Alzheimer's Drug Helps Mice

Level 2 Lesson by: Aron Thode Source:vice.com

How to study this lesson

Ask: (1) Do you have a good memory? (2) Have you ever heard of Alzheimer's disease?

A brown mouse sitting in the gloved hand of a researcher.
Scientists were able to help mice.

Actions

Scientists say they brought back brain function in mice with Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's is a brain disease. It slowly takes away a person's memory and thinking. It mostly affects people over 65. It is the main cause of dementia (when the brain stops working well). More than 150 million people could have dementia by 2050.

The scientists tested a new drug on sick mice. The drug helped the mice's brains get energy again. Even very sick mice got better after the treatment. Their brains started working normally again.

The scientists tested the drug on two different groups of mice. In both groups, the drug stopped the disease or brought back brain function. The scientists now think that even very bad Alzheimer's can get better.

But the drug is not ready for people. Scientists still have to test it on humans. This is going to take many years. But for the first time, scientists believe they can do more than just slow Alzheimer's. They think they can bring back what the disease takes away.

Vocab List

  • Disease (n.) — A sickness that affects the body or mind.
  • Drug (n.) — A medicine used to treat a sickness.
  • Memory (n.) — The ability to remember things.
  • Treatment (n.) — Something done to make a sick person better.
  • Affect (v.) — To change or have an effect on something.
  • Function (n.) — The way something works.
  • Energy (n.) — The power your body needs to work and move.
  • Dementia (n.) — When the brain stops working well.

Listen and fill the gaps below:

Listen and Fill Gaps

Listen to the audio and complete the gaps below:

Scientists say they brought back brain function in mice with Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's is a brain disease. It slowly takes away a person's (1) __________ and thinking. It mostly affects people over 65. It is the main (2) __________ of dementia (when the brain stops working well). More than 150 million people could have dementia by 2050.

The scientists tested a new drug on sick mice. The drug helped the mice's brains get (3) __________ again. Even very sick mice got better after the treatment. Their brains started working normally again.

The scientists tested the drug on two different (4) __________ of mice. In both groups, the drug stopped the disease or brought back brain function. The scientists now think that even very bad Alzheimer's can get better.

But the drug is not ready for people. Scientists still have to test it on humans. This is going to take many years. But for the first time, scientists believe they can do more than just (5) __________ Alzheimer's. They think they can bring back what the disease takes away.

True or False

Answer each question by selecting True or False, then click CHECK to see your results.

  • Alzheimer's disease mostly affects people over 65.
    The article says it mostly affects people over 65.
  • The scientists tested the drug on humans.
    The article says the drug is not ready for people and scientists still have to test it on humans.
  • The drug is ready for people now.
    The article says the drug is not ready for people and testing on humans is going to take many years.

True or False

1. Alzheimer's disease mostly affects people over 65. T / F

2. The scientists tested the drug on humans. T / F

3. The drug is ready for people now. T / F

Put Events in Order

Put the events from the story in the correct order from first (1) to last (4):

  • ___ Scientists will test the drug on humans.

  • ___ Scientists tested a new drug on sick mice.

  • ___ In 2050, more than 150 million people could have dementia.

  • ___ The drug helped the mice's brains get energy again.

Multiple Choice

1. What did the new drug help the mice's brains do?

   A) Get energy again

   B) Grow bigger

   C) Make new cells

   D) Sleep better

2. How many people could have dementia by 2050?

   A) About 50 million

   B) About 100 million

   C) More than 150 million

   D) More than 200 million

3. What do the scientists now believe they can do?

   A) Stop all brain diseases

   B) Help only young mice

   C) Slow Alzheimer's only

   D) Bring back what the disease takes away

Vocab List
  • Disease (n.)
  • Drug (n.)
  • Memory (n.)
  • Treatment (n.)
  • Affect (v.)
  • Function (n.)
  • Energy (n.)
  • Dementia (n.)

Vocab Match

Match each vocabulary word with a definition:

1. Disease

2. Memory

3. Treatment

4. Function

5. Dementia

a) When the brain stops working well.

b) The way something works.

c) Something done to make a sick person better.

d) The ability to remember things.

e) A sickness that affects the body or mind.

Discussion Builder
  1. More than 150 million people could have dementia by 2050.
  3. The drug worked on very sick mice.

Discussion Builder

Choose the best phrase for each gap:

  1. More than 150 million people could have dementia by 2050. ________ that is a very big number.

    I think, / But, / So,

  2. Scientists need more time ________ the drug is not ready for people.

    because / and / but

  3. The drug worked on very sick mice. ________ scientists are very happy about the results.

    For example, / But, / So,

Discussion Questions

  1. How does this article make you feel? Why?
  2. What things do you remember well?
  3. What kinds of things do you often forget?
  4. Are you worried about getting old?
  5. Who is the oldest person you know? How are they different from you?
  6. What do you do to keep your brain healthy?
  7. Have you ever taken care of a sick person? What was it like?
  8. Why do you think scientists test drugs on mice first?
  9. What other diseases do you think need more research?

Answers

Listening: (1) memory, (2) cause, (3) energy, (4) groups, (5) slow

True or False:

  1. True. The article says it mostly affects people over 65.
  2. False. The article says the drug is not ready for people and scientists still have to test it on humans.
  3. False. The article says the drug is not ready for people and testing on humans is going to take many years.
  4. Undefined.

Multiple Choice: A, C, D

Put Events in Order:

  1. Scientists tested a new drug on sick mice.
  2. The drug helped the mice's brains get energy again.
  3. Scientists will test the drug on humans.
  4. In 2050, more than 150 million people could have dementia.

Vocabulary:

  1. Disease: A sickness that affects the body or mind.

  2. Memory: The ability to remember things.

  3. Treatment: Something done to make a sick person better.

  4. Function: The way something works.

  5. Dementia: When the brain stops working well.

Discussion Builder:

Hints: 1) Opinion. 2) Reason. 3) Result.

  1. I think,

  2. because

  3. So,

eslnewsstories.com