New Alzheimer's Research
April 22nd 2011 03:00
Alzheimer's Disease, is the most common form of dementia, affecting an estimated 5 million Americans.
This dementia affects the parts of the brain that control memory, thought and language, and leads to progressive disability that affects a persons ability to function independently.
Last week, many experts gathered to discuss advances in neurology, and had some interesting findings that will help in diagnosing and treating this disease.
What causes Alzheimer's Disease?
The truth is that we do not know what causes this disease. We know that age is a risk factor, in fact, according the the Centers for Disease Control, the number of people with the disease doubles for every 5 years over 65.
This is a very devastating disease for both the patient and the family. Over time, people lose their ability to recognize people they know, become dangerous to themselves since they forget things such as turning off the stove, and also lose their ability to dress, care for themselves, and even eat.
To give some perspective, Alzheimer's is the 7th leading cause of death in our country, and the 5th leading cause of death in those over 65.
What new information was presented last week?
First, there was some information about what Alzheimer's does to the brain - there are two studies that show that the brain changes shape in people with this disease.
Another study showed that these brain changes, specifically the brain becoming smaller, may be detectable as early as 10 years before the disease is obvious clinically.
Then, some helpful and hopeful information about things we can do to decrease the risk of developing the disease was published in Neurology.
A presented at the National meeting last week showed that patients who treat their risks for vascular disease, quit smoking and drinking, have a 39 percent less chance of developing Alzheimer's than those who do not treat these risk factors.
There are also new guidelines out from National Institute of Health - can you help us understand this?
Guidelines are developed from all the literature, and help guide physicians in making diagnsoses for different symptoms or diseases.
These new guidelines show that often Alzheimer's does not show up with memory problems, as we have always thought, but rather can have earlier signs related to vision, literary skills and speech.
So, these new guidelines will help us identify Alzheimer's, and use the best treatments available now.
What should people take away from this?
If you are having difficulties with speech, memory, vision or any other mental function, you should see your physician.
The symptoms do not mean that you have Alzheimer's, or any dementia, but you do need to seek help in determining what might be going on - it not be any disease at all.
Secondly, it is very important to treat things like high blood pressure, diabetes and to stop smoking and limit alcohol.
These risk factors lead to higher chances of many different diseases, so you are putting a deposit in your health bank by treating them.
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