Alzheimer's disease in men linked to low levels of hormone, IGF-1

New study indicates possible usefulness of IGF-1 in Alzheimer's disease treatment

2012-10-02

(Press-News.org) Chevy Chase, MD— Low serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) are associated with Alzheimer's Disease in men, but not women, according to a recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).

IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 are involved in longevity and could be beneficial to cognition, especially in Alzheimer's disease where experimental studies have shown that IGF-1 opposes the main pathological processes of Alzheimer's disease. The current study investigated the relationship between IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 serum levels and cognitive impairment, including Alzheimer's disease.

"At this time, no curative treatment is available for Alzheimer's disease so focus on modifiable associated factors is of major importance," said Emmanuelle Duron, MD, PhD, of Broca Hospital in Paris, France and lead author of the study. "Our research shows a possible usefulness of IGF-1 in Alzheimer's disease treatment, especially in early stages."

In this multicentric cross-sectional study, researchers measured IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 serum levels in 694 elderly subjects (218 men and 476 women). Of the study participants, 481 had memory complaints and were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment. Duron and her colleagues found that IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 serum levels were significantly associated with cognitive status in men, but not in women.

"Our cross-sectional association does not mean a causal relationship," notes Duron. "Our results justify a longitudinal study to evaluate whether circulating IGF-1/IGFBP-3 are predictive of cognitive decline according to gender."

###Other researchers working on the study include: Benoit Funalot, Nadege Brunel, Cecile Viollet, Jacques Epelbaum and Yves le Bouc of Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) in Paris France; Joel Coste and Laurent Quinquis of Hotel Dieu in Paris, France; Joel Belmin of Charles Foix Hospital in Seine, France; Pierre Jouanny of Centre Hospitalo in Amiens, France; Florence Pasquier of Hopital Roger Salengro in Lille, France; Jean-Marc Treluyer of France Unite de Recherche Clinique in Paris, France; and Olivier Hanon of Broca Hospital in Paris, France.

The article, "Insulin-like Growth Factor-I and Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3 in Alzheimer's Disease," appears in the December 2012 issue of JCEM.

Founded in 1916, The Endocrine Society is the world's oldest, largest and most active organization devoted to research on hormones and the clinical practice of endocrinology. Today, The Endocrine Society's membership consists of over 15,000 scientists, physicians, educators, nurses and students in more than 100 countries. Society members represent all basic, applied and clinical interests in endocrinology. The Endocrine Society is based in Chevy Chase, Maryland. To learn more about the Society and the field of endocrinology, visit our site at www.endo-society.org. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/EndoMedia.

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Study uncovers racial disparities in diabetic complications among underinsured

2012-10-02

Chevy Chase, MD— Diabetes is among the ten leading causes of death in both white and African American patients, but the prevalence of diabetic complications are race-specific, according to a recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM). "This study is one of only a few to assess whether there is a racial difference in the incidence of diabetic complications," said Gang Hu, MD, PhD, of Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and lead author of the study. "Our findings suggest ...

New antibiotic cures disease by disarming pathogens, not killing them

2012-10-02

A new type of antibiotic can effectively treat an antibiotic-resistant infection by disarming instead of killing the bacteria that cause it. Researchers report their findings in the October 2 issue of mBio®, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology. "Traditionally, people have tried to find antibiotics that rapidly kill bacteria. But we found a new class of antibiotics which has no ability to kill Acinetobacter that can still protect, not by killing the bug, but by completely preventing it from turning on host inflammation," says Brad Spellberg ...

Trojan horse drug therapy provides new approach to treating breast cancer

2012-10-02

When Linda Tuttle was diagnosed with breast cancer, she never imagined her experience would inspire her colleagues to design new treatments to tackle the disease. An administrative assistant in the Department of Chemistry at Wake Forest University, Tuttle was more accustomed to talking to faculty and staff about meetings and course loads – not doctors' appointments and treatment plans. But after her 2009 diagnosis, Tuttle's use of tamoxifen, a drug commonly used to treat breast cancer, inspired medicinal chemist Ulrich Bierbach to develop a targeted therapy that delivers ...

