Alzheimers Medicine Research Dimebon

May 6th, 10 / 0 Comments







One of the more interesting Alzheimers medicine research reports was in a July 2008 article in The Lancet, a study showed the drug “Dimebon” had a significant impact on
mild to moderate Alzheimer’s.’

In a full double-blind study (nobody knows which patient gets which medication or placebo)  the patients treated with Dimebon had a statistically significant improvement in all aspects including memory, daily living activities, and overall functioning.

This improvement showed up across the board at the 6 month mark and was more pronounced at the 12 month mark.  At the end of the 12 month study, the Dimebon-treated patients had all preserved their starting points in functioning on all measures of the disease.’

The effect on the primary caregiver in the family was also noted with those caring for the treated group reporting less stress than those in placebo groups.  The experiment points out that the caregivers in the treated group estimated they had saved one hour a day over the control group’s estimates of time spent giving care to the family member.

This drug would seem to hold a great deal of promise; so much so that the initial study was extended from 12 to 18 months and all placebo patients were switched to the drug by the end of the study.’

Research at the time of this report on Alzheimer medicine research is ongoing’

UPDATE – as of Feb 2010 – the latest trials came back indicating Dimbon wasn’t effective in the latest trials







medications, research

Alzheimers and Epilepsy

May 6th, 10 / 0 Comments








Researchers have discovered an epilepsy drug that might have positive effects for those suffering from either/both epilepsy and Alzheimers.

This encouraging study is coming out of the University of British Columbia. A common epilepsy drug (Valproic Acid) seems able to reverse the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease and stops further damage to the brain.

Stage of Research

However (and it’s a big however) this data comes from the mouse-trial stage and no human studies have been reported on. There is at least one clinical trial going at this time and results are expected next year.

The Drug

Valproic acid is used as an anti-psychotic as well as epilepsy control (to treat depression and schizophrenia) and it works by blocking the plaque associated with Alzheimers.

Side Effects

But as with anything, there are side effects to consider such as: abdominal or stomach cramps (mild); change in menstrual periods; diarrhea; hair loss; indigestion; loss of appetite; nausea and vomiting; trembling of hands and arms; and unusual weight loss or gain.

Frankly probably given the choice of those, epilepsy and Alzheimers I’d pick the above.

How It Works

The current mouse-research does point out that this drug does not seem effective past a certain point in the development of the disease (use it early kind of thing, there’s no reversing the effects of Alzheimers)

Bottom line:

This Alzheimers medication looks promising in early research trials and only time will tell if it works on humans as well as it did on mice.







medications, research

Alzheimers and Vitamin B3

May 6th, 10 / 0 Comments








The original work on Vitamin B3 and Alzheimer’s was done at the University of California (Irvine) with mice that have been bred to develop Alzheimer’s.

Studies found the mice fed very high doses of Vitamin B3 did not exhibit memory loss when compared to a normal mouse population.The untreated Alzheimer’s strain mice developed memory loss as the experiment progressed

Several points should be noted when it comes to human trials.The first is that this isn’t “approved” yet and the human trials are just beginning.

Low doses of B3 normally associated with vitamin shops and their products are not going to work as the dosages needed are much higher.

Experimental doses run in the 2g per day rather than the milligrams in vitamins

Liver problems have been noted when doses approach 10g in humans.

The current thinking is that Vitamin B3 (Niacinimide) will “prevent” the build-up of Tau proteins inside neurons. When the proteins buildup, the nerves become less effective; continued buildups will eventually kill off the nerves.

There are also other types of protein buildup in play possibly creating other avenues for attacking neurons.

Researchers suggest that while Vitamin B3 might be effective at controlling one problem area, new developments will likely attack both inner and outer protein issues.







medications, nutrition, research, treatment

Cure for Alzheimers?

May 6th, 10 / 0 Comments








If you’re looking for a magic cure for Alzheimers, or at least the early prevention of this problem, then look no further.

You’re really looking at yet another reason to exercise.

Oh yeah (and try to contain your enthusiasm for this if you can)

The Details

More and more research is pointing to the benefits of exercise on aging. Reduce the problems associated with Alzheimer’s-causing problems and the disease is pushed way back. So exercise to reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, depression (all associated with Alzheimer’s symptoms)

Research trials on Alzheimer’s strains of mice have shown exercise increases brain blood flow, stimulate nerve cell growth in regions associated with memory and reduce the pathological changes associated with the onset of Alzheimers.

