Is Alzheimer’s On The Rise

September 29, 2022

0

Is A Fall Imminent For Biogen Stock After A 30% Rise In A Month

Living with Alzheimers and Dementia | Aging Matters | NPT

CHINA – 2022/07/25: In this photo illustration, the American multinational biotechnology company … Biogen logo is displayed on a smartphone screen.

SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

BIIB , in particular, can be attributed to success with its Alzheimers treatment Lecanemab in late-stage clinical trials. Lecanemab removed built-up plaque in the brain called beta amyloid, resulting in a cognitive benefit for patients with early-stage Alzheimers disease. Biogen also secured regulatory approval for Aduhelm to treat Alzheimers disease last year. However, it saw a much slower rollout than anticipated. Aduhelm was considered the prized win for Biogen, but some experts werent in favor of its approval. Investors are hopeful that Lecanemab will secure regulatory approvals and drive revenue growth for Biogen over the coming years. Lecanemab peak sales could possibly be as high as $10 billion. For perspective, Biogens revenue for the last twelve months period is $11 billion. As such, Lecanemab successful regulatory approvals and rollout will be a big win for Biogen. That said, many positives may already be priced in, given the solid 32% move in a month.

More importantly, what about BIIB stock in the near term?

Calculation of Event Probability and Chance of Rise using the last ten years data

This pattern suggests a very low chance of a rise in BIIB stock over the next five days, ten days, and next month.

BIIB Returns vs. Peers

Biogen Return Comparison With Peers

New Study: Risk Factor For Developing Alzheimers Disease Increases By 50

Older people who were infected with COVID-19 show a substantially higher riskas much as 50% to 80% higher than a control groupof developing Alzheimers disease within a year, according to a study of more than 6 million patients 65 and older.

In a study published today in the Journal of Alzheimers Disease, researchers report that people 65 and older who contracted COVID-19 were more prone to developing Alzheimers disease in the year following their COVID diagnosis. And the highest risk was observed in women at least 85 years old.

The findings showed that the risk for developing Alzheimers disease in older people nearly doubled over a one-year period following infection with COVID. The researchers say it is unclear whether COVID-19 triggers new development of Alzheimers disease or accelerates its emergence.

The factors that play into the development of Alzheimers disease have been poorly understood, but two pieces considered important are prior infections, especially viral infections, and inflammation, said Pamela Davis, Distinguished University Professor and The Arline H. and Curtis F. Garvin Research Professor at the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, the studys coauthor.

Since infection with SARS-CoV2 has been associated with central nervous system abnormalities including inflammation, we wanted to test whether, even in the short term, COVID could lead to increased diagnoses, she said.

Symptoms Of Early Onset Dementia:

Repeating statements and questions over and over.
Increased forgetfulness.
Difficulty keeping track of things .
Getting lost in familiar places.
Forgetting the names of family and everyday objects.
Trouble participating in conversations.
Having difficulty managing finances or thinking critically.
Struggling to do normal daily activities, such as cooking or participating in hobbies, and eventually forgetting how to do basic tasks, such as getting dressed or bathing.
Changes in mood or personality.

Other symptoms of dementia due to changes in the brain can also affect vision, and physical ability like balance or coordination.

What Is Early Onset Dementia

What Are the Early Signs of Alzheimers Disease? Page 2 Healthy Habits

Early onset dementia is any type of dementia first occurring in a person under age 65.

The term dementia doesnt refer to just one type of disease or condition, but is rather an umbrella term for a collection of disorders which affect cognitive function. The symptoms caused by this collection of conditions are due to changes in brain chemistry, structure, or function which progressively worsen a persons ability to think and/or function normally .

Read Also: Can You Recover From Dementia

A Costly And Growing National Crisis

In 2021, the total national cost of caring for people living with Alzheimers and other dementias is projected to reach $355 billion. This number does not include the estimated $257 billion price of unpaid caregiving.
Medicare and Medicaid are expected to cover $239 billion, or 67%, of the total health care and long-term care payments for people with Alzheimers or other dementias. Out-of-pocket spending is expected to be $76 billion, or 22% of total payments.

Source: Alzheimers Associations 2021 Facts & Figures Report

What Are Risk Factors

Risk factors are aspects of your lifestyle, environment and genetic background that increase the likelihood of getting a disease.
Risk factors on their own are not causes of a disease. Rather, risk factors represent an increased chance, but not a certainty, that dementia will develop.
Similarly, having little or no exposure to risk factors does not necessarily protect a person from developing dementia.

There are some risk factors that can be changed, and some that cannot â read on to know which are which!

Risk factors

Read about risk factors for dementia in our downloadable, print-friendly infosheet.

This sheet also contains strategies and lifestyle changes that can help you reduce your risk of developing dementia.

Recommended Reading: How To Commit Someone With Dementia

Preventing Early Onset Dementia With Integrative Medicine

Cognitive health is driven by a diverse set of genetic, environmental, dietary, and lifestyle factors. And even though getting older is inevitable, the cognitive decline associated with aging is not.

