Since Alzheimer's disease is commonly a slow process, the disease affects people differently and therefore individuals respond to different treatments uniquely. Currently, there is no drug or treatment program that stops the progression of Alzheimer's disease. However, for individuals who are in mild, and middle stages of the disease, certain drugs have proven successful.
The latest drugs for treating Alzheimer's disease
Aricept (donepezil)
Given orally, this medication is a reversible inhibitor of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. It is used to treat symptoms in people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Our brains normally produce acetylcholine, a chemical thought to be important for learning and memory. People with Alzheimer's disease have lower brain levels of acetylcholine. Aricept acts by decreasing the activity of acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme whose function is to break down acetylcholine. It is believed that by reducing the breakdown of acetylcholine, it will lead to an increase in the level of acetylcholine in the brain.
Cognex (tacrine)
Given orally, this is another medication that inhibits the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. Tacrine will not cure Alzheimer's disease, and it will not stop the disease from getting worse. However, tacrine can improve thinking ability in some patients with Alzheimer's disease.
Exelon (rivastigmine)
Another cholinesterase inhibitor given orally. This medication is used to treat loss of memory and thinking ability associated with Alzheimer's Disease.
Razadyne (galantamine)
This medication was formerly known as Reminyl. It was changed to razadyne on July 1st 2005. Razadyne is a competitive acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. It has been shown to treat some of the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease successfully.
Namenda (memantine)
Approved by the FDA in October, 2003, this medication is given orally, and works different from the acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. It it thought that too much glutamate in the brain can cause cellular damage. Namenda works by blocking the effects of glutamate.
Antioxidants
Clinical trials have shown that vitamin E slows the progression of Alzheimer's disease by about seven months. Current clinical trials are underway to determine whether vitamin E will slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
Other clinical trials are underway to determine whether vitamin E and selenium supplements can help slow or prevent symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
Ginkgo Biloba
The latest studies using Ginkgo Biloba extract from leaves has shown this chemical to be of some help with treating Alzheimer's disease symptoms. However, there is no evidence that Ginkgo Biloba but will cure or prevent Alzheimer's disease. Currently, there is some clinical evidence showing that Ginkgo Biloba can delay cognitive deficits or prevent dementia to a certain extent in older people.
Estrogen
Clinical trials have been conducted showing that estrogen therapy can protect the brain against damages caused by Alzheimer's disease. These studies were originally conducted using estrogen on women for hormone replacement therapy. Positive response regarding Alzheimer's disease prevention, was noted as a side effect. Current evidence has shown while estrogen therapy can help prevent the severity or symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, it will not slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease once it has already been diagnosed. Also, one study showed that women over the age of 65 who were receiving estrogen and progestin therapy, were at greater risk of dementia and greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease symptoms.
Individuals may participate in current scientific clinical trials
People with Alzheimer's disease may participate in scientific clinical trials. In order to qualify to participate in the studies, certain tests must be conducted. For more information about participating in current clinical studies for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, one can find out more information by calling 1-800-438-4380, which is the Alzheimer's Disease Treatment Center. The Alzheimer's Disease Treatment Centers are located throughout the United States।
Are You at Risk for Getting Alzheimer's Disease?Introduction
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive condition that damages areas of the brain involved in intelligence, memory, behavior, judgment, and language. It is the most common form of mental decline in older adults. Alzheimer's gets worse over time, but the course of the disease varies from person to person. Some people may still be able to function relatively well until late stages of Alzheimers disease. Others may lose the ability to do daily activities in earlier stages. Over time, Alzheimer's disease causes severe mental and functional problems and eventually results in death.
Causes
Scientists do not yet fully understand the causes of Alzheimer's disease. There probably is not one single cause, but several factors that affect each person differently.
Recent studies indicate that amyloid beta protein may cause Alzheimer's disease. In healthy people, this protein can cross the blood-brain barrier (the wall of blood vessels that feed the brain and regulate the entry and exit of brain chemicals) and leave the brain. In people with Alzheimers disease, amyloid beta protein can't pass through that barrier. As more amyloid beta protein accumulates in a person's brain, they become more and more mentally disabled.
Research has recently revealed that consumption of sugar could be one of the biggest threats to our overall health – especially when it comes to age related diseases such as Alzheimer’s. One of the major problems stemming from sugar over-consumption is a chemical process called glycation. Glycation refers to the combination of a sugar and a protein molecule and occurs in your body when glucose in your blood combines with the amino acids tryptophan, lysine or arginine. This reaction releases byproducts called Advanced Glycation Endproducts (appropriately given the acronym AGE).
The formation of AGEs is accelerated when you have lower levels of antioxidants in your system and when your kidneys are weak or malfunctioning. The formation is also accelerated when blood sugar levels are high. Researchers now believe that glycation and the formation of AGEs lie at the heart of the alteration of proteins in the brain that cause Alzheimer’s disease.
Risk Factors
Age is the most important known risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. The number of people with the disease doubles every 5 years beyond age 65.
Blood sugar problems that cause excess glucose in the blood, such as diabetes, has now been added to the list of risk factors for Alzheimer's, given the role of glycation.
Family history is another risk factor, depending on the type of Alzheimer's . Familial Alzheimer’s Disease, a rare form of Alzheimer's that usually occurs between the ages of 30 and 60, is inherited – so family history is a big risk factor. The more common form of Alzheimers disease is known as late-onset Alzheimer's. It occurs later in life, and no obvious inheritance pattern is seen.
Relationship to Aluminum
Since 1965, researchers have suspected that Alzheimers disease is related to accumulations of aluminum in the brain. A relationship between aluminum in drinking water and Alzheimer's has now been established. Additionally, a study looked at the association of Alzheimer's and lifetime exposure to aluminum in antiperspirants and antacids. Scientists found a direct correlation. The more antiperspirant that was used, the more likely the person would develop Alzheimers disease. The same held true for aluminum antacids. It is hard to deny that environmental exposure to aluminum is at least related to Alzheimer’s.
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