Cures for Alzheimer’s disease: Check them out

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: A SILENT INVADER

Alzheimer’s disease is a silent invader and a life-long partner of the patient just like another brain disorder – Down syndrome – and diabetes. Hence it is of utmost importance that the family members keep a close tab on the gradually evident physiological and psychological changes of their senior family members.

FDA PRESCRIBED DRUGS

Medical science is yet to come up with any effective treatment to cure Alzheimer’s disease. Nonetheless, the USFDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) has given its nod to certain drugs that treats the symptoms.

These prescribed drugs lessen the tell-tale signs of the Alzheimer’s patient. They further try to slow down the impact of the brain disorder syndrome.

Such drugs or medicines boost or accelerate the activity of acetylcholine – the neurotransmitter (present in the brain) responsible for memory activity. A recent study has shown that the acetylcholine levels are absent in the initial stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE INHIBITORS

These drugs are termed inhibitors or more precisely acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. They have positive effects on patients of all ages. However, middle aged Alzheimer’s patients are particularly benefited.

Above all, the acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are effective at all stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

BRAIN INFLAMMATION

Medical studies are also on to check brain inflammation of Alzheimer’s patients. The search has narrowed down to the protein known as amyloid precursor. It is yet to be established that the amyloid precursor protein is particularly responsible for the inflammation of the brain of the Alzheimer’s patients.

Intensive researches are on to pinpoint the biological processes that that produce or accumulate the amyloid precursor protein. Of course, certain drugs have already been developed. These drugs block the enzymes that produce the amyloid precursor protein.

Vaccinating mice with amyloid precursor protein has set in action a reaction clearing the amyloid precursor protein present in the brain. Already similar vaccination studies on human beings are under way.

These investigations are endeavors to either slow down or halt the progressive brain disorder.

Though conclusive results are yet to come by, yet better understanding of key factors responsible for Alzheimer’s disease will pave the way for curing the brain which is progressively degenerative. The primary ones are the degeneration process of nerve cells, roles of the tau protein and the amyloid precursor protein in effecting Alzheimer’s disease.