Turning Off Suspect Gene Makes Mice Smarter NYTimes / Reuters

[Demeter]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/29/health/29mice.html

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May 29, 2007
Turning Off Suspect Gene Makes Mice Smarter

By REUTERS

CHICAGO, May 28 — Turning off a gene that has been associated with Alzheimer’s disease made mice smarter in the lab, researchers said Sunday.

The finding adds insight on learning and may lead to new drugs. The researchers said the mice were far more adept at sensing environmental changes than other mice.

“It’s pretty rare when you can make an animal smarter,” said Dr. James Bibb, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, who led the study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience.

Professor Bibb and colleagues used genetic engineering to breed mice that could be manipulated to switch off the gene, Cdk5, which controls a brain enzyme linked to diseases signaled by the death of neurons in the brain like Alzheimer’s.

ANOTHER SHORT, CLEAR IMPORTANT ARTICLE--PLEASE READ IT ALL!

[hobbit709]

1. There really is a stupid gene

and I bet the republicans have it in abundance.

[Demeter]

2. I Didn't Realize That--Maybe I Have It. Too!

Such an obvious conclusion! Thanks for the heads up!

[hobbit709]

3. You couldn't possibly have it too

After all, you're here on DU

[unpossibles]

4. I wonder if they can use that to positively affect the GOP base

although they won't get the treatment cause they don't believe in sciencein'.