Alzheimer's -- So is hope finally on the horizon?
- khnlawoffice
- Jul 16, 2022
- 2 min read
Many of us know someone who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. It gradually destroys memory and other mental functions, causing confusion for the patient and heartbreak for the loved ones. Researchers and doctors continue to search for ways to relieve symptoms, test for early signs, and find a cure. Studies have shown that changes in learning and memory happen well before signs of Alzheimer’s are found in brain scans. Early detection offers ans opportunity for preventative treatment in the future for many affected.
Testing for Earlier Diagnosis. Recently, The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the first in vitro diagnostic for early testing of Alzheimer’s disease. It is an alternative to (PET) scans that use radiation and cerebrospinal fluid taps that are costly and time-consuming. In May 2022, Fujirebio Diagnostic developed a new testing application for patients 55 years and older who have signs of cognitive impairment. It can be used to detect brain plaques and analyze spinal fluid and proteins that accumulate to form the amyloid-beta plaques tied to Alzheimer’s disease. The FDA suggests testing be combined with other clinical evaluations to confirm a diagnosis.
Managed as a chronic disease. Most primary care doctors believe that one day, dementia will be managed as a chronic disease. But that means doctors and patients need to be made aware of new treatments and technologies, like the test developed by Fujirebio Diagnostic. There is now a blood test available (since March 2022) to aid in the early detection of Alzheimer’s.
New Alzheimer’s Drugs. The FDA approved the first treatment to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, aducanumab (Aduhelm), in 2021, although Medicare will only cover patients participating in clinical trials. This drug may benefit both cognition and function. While there are many other drugs, they only treat symptoms, such as insomnia, memory, language, attention, etc.
There are more than 100 disease-modifying therapies now in clinical trials, with nearly 20 in later stages. With this new technology to help physicians evaluate patients’ Alzheimer’s risk and disease progression, the future of Alzheimer’s may change from a debilitating illness to a manageable one. For those of us who have friends or family members with the disease, there is hope to slow the development and better manage the symptoms.
To learn more, including the sources used in this blog post, please consult:
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