Hibernating Squirrels Show Alzheimer's Symptoms

Ananova ^ | 12-18-2003

[blam]

Hibernating squirrels show Alzheimer's symptoms

Hibernating squirrels show similar symptoms to Alzheimer's disease sufferers, according to German neuro-scientists.

Experts from the University of Leipzig say protein changes in the brains of hibernating squirrels resemble the "virtual shut-down" of the human brain as a result of Alzheimer's.

However, unlike Alzheimer's sufferers, the changes to the rodents' brains are reversed within a few days of awaking from their winter sleep.

Scientist Thomas Arendt, who believes a functional dynamic change in the brain is responsible for Alzheimer's, said he wanted look at other creatures to find out if similar processes occurred.

"The small rodent from the Mediterranean region was the most appropriate subject to study," said Arendt.

Arendt said the purpose of the tests on the European ground squirrels was to determine if the reduction in their vital functions also led to a reduction in brain activity.

However, Arendt found that after the squirrels had woken up it only took a few days before the changes in the brain were able to reverse themselves.

"This throws a completely new light on the changes by Alzheimer patients," said Arendt.

"Up to now it was believed that the Alzheimer disease involved a process that damaged the brain and that had to be fought against."

Story filed: 11:55 Thursday 18th December 2003

[blam]

An interesting theory on the origin of this and other diseases in humans. Click on the article below:

The Neanderthal Theory

[Mike Darancette]

Must be tough when you wake up and have forgotten where your nuts are.

[blam]

Correction: This article is from Ananova, not the Independent(UK).

[cantfindagoodscreenname]

This throws a completely new light on the changes by Alzheimer patients," said Arendt. "Up to now it was believed that the Alzheimer disease involved a process that damaged the brain and that had to be fought against.

So, what are we to glean from this article? Maybe I'm tired, but I don't know what the significance of this is. Does it mean that we can tell our ailing seniors to take naps and then when they wake up they'll be cured?

[At _War_With_Liberals]

""Up to now it was believed that the Alzheimer disease involved a process that damaged the brain and that had to be fought against."

The fact is that scientists have no idea what it is, and the medications have sedative effects at best.

This article is garbage.

[chicagolady]

That's because the squirels had 5 years of consecutive FLU SHOTS, which raise your chances of getting the disease by 90%.

[Sidebar Moderator]

Corrected source

[Freedom2specul8]

AAck! Got a good source to link us to? I've only taken the shot once and got sick as a dog a few days later. I have no idea if I got the shot too late, or if the shot caused it. I'm definitely interested in what you said...for future reference.

[blam]

"Corrected source."

Thanks.

[gitmo]

So if I see Granny digging up holes in the yard with her hands, I can be assured she's almost completely recovered.

[SquirrelKing]

Of course, there are other theories.

[southernnorthcarolina]

Most squirrels have Alzheimer's.

The propogation of our hardwood forests depends upon the fact that squirrels forget where they hid at least some of their acorns, hickory nuts, walnuts, etc.

[blam]

"The propogation of our hardwood forests depends upon the fact that squirrels forget where they hid at least some of their acorns, hickory nuts, walnuts, etc"

Yup. They're really agriculturists.
You should see some of the novel places they plant trees around here.

[luvbach1]

All it proves is that humans are not squirrels.