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Recent Advances In Diagnosing, Treating and Controlling The Cognitive Decline

by — Last updated: 2014-05-29 in Mental Health

Table of Contents

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in old age. With no cure available, it is emerging as a growing cause of deaths worldwide. Scientists are focusing their attempts on developing diagnostic methods and treatments to prevent dementia.

Though controlling the disease progression is considered very difficult, several studies suggest that one may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or delay its progress by reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, obesity and diabetes.  However, many risk factors for the Alzheimer’s (such as genetic variations and family history of disease) are out of control. 

Scientists say that as for now, any positive result from the attempts to control or prevent the disease can be expected only with early start of intervention, preferably before the onset of the disease.

It is now possible to identify who will develop the disease years before the onset of brain damage

A blood test which can predict the development of Alzheimer's disease in a person even before the onset of symptoms was devised recently. The researchers at Georgetown University in Washington DC detected the depletion of 10 major chemicals (lipids) that were associated with the development of cognitive impairment in the study sample. The researchers believe that the changes in the levels of these metabolites occur at least 2-3 years before the development of Alzheimer’s disease and hence this test, when approved, should serve as a very effective means of detecting patients prone to the development of this disorder.

Novel treatment modalities are currently being investigated

Several indirect studies have already proposed a beneficial effect of caffeine on Alzheimer’s disease.A recent research has experimentally tested this effect of caffeine. The scientists have obtained positive results in animal studies and the new class of drug, if passes further trials, would serve as a promising treatment modality for Alzheimer’s disease.

Studies are in progress to develop new therapeutic molecules by a method called molecular topology.

New drugs would prevent the formation and deposition of beta-amyloid proteins in the brain.

Molecular topology allows the development of compounds that can treat the disease through a multidimensional approach. The researchers suggest that through this technique new drugs that can target multiple pathologies of the disease can be developed.

While focusing on the detrimental effect of the tau proteins on neuronal transmission, scientists have also developed antibodies that specifically act against the tau oligomers that cause behavioral and cognitive impairment sparing the normal tau proteins. This research was done on animals and further trials will be needed for approval. These antibodies are proposed to serve as a passive immunization strategy for Alzheimer’s disease. Several other studies are being conducted worldwide to develop a definitive treatment modality for this disease.

See Also: Alternative Therapies For Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a challenge for both the affected patients and the people around them. Many current studies aim to develop the treatments for this disorder. However, it would take a long time to develop new concepts into real drugs. Till then, the support and assistance provided by the care givers, regular consultation with the medical care provider and the regular usage of prescribed medications would help in improving the quality of life of people affected by the disease.

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  • Photo courtesy of geralt by Pixabay : pixabay.com/en/alzheimer-s-dementia-woman-old-age-63610/
  • Photo courtesy of Kunstakademiets Designskole by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/danmarksdesignskole/5474694962

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