings were published in the February 2003 issue of the journal Annals of Neurology.</p> Mon, 26 Mar 2007 05:28:24 -0400 70652986 3342 at http://harvardscience.harvard.edu http://harvardscience.harvard.edu/medicine-health/articles/old-line-antibiotic-seen-save-neurons <!--paging_filter--><p>Developed as an antibiotic 30 years ago, a drug called minocycline was later discovered to ease acne, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions. A few years ago, it was shown to slow and even limit the neuronal damage caused by stroke and Huntington's disease in mice. But researchers were not sure how it works in the brain. In May 2002, a Harvard Medical School research team composed of Shan Zhu, Robert Friedlander, and their colleagues reported that minocycline helps to protect mice from yet another neurodegenerative illness, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease. The researchers also reported -- in the May 2, 2002, issue of Nature -- that they have figured out the secret behind minocycline's neuron-saving powers.</p> <p><a href="http://harvardscience.harvard.edu/medicine-health/articles/old-line-antibiotic-seen-save-neurons">read more</a></p> Mon, 26 Mar 2007 05:21:02 -0400 70652986 3167 at http://harvardscience.harvard.edu