A pediatric oncologist looks for progress in Alzheimer ’s disease

A baby acutely ill with leukemia seems like the polar opposite of a woman with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with her slow, insidious deterioration. Yet each disease can be progressive and fatal. I’ve cared for both, in different ways.  Can a childhood cancer doctor like me have insights about that other end of medicine, older adults with dementia? As a husband and caregiver, confronting my wife’s Alzheimer’s disease, I am appalled by the lack of effective therapy for her. As a clinical investigator myself, I’m appalled by what I see as a lack of direction in clinical dementia research, a lack of structure, and a lack of ambitious leadership. Every Minute Counts, the PBS TV documentary that aired recently, showed the heart-rending personal devastation of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and dementia, and the enormous cost of care for those affected.  It ended with a plea for more funding and research. But after decades of research and billions already spent, why aren’t we further? Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Conditions Neurology Source Type: blogs