This Thursday, September 21, 2023, World Alzheimer’s Day takes place. For the occasion, the editorial staff of CNEWS spoke at length with Thierry Lhermitte. For almost 20 years, the famous actor and member of the Splendid troupe has been the godfather of the Foundation for Medical Research. With a passion for scientific research, he is actively engaged in the fight against this disease and in supporting affected patients. Recently, the actor also visited Lille where he was able to talk with Luc Buée, the research director at the CNRS and director of the “Lille Neuroscience & Cognition” Research Center.
Messenger of the researchers, Thierry Lhermitte therefore confided in the columns of our colleagues about the promising advances. “Luc Buée’s essay concerns a hitherto unknown form of the Tau protein, which could be its precursor. Due to degradation, the Tau protein accumulates inside cells and destroys neurons in the brain. If this newly discovered form is indeed a “pre-Tau protein”, the use of an antibody could destroy it before it reaches its usual known form, so that it can neither be created nor grow”, he explained before mentioning another encouraging treatment authorized in the United States, but refused in Europe.
Also see: “Josiane has never…”, Thierry Lhermitte guest on “Télématin” evokes Josiane Balasko and her fortune like never before!
A call for donations launched by the actor
Committed actor, the one who played a grandfather suffering from Alzheimer’s disease in The final by Robin Sykes also appealed for donations. According to him, “private donations represent a third of laboratory budgets and they have another function which complements state aid. The latter – which should finance more – pays for the installations and fixed operating costs. But then, for each project, the researcher manages to find money from different agencies, companies and private donors.
And to conclude: “People can make a donation on FRM.org, or give 10 euros on their telephone bills by sending the message “ACT” to 92 300. It’s not just a “little extra”, it’s very important.” The message has gotten through!
V.B.