Aerobic exercise improves cognitive abilities in studies.

Research just goes on an on about how physical activity either decreases the risk, decreases the incidence or helps mask symptoms pushing active lifestyles further out before the onset of the problem. A 2008 study at the University of Australia showed that patients with mild impairment benefited from exercise and that this was an ongoing effect even after a year following the end of the study. Bottom line, thinking was improved in many areas of testing in the exercise group over the control (sit-on-your-butt) group.

Bottom Line

In all these trials, there is no conclusive proof that exercise is a cure for Alzheimers but all the trends and conclusions point to the fact that a healthy lifestyle (or walking at least an hour a day) is going to push it back.

My take on all this of course is I’m good with a cure for Alzheimers and that I’ll exercise more if I move south for the winter so…







lifestyle, research, treatment

Fish Oil and Alzheimers

May 6th, 10 / 0 Comments








Combining fish oil and Alzheimers might not seem productive but one of the most promising and easily taken of supplements is high-grade fish oil.

However, studies at UCLA show that people who get enough DHA (the active ingredient in fish oil) have a reduced risk of getting Alzheimer;s Disease.<

The Details

Those affected by Alzheimers have low levels of a brain protein named LR11. It turns out that 15% of those with Alzheimers have a genetically lowered level of LR11.

LR11 and having enough of it keeps the brain free of the gumming up plaque that creates Alzheimer’s. So we want this material and lots of it.For some reason, eating enough DHA causes the brain to produce a lot of LR11.

The Bottom Line

Eating enough fish oil will likely delay the onset of Late-Onset Alzheimer;s Disease.If a loved one already has the disease in later stages, there is not much benefit to fish oil because it doesn’t repair the damage, only prevent it. The researchers said there may be some advantage in very early onset patients to help delay the full effects of the plaque.

You can get DHA in fish oils, eating oily fish themselves directly or almonds, walnuts, soy, and DHA-enriched eggs.







herbal, medications, nutrition, research

Gingko biloba and Alzheimers

May 6th, 10 / 0 Comments








A study just released by the Virginia School of Medicine suggests that the herbal supplement Gingko biloba may not have any influence on the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

One of the main uses of the leaves of this plant has been as a general tonic, a memory booster and preventative of brain degeneration but in the clinical trials of just over 3000 people, the claims for prevention of Alzheimer’s did not show any justification.

Patients were 75 or older, were from 6 locations across the US to remove any geographic bias and the study lasted 6 years. Each person took two doses every day of a 120 milligram extract (half took the Gingko – half took the placebo)

Patients entering the study had either no symptoms or very mild symptoms of Alzheimers but during the study, 18% of Gingko patients and 16% of placebo group were diagnosed with Alzheimers. This essentially means that the placebo and Gingko were equal in effectiveness.

In the article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers wrote that they hadn’t seen any positive difference using the herb. Dr. Steven DeKosky was quoted as saying that he was disappointed in the results because it would seem that Gingko has good antioxidant properties that might have an impact.

You can expect that the herbal supplement people were upset with this finding suggesting that the results would be different if the study were to go on longer than 6 years. Also that the study would be different if the patients had started taking the herbal supplement earlier in their lives.

So bottom line… the biggest medical research trial to date in the U.S. has not found any use for associating Gingko biloba and Alzheimers. But the herbal industry isn’t buying it.
.







herbal, nutrition, research

Wine and Alzheimers

May 6th, 10 / 0 Comments








Can life get any better? It turns out that all those Europeans who drink wine with every meal may have found a better way to prevent Alzheimers.

Dr David Teplow, a UCLA professor of neurology have shown that one of the chemically active ingredients in red wine called polyphenols block the formation of brain proteins that build up plaque and destroy brain cells.Not only does red wine and associated polyphenols help block the formation, they might actually reduce the toxicity of existing plaque – further reducing brain deterioration.

In More Detail

Polyphenols (about 8000 of them are known) are also found in tea, some nuts, berries, and a wide range of plants. But wine appears to be the delivery method of choice. While scientists have know that polyphenols had a wide range of influences on the human body (fighting cholestrol etec) they didn’t know how they work and this is the reason for this research.This research focussed on polyphenols found in grape seed extract and not only did they block the formation of the negative proteins, they also decreased the toxicity of existing proteins.

