Alzheimer’s disease is a metal degenerative condition that we are still pretty unfamiliar with, and while the symptoms can be brought under control, the underlying condition keeps on getting worse despite the treatment. This is precisely the reason why there has been great stress being laid upon the methods that are being discovered and brought under implementation with the intent of finding the cure for the Alzheimer’s disease.
One such study published in the journal of Alzheimer’s disease looks into the impact of caffeine on the progression of the disorder. Under this specific study, 124 individuals between the ages 65 and 88 were assessed for the level of caffeine in the blood samples provided. These patients were then analyzed over a period of 2-4 years for the deterioration in their cognitive abilities. As per the results of the research study, the levels of the plasma caffeine at the inception of the study were considerably lower in the patients who progressed from Mild Cognitive Impairment to Dementia (MCI to DEM). The concentration of the blood caffeine in these patients was compared against the cases of Alzheimer’s disease who cognitive abilities had remained steady over the period.
In addition to the aforementioned finding, none of the patients whose condition had developed from Mild Cognitive Impairment to Dementia had blood caffeine above the critical level which falls at 1200 ng/ml. On the other hand, half of the stable patients whose initial, as well as final diagnosis, remained steady at Mild Cognitive Impairment had caffeine levels in their blood exceeding the critical level. This study has for the first time provided us with evidence which states that caffeine intake could be associated with reduced risk of dementia or the delayed onset of the Mild Cognitive Impairment.
Yet another study investigates the impact of immunotherapy on the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Before moving towards treatment, however, it is essential to understand how the body is affected by Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AD occurs with the coming forth of two major events. The first amongst these is the misfolding, accumulation and the deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides in amylo plaques, and the second of the events is the deposit of misfolded tau proteins. Recently, evidence has been increasingly discovered which supports the development of Tau-Based Therapeutic approaches while many of the Aβ targeted approaches have lately lagged behind the former.
Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is an antibody product that is being obtained from thousands of different donors. For quite a long time now, IVIg is being used for the treatment of infectious disease, immune disorders and also with a few of the neurological disorders. The use of IVIg has recently revealed reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and during the present day and also through this particular study, it is being analyzed as an option for the treatment of neuro-degenerative disorders. This particular study has presented evidence which justifies the further investigation of IVIg for the treatment of AD. The evidence lies in the fact that since IVIg preparations contain both anti-tau and anti-Aβ natural antibodies, they may prove effective in this treatment.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of degenerative illness and considering how common it is, we have lagged hopelessly behind in coming up with therapies and treatments that could help with the condition. This is why when considering the research that has been carried out against one that should have proved successful; we still have a lot to catch up on.
Works Cited
Chuanhai Cao, David A. Loewenstein, Xiaoyang Lin, Chi Zhang and Li Wang. "High Blood Caffeine Levels in MCI Linked to Lack of Progression to Dementia." Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (2012): 559-572.
Rakez Kayed, George R. Jackson, D. Mark Estes and Alan D.T. Barrett. "Alzheimers Disease: Review of Emerging Treatment Role for Intravenous Immunoglobulins." Journal of Central Nervous System Disease (2011): 67-73.
