2006年VOA标准英语-Skin Test for Alzheimer's Could Mean Early Diag

By Melinda Smith
Washington, DC
14 September 2006
 
watch Alzheimer report

Researchers say it may soon be possible to scientifically diagnose Alzheimer's disease, without having to wait for autopsy¹ confirmation² after the patient has died.  Clinical trials in the U.S. have confirmed the effectiveness of a skin test, which could help in early treatment and, perhaps one day, a cure. 

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Brain scans comparing normal function (below) with that of an Alzheimer's patient   
  
A laboratory image clearly shows what are called "plaques³ and tangles⁴" in the brain.  They signal the buildup of a protein that eventually damages brain cells.  Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disorder⁵ that gradually affects memory, comprehension, language and judgment⁶.  Five per cent of Alzheimer's patients inherit this condition through a familial gene⁷.  But for the vast majority of others, age is the common factor. 

 
Dr. Daniel Alkon 
  
Dr. Daniel Alkon, with Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute, says age is a factor. "The older we get, the more likely we are to get this disease."

Dr. Alkon has led research into an early diagnosis⁸ of Alzheimer's at the Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute outside Washington, D.C. He helped develop a skin test that confirms the presence of an inflammatory signal in the body and the brain. "We can identify specific proteins in those skin cells, which have a different response in Alzheimer's patients," he says.

Alzheimer's is not the only disease that results in memory loss. But it is the only form of dementia that carries no other physical symptom.  Daniel Alkon says that may be why doctors find it such a difficult condition to diagnose early.  The more advanced the disease, the easier the diagnosis, and unfortunately, the less likelihood treatment can do much good.

 
Testing eye-hand coordination⁹ to detect Alzheimer's disease
  
Preventive measures such as vigorous exercise for the body and the brain suggest that older people can perhaps avoid or postpone¹⁰ Alzheimer's.  It's believed that by keeping in shape physically¹¹ and mentally, blood function is boosted in parts of the brain used for memory.  But as the post-World War Two generation ages, there is greater pressure for a cure. 

Dr. Alkon sees potential in a drug called Bryostatin, which has been used in cancer research. "To our knowledge, this is one of the first drugs that has real potential for doing what I just mentioned, which is to treat both the symptoms and the underlying¹² neuro-degeneration."

Government approval of this drug or a possible vaccine¹³ will take time.  For now, Dr. Alkon says he believes the sooner the skin test is available, the better the chance of early treatment.  "That would be marvelous because then we could get a head start in preventing the disease."

1 autopsy   

n.尸体解剖；尸检

参考例句：

• They're carrying out an autopsy on the victim.他们正在给受害者验尸。
• A hemorrhagic gut was the predominant lesion at autopsy.尸检的主要发现是肠出血。

2 confirmation   

n.证实，确认，批准

参考例句：

• We are waiting for confirmation of the news.我们正在等待证实那个消息。
• We need confirmation in writing before we can send your order out.给你们发送订购的货物之前，我们需要书面确认。

3 plaques   

（纪念性的）匾牌( plaque的名词复数 )； 纪念匾； 牙斑； 空斑

参考例句：

• Primary plaques were detectable in 16 to 20 hours. 在16到20小时内可查出原发溶斑。
• The gondoliers wore green and white livery and silver plaques on their chests. 船夫们穿着白绿两色的制服，胸前别着银质徽章。

4 tangles   

（使）缠结， （使）乱作一团( tangle的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Long hair tangles easily. 长头发容易打结。
• Tangles like this still interrupted their intercourse. 像这类纠缠不清的误会仍然妨碍着他们的交情。

5 disorder   

n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调

参考例句：

• When returning back,he discovered the room to be in disorder.回家后，他发现屋子里乱七八糟。
• It contained a vast number of letters in great disorder.里面七零八落地装着许多信件。

6 judgment   

n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见

参考例句：

• The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
• He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。

7 gene   

n.遗传因子，基因

参考例句：

• A single gene may have many effects.单一基因可能具有很多种效应。
• The targeting of gene therapy has been paid close attention.其中基因治疗的靶向性是值得密切关注的问题之一。

8 diagnosis   

n.诊断，诊断结果，调查分析，判断

参考例句：

• His symptoms gave no obvious pointer to a possible diagnosis.他的症状无法作出明确的诊断。
• The engineer made a complete diagnosis of the bridge's collapse.工程师对桥的倒塌做一次彻底的调查分析。

9 coordination   

n.协调，协作

参考例句：

• Gymnastics is a sport that requires a considerable level of coordination.体操是一项需要高协调性的运动。
• The perfect coordination of the dancers and singers added a rhythmic charm to the performance.舞蹈演员和歌手们配合得很好，使演出更具魅力。

10 postpone   

v.延期，推迟

参考例句：

• I shall postpone making a decision till I learn full particulars.在未获悉详情之前我得从缓作出决定。
• She decided to postpone the converastion for that evening.她决定当天晚上把谈话搁一搁。

11 physically   

adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律

参考例句：

• He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
• Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。

12 underlying   

adj.在下面的，含蓄的，潜在的

参考例句：

• The underlying theme of the novel is very serious.小说隐含的主题是十分严肃的。
• This word has its underlying meaning.这个单词有它潜在的含义。

13 vaccine   

n.牛痘苗，疫苗；adj.牛痘的，疫苗的

参考例句：

• The polio vaccine has saved millions of lives.脊髓灰质炎疫苗挽救了数以百万计的生命。
• She takes a vaccine against influenza every fall.她每年秋季接种流感疫苗。