Alzheimer’s disease: Measures to delay its onset

Alzheimer’s disease is considered the new epidemic of the 21st century. Health organizations and experts on this topic estimate that by 2050, the number of people with Alzheimer’s disease will increase to 131.5 million.

World Alzheimer’s Day is celebrated every September 21, declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) and sponsored by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI).

First World Alzheimer’s Day It was commemorated in 1994. And since 2012, ADI has decided to extend the celebration to the entire month of September, and thus the World Alzheimer’s Month was declared.

“It’s never too late. It’s never too early” is the motto of this year 2023, which, according to ADI, refers to the importance of recognizing risk factors and take proactive measures to delay or prevent appearance dementia And it is symptoms.

This date is celebrated to raise awareness about it diseasewhich affects not only patients but also on direct caregivers and relatives.

There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but it can be done routines and activities delay the deterioration caused by the disease.

The WHO estimates that slightly more than 60 million people worldwide suffer from this disease. The figure calculated by this health organization in 2021 was around 55 million people affected by this disease.’

There is no treatment to prevent the disease or stop its progression. Medicines are prescribed to help with some symptoms of the disease and improve the patient’s quality of life, but they are usually only useful in the early stages and lose their usefulness in the advanced stages. Alzheimer’s affects not only the patient, but also his family and those around him, since it is very difficult to see the decline of a loved one.

support

For some patients being considered for lekanemab (a new treatment option), commitment to regular infusions and pictures by magnetic resonance Regular workouts may not be compatible with your current lifestyle or goals, says Vijay Ramanan, MD, a behavioral neurologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

It needs to be maintained conversations in which they were taken decisions about these peculiarities together with patients and their relatives.

Even if the patient does not continue with a new drugyou can include other Alzheimer’s medications and lifestyle strategies to help the brain.

These lifestyle habits include physical activity regularly, keep up social contacts, stay mentally active, follow a A balanced diet and sleep good.

“This seems basic, but essential practices that are good for the heart and brain have an impact on health long-term,” says dr.

Advances in treatment

He lekanemab he called attention worldwide as the latest approved drug for Alzheimer’s disease and the first treatment approved by FDA for Alzheimer’s disease in more than 20 years. Another drug in the same class, donanemab, is under review for a similar approval. Approval is expected during this year.

dr. Ramanan argues that it is important to see these recent options as possible parts of the plan comprehensive treatment.

Lekanemab shows potential for plaque removal amyloid from brainwhich are early markers of Alzheimer’s disease.

In this clinical trial, treatment with lekenamab for 18 months moderately delayed progression Cognitive handicapbut Dr. Ramanan believes it’s not for everyone.

“Lekanemab is only suitable for patients who have confirmed relatively mild stages of Alzheimer’s disease,” he says. “There is no evidence to support the use of the drug in patients with an advanced stage of the disease or in patients with normal cognitive functioning“.

Patients will receive lekanemab every two weeks intravenously and will have regular MRI scans to check for brain swelling or bleeding, a side effect known as amyloid-related imaging abnormalities, he said by email.