It was snowing today. It looked like not going out was a better idea. Southern states in the US do not get snowed very often, so the people's preparedness is rather weak, compared with constantly snowed northern cities. I did witness a car crash caused by a slick spot on freeway yesterday.
So I spent some time to read reviews and recent research results for Alzheimer's disease (AZD), from a researcher's standpoint.
It is, with lack of a better word, fascinating.
There are several theories for the cause, with a few dominant ones. Many strategies for intervention have been proposed and being tested. Current mainstream research seems to focus on the components of "plaques and tangles", the role in the disease, the mechanism of generation, and ways of intervention for or reversal of the "plaques and tangles". With just a day's cursory study, it would be difficult to appreciate them fully, though.
Most people who are not medical doctors or nurses get involved in the disease when a family member (or self) gets it. Their involvement is mostly as caregiver and financial supporter.
And, unfortunately, it appears that there are limited options for a person to do to prevent, delay, or cure the AZD at this moment. I am frustrated with current state of the science of the disease. There is a clear unmet need here.
My position as a medical researcher is quite unique among all people in the society. At this moment I am not certain whether I can bring something to the table of the AZD research field, but it is worth thinking possible ways of translating my own specialties.
This video is one of the videos I watched for general research. It's not for specialists but for anyone who is involved in AZD patient. I recommend this to put yourself in their shoes. For most people, knowing how to get involved with patients would be more practical and immediately actionable.
Experience 12 Minutes In Alzheimer's Dementia
[Added 3/2/2015] ---------------------
Apart from obvious and still-developing pharmaceutical drugs, something actionable include;
(i) Don't worry too much. Depression impacts negatively on hippocampus function.
(ii) If you have diabetes, take good care of it. Diabetes is a major worsening factor for AZD.
(iii) Diet 1. Mediterranean diet seems to have good effect on delaying the disease.
(iv) Diet 2. Anti-inflammatory diet, like fish oil, nuts, etc.
(v) Diet 3. Anti-oxidant diet. Green tea, multi-vitamins (C, E, B12, folate).
(vi) Exercise.
(vii) Sleep well. It helps cells to handle proteins that may be causal to AZD.
(viii) Aromatherapy for stimulating hippocampus.
(ix) Social activity
(x) Mental stimulation, puzzle, game, books, etc
(xi) Music and dance
(xii) Caregiving. Pets and plants.
Listed above are said to be beneficial to delay the disease progression, with some evidence from scientific/medical research. Good news is, they look good to do. When you do not have "magic pills", medicine comes down to good food and healthy lifestyle.
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