Integrative medicine can help provide the tools to identify and address your risk factors for early onset dementia, and help you become proactive about Alzheimers and dementia prevention.

If this article makes you think twice about your recent bouts of forgetfulness, schedule an appointment with CentreSpringMD to evaluate your cognitive risk, and optimize brain health.

Early Onset Alzheimer’s On The Rise

Dementia on the rise among Europe’s elderly – 26 Jul 09

The number of Americans with Alzheimer’s is soaring. It’s expected to hit sixteen million by the middle of this century, more than triple the current total.

More and more victims of this incurable disease will be shockingly young.

CBS News correspondent Mark Strassmann visited one family coping with early-onset Alzheimer’s.

For Bob Balfour, the scary reminder is every time he just can’t remember.

“I’ll go down into the basement to where my tools are, and I’ll forget what it is,” he told Strassmann.

Bob has Alzheimer’s disease and while it’s usually thought of as disease of the elderly, that’s not necessarily so.

Bob’s wife Trish – and a bulletin board in their kitchen – plan his every move.

Only fifty-three years old, he’s increasingly confused.

Physically, Balfour’s in great shape, but as a construction manager, he started making math mistakes. He was fired. Doctors eventually diagnosed the underlying issue.

He’s one of a half-million Americans with early-onset Alzheimer’s, people under 65 with the disease. Ten percent of all Alzheimer’s patients get it early – the youngest on record was seventeen.

“People are still working, they have families, it affects them in a much different way than if they’d been retired for ten years as is often the case,” says Dr. Alan Levey, director of Alzheimer’s Research at Emory University.

So their father has to care for his son, just as he did for his wife.

“I’ve got to do it,” he answered, but then added, “I’m not prepared.”

As Suicides Rise Us Military Seeks To Address Mental Health

WASHINGTON After finishing a tour in Afghanistan in 2013, Dionne Williamson felt emotionally numb. More warning signs appeared during several years of subsequent overseas postings.

Its like I lost me somewhere, said Williamson, a Navy lieutenant commander who experienced disorientation, depression, memory loss and chronic exhaustion. I went to my captain and said, Sir, I need help. Somethings wrong.

As the Pentagon seeks to confront spiraling suicide rates in the military ranks, Williamsons experiences shine a light on the realities for service members seeking mental health help. For most, simply acknowledging their difficulties can be intimidating. And what comes next can be frustrating and dispiriting.

Williamson, 46, eventually found stability through a monthlong hospitalization and a therapeutic program that incorporates horseback riding. But she had to fight for years to get the help she needed. Its a wonder how I made it through, she said.

UK prosecutor: Nurse poisoned 2 babies with insulin

Its not just in Alaska.

The Rising Burden Of Alzheimer’s Disease Mortality In Rural America

ADRD mortality increased the most in nonmetropolitan areas between 1999 and 2019.

: Today, nonmetropolitan areas have the highest levels of ADRD mortality.
: Gaps in ADRD mortality between large central metros and nonmetros have widened.
: Metro/nonmetro gaps in ADRD mortality differ substantially by region.
: In some areas, ADRD is the leading contributor to urban/rural life expectancy gaps.

Recommended Reading: What Diseases Fall Under Dementia

If One Of My Parents Had A Type Of Dementia Does That Mean I’ll Develop It Too

Researchers are exploring the role of genetics in the development of Alzheimer’s disease, but most agree the disease is likely caused by a variety of factors. The National Institute on Aging offers a Fact Sheet on Alzheimer’s Disease Genetics.

Researchers here at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are studying the interplay between genetic and lifestyle risk factors. Much of this research is done through the Wisconsin ADRC and the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer’s Prevention .

Could Methylene Blue Help Fight Alzheimers

Methylene blue is a drug typically used as a surgical dye or as drug therapy in the treatment of a blood disorder known as methemoglobinemia. But theres mounting evidence suggesting that methylene blue might also have the ability to improve memory and brain function in people with cognitive impairments such as Alzheimers dementia.

Exactly how methylene blue improves brain function and possibly slows the progression of these disorders is still unclear. But researchers speculate it may exhibit its neuroprotective effects via:5,6

Disrupting tau aggregation and inhibiting the formation of amyloid plaques and tau tangles seen in Alzheimers
Increasing the breakdown of the proteins that can accumulate in the brain
Reducing oxidative damage
Promoting the repair of cellular function and cellular metabolism

While studies are yielding promising results, more extensive research is needed to truly determine methylene blues place in the treatment of Alzheimers and other cognitive disorders.

For now, the best protection against dementia is prevention. Lets take a look at some ways you can protect your brain health and give yourself an edge against dementia.

Don’t Miss: What Happens In The Later Stages Of Vascular Dementia

Do We Know What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease

Scientists still are not certain. Several risk factors, such as age and family history, have been identified as potential risk factors but cannot alone cause the disease. Each year, scientists are uncovering important new clues about potential causes of the disease, which is helping to find better diagnostic and treatment options.

