Alzheimer's Disease -- Fighting The Biggest Public Health Threat Ever

Research to date has been so catastrophically bad that Alzheimer's several drugs approved for use by the FDA provide mild symptomatic relief for as little as six months.

There is no standard animal model for researchers, and some don't even believe the brain plaques found during the autopsies of Alzheimer's victims are a cause of the disease, but rather are a symptom.

There are just a few drugs in late-stage trial

Researchers are now turning to lifestyle and behavioral factors to mitigate symptoms or prevent onset of the disease altogether. A recent study by Robert Wilson of Chicago's Rush University Medical Center showed that people the study characterized as self disciplined -- organized achievers among the elderly -- are at a much lower risk of Alzheimer's. What was most interesting was that when people in the study died and were autopsied, many had the brain lesions associated with the disease, but no symptoms before death. These findings were published in the Archives of General Psychiatry

One caveat: The 997 people in the study (average age was 75) were Catholic nuns and priests, who also live in what many consider a low stress and highly communal environment. They also have far more social stimulation at an advanced age than many of the elderly. During the 12 years of the study, 176 people developed Alzheimer's and, according to the study authors, participants characterized as the most "conscientiousness" had 89% less of a chance to show signs of Alzheimer's. Participants characterized themselves, another weakness in the study.

If you cannot live a disciplined life or future studies shows only Catholic priests and nuns are self-disciplined enough to avoid Alzheimer's (that was a joke) some treatments may be coming. Check out a mid-stage trial from Prana (PRAN) with results being published in Q1 of next year, or a mid stage trial that will take much longer by Transition (TTHI) and Elan (ELAN).

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Alzheimer's disease is easily the largest, looming public health threat on the near- and long-term horizon. Alzheimer's affects half of all people over the age of 85 and has a direct, linear relationship to age. Modern science is going to make us live longer and then we'll forget why we wanted to. Research to date has been so catastrophically bad that Alzheimer's several drugs approved for use by the FDA provide mild symptomatic relief for as little as six months. There is no standard animal model for researchers, and some don't even believe the brain plaques found during the autopsies of Alzheimer's victims are a cause of the disease, but rather are a symptom. There are just a few drugs in late-stage trial Researchers are now turning to lifestyle and behavioral factors to mitigate symptoms or prevent onset of the disease altogether. A recent study by Robert Wilson of Chicago's Rush University Medical Center showed that people the study characterized as self disciplined -- organized achievers among the elderly -- are at a much lower risk of Alzheimer's. What was most interesting was that when people in the study died and were autopsied, many had the brain lesions associated with the disease, but no symptoms before death. These findings were published in the Archives of General Psychiatry One caveat: The 997 people in the study (average age was 75) were Catholic nuns and priests, who also live in what many consider a low stress and highly communal environment. They also have far more social stimulation at an advanced age than many of the elderly. During the 12 years of the study, 176 people developed Alzheimer's and, according to the study authors, participants characterized as the most "conscientiousness" had 89% less of a chance to show signs of Alzheimer's. Participants characterized themselves, another weakness in the study. If you cannot live a disciplined life or future studies shows only Catholic priests and nuns are self-disciplined enough to avoid Alzheimer's (that was a joke) some treatments may be coming. Check out a mid-stage trial from Prana (PRAN) with results being published in Q1 of next year, or a mid stage trial that will take much longer by Transition (TTHI) and Elan (ELAN).