Alzheimer's Disease - Is there likely to be a cure in the near future?

Alzheimer's disease was first described in 1906. In the century since then, scientists have made some strides in trying to understand how Alzheimer's affects the brain and are striving  to make life better for affected individuals and families. But is it enough? As a sufferer of this insidious disease,I have a vested interest in discovering the truth in the current evolution of treatment for it and if that outcome will be positive for myself and fellow sufferers in what time we have left.

A worldwide quest is currently under way to find new treatments to stop, slow or even prevent Alzheimer's. Because new drugs take years to produce from concept to market—and because drugs that seem promising in early-stage studies may not work as hoped in large-scale trials—it is critical that Alzheimer's and related dementias research continue to accelerate. To ensure that the effort to find better treatments receives the focus it deserves.  Researchers are looking for new ways to treat Alzheimer's. Current drugs help mask the symptoms of Alzheimer's, but do not treat the underlying disease. A breakthrough Alzheimer's drug would hopefully treat the underlying disease and stop or delay the cell damage that eventually leads to the worsening of symptoms. There are several promising drugs in development and testing, but we need more volunteers to complete clinical trials of those drugs and increased funding of research to ensure that fresh ideas continue to fill the pipeline.

What if we could diagnose Alzheimer's before symptoms started? The hope is, future treatments could then target the disease in its earliest stages, before irreversible brain damage or mental decline has occurred. Research on new strategies for earlier diagnosis is among the most active areas in Alzheimer's science.We're about to find out if there will be a way soon to slow the course of Alzheimer's disease. It is hoped that positive results are due soon from  studies of drugs that aim to clear the sticky plaque gumming up patients' brains.

Can Alzheimer's be prevented? It's a question that continues to intrigue researchers and fuel new investigations. There are no clear cut answers yet — partially due to the need for more large-scale studies — but promising research is under way. The various fragmented Alzheimer's researchers continue to carry out studies exploring the influence of mental fitness, physical fitness, diet and the environment. As the number of people affected by Alzheimer's rises, the effort to find prevention strategies continues to gain some momentum in several different countries.However the reality is after more than a decade plus of failed efforts to develop a drug to halt the mind-robbing disease we appear to be static. Medicines such as Aricept only give temporary ease  of the symptoms. There is no known cure. Experts say that if new treatments continue to fail, drug companies may pull out of the the hunt for a cure in frustration, leaving little hope for the millions of people with the disease.

 An estimated 35 million people worldwide have dementia, which includes Alzheimer's.Why oh why? can we not have a more systematic and co-ordinated International approach to finding a cure? Instead of the many different individual companies, groups,charities,organisations all trying to achieve the same goal,but in an inefficient fragmented fashion for different reasons? If such a project could be funded and administered under a single International umbrella with truly global membership,I firmly believe that we would see a cure much sooner. Or is such a proposal too mind blowingly simple?

Someone to watch over me.

Even though I am terminally ill, I consider myself very fortunate to have my wife caring for me.
Her selfless dedication moved up a gear immediately following my Alzheimer diagnosis. Not once has she been overwhelmed or shown any self pity for inheriting the awful sentence of ongoing self sacrifice  and drudgery brought about through my illness. Nether does she have any illusions of what lies ahead for both of us, as I continue my journey.
There are many other Alzheimer Pilgrims in similar situations throughout the world, all reliant on personal care from guardian angels. All striving to give love, support, comfort and solace to their charges. Without these men, women,carers and family members, our quality of life would  be completely intolerable. We the victims of this dreaded disease salute you all.
I dedicate this humble verse to all of the guardian angels.

'Someone to watch over me.'

'Reality ceased when told my brain was dying,
fear and dread joined in partnership to replace hope and optimism,
all thoughts of future happiness came crashing,
the foggy curtain of mixed emotions denies the scale most awesome,
selfish thoughts do conspire to survive these events most daunting,
I look to gather armour and support from within the caring familial sanctum,
the all encompassing and reassuring comfort of having,
Someone to watch over me.'

"Down Memory Lane"

This stunning surrealist painting inspired me to write another poem.

"Down Memory Lane"

This dreaded malady robbing precious glimpses of times and things past,

my prognosis of Alzheimer's dictating what the fates cast,

the clinging to ghostly reflections and experiences of the cerebral process, 

inspires me to wage war on my new enemies time and aimlessness,

thoughts pervade the eroding cognitive operation to seek sanctuary,

by walking the path down memory lane to times more happy. 

nostalgia swells within my being offering backward glimpses worth seeing,

safer times offer comfort to the Pilgrim entering this wondrous place of healing,

memories coming thick and fast will they stay will they last,

anxieties,irritation and stress momentarily exorcised in this oasis of the past,

to stay and take refuge from the crafty evil MrAlzheimer, 

to keep walking the path down memory lane to times more happier.

