Monday Matters #28

      Dementia is a term for diseases that cause memory loss and other mental abilities. The number of people this affects is astounding! It affects 47.5 million people worldwide. Biologist at the University of York and the University of Massachusetts have been studying dementia diseases intensely and recently identified new mechanisms linked to progression of aggressive form of dementia. They found that the changes in the protein CHMP2B, which is linked to Frontotemporal dementia, affect the connections of neurons. Frontotemporal dementia is the most common form of dementia usually starting in peoples fifties. It affects abilities to understand and use language. This is potentially a massive breakthrough. Dr Sean Sweeney, a senior author of the Department of Biology at the University of York said, " These findings shed light on the events occurring in neurons as dementia takes hold. The more we know about the steps that occur in disease progression, the more opportunities we have to intervene with potential therapies." With enthusiastic and dedicated people and organizations like these at the University of York and Massachusetts, one day dementia might be stopped in its tracks.