New Science Sheds Light on Alzheimers

[pam]

Having had a father who had Alzheimers, I'm always interested in new things that scientists are learning about the disease. If this new science is true and proven, it would change the way patients with Alzheimers will be treated for it. Far differently than they have been for the last 20 years.

New Science on Alzheimer’s Disease Cause, Cure - AARP Bulletin

Alzheimer's Unlocked - TIME

Edited October 17, 2010 by pam

[Just_A_Guy]

If the research is correct, then the drugs they've been using--which target the plaques--would seem to have actually been making Alzheimer's accelerate.

Oh, the class actions . . .

[zippy_do46]

Thanks Pam, :) You know this makes sense for it going through families. The breaking down of protien in the body may be a family weakness. My husbands family loves meat and potatoes. Both sides of his family in fact. I remember my mother-n-law telling me her husband was only happy if he had meat and potatoes :) even if that meat was squirrel ughhhhhhh.

[TheActualLiz]

Thanks for the link Pam! I will have to cross check that info when I am a little less sleepy, but it does sound very interesting.

I wonder how this interacts with the generally accepted advice on avoiding most animal protein in the diet and getting lots of omega 3 fatty acids?

[Roseslipper]

intersting stuff I hope they find a cure soon...just in case i need it.. haha Laughing but its not funny at all

[pam]

Thanks for the link Pam! I will have to cross check that info when I am a little less sleepy, but it does sound very interesting.

I wonder how this interacts with the generally accepted advice on avoiding most animal protein in the diet and getting lots of omega 3 fatty acids?

Interesting you should say that concerning omega 3 fatty acids. In my reading etc. I've read time and time again that this is something that could ward off Alzheimers. Yet again they always thought it was the plaque that caused Alzheimers. It will be interesting to see what the future holds in the continuance of these studies.

It won't help my dad but I would love to see it help others in the future. It's such a terrible disease to watch a loved one go through.

[pam]

If the research is correct, then the drugs they've been using--which target the plaques--would seem to have actually been making Alzheimer's accelerate.

Oh, the class actions . . .

Which is sad isn't it? But it will be those that are only interested in money and not in the discovery of new ways to treat it.

[zippy_do46]

Thanks ActualLiz and Pam, You know we have noticed a diffrence in my mother-n-law since we brought her home. We give her lots of vitamins and Ensure to drink. Omega 3 fatty acids was one we had started 3 months ago because of some of the reading I have been doing. She is eating again. She is coming to us and telling us she wants something to eat, where before she would just lay there and tell us she was not hungry.

:) My husband just told me she came into the livingroom this morning and sit in a chair and watch the kids catch the bus.

After awhile those simple things really count.

[TheActualLiz]

Pam,

My heart goes out to you and your family. My grandmother had Alzheimer's and it was beyond sad. My mother was very involved with the Alzheimer's association in Jax, FL for a number of years and she said that help. It's really good to have a support network that understands what caring for someone with this illness involves.

I don't know how advanced your father's case is but there might be some things that can at least ease his pain. I am not sure how many of these you are already doing/tried but I would like to get another opinion on what works.

One study that my mom ran across was that reading scriptures every day helps (this is from some scientific journal not a religious one). The study was done on a group of nuns who were deeply involved in daily scripture study and discussion. In this group there was a significantly lower instance of the illness and those who had it suffered fewer symptoms. The theory is that the intellectual activity helped counteract the neurological destruction and that new neurons were growing in to help with the cognitive work load. IF this is true then a number of reasonable therapies could be applied such as...

-classical music

-educational activities

-games

-reinforcing existing memories

-healthy diet rich in Omega 3 and low in other animal fats

-taking care of a pet

-taking care of a garden

-getting 20 min of full spectrum sunlight every day

-uplifting spiritual messages he is comfortable with

-social activities (church, dances, travel groups, social clubs, etc)

I know you are doing everything you can (you would not be posting research studies on here if you were not very active in this) and it is a long and difficult road. The list I posted is a mesh of things we tried with my grandmother, things my grandfather is doing to recover from strokes and maintain high quality of life as long as possible, my mother's research, and my research. If there is anything you could add or give a perspective on it would be great.

Zippy,

I am happy to hear your mother in law is eating again :).

I don't think those are small things at all! In fact they are pretty huge and very encouraging!!!

I would love to hear more about your research and what has been helping with your mother in law and how her progress is going. It sounds like something is going very right here and I would love to hear more about it. :)

::big hugs:: to Pam and Zippy! Please keep talking about your experiences! It is hard to give end of life care to a family member and it is good to know you are not alone. I will be praying for both of your families.

Liz

[pam]

I don't know how advanced your father's case is but there might be some things that can at least ease his pain. I am not sure how many of these you are already doing/tried but I would like to get another opinion on what works.

He passed away last year. Not from Alzheimers though that was a factor. From a negligent care facility.

[TheActualLiz]

I am sorry Pam.

::hugs::