|  | |
|  | |
|  | Elder Care Information | 
|  | 
|  | New Hope for Alzheimers Treatment
 There is now widespread agreement among research scientists and medical professionals that Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a problem quickly growing to vast proportions. As the life expectancy of Americans continues to rise, increasing the percentage of the population over 65 years of age, so does the number of Alzheimer's cases. It is currently estimated that people over 65 years of age have a 10% chance of developing Alzheimer's, while those over 85 have a 50% likelihood of developing AD, making it the leading cause of dementia among older people. Though the disease is associated primarily with memory loss, its effects also comprise a number of other severe disabilities, including changes in personality, disorientation, difficulty with speech and comprehension, and a lack of ability to move normally. Consequently, most Alzheimer's patients require a great deal of care, costing society close to $100 billion annually. According to Christian Fritze, Ph.D., Director of the Antibody Products Division at Covance Research Products, "The impact of Alzheimer's Disease on our society will only increase as our population ages. The prevalence of the disease and disabling effects on the patient are significant by themselves. In addition we are becoming increasingly aware of the far-reaching effects on families, care-giver networks and the economics of our health care system. The drive for progress towards effective treatments by the research and drug development community is growing stronger every day." A New Consensus But recent developments in the medical research community do provide some hope. During the last two years, there has been a growing consensus among Alzheimer researchers about the cause of Alzheimer's disease, providing focus for scientists exploring the new treatment options. The focus is on amyloid beta oligomers, a new wrinkle on an older hypothesis called the "amyloid cascade hypothesis". Widespread acceptance of this new conclusion is something of a milestone in the history of Alzheimer's research. As Dr. Fritze says, "The decades old quest for the causative agent in Alzheimer's Disease has recently focused on the precursors of amyloid plaques. These precursors are part of a bewildering array of processed (APP) Amyloid Precursor Protein) variants, Tau isoforms and secretase components that play a role in neuronal cytotoxicity and subsequent brain dysfunction." Amyloid plaques are sticky protein deposits in the brain containing amyloid beta peptide. Researchers have associated the buildup of this plaque with Alzheimer's disease since its discovery in 1907. But despite the clear correlation, scientists were not sure what, exactly, spurred the onset of Alzheimer's Disease. The hypothesis that amyloid beta accumulation in the brain is the major cause of Alzheimer's Disease1 has been the focus of much attention over the past decade. Although this hypothesis was the leading explanation for the cause of AD, it had several weaknesses. The most obvious problem with the theory was the fact that the buildup of amyloid beta peptides did not necessarily correspond with the severity of Alzheimer's symptoms. However, in 19982 and in 20023, researchers proposed that it was not the amyloid beta plaques themselves that were neurotoxic - and therefore the cause of Alzheimer's - but rather precursors to amyloid beta plaques formed by smaller aggregates of amyloid beta. These new ideas are gaining widespread acceptance among the Alzheimer's research community, creating a consensus that had not existed before. This new focus provides one more spur to action for Alzheimer's researchers, and underscores the need for further advancement. "The AD field demands sophisticated, highly-sensitive research tools to track these components and quantitate the existence of monomeric, oligomeric and fibrillar amyloid forms present in the progression of Alzheimer's disease," says Dr. Fritze. Antibody Treatment Two new studies, both released in October 20044, suggest that new treatment options may be on the horizon. The studies are the modification of one of two previous attempts using amyloid beta (Aβ) antibodies in the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. The previous attempts, though not successful, did at least suggest new courses of action in Alzheimer's research and provided invaluable information for researchers. In the first of the two previous attempts, researchers injected the antigen itself - pieces of the beta amyloid protein that makes up amyloid