Tilting At The Windmills Of My Mind: "The Garden"

Tilting At The Windmills Of My Mind: "The Garden": I love gardens, particularly my own! Having mobility problems I tend to take advantage of any good weather and camp outside in a favouri...

Tilting At The Windmills Of My Mind: "Think of me my friends, forget me not"

Tilting At The Windmills Of My Mind: "Think of me my friends, forget me not": Over the years I have enjoyed reading poetry but have never really got up the courage to attempt having a go, until now! I humbly submit...

"The Garden"

I love gardens, particularly my own! Having mobility problems I tend to take advantage of any good weather and camp outside in a favourite seat. Often smoking my beloved pipe in contemplation, I am instantly transported to an oasis of calm.
Recently I started dabbling in Poetry, having decided to jump in and have a go. I was moved to write another , number two.This one was inspired by my garden, I trust that it is not to terrible!



"The Garden"

In the beginning Eden was the first,
born of contrived partnership with nature,
to be eternally nursed,
bringing seem-less order from chaos,
man and nature combine to emboss,
from a floral palette making less duller
bringing a kaleidoscope of colour,
painful thoughts and worries absorbed by beauty,
quiet contemplation gives birth to peace and tranquility,
birdsong enhancing the ambient choir of insect sound,
defies the impression of being here earthbound,
so easy to see this sanctuary of natural and sensory delights,
compelling the Pilgrim to memorise a feast of reflective insights.

My Alzheimer's and Inspirational stimuli - Music appreciation.

It has long been known by health professionals, that the use of music in it's various forms can enhance the quality of life for dementia patients. Particularly for those in the later stages of the disease.

I have always enjoyed listening to music. There are many types that are easily categorised such as popular,classic,jazz,country,folk,rock,reggae etc.It is easy to see how it can interrelate with people's memories in regard to personal events,time and place.

Going through the decades which I have known,there are certain popular tunes and melodies that evoke a smile of recognition each time I hear them.

Even as a child of the 1940's,I remember well the recognisable tunes of that era such as Glen Miller's "Moonlight Serenade",Vera Lynn "The White Cliffs of Dover",Bing Crosby and the Andrews sisters"Don't fence me in",Bing Crosby and "White Christmas",Edith Piaf La Vien Rose.

The 1950's brought Nat King Cole and "Mona Lisa", Fat's Domino "On Blueberry Hill", Patii Page "The Tennesee Waltz",Elvis Presley "Jailhouse Rock",Bill Haley and The Comets "Rock around the Clock".

In the 1960's popular music really took off with,Chubby Checker "The Twist",Elvis Presley "It's Now or Never",Neil Sedaka "Calendar Girl",The Shadows "Apache",the Beatles "Love Me Do".

1970's brought Simon and Garfunkel and "Bridge over troubled water",the Beatles and "Let it Be", the Jackson 5 "ABC",the Carpenters "Close to You", Free and "Alright Now",the Hollies and "He ain't heavy he's my brother",Anne Murray"Snowbird".
1980's we had Phil Collins "In the air tonight",Huey Lewis "The Power of Love",the Buggles "Video killed the radio star",Survivor "Eye of the Tiger", Billy Ocean "When the going gets tough", Toto and "Africa".
1990's brought Madonna "Vogue",MC Hammer "U can't touch this",Sinead O'Connor "Nothing compares to you",Gloria Estefan "Here we are",Bette Midler "From a Distance".

With the commencement of the new millennium my musical tastes mellowed somewhat and I began to enjoy the easier more relaxing listening of Jazz and Classical pieces. Having a brief flirtation with Jazz giants such as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan,Louise Armstrong,Dizzy Gillespie,Duke Ellington and the incomparable Miles Davis.

New technology has meant that we can carry hundreds of our favourite pieces in small MP3 players such as iPods. Linked to these by light, discreet headphones. Even at this stage of my illness I am still able to maximise this technology and hope to do so for some time to come.

My ideal treatment, weather permitting is peaceful contemplation, sitting in the garden on a warm summer's day, with a glass of wine, listening to some soothing classical gems, such as Vaughn Williams "The Lark Arising", or Debussy's "Clair De Lune", Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" or the serene Chopin "Nocturnes", any of these beautiful pieces will  set the mood to calm and smooth any anxieties.

The beauty of music being used in the fight against dementia is not the type or choice of content but the effect that it has on individuals in taking them to a place of sanctuary in their turbulent minds.