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What Is The Treatment For Alzheimer’s Disease

Suppression Of Brain Inflammation

What The New Alzheimer’s Disease Drug Means For Patients

Many studies have suggested that intense inflammation occurs in the brains of patients with AD. Epidemiologic studies suggest that some patients on long-term anti-inflammatory therapy have a decreased risk of developing AD. Nonetheless, no randomized clinical trial longer than 6 months has demonstrated efficacy of anti-inflammatory drugs in slowing the rate of progression of AD.

Although previous reports reflect delayed onset of AD in individuals who used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , a study by Breitner et al showed that NSAIDs do not protect against AD, at least in very old people. Relying on computerized pharmacy dispensing records and biennial dementia screening, these investigators found that AD incidence was increased in heavy NSAID users. These findings may represent deferral of AD symptoms from earlier to later old age.

What Are The Symptoms Of Early

For most people with early-onset Alzheimer disease, the symptoms closely mirror those of other forms of Alzheimer disease.

Early symptoms:

  • Withdrawal from work and social situations

  • Changes in mood and personality

Later symptoms:

  • Severe mood swings and behavior changes

  • Deepening confusion about time, place, and life events

  • Suspicions about friends, family, or caregivers

  • Trouble speaking, swallowing, or walking

  • Severe memory loss

What Lifestyle Changes Can Help

Piles of research over the last few decades have shown that lifestyle factors can have a big impact on the development of Alzheimer’s symptoms. “We are looking not only at therapeutic treatments, but also at how modifiable factors, such as a heart-healthy diet, exercise, health equity, and social engagement can reduce risk the risk of Alzheimer’s,” says Edelmayer. The U.S. POINTER Study is currently evaluating whether lifestyle interventions that target Alzheimer’s risk factors can protect cognitive function in older adults who are at risk for cognitive decline. Meanwhile, the following activities are believed to lower risk and delay the symptoms of dementia:

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Effects Of Cholinesterase Inhibitors

People with Alzheimers may find that their symptoms improve by taking a cholinesterase inhibitor. This could be improvement in thinking, memory, communication or with day-to-day activities. Others may find that their condition stays the same, or that their symptoms do not worsen as quickly as they would have expected. Some people may not notice any effect at all.

As these drugs dont stop the disease from progressing in the brain, symptoms will continue to get worse over time. However, they can help some people to function slightly better than they would do without the drug.

The most common side-effects of cholinesterase inhibitors are feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, having trouble sleeping, muscle cramps and tiredness. These effects are often mild and usually only temporary. Not everyone will experience side-effects. If you are worried about side-effects you can talk about this with your doctor.

What Are Alzheimer’s Treatment Options

World Alzheimer

In addition to the newly approved aducanumab, there are five other FDA-approved medications to treat the cognitive symptoms of Alzheimers. These medications cant reverse or stop the progression of Alzheimers, but what they can do is turn up the volume between the brain cells so they can communicate better, Edelmayer explains. She also points out that patients see the most benefits when these medications are taken at the earliest stages of cognitive decline. An early and accurate diagnosis is really important, she says. The biology of it is that you may not see as much benefit later, when the cells that it is meant to work on no longer exist in the brain.

These treatments fall into two categories:

Cholinesterase inhibitors

These medications work by preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine, a brain chemical that is believed to be important for memory and learning, and they are mainly used in the early and moderate stages of Alzheimers. As the disease progresses, the brain produces less and less acetylcholine, meaning the inhibitors have nothing to work on. The FDA-approved drugs in this category include:

  • Aricept , for all stages
  • Exelon , for mild to moderate Alzheimers as well as for dementia-related to Parkinsons disease
  • Razadyne , for mild to moderate Alzheimers

Glutamate regulator

This drug works by blocking the toxic effects of a brain chemical called glutamate, excess amounts of glutamate can lead to the death of brain cells. It is available in:

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Medications For Cognitive Symptoms

No disease-modifying drugs are available for Alzheimers disease, but some options may reduce the symptoms and help improve quality of life.

Drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors can ease cognitive symptoms, including memory loss, confusion, altered thought processes, and judgment problems. They improve neural communication across the brain and slow the progress of these symptoms.

Three common drugs with Food and Drug Administration approval to treat these symptoms of Alzheimers disease are:

  • donepezil , to treat all stages
  • galantamine , to treat mild-to-moderate stages
  • rivastigmine , to treat mild-to-moderate stages

Another drug, called memantine , has approval to treat moderate-to-severe Alzheimers disease. A combination of memantine and donepezil is also available.

The Future Of Alzheimers Treatments Is Here

Dr. Ken Sharlin spent years treating patients with Alzheimers disease but quickly became frustrated and dissatised with so-called conventional approaches. Those diagnosed with Alzheimers were told that the cause was unknown, and recovery was just about impossible. With a functional medicine and neurology combined, Dr. Ken Sharlin has created a truly remarkable, holistic treatment path.

Today, patients of the Brain Tune Up! Protocol can get the answers they deserve. If you or a loved one is living with an Alzheimers disease diagnosis, help and support are available. It is possible to improve and maintain a high quality of life. Please, get in touch if youd like to learn more about this opportunity. Wed be happy to answer your questions.

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What Treatments Are In The Pipeline For Alzheimer’s

There are hundreds of clinical trials going on right now, in which scientists are exploring many different pathways toward diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Alzheimer’s, says Edelmayer. There are a number of different types of therapeutics being evaluated, she explains. Some change the progression of the disease and some lessen the symptomswe need both approaches going forward. Some promising areas of research involve vaccines that prevent tau proteins from forming and drugs that reduce inflammation in the brain.

“One of the biggest hurdles in making progress is recruiting and retaining patients for these trials,” Edelmayer adds. “We especially need more diverse people, including those from underrepresented populations.”

Alzheimers Disease: What Is The Best Treatment

What are the treatment options for Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimers Disease is a complex disorder that ultimately results in death after a prolonged period of mental and physical decline. The Alzheimers Association describes it as a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. Symptoms eventually grow severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.

Even though thousands of scientists worldwide are working on treatment and ultimately a cure for Alzheimers disease, there is still no way to stop the diseases progression.

Alzheimers disease is a very complex brain condition. There is no particular medication or therapy that can cure it, so most medical professionals focus on helping patients maintain their cognition, manage their moods and behavior, and slow down the diseases progression.

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How Does The Brain Tune Up Protocol Work

Brain Tune Up! Protocol uses a functional medicine approach to treating Alzheimers disease. Functional medicine is a science-based method that works to identify and treat the root cause of disease not just the symptoms.

The Brain Tune Up! Protocol utilizes functional medicine alongside cutting-edge advancements in neurology to deliver real, life-changing results that billion-dollar drugs have been unable to achieve.Unlike conventional Alzheimers treatments, the Brain Tune Up! Protocol views each patient as an individual. Where drugs put band-aids on symptoms, allowing the disease to progress behind-the-scenes, Brain Tune Up! provides a customized pathway to battling the root causes of cognitive decline.

The program, which runs for six to twelve months, provides a robust foundation for improved health and well-being. It works by addressing four key elements:

What Effects Can These Drugs Have

They can improve memory. They can also have general benefits including improving alertness and motivation.

It may take some months for there to be a noticeable improvement or slowing down of memory loss. Some people feel brighter in their mood and will be able to do things that were too hard for them, such as going shopping.

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Alzheimers Disease Diagnostic Criteria

A patient suspected to have AD should undergo several tests, including neurological examination, magnetic resonance imaging for neurons, laboratory examinations such as vitamin B12, and other tests besides the medical and family history of the patients . Vitamin B12 deficiency has been long known for its association with neurologic problems and increasing risks of AD, according to some studies. A special marker of vit. B12 deficiency is elevated homocysteine levels, which can cause brain damage by oxidative stress, increasing calcium influx and apoptosis. Diagnoses of vit. B12 deficiency can be done by measuring serum vit. B12 level alongside complete blood count and serum homocysteine levels tests .

