Could this new medication be a piece in the puzzle to help seniors with Alzheimer’s?If 2021 will be remembered as the year for COVID-19 vaccines, perhaps 2022 will make its mark with a different version of life-changing vaccine: one which might actually help seniors with Alzheimer’s by slowing or preventing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
The first human trial of Protollin, delivered through nasal spray, is underway in 16 seniors with-early stage Alzheimer’s symptoms and who are between the ages of 60 and 85 years old. The anticipated end result is to activate immune cells which will eliminate the beta-amyloid plaque thought to cause the disease.
Arriving on the heels of controversial results of Biogen’s Aduhelm, the first new approved drug for Alzheimer’s in decades, the stakes are high. Aduhelm is an antibody infusion that at first appeared to fail in its goal of improving memory and cognition functioning, leading Biogen to discontinue clinical trials. Yet a number of months later, there did seem to be a beneficial impact in a small group of participants, leading the FDA to approve its use – even though the results aren’t definitively clear.
Identifying an effective preventative or treatment option is vitally important. The most current statistics show nearly 6 million Americans currently clinically determined to have the disease. It’s also among the top causes of death in adults within the United States, with a steep increase in mortality rate of 88% between 1999 and 2019. And that figure may only be scratching the surface, since it represents only those clinically diagnosed. We all know that individuals with cognitive impairment may have trouble with receiving an appropriate diagnosis, and they often are challenged by other health conditions as well.
Researchers are hopeful that Protollin, along with Aduhelm and other antibody drugs undergoing study, are putting us on a promising path forward. Jeffrey Cummings, a brain-science professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, goes so far as to say, “It just feels like we have turned a corner.”
Our senior care experts are helping seniors with Alzheimer’s every day, and we excitedly look forward to a day when the disease is defeated. Until then, we are here for you with creative, personalized care to help make life the very best it can be for those diagnosed with dementia.
It’s very important for loved ones caring for a person with dementia to protect their own health by ensuring ample time for self-care. As top-rated providers of Kalamazoo, MI dementia care and care in the nearby areas, our dementia respite care team is available to help you set up a schedule for regular time away – as much or as little as you would like. We’re skilled in effective management of many difficult symptoms of the disease, including wandering, agitation, aggression, sundowning, and more.
Give us a call 24/7 at (866) 229-2505 or send us an email for a complimentary consultation to find out more about our home and dementia care services in Kalamazoo and other Michigan communities.