Hormone that curbs hunger may guard against Alzheimer's (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

High levels of a hormone that controls appetite appear to be linked to a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, US research suggests.

The 12-year-study of 200 volunteers found those with the lowest levels of leptin were more likely to develop the disease than those with the highest.

The JAMA study builds on work that links low leptin levels to the brain plaques found in Alzheimer's patients.

The hope is leptin could eventually be used as both a marker and a treatment.

The hormone leptin is produced by fat cells and tells the brain that the body is full and so reduces appetite. It has long been touted as a potential weapon in treating obesity.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8414989.stm




Talk about finding an unexpected correlation ...

[napi21]

1. Well, I don't have alzheimer's YET, but it scares me to death

as I get oloder that I could get it and not even realize it! Every time I lay something down, not move away from my desk, but still can't find it, I shudder!!! This new found leptin stuff doesn't sound like a good idea for me though because I'm fairly thin, always have been, and never had much of an appetite anyway.

[knowbody0]

3. I'm already older than my mom was

when she was diagnosed. I plan on buying a pound of opium and heading for my shed if it happens to me. I definitely want to float away, not the horrific way she went. it was 10 years of agony for her. so sad.

[Zoeisright]

4. Don't be afraid when you just forget where things are.

That's a good way to ruin your life right now. The time to worry is when you pick something up that's ordinary, like keys, and don't know what they are for.

You can use memory tricks to help you remember. Whenever I put something down, I look at it hard and say 'stay right there, I'm going to need you later.' Works like a charm.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

2. SO when are they going to find a way for people to have more leptin? nt

[eppur_se_muova]

5. You can buy leptin supplements now, but ...

AFAIK it hasn't been established that they are effective.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=leptin+supplements&aq=0z&oq=leptin+supp&aqi=g-z1g4g-m2

[Sarah Ibarruri]

6. Wow, so how come they're useless? What a shame. Lots of people who might

suffer Alzheimer's could have been helped.