It appears that grape seed extract stops the formation of the protein before it even gets going.The next step in this for the researchers are human trials to see if they can prevent Alzheimer’s , slow it down or repair existing damage.

The next step for this writer is to make sure there’s a good supply of red wine in the cellar.







nutrition, research, treatment

Alzheimers and Marijuana

May 6th, 10 / 0 Comments







It turns out that marijuana and Alzheimers may be a potent allies in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. A report in the Oct 2 issue of the Journal of Molecular Pharmaceuticals
suggests that THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) might inhibit the production of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) – an enzyme that appears to be related to increased Alzheimer’s symptoms.

Details

First of all the “research” is a computer modelling rather than actual human testing. It “should” have an impact kind of thing. Actual lab testing of these models found that THC disrupted the chemical process associated with Alzheimers. The short version of this is that the AChE enzyme increases the formation of a protein plaque in the brain called amyloid plaques. AChE also breaks down the neural transmitter acetycholine. Note that low levels of acetycholine are associated with Alzheimers.

So stopping the production of the enzyme (AChE) that attacks and breaks down the acetycholine is a good thing and this is apparently what THC does.

These lab tests showed that THC completely blocked the AChE from doing it’s job while currently available drugs Donepezil succeeded in 22% of the time and Tacrine worked at 7%.

The next step in this process is animal testing.

Previous research has apparently shown that THC prevents rats from getting Alzheimers.

On the Other Hand

It depends on what you think about the effect of THC or marijuana and Alzheimers, e.g. (politically correct view versus science) There’s some evidence that heavy marijuana use itself can impair memory, your ability to make good decisions and pay attention.

You wouldn’t have to inhale. You wouldn’t likely care either. :-)

What were we talking about? Oh yeah, the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.

Next up – we’ll be studying the effect of THC related to excessive munchies on seniors and weight gain.







research, treatment

Alzheimers and Q10

May 6th, 10 / 0 Comments








The relationship between Coenzyme Q10 and Alzheimers may not seem obvious but Q10 is naturally produced by the body and there is some evidence that treating with 100-1200 mg a day tended to slow progression of Alzheimers compared to a placebo. It isn’t an Alzheimer’s cure but it may slow it down.

Q10 is found in all animal and plant cells and is part of the oxidation chain – a very powerful antioxidant.

The Devil is in the Details

We know that Q10 occurs naturally and we know that it tends to decrease with aging. We also know it is usually below average levels in patients with chronic disease such as heart problems, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson‘s, cancer, HIV/AIDS.

It is entirely possible to add Q10 by supplementing your diet but the research is inconclusive about what it really does or if it really works.

Side Effects

Indeed there are potentially serious side effects of overdosing on Q10 and that dosages may vary by individual.

The National Institute of Health did a literature review a few years ago that found that subjects with Parkinson’s disease found that CoQ 300-1200 mg/day, tended to slow progression compared to placebo.

Higher doses tended to show greater efficacy.

Adverse effects were minimal, and domains that showed benefits were function, motor symptoms and cognition

Summary

While this study doesn’t deal specifically with Alzheimers, it does point out the potential for abuse with Q10. It also points out that this research group had better “cognition” after
supplementing with Q10

Bottom Line

Full evidence isn’t available about the relationship between Q10 and Alzheimers – that this is going to work but it seems promising in this initial review.







nutrition, treatment

Soybeans and Alzheimers

May 6th, 10 / 0 Comments







Just when you thought things would settle down on the nutrition and Alzheimers front comes news that a Taiwanese report demonstrates a fermented food made from soybeans (called Natto) contains the enzyme (what else) Nattokinase.

Turns out that its a clot-buster of an enzyme and is sold as a supplement to improve circulatory systems.

Asians have been eating this stuff for a thousand years or more and the researchers have shown it attacks amyloid fibrils (the stuff that makes up the plaque largely responsible for Alzheimer ‘s.

So, we have another preventative “possibility” but nothing definite.

Having said that, people have been eating this stuff for so long (made from boiling soy beans) that we know it isn ‘t going to hurt us.

And it might help.







nutrition, research, treatment