plaque - into mice, in the hopes that the injections would generate an immune (antibody) response against amyloid. Results were initially positive. The injected antigen produced Aβ antibodies and slowed the onset of the disease by decreasing Aβ levels. However, when tried on humans, the procedure led to meningoencephalitis (an inflammation of tissue around the brain) in some patients, and was therefore halted. In the second attempt, a passive immunity therapy was tried in which antibodies to amyloid beta (not amyloid protein) were injected into mice, but hemorrhaging and inflammation ensued due to the high antibody doses required to be effective. New Hope But now there appears to be new hope for the use of antibodies as therapeutic agents for the treatment of Alzheimer's patients. In the first of the two new studies that appeared in October conducted by the National Institute for Longevity Sciences, NCGG, and the Center for Neurological Diseases, Brigham & Women's College, Harvard Institute of Medicine, researchers modified the first procedure. Concluding that the meningoenchaphalitis which occurred in some patients was caused by autoimmune T-cell activation, the researchers hoped to develop a vaccine that could minimize this T-cell activation while retaining the production of Aß antibodies. To accomplish this they created an oral vaccine that attached Aß DNA to an adeno-associated virus vector, which served to mitigate T-cell activation. Thus they were able to decrease Aß levels in the brains of the mice and yet not activate T-cells to the degree they had before, greatly reducing the risk of meningoencephalitis. In the other new study, conducted at the University of Illinois at Chicago, researchers succeeded in making the passive immunity protocol much safer. This they accomplished by changing the point of entry for the Aß antibodies. Rather than injecting the antibodies into the body of the mice, as was done previously, antibody was injected directly into the brain of the mice. Because the antibodies were injected directly into the brain, smaller doses were needed, and side effects were minimized. The results of the above studies, and the potential for further optimized immunization strategies may prove to be watershed events in the history of Alzheimer's treatment. Covance is a leading provider of innovative antibody products and custom antibody development services to the research community for Alzheimer's disease. Visit www.Covance.com for more in-depth information and to view the suite of products for Alzheimer's disease. Boris Predovich is Vice President of Immunology and Surgical Services at Covance Research Products. Notes 1.	J.A. Hardy, G.A. Higgins (1992), Science, 256:184-5. R. L. Fielding writes on many health-related topics. 
 MORE RESOURCES: Making connections for elder care  The Eastern Door Elder care in every Nunavut community more efficient than centralized facilities: Iqaluit Elders Society  Penticton Herald Elliot Lake seniors get new transportation option for healthcare access  ElliotLakeToday.com St. Vincentâs Nursing Home votes to strike  Canadian Union of Public Employees Report calls for community-based approach to elder care in Nunavut â Eye on the Arctic  Radio-Canada Redefining success in senior care: What it will take in 2026  McKnight's Long-Term Care News Court urges strong support for elderly  China Daily Senior Care Gets An Upgrade: How LogicMark's Patented Token & Privacy Technology Helps It Better Manage Customer Data Security  FinancialContent What can advisors do to help clients managing elder care, childcare costs  Wealth Professional Canada The Coming Elder Care Challenge: More People Are Beginning To Notice  Center for Retirement Research Sunshine Coast elder care project uses art to ask who cares  Coast Reporter Elder Law Guys: Fighting against Alzheimerâs, Parkinsonâs and traumatic brain injuries  Pittsburgh Post-Gazette When Caregiving Makes Women Ill  The New York Times Heart of Health: Linda Armstrongâs passion for geriatric nursing care  Nova Scotia Health Anne Enright: âIâm in a lull. Iâm trying to recalibrate after a long decade of elder careâ  The Irish Times Massapequa home health aide arrested for stabbing 84-year-old patient, Long Island police say  CBS News Older adults and population aging statistics  Statistique Canada Making sense of Washingtonâs âchaos and madnessâ  McKnight's Long-Term Care News Ageing and health  World Health Organization (WHO) AARP Louisiana study demonstrates disparity in state funding between in-home care vs. nursing homes for the elderly  louisianaradionetwork.com Festival of