Sunday, July 8, 2007

Study points to looming global epidemic of Alzheimer's

More than 26 million people worldwide are living with Alzheimer's disease, but that number is set to quadruple by 2050, according to researchers from Johns Hopkins University in the USA. "We face a looming global epidemic of Alzheimer's disease as the world's population ages," said the study's lead author, Ron Brookmeyer, as the findings were presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Prevention of Dementia in Washington DC and published in its journal, Alzheimer's & Dementia. The global prevalence of Alzheimer's disease will exceed more than 106 million cases by 2050 and by that time, 43% of those with Alzheimer's disease will need high-level care, equivalent to that of a nursing home. Professor Brookmeyer noted that by 2050, one in 85 people will be suffering from the condition but “if we can make even modest advances in preventing Alzheimer's disease or delay its progression, we could have a huge global public health impact." Specificially the report, which was funded by Elan and Wyeth, noted that interventions that could delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease by as little as one year would reduce its prevalence by 12 million fewer cases in 2050.A similar delay in both the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease would result in a smaller overall reduction of 9.2 million cases by 2050, because slower disease progression would mean more people surviving with early-stage disease symptoms. However, nearly all of that decline would be attributable to decreases in those needing costly late-stage disease treatment, the study argues.The largest increase is expected to occur in Asia, which currently accounts for 48% of the world's patients. The number of Alzheimer's cases is expected to grow there from almost 13 million in 2006 to nearly 63 million in 2050, making up 59% of total cases of the world's Alzheimer's cases will live in Asia. Cases in Europe will jump 130% to 16.5 million, while North America will rise to 8.8 million from 3.1 million.DiaGenic’s blood-based diagnostic shows promiseIt may look like a depressing picture but companies are still searching for treatments, notably Elan and Wyeth which recently announced that they are going to initiate a late-stage trial for AAB-001 (bapineuzumab), their new Alzheimer's disease treatment way ahead of schedule. Early diagnosis is also vital, which is why data from a simple blood test pioneered by a Norwegian biotechnology firm caused much excitement at the conference. DiaGenic presented the prototype of, and results of initial trials from, a blood-based diagnostic test and its chief executive Erik Christensen commented that the results revealed in Washington DC show that “the test can detect Alzheimer’s disease with a clinically acceptable accuracy of above 80%.” DiaGenic now aims to make the test available in early 2008.

Monday, July 2, 2007

Sense of Smell as Alzheimer's Predictor

Inability to identify certain smells predicts development of Alzheimer's disease
It's fascinating research: when a patient is unable to identify ten selected smells (lemons, leather, etc.), it indicates they are headed straight for Alzheimer's disease.
This demonstrates just how closely the olfactory senses are tied to overall nervous system function. It's also one reason why I believe that the long-term use of fragrance chemicals found in laundry detergents, soaps, shampoos and personal care products actually promotes Alzheimer's disease: because it dulls the senses and clouds the mind. If you find this article interesting, be sure to also read 'Popular Alzheimer's Drug Found to Be All But Worthless in Independent Study.'
Overview:
The inability to identify the smell of lemons, lilac, leather and seven other odors predicts which patients with minimal to mild cognitive impairment (MMCI) will develop Alzheimer's Disease, according to a study presented today at the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP) annual meeting.
For patients with MMCI, the odor identification test was found to be a strong predictor of Alzheimer's Disease during follow-up, and compared favorably with reduction in brain volumes on MRI scan and memory test performance as potential predictors.
"Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease is critical for patients and their families to receive the most beneficial treatment and medications," says lead researcher D.P. Devanand, MD, Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Neurology at Columbia University and Co-Director of the Memory Disorders Center at the New York State Psychiatric Institute.
Smell identification test results from Alzheimer's disease patients, MMCI patients and healthy elderly subjects were analyzed to select an optimal subset of fragrances that distinguished Alzheimer's and MMCI patients who developed the disease from healthy subjects and MMCI patients who did not develop Alzheimer's.
An estimated 4.5 million Americans have Alzheimer's Disease, a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys a person's memory.
ACNP, founded in 1961, is a professional organization of more than 700 leading scientists, including four Nobel Laureates.
The mission of ACNP is to further research and education in neuropsychopharmacology and related fields in the following ways: promoting the interaction of a broad range of scientific disciplines of brain and behavior in order to advance the understanding of prevention and treatment of disease of the nervous system including psychiatric, neurological, behavioral and addictive disorders; encouraging scientists to enter research careers in fields related to these disorders and their treatment; and ensuring the dissemination of relevant scientific advances.
Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-12/g-sfl121004.php