What Is Mild Cognitive Impairment

Mild cognitive impairment is an intermediate stage between the expected cognitive decline of normal aging and the more pronounced decline of dementia. People with MCI have more memory problems than other people their age, but their symptoms are not as severe as those associated with Alzheimer’s disease. People with MCI are still able to carry out their normal daily activities. MCI may progress to Alzheimer’s disease, however some patients regain normal memory and cognition, while others may remain stable with MCI for years. Signs of MCI include:

Having more trouble coming up with words or names of familiar people than others of the same age
Forgetting recent conversations, events or appointments
Losing things often

Healthy Living with MCI is a free series sponsored by the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Alzheimer’s Association Wisconsin Chapter. Classes offers patients and families support, guidance and science-backed strategies for living with a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment .

Don’t Miss: Can Dementia Cause Low Blood Pressure

How Is Alzheimers Disease Treated

Medical management can improve quality of life for individuals living with Alzheimers disease and for their caregivers. There is currently no known cure for Alzheimers disease. Treatment addresses several areas:

Helping people maintain brain health.
Managing behavioral symptoms.
Slowing or delaying symptoms of the disease.

What Is Known About Reducing Your Risk Of Alzheimers Disease

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

The science on risk reduction is quickly evolving, and major breakthroughs are within reach. For example, there is growing evidence that people who adopt healthy lifestyle habits like regular exercise and blood pressure management can lower their risk of dementia. There is growing scientific evidence that healthy behaviors, which have been shown to prevent cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, may also reduce risk for subjective cognitive decline. To learn more about the current state of evidence on dementia risk factors and the implications for public health, please read the following summaries on Cardiovascular Health, Exercise, Diabetes and Obesity, Traumatic Brain Injury , Tobacco and Alcohol, Diet and Nutrition, Sleep, Sensory Impairment, and Social Engagement or the Compiled Report .

Aging

The Developed World And Alzheimers

Ever since the rise of Alzheimers disease within the past 50 years, scientists have been trying to figure out what caused this explosion. Before the early 1900s the disease was either not recorded or simply nonexistent. The case of Alzheimers is especially interesting because although we are familiar with it, it is very new in developing countries. With any new disease phenomenon, researchers look at what factors in society changed in order to bring about the disease. Because of the recent appearance of the disease in developing nations and the birth of the disease in America around the time of our development, scientists have linked the cause of Alzheimers to external biofactors. In other words, they have hypothesized that a major risk factor drastically changed between pre-development and development.

So Is There A Treatment For Alzheimers Dementia

Currently, theres no cure for dementia whether caused by Alzheimers or any other form of dementia. Treatment is primarily aimed at managing symptoms, keeping the person safe, and providing support to their family and caregivers.

But the good news is researchers are breaking ground and uncovering promising results. In fact, recent studies may have identified a drug that could potentially stop cognitive decline in its tracks.

Don’t Miss: What Are The Symptoms Of A Frontotemporal Dementia

Who Has Alzheimers Disease

In 2020, as many as 5.8 million Americans were living with Alzheimers disease.1
Younger people may get Alzheimers disease, but it is less common.
The number of people living with the disease doubles every 5 years beyond age 65.
This number is projected to nearly triple to 14 million people by 2060.1
Symptoms of the disease can first appear after age 60, and the risk increases with age.

Support For Family And Friends

Currently, many people living with Alzheimers disease are cared for at home by family members. Caregiving can have positive aspects for the caregiver as well as the person being cared for. It may bring personal fulfillment to the caregiver, such as satisfaction from helping a family member or friend, and lead to the development of new skills and improved family relationships.

Although most people willingly provide care to their loved ones and friends, caring for a person with Alzheimers disease at home can be a difficult task and may become overwhelming at times. Each day brings new challenges as the caregiver copes with changing levels of ability and new patterns of behavior. As the disease gets worse, people living with Alzheimers disease often need more intensive care.

You can find more information about caring for yourself and access a helpful care planning form.

Also Check: How To Detect Early Onset Of Alzheimer’s

Global Dementia Cases Forecasted To Triple By 2050

New analysis shows a decrease in prevalence due to education countered by increase due to heart health risk factors

DENVER, JULY 27, 2021 Positive trends in global education access are expected to decrease dementia prevalence worldwide by 6.2 million cases by the year 2050. Meanwhile, anticipated trends in smoking, high body mass index and high blood sugar are predicted to increase prevalence by nearly the same number: 6.8 million cases. Both according to new global prevalence data reported at the Alzheimerâs Association International Conference® 2021 in Denver and virtually.

With these forecasts incorporated, researchers with the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington School of Medicine reported at AAIC 2021 that they estimate the number of people with dementia will nearly triple to more than 152 million by 2050. The highest increase in prevalence is projected to be in eastern sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa and the Middle East.

The U.S. National Institute on Aging estimates people over the age of 65 will make up 16% of the worldâs population by 2050 â up from 8% in 2010.

Recently published in Alzheimerâs & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimerâs Association, Nichols and team used the same data set to estimate that Alzheimerâs mortality rates increased by 38.0% between 1990 and 2019.

This study was partially funded by the Alzheimerâs Association.

Previous articleEnd Of Life Care Dementia

Next articleSimple Music Player For Dementia