state of the union

STATE OF THE UNION



click here for the full alzheimers progress report
or
click on the headings below

genetics
if for example you want to know more about the genetics
of this terrible disease
i did and im sorry i read and saw those pictures of someone
who has the apoe 4 double gene like i have
if you look at the brain pictures my apoe 4 genotype
has all that blue crap on it
which suggests if i have a amyvid pet scan which
scans for beta amyloid that it might be positive in me now

ill soon know about that when i have my amyvid scan done

detection
its what ive written about a lot before
family observation and patient observation and physician observation
neuropsychological testing
the new stuff
genetics as above
beta amyloid pet scans
fdg glucose pet scans for decrease glucose uptake by the brain
mri for volume loss in the hippocampal area-where alzheimers starts
spinal fluid analysis for beta amyloid and tau protein

(note tau protein is what is looked at those ex nfl players with
brain damage from concussions-they have abnormal levels and have
positive tau pet scans)

put all these tests together and the accuracy of the diagnosis
is fairly high

ive had all of them done
the only one i dont have results of is the amyloid pet scan
but i will have it done outside of the study im in

testing therapies
there are several clinical trials going on testing therapies
one that has promise
is the ivig intravenous immunoglobulinstudy where alzheimers
patients are given iv immunoglobulin
in one subgroup of patients given this there was no progression
of alzheimers in three years while on this stuff
if youve had a love one with this disease you know it can go
fast in 3 years
this was a significant observation
the answer in in that bottle of iv immunoglobulin

developing new treatments
new therapies on reducing beta amyloid tau protein and
neurogenesis (new nerve development) are being tested

caregiving
caregivers sometimes get lost in all the stuff we read on
alzheimers

risk factors
ive written about this a lot over the last two years
some you are stuck with like genetics
but many are under your control
weight blood pressure cholesterol exercise sleep stress reduction
smoking excessive alcohol intake etc

biology of this disease
so whats happening in the brain of someone with alzheimers
this tells whats going on and what research is being done to
find out more

the largest study is the alzheimers disease neuroimaging initiative
adni
its is the one that im in and is the most important and largest one
done on alzheimers disease
a lot of the information in this article comes from this study


so if you have a family member or you think you may have a
problem or you just want to know more
go to the link above and read the full report

remember you will be affected by this disease in some way 
if you have not already 

the organicgreen doctor