Hi Rosemary, if you're interested in Amyloid I remember Cort wrote an excellent article on this very website involving just this, that you may wish to read.
http://aboutmecfs.org/News/BrainProteomeMar10.aspx
This caught my eye in the article linked above, regarding your interest in Alzheimer's.
Yes thank you I am interested in amyloid proteins and amyloid formation and I shall look forward to reading Cort's article
I just had a quick read about the theory about low carnosine levels in CFS and I am not sure if this has been discussed before on the forum but it is interesting to note that L-Carnosine was found to be beneficial to children with autism spectrum disorders and/or epilepsy
" Low carnosine levels could, then, conceivably contribute in increased oxidative stress and hormonal problems seen in ME/CFS."
CNDP1 (carnosine dipeptidase) degrades carnosine, an amino acid that’s highly concentrated in brain and muscle tissues. Carnosine has a number of different functions; it’s a free radical scavenger and increases corticosterone levels and reduces glycolysis. Corticosterone is an intermediate in the steroid pathway from pregnenalone to aldosterone – an interesting finding given the hormonal questions regarding ME/CFS. Presumably the version of the gene Dr. Baraniuk has found is more active than usual at degrading carnosine and thus could lead to reduced carnosine levels. Low carnosine levels could, then, conceivably contribute in increased oxidative stress and hormonal problems seen in ME/CFS. This, of course, is just a theory and is very preliminary at this point.
Use of L-Carnosine in autism
Use of L-Carnosine in autism was pioneered by Dr. Michael Chez, a pediatric neurologist from Chicago. Dr. Chez theorized that L-Carnosine stimulates the front areas of the brain, providing increased activity, leading to overall improvements in level of functioning. More and more research shows that the frontal lobes and temporal lobes in the brain control emotion, epileptic activity, cognitive, expressive speech, and abstract thinking. It also rejuvinates old, dying cells restoring them to youthful appearance - hence it is a key anti-aging supplement as well.
Carnosine, Autism, and Seizure Disorders
In a double-blind study conducted by Dr. Chez, L-Carnosine was found to be beneficial to children with autism spectrum disorders and/or epilepsy. Participants in the clinical trial who were given L-Carnosine experienced significant improvements compared to those taking a placebo in the following areas: language, auditory processing socialization, awareness of surroundings, fine motor planning and expressive language. Improvements were observed between 1-8 weeks into treatment, with a 90 percent success rate.
Participants taking L-Carnosine showed improved behavior and communication by 16 percent and social interaction improved by 27 percent! In just four weeks, parents reported an overall improvement that more than doubled through the length of the study. To view a summary of the clinical trial, please click here.
Dr. Chez also theorized that all autistic children are dyslexic and that distortion of sensory input (touch, taste, hearing, sight) that autistic children experience are forms of dyslexia. We have anecdotal evidence from customers of all ages that their dyslexia improves or completely disappears when they supplement with Carnosine, including a young lady whose handwriting, reading skills, and grades dramatically improved in after taking Liquid Carnosine Plus over a two-month period. Dr. Chez's study also showed the reading ability took a leap when taking Carnosine.
For more information on Carnosine research related to Dyslexia and other conditions, please click here.
http://autismcoach.com/Carnosine - Liquid.htm
