Race Towards a Cure: A Roundup of Current Alzheimer Research News

We all look forward to the day when scientists announce a cure for Alzheimer’s. But are we getting closer? Here’s a roundup of current Alzheimer research news.

Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia that occurs through the degeneration of neurons impacting over 5.7 million Americans today. Of those millions of Americans, there are millions more family members suffering through the daily traumas of Alzheimer’s.

Today there are a number of medications that can help to relieve some of the lesser known symptoms of the disease.  But scientists are always still searching for a cure.

Find out what today’s leading researchers are discovering in this roundup of current Alzheimer research news.

Depth Of Current Alzheimer Research

Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia that occurs at the neuron level in the brain. Healthy adults have a protein in the brain called beta-amyloid.

But when this protein does not fold correctly, amyloid plaques occur in the brain, leading to Alzheimer’s.

When those plaques occur, they accumulate and reduce bloodflow to the brain.

This leads to the breakdown of brain cells. The symptoms of this are memory loss and also motor loss in many cases of Alzheimer’s.

To date, much of the research on Alzheimer’s has been to help relieve the symptoms of Alzheimer’s that are the physical signs of Alzheimer’s.

Scientists are still looking for that magical cure that will halt the progression of the disease entirely.

The depth of Alzheimer’s research is extensive.  It covers everything from research on how to target symptoms to that ever-present race for the cure.

As you stay on top of the latest Alzheimer research, adopt these 5 ways to help take care of your aging parents into your lifestyle.

The Protein Buster

There are a number of medications on the market that help Alzheimer’s patients manage their physical symptoms. A cure to stop the progression of the disease has yet to be uncovered.

One method that scientists are working on out of the University of Southern California is a form of a protein buster.  They think that might be able to block or break down an excess of protein in the brain.

The drug is called 3K3A-APC, and is a protein that protects the brain and the blood from any inflammation damage that could occur.

Treatment of this chemical on patients with traumatic brain injury and multiple sclerosis has been successful. It has also been used to treat a brain bleed of someone that has had a stroke.

Scientists are now working on this drug with mice known to have a risk of Alzheimer’s. While this isn’t a definitive cure for Alzheimer’s yet, it is on the growing list of current Alzheimer research racing for the cure.

The Protein Buster Buster

Scientists are also looking for a way to destroy the protein Fyn in the body. When beta-amyloid interacts with Fyn, a response triggers nerve cell destruction.

Researchers want to know how to bust the protein, and also bust the protein buster.

This will have a two-fold effect of busting the protein and decreasing the amount of nerve connections damage in the brain of someone with Alzheimer’s.

In mice, some medications have been developed that work to eliminate Fyn. Human trials are now underway to determine if the effects carry over to our species.

Work With Insulin

One thing that Alzheimer’s patients need to look out for is the risk of an insulin problem. One of the dangers of Alzheimer’s is that it degenerates the brain, and this ultimately leads to loss of many functions.

If insulin production is compromised, an Alzheimer’s patient could also suffer from diabetes and diabetes-related conditions.

A drug that functions as a nasal spray that provides insulin is currently being tested to determine if it helps with Alzheimer’s patients. This treatment may eventually be equipped to also slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s.

Looking At The Heart

A wide body of long-held research has shown Alzheimer’s researchers that there is a connection between the brain and the heart.

Someone that is predisposed or at a higher risk for some heart problems such as high blood pressure or heart disease, may also have a higher risk for Alzheimer’s.

Current Alzheimer research is examining this connection.  It is trying to show how to cure heart problems to minimize the risk of Alzheimer’s.

Some medication that treats blood disease is showing to help those with Alzheimer’s. It is working to slow Alzheimer’s progression altogether.

But this research is still relatively new.

Other research on the heart connection is focusing on how heart problems and Alzheimer’s are related.

Lifestyle studies are a part of this research.  They are examining how someone’s eating and drinking habits, and maybe even smoking habits, may put them at risk for Alzheimer’s.

Lifestyle Changes With Alzheimer’s

Some researchers say that keeping a low-fat and heart-healthy diet may help delay the onset of Alzheimer’s or even stop it entirely.

Other Alzheimer research on the blood and heart connection is looking at hormone therapy and how that may help Alzheimer’s patients.

Some research has shown that estrogen therapy during early menopause in women may help to protect their memory. This research focuses on targetting hormone levels in a way that helps to prevent or delay Alzheimer’s.

At the end of the day, there are always more studies adding to the growing body of current Alzheimer research. Whether it is you or a loved one that is suffering, stay empowered in this information age on the latest of all medical advances with this disease.

Empower Yourself

In a world where dementia steals information from the patient every day, information is power in the fight against Alzheimer’s. Whether it is you or a loved one that is suffering, arm yourself with information to spread awareness and fight this cause.

Alzheimer’s impacts millions of Americans and is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

It kills more Americans annually than breast and prostate cancer combined. Roughly only 16 percent of the people suffering have access to the right support they need to live a good quality of life.

You can fight this battle with support.  Spreading the information on current Alzheimer research will empower you and your loved ones fight with Alzheimer’s.