The Korea Times reports that researchers have identified a key gene controlling the natural process of neuron death. This opens up opportunities for new ways to treat neurodegenerative conditions: "If we prevent neuron apoptosis by controlling Bax's activities using medicine, we can increase the number of neurons and help treat Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and muscular atrophy, which are all caused from abnormal apoptosis of neurons in the brain ... For curing fatal diseases, many scientists have focused on stem cells concerning the creation of cells. But we started the research noticing that preventing the death of cells may also help treat diseases." A wide variety of approaches is always a good thing in medical research.
Link: http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/200412/kt2004120817274153460.htm