Alzheimer’s
Research: Current & Future Seniors Need Our Advocacy
The numbers of those with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s grows
daily, actually every 68 seconds. The prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease doubles
in every five-year interval after the age of 65.
With the U.S. population aging overall, we are looking at a
problem that will only get greater left unchecked.
The U.S. President, in his National Plan for Alzheimer’s, has
recently put his support behind research to deal with this life altering disease,
setting desired treatment and prevention strategies as the goal to be achieved
by 2025. What that means for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease remains to be
seen, but we are seeing a renewed surge of research and advocacy to fight
Alzheimer’s. If you are an Alzheimer’s caregiver, you are thrilled but know the
end feels like it is a long way off – - maybe too late for those under your
care.
We wanted to touch on a few new areas of study in Alzheimer’s so
that we can all understand the importance of our continued advocacy and
fundraising to make these ideas reality!
New
Bid to Prevent Alzheimer’s Early
The first study, currently underway, is to test an experimental
treatment on individuals who do not show signs of any memory loss but are in
the extended family of someone with Alzheimer’s.
An injectable drug made by Genentech in collaboration with
government and academic researchers will be tested on 300 people who have been
found to have a genetic mutation linked to cognitive impairment symptoms by the
age of 45.
This drug targets amyloid protein in the brain thought to lead
to Alzheimer’s when the protein clumps. One additional focus of the research
will be to see if testing amyloid levels in people can indicate whether
treatments are working without waiting for memory loss to appear or worsen.
Insulin
Nasal Spray
A National Institute of Health study using a $7.9 million grant
will test the effectiveness of insulin nasal spray for people who are already
in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
Ginkgo
Biloba
A government funded trial costing $20 million is studying the
herb Ginkgo biloba and its effect on cognitive impairment of Alzheimer’s
patients who have started to show memory impairment.
Study Reveals How the
World’s First Drug for Amyloid Disease Works
Tafamidis, used in Europe and currently under review by the US
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is the first medication approved to treat
an amyloid disease, a class of conditions that include Alzheimer’s. It has
shown to reduce the formation of amyloid plaques in the brain.
Deep
Brain Stimulation
Another study is reviewing the impact of deep brain stimulation
using continuous electrical impulses to specific “memory” regions of the brain
of people with mild Alzheimer’s disease.
The researchers observed only a handful of subjects and
therefore it needs to be done on a broader scale to validate their findings.
However, they found that the stimulation increased glucose metabolism,
resulting in better outcomes in cognition, memory and quality of life. In
addition, the stimulation increased connectivity in brain circuits associated
with memory.
New
Understanding of Alzheimer’s Trigger
Scientists have found a clear connection of amyloid plaques in
the brain and Alzheimer’s disease. But how does that happen? This new study
looks at one potential mechanism. They found that a highly toxic beta-amyloid
called pyroglutamylated (or pyroglu) in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease
victims appears to greatly increase the toxicity of other more common and less
toxic beta-amyloids thereby causing development of Alzheimer’s. They feel that,
by finding the mechanism that begins the cascade of Alzheimer’s progression,
they will be able to develop a drug to attack this toxic amyloid and slow or
even prevent the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Many more studies are currently underway and more will begin to
determine the cause and best treatment for prevention of the disease as well as
best ways to slow its progression in those already suffering.
Our
Support of Research is Needed
1.
If
you or your loved one suffers from Alzheimer’s, you can get involved in
clinical trials studying the disease.
2.
Be
an advocate for your caregiver, learn all you can about the disease.
3.
Be
an active fundraiser taking part in events near you such as the Alzheimer’s
Memory Walk or the Longest Day; support walkers who are participating, give a
donation when asked by others who hold fashion shows, flower sales, t-shirt
sales or other events in your area.
4.
Support
legislators who are advocating for continued Alzheimer’s research efforts.
5.
Be
a part of a support group to help not only yourself but others who are in need
of your life experience.
We will continue to keep abreast of current research and give
you information of advances as they happen as well as events in which you can
advocate for a cure! Thank You!
While we’re advocating for a cure, we also need to continue to
support services for those suffering from Alzheimer’s already – - as well as
those family members providing care. Chances are a good portion of money raised
at local Alzheimer’s Memory Walks and other events supports local services in
addition to research.
Sr Care corner
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