澳大利亚研究人员发现老年痴呆症的补救措施

 　　澳大利亚研究人员发现老年痴呆症的补救措施

        VIENNA, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Austrian scientists have discovered a natural remedy（补救方法） which could play an important role in the future treatment of dementia.

　　The scientists from the University of Graz in conjunction with researchers from the Free University of Berlin said the substance "spermidine" stimulates¹ the breakdown² of "cellular³ scrap," ORF reported Monday.

　　This should aid for instance with memory loss problems, a major issue for sufferers of dementia.

　　According to Frank Madeo from the Institute for Molecular⁴ Bioscience at the University of Graz, spermidine is found in all body cells, though its concentration decreases with age. The compound aids in the breakdown of defective⁵ proteins and other damaged cellular components⁶.

　　As part of their study the researchers conducted tests on fruit flies, where it was established that the older flies who had been administered spermidine had much better memory abilities. When confronted with certain stimuli（刺激）, these older flies who otherwise performed poorly, reacted with the same success as the younger flies.

　　Given that fruit flies, along with mice, have similar memory processes to that of humans, the researchers hope the positive results can be adapted to the treatment of dementia in humans, with targeted patient studies expected as a next step.

1 stimulates   

v.刺激( stimulate的第三人称单数 )；激励；使兴奋；起兴奋作用，起刺激作用，起促进作用

参考例句：

• Exercise stimulates the body. 运动促进身体健康。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Alcohol stimulates the action of the heart. 酒刺激心脏的活动。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

2 breakdown   

n.垮，衰竭；损坏，故障，倒塌

参考例句：

• She suffered a nervous breakdown.她患神经衰弱。
• The plane had a breakdown in the air,but it was fortunately removed by the ace pilot.飞机在空中发生了故障，但幸运的是被王牌驾驶员排除了。

3 cellular   

adj.移动的；细胞的，由细胞组成的

参考例句：

• She has a cellular telephone in her car.她的汽车里有一部无线通讯电话机。
• Many people use cellular materials as sensitive elements in hygrometers.很多人用蜂窝状的材料作为测量温度的传感元件。

4 molecular   

adj.分子的；克分子的

参考例句：

• The research will provide direct insight into molecular mechanisms.这项研究将使人能够直接地了解分子的机理。
• For the pressure to become zero, molecular bombardment must cease.当压强趋近于零时，分子的碰撞就停止了。

5 defective   

adj.有毛病的，有问题的，有瑕疵的

参考例句：

• The firm had received bad publicity over a defective product. 该公司因为一件次品而受到媒体攻击。
• If the goods prove defective, the customer has the right to compensation. 如果货品证明有缺陷， 顾客有权索赔。

6 components   

（机器、设备等的）构成要素，零件，成分； 成分( component的名词复数 )； [物理化学]组分； [数学]分量； （混合物的）组成部分

参考例句：

• the components of a machine 机器部件
• Our chemistry teacher often reduces a compound to its components in lab. 在实验室中化学老师常把化合物分解为各种成分。