Alzheimer’s disease is the most common degenerative brain disease that’s robbing millions of people of their precious memories around the globe. According to WHO, more than 55 million people are suffering from dementia, and around 70% are Alzheimer’s patients. Various temporary treatments have been introduced in the past years to control symptoms.
There’s currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but researchers are still hopeful to find one. Numerous experts are exploring how to find a complete treatment for this ailment.
Let’s move along and see if Alzheimer’s is ever going to go away.
Why Alzheimer’s Disease Is Challenging To Cure?
The question might pop up: Why is there no cure for this disease? If you want to discuss this with a professional, the Neurology One will give you a proficient consultation. A few reasons are explained below.
1- Missing Cause
The root of not finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease is the missing cause. Scientists are still unsure about the causes of Alzheimer’s. A few experts believe that the amyloid plaques cause Alzheimer’s, although this statement hasn’t convinced all researchers.
However, plenty of research is ongoing to find the exact reason for Alzheimer’s disease and the complete treatment.
2- Brains are quite unnavigable
Another reason behind the missing cure is that the blood-brain barrier protects the brain, which keeps the harmful material away. So, the ground for experiments is limited. However, experts are still testing drugs by tucking them into hydrogels to sneak into the safety system of the brain.
3- Lack of funding for Alzheimer’s research
Lack of funding for Alzheimer’s disease research is also gatekeeping the treatment. Researchers need enough funds to raise awareness and analyze the disease. You must have noticed that people see Alzheimer’s disease as a death sentence, although it’s not true.
4- Drug failure while testing
Testing drugs and making compounds cost a considerable amount to the researcher. A very limited amount of tests have been allowed for dementia. Scientists have made a lot of drugs for Alzheimer’s disease that failed while testing.
The drug’s failure while testing misses a chance to find a cure for this ailment. However, a few tests have been successful for dementia as well. You can get professional advice regarding drugs from Neurology One.
5- Treating a symptom isn’t treating a disease
The medicines for Alzheimer’s disease are handling the symptoms instead of treating the whole disease. Doctors are prescribing inhibitors to modify the status of brain chemicals to save the person from more destructive conditions.
However, the experts are hopeful that they will find the exact cure for this brain disorder.
New Alzheimer’s Medications: A Glimmer of Hope for the Future
New Alzheimer’s medications are offering hope, with promising treatments that may slow disease progression and improve the quality of life for patients.
This approval marks a significant step forward in Alzheimer’s treatment.
These new drugs are:
Aduhelm
In 2021, the FDA approved a new Alzheimer’s medication, Aduhelm (aducanumab). It Targets a specific protein known as beta-amyloid, which is thought to be particularly harmful to the brain.
Theses approval marks a significant step forward in Alzheimer’s treatment.
Lecanemab
Lecanemab is an FDA approved immunotherapy drug used for the treatment of early stage Alzheimer’s Disease. As you know, a reason behind Alzheimer’s can be amyloid plaque. Hence, lecanemab targets amyloid protein in the brain to reduce plaque.
In 2022, researchers at Biogen declared that use of lecanemab has proved to be beneficial for mild stage Alzheimer’s. However, you should always take such drugs according to the instructions of your neurologist.
Donanemab
Another FDA approved immunotherapy drug for Alzheimer’s disease treatment is Donanemab. In 2023, researchers showed that donanemab reduced the cognitive and functional decline in Alzheimer’s patients.
Before taking these medications, your doctor will ask for a PET scan. It will analyse whether the amyloid plaques are present in the brain or not.
Several other medications have been introduced to treat Alzheimer’s disease. You can visit the Neurology One for better consultation regarding medicines.
Therapeutical Treatment For Alzheimer’s Disease
Apart from medicines, neurologists have suggested a few therapeutical treatments that can treat Alzheimer’s patients. Here you come.
Reminiscence Work
Reminiscence work has been performed magically on Alzheimer’s patients. It includes talking about past events by using images or favourite music. Sharing stories and compiling memories will freshen up the mood.
CST
Cognitive stimulation therapy includes participating in activities or exercises to memorize things. It improves the problem-solving skills of Alzheimer’s patients and also enhances their memory.
Cognitive Rehabilitation
Cognitive rehabilitation helps you by working with a neurologist to stimulate the part of the brain that is working. It can help teach the use of new things like mobile phones. It is also helpful for the parts of the brain that are not working.
What Needs to Happen for Alzheimer’s to Go Away?
Increased Research
Additional funds are required for research work. Alzheimer’s is a tricky disease and it requires much effort to solve it. World governments, private institutions and individuals must proceed with funding of scientific research and production.
Better Public Awareness
It is important that people learn the first symptoms of Alzheimer’s. When the disease is identified early, an individual is likely to have better chances of treatment. Public health campaigns can help a great deal in raising awareness.
Focus on Prevention
Because there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s, prevention can be just as effective as trying to find a cure. Promoting healthy behaviors, improving primary and secondary prevention, and enhancing mental health are among them.
Preventive Strategies
While a definitive cure remains elusive, certain preventive strategies may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s:
Healthy Diet
Adopting a brain-healthy lifestyle can significantly improve cognitive function and overall mental well-being. A healthy diet, like the Mediterranean-style diet, helps in enhancing brain health.
You should take:
Fruits, vegetables, whole grains
Healthy fats (from olive oil and nuts)
Limit processed foods and sugar
Stay hydrated
Lean proteins like fish and legumes
Regular Physical Activity
Physical activity has been associated with a reduced risk of the development of dementia and other related issues. e.g
Regular aerobic exercise (walking, cycling)
Strength training activities
Balance exercises
150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly
Activities that you enjoy (e.g., dancing, swimming)
Mental Stimulation
The brain improves its ability to handle challenges when regularly stimulated by activities such as:
Solving puzzles
Reading
Acquiring new skills
The more the brain is pushed to work harder, the stronger and more efficient it becomes.
Social Engagement
In this analysis, social interaction and social contact could slow down mental health decline.
Here is how you can do this:
Participate in group exercises or fitness classes
Volunteering in local organisations
Attend social clubs or support groups
Join hobby or interest-based groups
Engage in family gatherings
AI Can Be A Game Changer
Finally, AI has the potential to revolutionize the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. Collaboration between scientists, doctors, tech experts and AI, is crucial to solving Alzheimer’s disease cure.
This is how AI can help:
AI can help identify early signs of Alzheimer’s even before symptoms appear.
This technology can be used to speed up drug discovery by predicting how different compounds will interact with the brain and whether they might be effective in treating Alzheimer’s.
AI can help customize treatment plans for Alzheimer’s patients based on their unique genetic makeup, lifestyle, and disease progression.
It helps in processing and analysing data from genomic studies, helping researchers pinpoint genes that might play a role in Alzheimer’s disease.
AI algorithms also helps in tracking the progression of cognitive decline in patients and provide predictions on future stages of the disease.
In short, AI gives a new hope to find the complete cure of Alzheimer’s disease in coming years.
Bottom Line
FDA-approved medications, along with expert consultation from Neurology One, offer hope for slowing Alzheimer’s progression and improving patient outcomes. The strategies and therapies given above in the article can be helpful for you.
You can contact Neurology One for any queries regarding Alzheimer’s disease.
