Current initiatives in Alzheimer's disease identification and treatment

Alzheimer's Disease

Course project part III: Describe current initiatives

Environmental

Pre-screening and early intervention in the identification and treatment of AD is essential. One recent NIH-funded study used DNA samples from more than 56,000 study participants and "analyzed shared data sets to detect gene variations that may have subtle effects on the risk for developing Alzheimer's" (Studies find possible new genetic links for Alzheimer's disease, 2011, National Institute on Aging). The study found several new gene variants indicating "risk factors for late-onset Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of the disorder" (Studies find possible new genetic links for Alzheimer's disease, 2011, National Institute on Aging).

This is a form of primary intervention, or preventative treatment. Identifying genes can allow for improved early drug treatment studies of the disorder. The interaction between genetics and the environment, and what causes these genes to be expressed can also be studied. Does every person with these genes develop AD? Under what circumstances?

Source:

Studies find possible new genetic links for Alzheimer's disease. (2011). National Institute on Aging. National Institute of Health. Retrieved October 10, 2011 at http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/ResearchInformation/NewsReleases/PR20110404GWAS.htm

Behavioral

Recent studies, according to PubMed, show a mild improvement in AD patients using the herbal supplement ginkgo. One literature review studied seven trials involving 1,800 participants, all using a specific ginkgo preparation based on the extract EGb 761. The supplement trials were conducted for periods of varying duration. Patients taking a higher dose of the ginkgo extract (240 mg per day) improved in their daily functioning to a moderate degree in acts of self-care. This suggests a tertiary intervention -- using high levels of the supplement in a patient manifesting the early symptoms of the disorder may improve symptoms and reduce caregiver stress.

Source:

German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). (2008). Ginkgo in Alzheimer's disease. Final report A05-19B. Version 1.0. Cologne: IQWiG. Accessed

Through PubMed October 10, 2011 at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0005095/