In 2011, The National Institute on AgingAlzheimers Association made several changes and updated the 1984 NINCDS-ADRDA criteria for higher specificity and sensitivity in the diagnosis of Alzheimers disease. The newly proposed criteria include probable and possible AD dementia for the use in clinical settings and probable or possible AD dementia with pathophysiological evidence for research purposes, in addition to clinical biomarkers. There are two categories of Alzheimers disease biomarkers: markers of brain amyloid such as positron emission tomography and cerebrospinal fluid , and markers of neuronal injury like cerebrospinal fluid tau, fluorodeoxyglucose for metabolic activity, and magnetic resonance imaging for atrophy measurement .

What Causes Alzheimers

Alzheimer

The causes of Alzheimers disease are not yet fully understood, but probably include a combination of:

  • Age-related changes in the brain, like shrinking, inflammation, blood vessel damage, and breakdown of energy within cells, which may harm neurons and affect other brain cells.
  • Changes or differences in genes, which may be passed down by a family member. Both types of Alzheimer’s the very rare early-onset type occurring between age 30 and mid-60s, and the most common late-onset type occurring after a persons mid-60s can be related to a persons genes in some way. Many people with Down syndrome, a genetic condition, will develop Alzheimers as they age and may begin to show symptoms in their 40s.
  • Health, environmental, and lifestyle factors that may play a role, such as exposure to pollutants, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.

Watch this video to see how Alzheimers disease changes the brain.

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What The Data Show

The late-stage development program for Aduhelm consisted of two phase 3 clinical trials. One study met the primary endpoint, showing reduction in clinical decline. The second trial did not meet the primary endpoint. In all studies in which it was evaluated, however, Aduhelm consistently and very convincingly reduced the level of amyloid plaques in the brain in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. It is expected that the reduction in amyloid plaque will result in a reduction in clinical decline.

We know that the Peripheral and Central Nervous System Drugs Advisory Committee, which convened in November 2020 to review the clinical trial data and discuss the evidence supporting the Aduhelm application, did not agree that it was reasonable to consider the clinical benefit of the one successful trial as the primary evidence supporting approval. The option of Accelerated Approval was not discussed by the Advisory Committee. As mentioned above, treatment with Aduhelm was clearly shown in all trials to substantially reduce amyloid beta plaques. This reduction in plaques is reasonably likely to result in clinical benefit. After the Advisory Committee provided its feedback, our review and deliberations continued, and we decided that the evidence presented in the Aduhelm application met the standard for Accelerated Approval. We thank the Advisory Committee for its independent review of the data and valuable advice.

Researchers Around The World Are Working To Develop Effective Treatments For Dementia And Eventually To Find A Cure

Much of this work is focussed on Alzheimers disease, the most common form of dementia.

There is currently no cure for Alzheimers disease. Available medications can reduce symptoms and improve quality of life in some people, but they do not stop the progress of the disease.

The potential treatments discussed below are in the early stages of research and are not currently available. However, they are all part of the research effort to find more effective treatments for Alzheimers disease and ultimately a cure.

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Psychological And Psychosocial Therapies

Psychological therapies for dementia include some limited evidence for reminiscence therapy , some benefit for cognitive reframing for caretakers, unclear evidence for validation therapy and tentative evidence for mental exercises, such as cognitive stimulation programs for people with mild to moderate dementia. Offering personally tailored activities may help reduce challenging behavior and may improve quality of life. It is not clear if personally tailored activities have an impact on affect or improve for the quality of life for the caregiver.

Adult daycare centers as well as special care units in nursing homes often provide specialized care for dementia patients. Daycare centers offer supervision, recreation, meals, and limited health care to participants, as well as providing respite for caregivers. In addition, home care can provide one-to-one support and care in the home allowing for more individualized attention that is needed as the disorder progresses. Psychiatric nurses can make a distinctive contribution to people’s mental health.

Some London hospitals found that using color, designs, pictures and lights helped people with dementia adjust to being at the hospital. These adjustments to the layout of the dementia wings at these hospitals helped patients by preventing confusion.

