University of Minnesota researchers link tau to Alzheimer's disease.Tuesday, December 22, 2010 The University of Minnesota said Wednesday that scient

The University of Minnesota said Wednesday that scientists have established a firm relationship between a protein known as tau and Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of elderly dementia in the United States.

In a study published in the journal Neuron, researchers say that an early buildup of tau in the dendritic spines, a region of the brain responsible for electrochemical stimulation, can cause memory loss by disrupting communications between brain cells.

Tau has long been considered an early biomarker for the onset of Alzheimer's. By forging a direct link between tau and a specific brain area and function, researchers could possibly design ways to treat Alzheimer's before it significantly damages the brain.

Continue reading this article at Med City News.

The Aetrex GPS Shoe at the NY and NJ Memory Walk

The rapid evolution of Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) tracking technology is producing new applications of particular interest to seniors, their families, and caregivers. One of the most active companies in this space is GTX Corp. GTX is the company behind the patented GPS Smart Shoe™ , in partnership with footwear manufacturer Aetrex Worldwide. The shoe was developed to provide peace of mind for families with senior-age loved ones suffering from Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.

GTX is also researching other applications, including something Bertagna calls "eHealth." What he means by that is remote monitoring technologies that not only tell you a person's location, but also their vital signs from far away.

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Do you know what the Most Innovative Location Device is?

No it's not a compass or an astrolabe. It's not semaphore or a smoke signal. Not an RFID tag or a neon sign or phosphorous flare either.

Give up?

It's the GPS Smart Shoe™ recently mentioned in Forbes Magazine, developed by GTX Corp (OTCBB: GTXO.OB) and licensed to Aetrex Worldwide. Yes, a shoe... well a very smart shoe as it can tell a caregiver the precise location, bearing, history, speed and altitude of an Alzheimer's victim that has eloped or wandered. No small feat - pun intended - to reduce the overwhelming stress on the millions of victim caregivers while potentially saving thousands from injuries and death owing to exposure, accidents and criminal activity. The GPS Shoe also reduces the manpower drain on municipal services; fire, police and welfare agencies often enlisted to locate the mentally ill.

While a Finalist in the Most Innovative Location Device category of the Locations & Beyond Summit and the People's Choice Awards is a wonderful acknowledgment for the years GTXO invested in developing the solution and the promise that Aetrex has made in brining the Shoe to market... the real winners are those touched by this devastating disease for which there is no cure, but now have a new measure of hope.