| Jerry Story 2005-06-09, 5:58 pm |
| http://alcoholism.about.com/od/brain/a/blunc041105.htm
[quote]
Number of Brain Cells Not Fixed
For decades, neuroscientists believed the number of new cells, or
neurons, in the adult brain was fixed early in life. Adaptive processes
such as learning, memory and mood were thought tied to changes in
synapses, connections between neurons.
More recently, studies have shown that the adult human brain is capable
of producing new brain cells throughout life, a neurogenesis resulting
in formation of hundreds of thousands of new neurons each month.
[/quote]
I see this as evidence of hope for ALS.
First, it is possible to stop the progression of ALS simply by stopping
the causes of motor neuron death. (And contrary to what most doctors
say, these are known.)
Second, there is some suggestion from the evidence that new motor
neurons can be produced thruout life.
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