Can Alzheimer's Disease Ever Be Treated?
Alzheimer’s
Disease (AD) is a non-reversible brain disorder that leads to dementia. It is named after the German clinician, Alois Alzheimer, who discovered the disease in 1906 (Berchtold et al.,1998). To date, the disease is responsible for 50% - 80% of dementia cases and affects mostly the elderly (over 65 years old), but the middle-aged can be affected as well (See Chris's story below). Currently, no cures are available for AD and the so-called 'treatments' can only relieve the symptoms, e.g. speech therapy to improve speech problems. In other words, patients are hopeless and they can only wait for death while suffering from a gradual loss of cognitive functions and mobility. Deaths ensure because of the damage of the cardiovascular and/or respiratory centers in the brain, compromising breathing and heartbeat. It is also common for AD patients to die as a result of opportunistic infections, due to immunodeficiency in the advanced stage of the disease.
For more information about the disease, please read ABOUT AD.
For more information about the disease, please read ABOUT AD.
Story of Chris - Journey as an AD patient
As an unfortunate woman who was diagnosed with AD in her 40s, Chris went through a loss of cognitive function (putting on the wrong shoes, forgetting that she has just talked to her husband, slurred speech etc.) to a loss of mobility and death.
Watch the whole story:
It is heartbreaking to see Chris and many other victims being tortured by AD to death.
But the good news is, AD patients no longer have to be that desperate! Researchers have recently identified two potential therapeutics that could slow down the progression of AD - BACE inhibitors and PTI-125. They are regarded as medical breakthroughs that might revolutionize the treatment of AD! So we are now one step closer to a full cure.
But the good news is, AD patients no longer have to be that desperate! Researchers have recently identified two potential therapeutics that could slow down the progression of AD - BACE inhibitors and PTI-125. They are regarded as medical breakthroughs that might revolutionize the treatment of AD! So we are now one step closer to a full cure.
News on the Breakthroughs
A673T and β-secretase 1 inhibitors (BACE inhibitors)
Stefansson verified the concept of using BACE inhibitors to treat AD based on the newly discovered protective mutation (A673T) because the mutation is found to protect against cognitive decline in the elderly.
Read more: http://www.icenews.is/index.php/2012/07/21/icelandic-scientists-find-rare-alzheimers-fighting-gene/#ixzz27Mi77Nj1
PTI-125
Pain Therapeutics from Texas, USA, is fascinated by the discovery of PTI-125, which is a small molecule with high affinity to alpha7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChR). This would disrupt the toxic signals generated from Aβ peptides (the primary causative agent of AD). Although it is still in the developmental stage, it has the potential to reduce neurofibrillary tangle and Aβ 42 formation in humans.
Read More: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/pain-therapeutics-publishes-novel-approach-to-treat-alzheimers-disease-2012-07-18
What you can find out on our website:
Stefansson verified the concept of using BACE inhibitors to treat AD based on the newly discovered protective mutation (A673T) because the mutation is found to protect against cognitive decline in the elderly.
Read more: http://www.icenews.is/index.php/2012/07/21/icelandic-scientists-find-rare-alzheimers-fighting-gene/#ixzz27Mi77Nj1
PTI-125
Pain Therapeutics from Texas, USA, is fascinated by the discovery of PTI-125, which is a small molecule with high affinity to alpha7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChR). This would disrupt the toxic signals generated from Aβ peptides (the primary causative agent of AD). Although it is still in the developmental stage, it has the potential to reduce neurofibrillary tangle and Aβ 42 formation in humans.
Read More: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/pain-therapeutics-publishes-novel-approach-to-treat-alzheimers-disease-2012-07-18
What you can find out on our website:
- About AD: Causes and symtoms
- Amyloid fibres and how they cause the disease
- A673T protective mutation and BACE inhibitors - True medical breakthroughs?
- PTI-125 - A true medical breakthrough?
Copyright ©2012 by SW Wong, E Lo and N Rodrigues. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer: The information in this website is for general informational purposes only and is not presented by professional neurologists or any experts in the field. While we endeavor to maintain the accuracy and reliability of the information, we disclaim any liabilities for any consequences due to reliance on any erroneous information in our website.