Alzheimer's Helmet

January 25, 2008 9:02 AM

Here is a helmet that supposedly reverses the effects of Alzheimer's. I guess its progress. *sigh*
posted by Bathtub Bobsled (27 comments total)

An experimental helmet which scientists say could reverse the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease within weeks of being used is to be tried out on patients.

You fail at the internets.
posted by furtive at 9:05 AM on January 25, 2008 [2 favorites]

This will be fantastic if it works. Why the odd attitude?
posted by JeremyT at 9:05 AM on January 25, 2008

Tag to link ratio = 8:1. Maybe you could have included a link to Drudge?
posted by vito90 at 9:05 AM on January 25, 2008

it's still being tested, though
posted by pyramid termite at 9:07 AM on January 25, 2008

Honestly I think I'd rather have the Alzheimer's.
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 9:07 AM on January 25, 2008

The cool part is that, while helping your elders retain their lucidity, you can now grill hamburgers on their head at the same time. That's what I call science!
posted by milarepa at 9:08 AM on January 25, 2008 [1 favorite]

The cool part is that, while helping your elders retain their lucidity, you can now grill hamburgers on their head at the same time.

this could give a whole new meaning to the phrase "george foreman grill"
posted by pyramid termite at 9:12 AM on January 25, 2008

Aaaaand, here's Van Halen's Running with the Devil, vocal track only.
posted by The Straightener at 9:12 AM on January 25, 2008 [5 favorites]

I wouldn't buy a used car from the guy on the left, let alone let him muck with my brain. [NOTFORGOTTOSHAVIST]
posted by DU at 9:13 AM on January 25, 2008

Why the odd attitude?

Have a grandfather who is in the advanced stages (doesn't recognize anyone, thinks everyone is stealing horses he never owned, etc) and I've found most of the research in the field to be a great disappointment. Its always tough when you can remember those people when they were at their best.

Frankly, I'd rather he shuffle around mumbling to himself incoherently, than be seen wearing that monstrosity, but that's just me I guess.
posted by Bathtub Bobsled at 9:15 AM on January 25, 2008

"The cool part is that, while helping your elders retain their lucidity, you can now grill hamburgers on their head at the same time. That's what I call science!"
-milaropa

Meh... put a griddle up there to fry some bacon, and then you'd be onto something!

mmmmmmm.....bacon hat.....
posted by kaseijin at 9:16 AM on January 25, 2008

Frankly, I'd rather he shuffle around mumbling to himself incoherently, than be seen wearing that monstrosity, but that's just me I guess.

Yes, the Quiet Dignity Of Getting Lost In Your Own House And Crapping Your Pants argument.

Presumably a production version would have aerodynamic styling with cool fins and rocket stickers. I'd buy one for that part alone.
posted by DU at 9:18 AM on January 25, 2008 [1 favorite]

FWIW the article says the helmet is worn 10 minutes per day, not continuously. That said, I wouldn't be that suprosed to see it popping up in Bad Science.
posted by Artw at 9:20 AM on January 25, 2008

Is it just me, or do all of those researchers look like they'd benefit from some time under that helmet?
posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit at 9:23 AM on January 25, 2008

They laughed at Tesla's breakthroughs in cold fusion! Apparently a dirty, old tube sock is not a basis for good science.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 9:24 AM on January 25, 2008

Frankly, I'd rather he shuffle around mumbling to himself incoherently, than be seen wearing that monstrosity

The experimental one looks a bit silly, sure. But if the tech/treatment works and it catches on, the design could probably be streamlined into something that doesn't look so bad.

An analogy to commercial products is a bit wonky... but look at the difference between the 80s cellphones and the shiny iPhones.
posted by CKmtl at 9:25 AM on January 25, 2008

I'm.....

so.....

HAPPY!
posted by M.C. Lo-Carb! at 9:27 AM on January 25, 2008 [1 favorite]

How this likely fails: Does it provide more of whatever IR wavelength than the sun?
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 9:28 AM on January 25, 2008

And I have to confess, the first thing that popped into my mind was the Happy Happy Joy Joy Helmet that Stimpy stuck on Ren's head....
posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit at 9:28 AM on January 25, 2008

You guess its progress what?
posted by ten pounds of inedita at 9:28 AM on January 25, 2008

Yet when I tell people I have a magically healing "helmet" and would I like to give it to them, I get slapped in the face.
posted by billysumday at 9:31 AM on January 25, 2008

meta
posted by Artw at 9:31 AM on January 25, 2008

If I were a betting man, I would put more money on the off-label use of Enbrel that was recently announced, than some infrared helmet.
posted by briank at 9:40 AM on January 25, 2008

Are we implying here that the're trolling for venture capitol funding with fake science like the water-powered-car and perpetual motion crooks? Bathing your head in infrared does sound a little pseudo-medical. How does irradiation low enough to not cook you help your brain when there's hair, skin and a skull in the way?
posted by CynicalKnight at 9:41 AM on January 25, 2008

This looks like the worlds lamest case mod...
posted by lattiboy at 9:43 AM on January 25, 2008

So, theoretically, Terry Pratchett could end up wearing Detritus's thinking helmet.
posted by darksasami at 9:43 AM on January 25, 2008 [2 favorites]

When did Metafilter turn into DailyMailfilter?
posted by PeterMcDermott at 9:44 AM on January 25, 2008