4.5 million Americans suffer from the devastating effects
of Alzheimer's. 10 million baby boomers will get
Alzheimer's. A new patient develops Alzheimer's every 71
seconds. Alzheimer's is the seventh leading cause of death.
With these startling statistics, can anything be done to
save our brains from this horrific deterioration? Will more
seniors be able to avoid falling victim to Alzheimer's as
the elderly population increases? Are we finally getting
close to a cure?
One of the biggest problems for an Alzheimer's cure has
been finding a way to stop deadly plaques from forming in
the brains of patients. If the disease has progressed past
an early diagnosis, drugs need to be safely delivered to
the affected areas to destroy plaque build-up.
Here are three dramatic new discoveries which are now
giving millions more hope for a future cure.
1. Gene Transfer Therapy: Dr. Zoe Arvanitakis of the Rush
University Medical Center is currently working with gene
transfer. By inserting tiny needles into the brain's area
affected by Alzheimer's, he believes the drug CERE 110 can
be delivered directly where is its needed.
CERE110's purpose is to stimulate nerve growth, but not to
spread the drug throughout the brain which could cause side
effects.
So far trials have been encouraging. The very first
patient in the trial, Ron Shellady, claims he is no longer
losing his memory. It is still too early to gage long
lasting results but CERE 110 shows promise.
2. Nutritional Combat: As more studies about Alzheimer's
and diet are coming in, more evidence seems to be pointing
to diet as a deterrent to the disease.
Researchers at Aberdeen University are finding that people
who eat diets rich in omega-3 oils, score higher on mental
tests than those who do not. This is strong indication
the omega-3 oils may actually help slow down the early
stages of Alzheimer's.
Omega-3 oils are found in walnut oil, flaxseed oil, canola
oil and fish such as Salmon. How do Omega-3 oils work?
According to Greg Cole, professor of medicine and neurology
at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, these oils
expand the productions of LR11, an important protein that
runs low in Alzheimer's patients.
LR11's function is to destroy harmful proteins which form
dangerous plaques which destroy nerve cells in the brain.
Plaque build-up is one of the major problems caused by the
disease.
3. Molecular Attacks: German scientists are researching
ways to prevent harmful brain plaques from forming in the
first place. The fact that an enzyme called beta-secretase
causes plaque damage is nothing new, but how to deliver
well targeted drugs to the damaged areas has been puzzling
researchers for some time.
The Germans have discovered that by blocking beta-secretase
via the blood, this harmful enzyme can be better targeted,
without harming other brain cells. What is needed now
is to find a way around the blood-brain barrier which
guards the brain from most molecules entering it. If
scientists can get past this natural wall they will be
closer to delivering the beta secretase inhibitor to target
only those areas where the therapy is needed.
Alzheimer's is one of the most deadly diseases of old age
because it robs the brain of its ability to function. This
keeps many elderly people in nursing homes and away from
their own homes and families. It is also very painful for
their loved ones to watch their decline.
Although Alzheimer's was first discovered over 100 years
ago, most of what we now know about the disease has been
learned within the last fifteen years. As world wide
efforts continue in the fight against brain destruction due
to Alzheimer's, a cure may be possible as breakthroughs
surge.
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Alice Stevens is actively involved in issues affecting the
aged and their caregivers. She writes regularly for the
blog Aging Parents Authority.
http://www.agingparentsauthority.com
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