If 2021 will be remembered as the year for COVID-19 vaccines, perhaps 2022 will make its mark with a different version of a life-changing vaccine: an Alzheimer’s treatment that might actually slow or prevent the further advancement of the disease.
The very first human trial of Protollin, delivered by way of nasal spray, has begun in 16 seniors with early-stage Alzheimer’s symptoms and who are between the ages of 60 and 85 years old. The predicted end result will be to activate immune cells that will eliminate the beta-amyloid plaque believed to result in the disease.
Coming 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 number of participants, leading the FDA to approve its use – even if the results are not definitively clear.
Identifying an effective preventative or treatment option for Alzheimer’s is very important. The newest statistics show approximately 6 million Americans currently clinically determined to have the disease. It’s also one of the top causes of death in adults within the United States, with a sharp increase in mortality rate of 88% between 1999 and 2019. And that statistic may only be scratching the surface, since it represents only those clinically diagnosed. We all know that individuals with cognitive impairment may have trouble receiving the correct diagnosis, and that they often are challenged by other health issues as well.
Researchers are hopeful that Protollin, along with Aduhelm and other antibody drugs undergoing study, are positioning 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 elder care experts are helping older adults 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 personalized, creative care to make life the best it can be for seniors with dementia.
It’s very important for loved ones caring for a person with dementia to safeguard their own health by ensuring plenty of time for self-care. Seniorcorp’s 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, aggression, agitation, sundowning, and many others.
Reach out to us any time online or at 757-640-0557 for a free of charge assessment and for additional information about our award-winning Alzheimer’s care in Virginia Beach and the surrounding communities.
