Decade of Advances in Medicine — 2001

New leukemia drug blocks tumor cell growth, without harming healthy cells nearby. Studies of omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish such as salmon) show these substances can prevent heart disease and stroke. Measurement of C-reactive proteins (a blood chemical that provides a good measure of the degree of inflammation in heart vessels) may help predict heart attack risk. A miniaturized, totally self-contained artificial heart is developed. Patients waiting for a heart transplant can receive a new device—LVAD (left ventricular assist device)—that buys time until full procedure can be performed.

Advances in understanding Alzheimer's disease come from studying the brains of a group of nuns in Minnesota. For the full story on these remarkable women and their contribution to neuroscience, click here.

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