国立健康研究院的科学家说,他们发现了人们长期追踪的破坏阿尔兹海默病(Alzheimer’s)患者脑细胞的杀手——一种令人难以捉摸的蛋白质分子。这种蛋白质分子能在细胞里凿洞,并使洞内的钙浓度达到有毒害作用的水平。此外,他们还发现能中止这一现象的两种普通化学物质,并准备在此病患者中对其中一种进行试验。这种疾病损害人的记忆、思维和性格,目前约有240万美国人深受其害,并且每年导致10万人死亡。 Scientists at the National Institutes of Health said they have discovered a long-sought killer of brain cells that destroy Alzheimer’s patients - an elusive protein molecule. The protein molecule can bore holes in the cells and cause calcium levels in the holes to reach toxic levels. In addition, they found two common chemicals that could halt the phenomenon and are prepared to test one of the patients. The disease, which harms people’s memory, mindset and character, is currently affected by about 2.4 million Americans and 100,000 people are killed each year.