Alzheimer’s Insights: Seeking freedom from Alzheimer’s
Published 12:03 am Sunday, July 12, 2020
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Scott Finley
Another Fourth of July has come and gone. Celebrations this year were certainly different than from any other time people can remember.
July 4, 1776 marked the declaration of independence by the original thirteen colonies of their freedom from Great Britain’s King George III.
When will we mark our freedom of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia?
While the punch of COVID-19 hit researchers and labs just as hard as life in your own town, scientists continue to peel away the layers of Alzheimer’s.
A worldwide quest is under way to find new treatments to stop, slow or even prevent Alzheimer’s disease and we are leading the way in research by being the largest non-profit funder of AD research in the world.
Currently, there are five Alzheimer’s drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease — temporarily helping memory and thinking problems — with a sixth drug available globally. However, these medications do not treat the underlying causes of the disease or slow its progression.
A lack of volunteers for Alzheimer’s clinical trials is one of the greatest obstacles slowing the progress of potential new treatments. If you are interested in participating in a current clinical trial, use Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch®, a free, easy-to-use clinical studies matching service that generates customized lists of studies based on user-provided information.
One very interesting study taking place in Houston is the Alzheimer’s Association U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk (U.S. POINTER). It’s a two-year clinical trial to evaluate whether lifestyle interventions that simultaneously target many risk factors protect cognitive function in older adults who are at increased risk for cognitive decline.
While COVID-19 temporarily halted this research, it is expected to pick back up soon.
To find out more about any of the ongoing Alzheimer’s research, just go to www.alz.org or you can download the Alzheimer’s Science Hub app. It’s the only app in its class dedicated to the rapidly evolving field of Alzheimer’s and dementia science. You can pick it up for free at the Apple App store or Google Play.
And just a reminder – you can always get the latest information about the Association’s COVID-19 emergency preparedness guidelines for Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers in long-term or community-based care settings here:
The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia – by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.
Scott Finley is Media Relations Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association® in Texas. He can be reached at scfinley@alz.org
