A neurologist with a family connection

It is not true that Francisco was kidnapped Lopera of rebels, as he gathered in the North-West of Colombia blood samples. Nevertheless, the research life of the neurologist is impressive. Lopera has more than 30 years for patients suffering from a rare, inherited Form of Alzheimer's disease. In the Department of Antioquia, a family that counts more than 5000 members, lives of a Spanish immigrant in the 17th century. descendants of Century, wore a diseased Gene. Who inherits it, it is already forgotten with the end 40 and in need of care.

recently, Lopera reported together with an international team of researchers, of a family, not in spite of genetic modification, ill. From the case, scientists want to learn how you Alzheimer's in the future, be able to brake. This goal Lopera has for a long time. During his residency in a hospital in Medellín, a completely confused man fell on him. The symptoms reminded him of the own grandmother, who had Alzheimer's. But the age of the patients didn't fit. He was only 47. In General, Alzheimer's disease occurs from the age of 60.

As the relatives reported that the family of the husband, other members had so early lost your memory, was the doctors noisy. A Hereditary Disease? In the next few years, visited Lopera the family in a secluded village North of Medellín. He heard more family stories, more and more Concerned, had to suffer this "curse". Soon employees have helped to create family trees and to collect blood samples. "Yes, a Team is a roadblock by guerrillas," says Diego Sepulveda-Falla, University hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, a former employee of Lopera and long-time friend. "But Lopera has not been kidnapped."

brains of the deceased could

help After nearly ten years of Lopera finally found the gene mutation that makes people ill, in a Gene with the name of Presenilin 1. Since then, the working group of neuro-scientists, he has built up at the University of Antioquia has greatly increased. Researchers and pharmaceutical companies cooperate with Lopera. Currently, a study with a drug that however, Alzheimer's patients with the more common, late disease, not helped the course of running. The theory of why it failed, like so many other active agents in trials with Alzheimer's patients, is because they are used too late. As soon as symptoms such as forgetfulness occur is damage to the brain is already irreparable. Lopera tests to healthy family members, whether their fate is to be avoided.

With the University hospital in Hamburg Lopera cooperated in a special project: Sepulveda-Falla studied together with Markus Glatzel, the brains of the deceased, the Colombian Alzheimer's family. These donations amazed Glatzel. The show, how much the family members appreciated Lopera. The 68-Year-old is still every day to the Institute. He take always the time to shake the Affected and their relatives in the hands, says Glatzel. Scientific publications are not Loperas drive be. "He is to his patients."

Created: 15.11.2019, 22:16 PM