Monthly Archives: September 2019

When I moved from Norway to Sweden, it was mainly to stay closer to the place where I am grown up. I have noticed among friends that it is rather common to return home at my age. To study in the teens, move from home, discover the world by eg travelling and other adventures, and then move closer to parents. In 2010 when I returned, my mother had started to show memory loss. This last decade has been rather tough for me and my family since Alzheimer’s disease is affecting family and relatives.

Unfortunately, I am not into neuroscience research anymore. But, during these years I have thought a lot about how to help within Alzheimer research. Theoretical research instead. I started to write, and my book “Generationer” was finally printed last year. There is a genetical component contributing to the disease. However, it should be noted that most probably, genetics is not the only factor contributing to developing memory deficiency. It is a complex interplay between genetics and environment. You can carry a vulnerable gene, but the disease will only display if you are exposed to a certain milieu.

So called gene scissors are available today. Currently, there is a lot of information available about CRISPR-Cas and gene therapy where methodology has made huge progress during the last decade. CRISPR stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats. With genetic scissors it may be possible in the future to permanently modify genes in living cells and organisms to correct mutations at precise locations in the human genome in order to treat genetic causes of disease.

Of course there are many ethical aspects to consider before experimental attempts. Harper JC and Schatten G asked this important question in a review.

Are we ready for genome editing in human embryos for clinical purposes?      Eur J Med Genet. 2019 Aug;62(8)

Slow, slow progress is needed since we are talking about the human genome, but it should be emphazised, to see somebody close suffer makes me want to contribute to more understanding. I end today’s writing with some music. Music is definitely good for the brain.

At an age of approximately 23 years old, I got interested in learning about the brain. The brain is complicated, and therefore, very interesting. When I ended my PhD studies in 2004, I concluded:

“This scientific journey has not only given the possibility to investigate the neurobiological actions of ethanol and nicotine, but also, it has given me the wonderful opportunity to learn, at least a little, about the organ that controls our body functions and shapes our thoughts, hopes, dreams and imagination.”

Since that day I defended my thesis, I have had that phrase in my mind. Today, I update my knowledge now and then within the neuroscience field. Not only drug dependence, but also within various dementia diseases where memory loss is the main symptom. My mother suffered from memory loss and passed away this spring. I miss her. Yesterday, I went to the countryside and arrived rather late. It was dark and some rain. But also the very first time this year I saw autumn moonlight. We did something scary. I found a torch, and my sweetie and I walked to church.

There actually are ghosts were I am grown up. When I was little, I was told that three white dressed ladies walk in the garden, and that I should let them stay in peace. Do you have a ghost story to be told?

Autumn is here. Last weekend was lovely and it brought a lot of energy. I went running this Thursday, and it was fine. When I have time I do core training afterwards. I actually don’t run, it is more like jogging. A kind of yoga. It is just so relaxing to get into that mode. It made me think of my sweetie so I have to go and see her tomorrow. Even though it will only be for a few hours. That happy mood of her’s is difficult to find. Currently, I am training for “Hässelbyloppet” which is in the beginning of October. That is a top course. A lot of good runners. And always an ambiance that is contagious.

This autumn I have set a personal goal. I am repeating pharmacology. There are developments within various pharmacological treatments. I remember when I read student’s books at the Department of Pharmacology, that my studies that I did at that time, were going to be new knowledge one day. That was a fascinating thought. New knowledge in pharmacological books. Cutting edge.

Exercise is good when you have asthma. I had an allergy attack this weekend. But that is something completely different. Knowledge is becoming more digital, and I share this film with you to get an idea of what kind of education there is about Asthma and Apps.

Take control over your health.