A Brighter Future for Alzheimer's Intervention 

 In a January issue of the Discover science magazine, writer Linda Marsa discusses and brings to light several recent advancements in dealing with Alzheimer's disease. Marsa indicates 4 main areas in which there are advancements leading to overall better knowledge and intervention with this devastating disease; the areas are detection, modeling, tracking, and preemptive strike. Gaining knowledge in these areas is vital to understanding the disease because of its unpredictability and damage to the brain even in early diagnosis.

According to Marsa, in the past Alzheimer's disease has not reacted as predicted for certain treatments in the past. The disease seems to beat every treatment that researchers develop. But because of recent research in the above stated areas, scientist are becoming optimistic about future intervention.

Detection
A new radioactive dye called Amyvid has been developed which detects abnormal clumps of protein in the brain; a key sign of Alzheimer's. This new dye well help early diagnosis and hopefully lead to preventative efforts.

Modeling
A team of U.S and UK scientist have came up with a stem-cell based model for Alzheimer's that resembles the true form of the disease much more accurately than the previously studied mouse models. Because of this, treatments and drugs can now be tested on these living models and give us more accurate and predictable results.




Tracking
A protein called Tau is the reason for proteins becoming jumbled in the brain; a clear sign of Alzheimer's. Scientist have discovered a predictable pathway in which this protein travels through the brain. This is leading to improved tracking of the development of the disease.

Preemptive Strike
Currently two drugs whose purpose are to prevent the disease are undergoing clinical trials. The drugs, DIAN TU and Crenezumab, aim at preventing the clumps of proteins in the brain which cause the Alzheimer's disease.

Research such as this is vital to the furthering of modern medicinal practices. Alzheimer's is a devastating condition which is prevalent mainly among older people. The effects of this disease are debilitating and painful to watch; making it important that we find ways to treat those affected by the disease. Along with this, research toward Alzheimer's gives us a better overall understanding of the brain and could lead to vital information pertaining to other brain or psychological conditions.

This article was chosen to blog about because I have seen what the effects of Alzheimer's do to someone. It is very sad to see, and it is my hope that somewhere in the near future researchers can come up with a cure or 100 % effective treatment. I also believe that the brain is the most fascinating part of the human anatomy, and a better understanding of it will give us a better understanding of how our entire body functions.

Article Source:  http://discovermagazine.com/2013/jan-feb/63-four-steps-against-alzheimers#.UQ7AOPJPaSo