The Winning Fight Against Alzheimer’s Disease
As of 2019, it’s estimated that 5.8 million people in the United States alone live with Alzheimer’s disease with the overwhelming majority of those being adults over the age of 65. It’s an intimidating number; one that has endured and has touched most of our lives in one way or another. However, hope is never far away.
HarborChase Senior Living would like to share some of the recent advancements that researchers have been working diligently on to end Alzheimer’s disease.
iDEAS: How A Recently Completed Study Opened New Doors
On February 2, 2016, the iDEAS Study was launched in an effort to increase early detection signs of all forms of dementia. iDEAS is a clever acronym for Imaging Dementia-Evidence For Amyloid Scanning. After several years of research over a group of a little over 11,000 Medicare recipients, the results were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association on April 2nd, 2019.
Through the use of Positron Emission Tomography, researchers discovered amyloid plaques in various regions of the brain had differing effects. These scans were effective in more than two-thirds of the participants in the study. As such, these results enable primary care doctors to diagnose patients more accurately as well as more effectively manage and provide treatment for not just Alzheimer’s disease, but other forms of dementia as well. It’s a breakthrough that doesn’t only benefit doctors and those dealing with Alzheimer’s or dementia, but their families as well.
SPRINT MIND: A Link Between HBP and Alzheimer’s Disease
In July 2018, the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference revealed another breakthrough in Alzheimer’s disease research as a result of the SPRINT MIND study. After a large clinical trial, the study showed that treatment of high blood pressure (HBP) resulted in a considerable drop in new cases of mild cognitive impairment. These results led to the Alzheimer’s Association to push another $800,000 in investment funds to initiate SPRINT MIND 2.0. This new study is set to follow up with the original trial participants for further monitoring. The goal of this study is to expand the assessment data to include the effectiveness of high blood pressure treatments.
Not So Far Eye: Eyes On 2025
These are just two of the many breakthroughs made in a battle against Alzheimer’s disease that modern medicine is winning! It has been a long road, but the end is in sight. With all research around the globe aiming to have a life-changing treatment by 2025, hope isn’t far away. The bright minds at research and medical institutions are pushing for a better tomorrow, and a world where Alzheimer’s disease is defeated may be closer than we think.
If you have a close friend or family member who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, it’s important to know your options and resources available to you until a cure is discovered. While the research is ongoing, it’s important that your loved one is in a place of comfort suited to them. At HarborChase Senior Living, we offer memory care services that provide a stable, engaging lifestyle for those dealing with memory impairments. For those with Alzheimer’s, The Cove is designed to address each resident’s individual needs. The Cove ensures a high quality of life that is enriched and enlivened by removing barriers that may have prevented that in their own homes.
For more information regarding The Cove or our memory care services, please visit our website.
November 8, 2024
HarborChase of Southlake, we believe connecting with others is essential, and you don’t need technology to do it. Learn how to connect without technology.
November 1, 2024
Gut health is more than the latest trendy topic—it's a critical aspect of overall well-being, especially as we age.