Low levels of vitamin D are associated with mortality in older adults

2012-10-02

Chevy Chase, MD—Low levels of vitamin D and high levels of parathyroid hormone are associated with increased mortality in African American and Caucasian older adults, according to a new study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (JCEM). The study also indicates that the potential impact of remediating low vitamin D levels is greater in African Americans than Caucasians because vitamin D insufficiency is more common in African Americans. For the past several years, there has been considerable interest in the ...

New analysis of presidential candidates' health care plans estimates uninsured by 2022

2012-10-02

New York, NY, October, 2, 2012—The number of uninsured individuals is estimated to increase in every state and to 72 million nationwide—with children and low- and middle-income Americans particularly hard hit—under Governor Mitt Romney's plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with block grants to states for Medicaid and new tax incentives, according to a new Commonwealth Fund report. While the details of Governor Romney's proposals have not been specified, a set of assumptions was made for the report based on similar proposals advanced in the past. The ...

Low vitamin D levels linked to more severe multiple sclerosis symptoms

2012-10-02

Low blood levels of vitamin D are associated with an increased number of brain lesions and signs of a more active disease state in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a new study finds, suggesting a potential link between intake of the vitamin and the risk of longer-term disability from the autoimmune disorder. But researchers, led by Ellen M. Mowry, M.D., M.C.R., an assistant professor of neurology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and principal investigator of a multicenter clinical trial of vitamin D supplementation in MS patients, caution that more ...

Savant Books Announces the Release of David B. Seaburn's New Novel, "Chimney Bluffs"

2012-10-02

When their four-year-old son, Danny, dies suddenly, Mitch and Kate's grief overwhelms them. Conflicted about going on with their lives, Mitch and Kate decide to leap from a cliff at Chimney Bluffs. When the couple is found by park rangers, Clancy and Bobby, Kate is still very much alive. What follows is a poignant and powerful story of three strangers, each facing a tragic loss, who together find friendship and healing. A novel of hope and redemption by David B. Seaburn, author of "Charlie No Face" (Savant 2010). David B. Seaburn is the author of the "Charlie ...

Rachel Galvin's Indie Streak wins Web Radio Show of the Year

2012-10-02

On Sept. 24, Rachel Galvin's show Indie Streak won Web Radio Show of the Year at the 3rd annual Women in the Arts Miami event at Privet in Hallandale, FL. Winners were selected by the public voting online. On her show, which has been in existence since Jan. 1, 2012, Galvin interviews film industry professionals, including directors, screenwriters and even the occasional actor. Combining the interviewing skills she has used as a journalist with the background she has gained working in the film industry, Galvin has made a name for herself with Indie Streak. Regarding the ...

Self Defense for the Coming Zombie Apocalypse

2012-10-02

FEMA has declared October to be "National Zombie Awareness Month" and the CDC has warned the public to prepare for the "Zombie Apocalypse" and has even set up a special web site with guidebooks and other resources. Join Jing Ying Institute for a fun workshop that will prepare you to protect yourself, your family and friends against zombies. Instead of trying to settle the age-old argument about whether slow zombies or fast zombies are the scariest, we will give you the tools you need to defend against both. Use the controlled movement, mental concentration ...

Dyslexia Simulation Helps Parents and Professionals Work More Effectively with Children with Reading Challenges

2012-10-02

A dyslexia simulation will be held on November 3rd at the Stowell Learning Center in Irvine, CA. The purpose of the simulation is for participants to experience first-hand the daily challenges facing children with reading problems. This is a fun, but eye-opening experience that can help anyone working with children with reading problems to better understand and help remove or at least diminish the frustration these children feel. It is very difficult to understand how a smart child can struggle with reading and even harder to imagine what it must feel like to actually ...

Alzheimer's disease in men linked to low levels of hormone, IGF-1

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES: