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Our victory flag slowly continues to rise on the battlefield we share with Alzheimer’s disease. Only truly identifiable after it has claimed the life of its victim, this phantom nemesis feels us closing in from all sides. Researchers from around the globe are simultaneously striking damaging blows to Alzheimer’s disease in the areas of prevention, detection and treatment.
Recognizing the strength of the foe we face, we have now begun to focus more attention on the prevention of Alzheimer’s. In years past we were left to battle Alzheimer’s blind and empty handed. Its illusive causes and difficulty to diagnose formed an armor that we are only now beginning to penetrate. Armed with the discovery that Alzheimer’s is caused by amyloid plaque build-up in the brain, researchers at Loyola University Medical Center in Illinois announced through CNN on May 1, 2001 that commonly prescribed cholesterol drugs such as Lipitor, Pravachol and Zocor may prevent this plaque buildup.1 “What we found was that patients taking statins have a 60 to 70 percent reduction in the risk of Alzheimer’s disease,” stated Dr. Benjamin Wolozin of Loyola University Medical Center.1 A separate research team has since replicated these findings. Though statins are currently considered to have few side effects, most researchers believe it is too soon to begin utilizing them for Alzheimer’s prevention. The first study is currently taking place in the United States to test the effectiveness of statins in treating Alzheimer’s. European researchers are conducting similar studies with the common statin, Pravachol.
Investigation of cholesterol drugs is not the only possible weapon in our prevention arsenal. A year long study conducted on 100 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s concluded with Elan Corporation’s announcement that a vaccine called AN-1792, designed to maintain low levels of the disease causing plaques, is safe for patients and will enter phase two of clinical trials by the end of 2002.4 These human studies follow previous studies with mice reporting significant efficacy of the vaccine in both prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s. Researchers have been able to protect mice from Alzheimer’s by vaccinating them early in development. In some mice already afflicted with Alzheimer’s, the AN-1792 has been able to halt or even reverse disease progression. Dr. Ivan Lieberburg of Elan Corporation remarked to CNN, “We’re hoping that if we see anything like what we saw in our mice experiments in people in phase two clinical study, that this would be a truly remarkable result.”
In addition to the seventy-one clinical trials currently underway in the US, foreign allies fight the war against Alzheimer’s every day.6 While those in Europe study the preventative capability of the cholesterol statin, Pravachol, Japanese scientists think they may have found the silver bullet. Professor of pharmacology and neurosciences at Keio University in Tokyo, Ikuo Nishimoto, announced via CNN on May 22, 2001 that his team has isolated a potential cure protein, which they call humanin, that is naturally made by genes in the brain.3 Humanin has been shown to cease the brain cell death that occurs in Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to its unique ability to completely stop brain cell death, humanin does not cause the cancer inducing side effects that similar cell death prevention techniques threaten. Although evaluation of humanin has not progressed beyond the test tube at this point, Nishimoto states that his team will soon begin studying the substance in animals. Keio University is currently applying for a patent for this silver bullet.
Finally, since no weapon can be wielded against an invisible opponent, advancements are being made in the area of diagnosis. Detection measures are beginning to tighten their grasp on Alzheimer’s. Formulated from more than one thousand studies of Alzheimer’s, new diagnostic guidelines were announced in the May 8 issue of Neurology.2 These new guidelines, mainly designed for physicians, highlight a list of ten warning signals including memory loss affecting job performance and difficulty performing familiar tasks and problems with language.2 The guidelines also provide an overview to aid patients and caregivers. In a statement to CNN, Bill Thies of the Alzheimer’s Association said, “Research shows learning about Alzheimer’s disease is one of the best ways to help patients and their families.”2
One of the most powerful things we have learned about Alzheimer’s disease in recent years is that it may have a marker that can be detected long before the disease ever develops. Strittmatter, Roses and colleagues at Duke University Medical Center recently isolated a certain type of gene called Apoe4 that has a significantly increased occurrence in Alzheimer’s patients.5 Although possession of the Apoe4 gene does not guarantee development of Alzheimer’s, it is designated as a risk factor much like smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer. With progressive investigation into the role of the Apoe4 gene, scientists are beginning to zero in on the very thing that makes Alzheimer’s tick.
Reports state that Alzheimer’s Disease claims 4 million victims in the United States alone.1 In our current position, it is predicted to claim a devastating 22 million worldwide by the year 2025; however, our position is by no means stagnant.4 With the swift strides being made by worldwide research, generation x-ers can more readily escape the foreboding fifty percent chance of developing the disease after age 85 that currently faces them.2 With cutting edge science rapidly growing stronger, our enemy’s days are surely numbered. As we mourn the casualties of the war with Alzheimer’s we find solace in the possibilities of the near and promising future. In as little as ten years we could hear the long awaited words, “Tie a ribbon around the old oak tree. The troops are coming home!”
Publications cited
- Cholesterol drug may prevent Alzheimer’s (by Rhonda Rowland) May 1,2001 http://www.cnn.com/2001/health/conditions/05/01/alzheimers.cholesterol/index.html
- Alzheimer’s report stresses early diagnosis, care May 7, 2001 http://www.cnn.com/2001/Health/conditions/05/07/alzheimers.guidelines/index.html
- Japan scientists find possible Alzheimer’s cure May 22, 2001 http://www.cnn.com/2001/world/asiapcf/east/05/22/japan.a;zheimers/index.html
- Alzheimer’s vaccine passes key test (by Rhonda Rowland) July 23, 2001 http://www.cnn.com/2001/Health/07/23/alzheimers.vaccine/index.html
- Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Emory University web page http://www.cc.emory.edu/WHSC/MED/ADC/research.html#apoe
- Clinical Trials: Alzheimer’s Disease http://www.centerwatch.com/patient/studies/CAT11.html
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