罗切斯特大学医疗中心的科学家发现了侵蚀神经功能的疾病譬如爱滋病毒相关的老年痴呆的新症结和侵蚀方法 。在11月第一期<<临床研究学报>>的一篇文章中, 罗切斯特的科学家提出了慢性神经元退化疾病中脑细胞可能受损伤的新机制。当脑发生炎症时, 日常活动如学习与记忆中通过细胞之间的神经冲动可能变得毒性。这些冲动可能损害神经元和扰乱神经学功能而不是触发记忆的形成。了解这个机制能为治疗这些疾病的药物研究提供一个新思路。通过与加州大学圣迭戈分校的研究员合作, 罗切斯特的科学家提出化学预处理诱导神经元适应的战略, 它能使神经细胞改善承受毒物攻击的能力, 防止伤害和保存功能。

Scientists Show How Thinking Can Harm Brain Cells

Scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center have targeted a new culprit and method of attack on neurologic functions in diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia associated with HIV. In an article in the Nov. 1 issue of The Journal of Clinical Investigation, the Rochester scientists describe a new mechanism by which brain cells can be damaged during chronic neurodegenerative diseases. When inflammation occurs in the brain, nerve impulses that are passed between cells during routine activities like learning and memory can become toxic. Instead of triggering the formation of memories, these impulses can inflict injury on neurons and disrupt neurologic function. Understanding this mechanism could provide a new path for drugs to treat the diseases. Working in collaboration with researchers at the University of California at San Diego, the Rochester scientists propose a strategy of chemical preconditioning to induce adaptations in nerve cells that would enable the cells to better withstand toxic attacks, prevent injury, and preserve function.