Lights Jamaica celebration  Queens Chronicle Redland Bay aged care employee charged after allegedly stealing debit card from 104yo man  Australian Broadcasting Corporation Nova Scotia Healthâs Dignity of Risk Program leading change in caring for older adults living with frailty and dementia  Nova Scotia Health LETTER: Elder care a looming crisis for Oak Bay  Oak Bay News Why seniorsâ care should have been on the election agenda  The Conversation Wage-levelling to end in fully private seniorsâ care facilities  Hospital Employees' Union Migrants required to meet aged care shortages  National Seniors Australia Police investigate suspicious death in Abbotsford senior care home  CityNews Vancouver Commentary: The monthly tab for her in-home elder care: $18,000. She can cover it, but how many others can?  Los Angeles Times How much more youâll pay under new aged care fees  The Australian AI Companions Redefine Elder Care: 3 Ways They Fight Loneliness, Boost Safety And Scale Support  Forbes Council awards car park site to Indigenous aged care provider for $1 fee  Australian Broadcasting Corporation New tracker finds rapid private equity expansion in elder care  Private Equity Stakeholder Project PESP Elderly care: The visible and invisible  International Labour Organization âElevate Eldercareâ Podcast Explores the Future of Person-directed Care as LeadingAge and the Global Ageing Network Summit Kicks Off in Boston  Beloit Daily News NTI Invests in Community Facilities for Elder Care  Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. Assessing Quality of Life for Seniors in Care  Bioengineer.org Quick service app Snabbit to expand into cooking, elder care, child care after $30 million fundraise  The Economic Times Aged care worker charged after 104-year-old robbed  Yahoo News Australia Youth employment and elder care: a dual challenge in Morocco | AFD  AFD - Agence Française de DĂ©veloppement BPK student research looks to history to find a way forward for Indigenous elder care  Simon Fraser University Mark Yaffe: Pioneering Excellence in Elder and Mental Health Care | Department of Family Medicine  McGill University Stepping towards better health: Early Mobility team wins Nova Scotia Health Quality Award  Nova Scotia Health Emotional needs and service process optimization in combined medical and elder care: A TRIZ approach  ScienceDirect.com Elder Care Homecare Reaffirms Commitment to High-Quality ALS Home Care in Westchester County  The Globe and Mail Inventing the Future of Seniors Care at Sunnybrookâs Peter Cipriano Centre - Sunnybrook Foundation Inventing the Future of Seniors Care at Sunnybrookâs Peter Cipriano Centre  Sunnybrook Foundation Welltower 3.0âs âlaserâ focus on long-term care revealed in UK deal some call âworldâs largestâ  McKnight's Long-Term Care News âWhat they wanted to seeâ: Rankin Inlet elder facility to welcome 22 residents in April  Nunatsiaq News Your Company Needs an Eldercare Policy  Harvard Business Review From Mom-Care to Action: Identifying the Crises in Eldercare  Minnesota Women's Press Leon County seniors at risk as deadline for SNAP benefits funding approaches  WTXL ABC 27 Tallahassee News Singapore's super-aged era: Redefining elder care  The Straits Times Kerala set to roll out âTime Bankâ for elderly care; pilot from today  The New Indian Express Wyanga, Uniting to partner on new home in Redfern  Australian Ageing Agenda ADB urges inclusive long-term elder care framework in Bangladesh  United News of Bangladesh Legendary Smart Tech for Caregivers Boosts Senior Independence  Delaware LIVE News Unravelling the combination of medical and elderly care in China: a comprehensive policy analysis  Nature Recreation therapy associates at the heart of the Early Mobility Program at St. Marthaâs Regional Hospital in Antigonish  Nova Scotia Health Seniors Helping SeniorsÂź In-Home Care Services Expands in Florida with opening in East Tampa and Lakeland, Florida  Franchising.com Super Lawyers Honors Six Attorneys at Westchester County Elder Law Firm Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP  ACCESS Newswire |  |  |  | RELATED ARTICLES How To Find Affordable Senior Housing A few years ago Miranda M. became a widow. As the Baby Boomers Age Many employees today are calling in sick - not to care for themselves or their children, but to care for their aging parents. Baby boomers are rapidly moving into the role of caregivers for their parents, but with a few extra challenges due to the changing face of our workforce. 