Outlook & Research into Alzheimer ’ s

Developing new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease is an active area of research. Scientists are testing a number of drugs to see if they prevent Alzheimer’s disease, slow the disease, or help reduce behavioral symptoms. There is evidence that inflammation in the brain may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease and that drugs to cut down on inflammation may help. One recent study showed that two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs — rofecoxib and naproxen — did not slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in people already diagnosed. Scientists believe, however, that anti-inflammatory drugs may still prove effective in preventing Alzheimer’s disease in people who are at risk, but who do not yet have symptoms of Alzheimer’s. A clinical prevention trial is now under way. A clinical trial is a research study on people to find out whether a new drug or treatment is both safe and effective. Research has shown that vitamin E slows the progress of some consequences of Alzheimer’s disease by about 7 months. Scientists now are studying vitamin E to learn whether it can prevent or delay Alzheimer’s disease in patients with mild cognitive impairment, or MCI. Medicines already used to help reduce the risk of heart disease may help lower the chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease or may slow its progression. Clinical trials of drugs known as statins have begun to see if they might help slow down the progression of Alzheim...
Source: Psych Central - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Alzheimer's Memory and Perception Alzheimer's disease anti-inflammatory drugs drug testing Ginkgo biloba mental decline new treatment vitamin E Source Type: news