Author: Madhu Singh, Ph.D.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disorder that affects the brain and is the prominent cause of dementia in the elderly affecting 26.6 million people worldwide. The global prevalence of Alzheimer’s is predicted to quadruple by 2050 to more than 100 million, at which time 1 in 85 persons worldwide will be living with the disease.
The absence of effective disease modifying drugs, coupled with an aging population, makes Alzheimer's the healthcare crisis of the 21st century.
The disease was first identified by Dr. Alois Alzheimer in 1906. He described the two hallmarks of the disease: "plaques" - numerous tiny dense deposits scattered throughout the brain which become toxic to brain cells at excessive levels and "tangles" which interfere with vital processes eventually "choking" off the living cells.
Symptoms of AD include memory loss, language deterioration, and impaired ability to mentally manipulate visual information, poor judgment, confusion, restlessness, and mood swings. As Alzheimer’s progresses, individuals may also experience changes in personality and behavior, such as anxiety, suspiciousness or agitation, as well as delusions or hallucinations. Eventually AD destroys cognition, personality, and the ability to function. The early symptoms of AD, which include forgetfulness and loss of concentration, are often missed because they resemble natural signs of aging.
Age is the most important risk factor for AD as a small percentage of patients are under 50 years of age. However, most are over 65 years of age. By age 85, the risk reaches nearly 50 percent. From the onset of symptoms, the disease runs its course from two to 15 years. Seven years is the average extent, but patients may survive as long as 20 years.
Currently available Alzheimer medications may provide temporary relief from dementia, but none of the currently approved drugs is known to stop the underlying degeneration of brain cells. The treatments of choice in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are cholinesterase inhibitors and NMDA-receptor antagonists. However, these drugs are frequently associated with adverse drug effects and do not cure the disease by modifying its pathology.
Recently, herbal drugs have been tested in animal and cell models of AD and, in clinical trials and appear to be a promising alternative in treating AD patients.
Of the 40 or so clinical trials conducted for treating cerebral insufficiency with ginko biloba, seven studies showed positive effects. In another clinical study, when huperzine A was administered to AD patients, significant improvement in their cognitive, non-cognitive functions was noted. In placebo controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trials, Melissa officinalis and Salvia officinalis administered to patients with mild and moderate AD significantly improved their cognitive functions. In addition, Melissa oil (M.officinalis) and lavender oil (Lavendula officinalis), forms of aromatherapies, also improve behavioral and psychological symptoms in severe cases of dementia.
Furthermore, dietary folates have been shown to be effective in reducing risk of developing AD. More recently, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) researchers are testing a cocktail (omega-3 fatty acids, uridine and choline) of dietary supplements, in clinical trials, that holds promise for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Moreover, scientists at University of California, LA are examining the safety and efficacy of curcumin on humans with Alzheimer's. In this pilot study of 36 patients, researchers will examine how well people tolerate high doses of curcumin and how well it is absorbed into the body. In addition, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is studying the effectiveness of the herb sage, D-pinitol (a monosaccharide found in many foods), fish oil, alpha lipoic acid, Vitamin E and Selenium in the treatment of AD.
© Copyright, peoplemenders, 2008. All Rights Reserved.
About the Author
Dr. Singh has over nine years of professional experience which includes technical/medical/regulatory writing, project planning and management, and scientific leadership. Her experience spans pre-clinical, clinical through to regulatory phases. She is innovative and detail oriented with well developed communications skills with a strong focus on analysis, planning, and execution.
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