5 Myths You Should Know Before Choosing Elder Care Myths associated with selecting quality nursing home care suggest quick and easy ways to identify quality care. In fact, relying on these myths can lead to disastrous results. Whos Gonna Take Care of You When Youre Old? I finally went to the doctor this morning for my bad cold. My appointment was for 9:30 am and yet I didn't get home until after 1:00 pm. Scaling Down (Almost) Painlessly Moving to a smaller house or apartment in a retirement community almost always involves a certain degree of trauma, both for the elder who's moving and for family members. However, by planning ahead you can reduce the discomfort involved and turn what might well become a nightmare into a pleasant event. Feeling Lonely? Q: I hate Alzheimer's disease, not only has it robbed me of my husband, but it has taken my life too! I feel like all of my friends have disappeared. I am lonely, and that makes me feel guilty. Exercise Walking For Seniors: Preventing Foot Problems Exercise has a very important role in the general health and the quality of life of everyone, but especially in seniors. Seniors who walk tend to look younger, sleep more soundly and have fewer visits to the doctor. The Best Investment You Can Make Right Now: Long Term Care Insurance Don't think you need it? Consider this: a full 50% of Americans over the age of 50 will need long term care at some point in their lives. The average cost of nursing facility care (or home health care assistance) is $61,000 per year, and the average stay in a long term care facility is 2œ years. Compare Nursing Homes Finding the best nursing home is easier than you might think. That is assuming there is more than one nursing home in your area so that you have something to compare. Assisted Living: Tips on How to Choose a Facility It is easy to be fooled by fancy drapery or expensive furniture that may decorate a care facility. Even though a facility looks high class doesn't always mean the care provided is first class. Honey, Where Are The Car Keys? Q: My mother is always losing, hiding and hoarding things, I am losing my mind! What can I do to get her to stop?A: This is a great question and I have a lot of material to work with.My grand mother had made me the most beautiful doilies. Using The Proper Wheelchair Will Make Your Everyday Life Easier If you have an injury or a health problem that restricts your mobility, you can achieve the independence you desire with a wheelchair that's just right for you. Wheelchairs are constructed for people of every size, shape, and age, and have features designed to meet the many diverse interests of users and appropriate for the various levels of assistance required. Alzheimers Care Giving While Maintaining Your Own Health Just for a moment I want you to imagine that you are coming out of a very deep sleep. If you have ever had surgery try to remember the way you felt as you were trying to make sense of things as you awoke. Mom Wont Participate! Q: Six months ago we placed my mother in an assisted living facility. She gets along fairly well, but we thought she would get involved with all of the activities. Advocate For Senior Citizens - Protecting Against Abuse and Fraud Ruth is 87 years old this year and has been living alone since 1997. She is in good health, however the daily chores around the home became increasingly difficult. What You Need to Know About Helping Senior Citizens IntroductionThe baby boomers is the population which haven taken birth after second world war till 1965 when there was a tremendous increase in birth rate due to the social and economic development in the USA. Now this population is going into the old age and thus bringing a burden to the nation as the country has to take care of not only the food and shelter but also the medical care. Arizona Assisted Living: Resident Rights According to the Arizona Administrative Code (R9-10-710), those who reside in assisted living facilities in Arizona have certain rights. In addition to having the right to live in an environment that promotes dignity, independence, self-determination, individuality, privacy and the right of choice, the following are a few of the rights given to residents who reside in assisted living facilities:1. Introducing the Best Available Long Term Care Policy Guarantee If you're 60 to 70 years old .. Who Wants to End Up in a Nursing Home? NO ONE! As a long-term care consultant for seniors and their families I have visited many different types of facilities. But my favorite type of facility to visit is adult family homes. Stair Lifts - Straight and Curved Rails There are two types of stairlift. Straight and curved.   | 
| home | site map | 
| © 2009 Asteroidsearch .com |