The Importance of Alzheimer's Disease Research

“All I can hope for is a cure for Alzheimer’s disease is found. My grandmother has it, and her mom did, as well. Chances are good that both my mom and I will eventually be diagnosed. And I don’t even want to think about my daughter having to deal with the heart wrenching disease. A family foreshadowing is all I need to become active in the fight to cure Alzheimer’s”(Alz.net). Over 5 million Americans are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and that number will continue to rise. Dana Larsen is one of the many Americans who has suffered and seen this disease destroy her family members. It is urgent that we invest our time in “clinical trials [and] allow the medical community to learn not only about common causes and symptoms of those with AD, but also to test new treatment options” (CR Group). While it is true that there has yet to be a breakthrough, we need to find a cure for Alzheimer’s given that research will find it and help the 5 million Americans that are affected by this disease.

People over the age of 65 are most commonly affected by Alzheimer's and the risk is much higher with other types of dementia that increases with age. Now just because an older person maybe starting to forget some things doesn't mean they necessarily have Alzheimer's. Although if a person has trouble remembering new information is could be possible that the learning part of the brain has been compromised. AD Symptoms include, “disorientation, mood and behavior changes; deepening confusion about events; time and place; unfounded suspicions about family, friends and professional caregivers; more serious memory loss; and difficulty speaking, swallowing and walking”(Alzheimer’s Association). With this disease it progress as time goes on and the stages of this disease unfortunately worsen. The first stage starts with “mild cognitive decline”(SeniorLink). For example forgetting where you parked your car, or items you put down. At this stage most people just assume its old age and don’t worry.

Stage 2-4 is where cognitive decline gets substantially worse, and stage 5 is where dementia starts. People with dementia may require assistance with simple tasks “bathing, dressing, and preparing meals” (SeniorLink). The very last stage of Alzheimer's is when they lose the ability to speak, can’t use the bathroom without help, and even the extent of not being able to walk. These stages can worsen up to “four to 20 years”(SeniorLink). This disease doesn't only affect the person who has Alzheimer’s but the remaining family members that have to take care of their loved one. When a family member is diagnosed people tend to react with “anger, fear, frustration and sadness”(Mayo clinic). Also, the financial burden of trying to figure out nursing homes, or even end-of-life care can be emotionally draining for the family. The discoveries of AD have improved the condition of families dealing with this disease.

Over the years there have been major milestones in researching this disease, learning what happens in our brain and helping family members cope with this disease. In 1906 a man named Dr. Alois Alzheimer, was researching brain changes in a patient who has memory loss, and forgot who her family was. They performed an autopsy and found “dramatic shrinkage and abnormal deposits in and around nerve cells” (AA). Not too long after Dr.Alzheimer died, not knowing he just discovered a disease that will go on to affect millions of people’s lives. New tools started to evolve like the electron microscope and cognitive measurement scales in order to get a closer look at brains that are affected by Alzheimer's. The first big research agency, National Institute on Aging started to support Alzheimer's research in 1974. In 1984, “Researchers George Glenner and Cai'ne Wong report identification of a novel cerebrovascular amyloid protein, known as beta-amyloid — the chief component of Alzheimer's brain plaques and a prime suspect in triggering nerve cell damage” (AA). Research has yet to find anything solid to prevent this disease but physical exercise and a healthy diet may increase brain health. As AD research gained more support, they were able to start experimenting with drug treatments.

Since these new discoveries a few doctors have done trials on new drugs to see if they can find a cure. A new drug by the name of Encenicline has shown some promise to improve Alzheimer’s patients memory and function. This drug is “targeted toward patients who have impairments related to both function and memory but who are still in the mild to moderate stages of this disease” (GM). This drug is still in it’s phase 3 trial and has yet to be given FDA approval. They have over 400 patients and some have been given the drug. AD patients “were randomized to three different daily doses of the drug, 0.3 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg, or a placebo. While patients on the lower doses showed positive trends, the results were not statistically significant. However, those taking the highest dose showed statistically significant effects compared with those in the placebo group both for cognition and function” (GM). Although it hasn't been smooth sailing for this new and upcoming drug as there have been many failures with finding the right drug that will satisfy every person with alzheimer’s.

In the future, researchers hope to slow to progression of AD and not just improve memory and brain health. It could even be possible to catch it early with genetic bio markers with just a simple blood test in the future. Overall, we Americans desire to completely get rid of this disease just like smallpox and rinderpest.