If 2021 will be recalled as the year for COVID-19 vaccines, perhaps 2022 will be marked with a different type of life-changing vaccine: one which may actually slow or prevent the further advancement of Alzheimer’s disease.
The first human trial of Protollin, delivered by way of 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 predicted outcome will be 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 several 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 outcomes are not definitively clear.
Identifying an effective preventative or treatment option is vitally important. The most current statistics show approximately 6 million Americans currently diagnosed with the disease. It is also among the leading causes of death in adults within the U.S., with a steep incline in mortality rate of 88% between 1999 and 2019. And that statistic may only be scratching the surface, as it represents only those clinically diagnosed. We know that those with cognitive impairment may struggle with receiving the correct diagnosis, and they often are challenged by other health issues as well.
Scientists are hopeful that Protollin, along with Aduhelm and other antibody drugs undergoing study, is positioning us on a promising path forward. Jeffrey Cummings, a University of Nevada, Las Vegas brain-science professor, goes as far as to say, “It just feels like we have turned a corner.”
Our elder care experts are helping older adults with Alzheimer’s each day, and we excitedly look forward to a point in the future when the disease is defeated. Until then, we’re here for your needs with personalized, creative care in order to make life the very best it can be for those diagnosed with dementia.
It’s vitally important for loved ones caring for a person with dementia to protect their own health by ensuring ample time for self-care. Our dementia care team can help you set up a schedule for regular time away – just as much or as little as you wish. We are skilled in effective management of many difficult effects of the disease, including wandering, aggression, agitation, sundowning, and many others.
Reach out to us at any time at 727-940-3414 for a free assessment to learn more.
