The Latest Advances of Alzheimer's

1. The Latest Advances of Alzheimer'sby HOME CARE ASSISTANCE FORTMYERS

2. While there is still no cure for Alzheimer's, new advances are made every year in the fight against the disease. Researchers are studying new treatments to improve the quality of life and slow the progression of the disease as well as ways to identify the disease before symptoms appear. Every new development builds momentum in the race for a cure. Here are some of the latest developments in the fight against Alzheimer's.

3. Immunization Therapy May Fight Beta-Amyloid Plaque • One of the newest dementia treatments in development aims to immunize the body against producing clumps of beta-amyloid in the brain, a hallmark sign of Alzheimer's. A recent Alzheimer's vaccine clinical trial worked to mobilize a person's immune system to fight beta-amyloid in the brain. • While this study was ended early after some participants developed brain inflammation, the study found that immunization may be a solution. Immunization studies going forward will focus on administered antibodies against beta-amyloid plaque from an outside source rather than boosting a person's immune system.

4. Hormone Therapy May Prevent Dementia in Women Hormone replacement therapy is already known to prevent the development of osteoporosis in women. A new study suggests it may lower the risk of Alzheimer's as well for women who are at high risk for the disease. Women who carry a common genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's experience more rapid aging of their cells. In the study, women at high risk of Alzheimer's who received hormone therapy showed no evidence of telomere shortening, or cell aging, after one year. Reducing the risk of cellular aging is believed to lower the changes of Dementia.

5. Blood Test for Early Detection • One of the greatest breakthroughs in Alzheimer's testing came in 2015 when researchers identified a single blood protein that may serve as a warning for mild cognitive impairment, a disorder that's usually a precursor to dementia. Researchers found that, after following healthy adults for more than a decade, those whose cognitive skills diminished the most had the lowest levels of a particular protein. • Researchers hope this blood protein may be used to develop a simple blood test that can determine who's at risk of developing Alzheimer's within the next ten years. Early diagnosis can give families and patients more time to prepare and slow the progression of the disease.

6. Drug to Reduce Cognitive Decline • Another breakthrough in Alzheimer's research this year is a drug called solanezumab. Manufactured by Eli Lilly, the drug has been found to reduce the rate at which the disease breaks down the brain by up to 34%. Data from the clinical trials found that solanezumab reduced cognitive decline in patients with mild Alzheimer's. This is the first time this has ever been recorded. • Solanezumab works by targeting amyloid proteins in the brain and getting rid of them. While the first clinical trial in 2012 involving people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's was deemed a failure initially, researchers reviewed data and found that that advancement of the disease in persons with mild forms appeared to have slowed dramatically. It's believed that the drug may be very beneficial if prescribed to Alzheimer's patients in the early stages of the disease. A third clinical trial has already started to test the drug on people with mild Alzheimer's. The results are expected in 2017.

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