Hope on the Horizon
Dear Caregivers,
Amid the everyday challenges of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, there is often an overarching concern that every caregiver carries: How to stay hopeful for your loved one’s benefit.
After all, to-date medical science hasn't found a cure for Alzheimer’s, and even being able to confirm a diagnosis remains a challenge since the disease was first described in 1906 by German psychiatrist and neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer.
As someone who has committed my life to helping to battle the disease, I am determined to stay hopeful that someday we’ll find a way to better understand the causes and treatments for Alzheimer’s, and even be able to cure it. At the same time, I am wary of getting too excited when hearing about this or that new drug that is being tested, or a new therapy or treatment, or a new way of detecting the disease. We are still very much in the beginning stages of our quest.
With that in mind, however, there are glimmers of hope on the horizon:
NEW DRUGS: Several new drugs have been approved for use. They are known as “anti-amyloid” drugs because they target the plaques that build up in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. These drugs have shown they can deliver a slight, but statistically significant, slowing of the disease in its early stages. However — and this is a big “however" — they have dangerous side effects, can be costly and are not covered by insurance, are targeted only to patients in the early and middle stage of the illness, and don’t work on everyone who has the disease. Still, the drugs are a turning point in the history of treating Alzheimer’s, as they are the first that treat what appears to be the underlying mechanics of the disease.
NEW DIAGNOSTICS: There have been recent announcements of testing processes that can detect certain chemicals — called “biomarkers” — that indicate the presence of Alzheimer’s disease long before behavioral symptoms occur in a patient. More than 75 percent of people say that they would like to know as early as possible if they have Alzheimer’s, even though there is no cure. These new tests require sophisticated lab work — another “however”! — and are not completely accurate, but they are a significant step in a positive direction for early diagnosis of the disease.
NEW LIFESTYLE APPROACHES: Scientists are now concluding that Alzheimer’s develops over a long period of time, and begins its impact on a person’s brain long before behavioral symptoms appear. And though there seems to be a genetic involvement in some cases, for the most part Alzheimer’s appears to be more of a “lifestyle” disease. Indeed, some researchers argue that Alzheimer’s might be regarded as “Diabetes Type 3,” reflecting the development of the disease as an outgrowth of a person’s overall patterns of diet and activity. (The risk of developing Alzheimer’s is nearly twice as high in people with Type 2 diabetes.) The good news is that, as a lifestyle-driven disease, the development of Alzheimer’s appears to be able to be slowed by changes in lifestyle, such as adopting a “MIND Diet” (see below), exercise, and getting more sleep.
There still is a tremendous amount of work to be done before we fully understand, and can fully address, how Alzheimer’s develops and can be treated. But these new directions in detection and treatment suggest that there is indeed a new glimmer of hope for Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers.
Here’s some more guidance on understanding the causes and treatments of Alzheimer's. Please consult your NAN Navigator and your loved one’s medical team before you make any decisions:
Is Alzheimer’s Hereditary?
A so-called “family history” is not always associated with developing the disease — it is likely a combination of genetic, other medical, and lifestyle risk factors. Here's an overview.
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 is some guidance.
The Mind Diet: Meal Planning to Fuel the Brain:
The MIND diet is associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline and a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Here's how to do it.
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
“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all.”
— Emily Dickinson
