Good News, Bad News
Dear Caregivers,
I spend a part of each week working in a research clinic studying possible treatments for Alzheimer’s, and new strategies to detect and diagnose the disease. I am humbled to meet the many families facing Alzheimer's disease who help at the clinic, taking the time to be involved in advancing our scientific understanding of the illness. When asked about their participation, most of these people have the same response: "We know we don't have a cure yet, but we want to do what we can to help stop this illness from impacting so many people's lives.”
I am not surprised by this selfless position of the many family caregivers I meet. While participating in research isn't right for everyone, I am grateful for those who do, and I'll be sharing more with you on what we are learning about Alzheimer's disease.
For example, in a study reported last week in Nature Aging, scientists examined blood samples from more than 50,000 people and found that certain specific chemicals — known as “biomarkers” — could predict the presence of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia long before the disease made its presence known through behavioral changes.
It’s important to note that these are “preliminary” findings — the tests are not yet accurate enough for everyday use in medicine. Still, this research is "good news" and points the way to a method for an earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.
Of course, thorny issues arise from the question of what to do with such a diagnosis, as there is currently no cure for the disease. But don't think of this as "bad news:" There is an important glimmer of hope on the horizon, as a host of recent studies have also shown that lifestyle changes such as altering one’s nutrition, exercising, getting enough sleep, and managing other issues such as diabetes can help slow the progression of the illness for some patients, and delay the onset of the disease in others.
As this important research work continues, I’ll be discussing more on the findings throughout the year as we advance our understanding of the cause of the illness, how to detect it, and how to prevent and treat it. And if you would like to learn more about participating in clinical research, ask your NAN Navigator for a recommendation about a clinical trial site in your community.
Here is some more guidance on coping with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s:
Supporting a Loved One with a Diagnosis of Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Disease:
Getting a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can be a shock, both for the patient and for their caregiver. Respond by taking time to build a foundation of support for your loved one and yourself that will help you during the coming months and years, no matter where this difficult illness leads.
Testing for Alzheimer’s Genes:
There is scientific evidence that in some cases, genes can play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. The most common gene that increases the risk of Alzheimer’s is known as “APOE”. Here’s a list of commercial companies that test for the presence of the gene.
Should We Try the Medications for Alzheimer's Disease?
With any new medication, it is critical to think about the potential benefits as well as the possible side effects. Since there is currently no drug that will cure the illness, the last thing we want to do is reduce the patient’s quality of life with side effects. Here’s a guide to the new drugs.
Remember, if you can’t find the information you need on our website, you can always “Ask NAN” by clicking on this link.
Best,
Rosemary D Laird, MD, MHSA
Founder and Chief Medical Officer
“More information is always better than less. When people know the reason things are happening, even if it's bad news, they can adjust their expectations and react accordingly. Keeping people in the dark only serves to stir negative emotions.”
— Simon Sinek