Cognitive training

Personally tailored activities

What Are Some Complications Of Alzheimers Disease

FDA approves new treatment for Alzheimers disease | WNT

Alzheimers disease is an irreversible form of dementia. The rate of progression differs between people: some people have it only in the last 5 years of their life, while others may have it for as long as 20 years. Alzheimers disease eventually leads to complete dependence and increasing frailty. This means a secondary illness, such as pneumonia, may eventually cause death.

Other complications of Alzheimers disease may include:

  • an inability to complete daily tasks such as planning meals and managing money
  • a tendency to wander from home
  • personality changes such as anxiety, depression and irritability that make relationships more difficult
  • delusions and hallucinations in advanced stages of the disease

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What Medications Can Help

The FDA has approved the drug aducanumab-avwa as the first therapy that targets the fundamental pathophysiology of the disease by reducing amyloid beta plaques in the brain. It is not without controversy because of concerns it may cause swelling of bleeding in the brain.

Some drugs curb the breakdown of a chemical in the brain, called acetylcholine, thatâs important for memory and learning. They may slow down how fast symptoms get worse for about half of people who take them. The effect lasts for a limited time, on average 6 to 12 months. Common side effects are usually mild for these medications and include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fatigue, insomnia, loss of appetite, and weight loss. There are three drugs of this type: donepezil , galantamine , and rivastigmine .

Doctors can also prescribe medicines for other health problems that happen along with the disease, including depression, sleeplessness, and behavior problems like agitation and aggression.

What Are Some Risk Factors For Alzheimers Disease

Risk factors for the development of Alzheimers disease include:

  • Age. Increasing age is the primary risk factor for developing Alzheimers disease.
  • Genetics . There is a certain gene, apolipoprotein E that is associated with late-onset Alzheimers disease. Other genes have been associated with early-onset Alzheimers disease.
  • Smoking
  • Obesity

Researchers believe the presence of the last five risk factors mentioned above might reduce the clearance of amyloid protein from the brain, which then increases the risk of developing Alzheimers disease. In particular, the presence of a number of these risk factors at the same time and while the person is in his or her 50s is associated with a higher risk of Alzheimers disease.

There may be some ways to reduce the risk of mental decline. In general, living a healthy lifestyle protects the body from strokes and heart attacks and is believed to also protect the brain from cognitive decline. Scientists cant absolutely prove the cause and effect of the following factors, but studies have shown a positive association.

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What Are The Treatment Options For Those With Alzheimers

Treating Alzheimers disease with conventional drugs isnt straightforward, and none actually stop the disease from progressing. Even though they may seem to improve memory function in the short-run, recent evidence suggests the currently U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved medications may even make the condition worse over time.

The good news is that drugs are not the only treatment option. By taking a functional medicine approach, Dr. Ken Sharlin has developed a highly eective treatment program called the Brain Tune Up! Protocol.

Alzheimers Vaccine And Immunotherapy

There won

Researchers have been attempting to develop a vaccine for Alzheimers disease for almost a decade. The strategy behind the immunotherapy approach is to use the bodys own immune system to destroy beta-amyloid plaques.

The first Alzheimers vaccine was tested in clinical trials in 2001. However, the trial was prematurely halted because six percent of participants developed serious brain inflammation. However, the vaccination did appear to benefit thinking and memory in some unaffected participants who were monitored after the end of the trial. Researchers have now developed a safer vaccine by using antibodies against a smaller fragment of the beta-amyloid protein, which they hope will avoid the complications of the previous trial.

Another approach to developing a vaccine involves using immunoglobulin, a filtered human blood product containing antibodies. Immunoglobulin was shown to be successful in a very small trial of 8 people with mild Alzheimers disease, with most showing improvement on tests of cognitive function after treatment. Although this trial is very small, it suggests the potential for larger trials of immunoglobulin therapy, which may have safety advantages over other vaccination techniques. Although this initial research is promising, much more research needs to be done before we know whether this approach will work.

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