If 2021 will be remembered as the year for COVID-19 vaccines, perhaps 2022 will be marked with a different version of life-changing vaccine: A vaccine for Alzheimer’s which may actually prevent or slow the further advancement of Alzheimer’s disease.
The initial human trial of Protollin, delivered through 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 end result will be to activate immune cells which will remove the beta-amyloid plaque believed 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. However 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 results are not definitively clear.
Finding a successful preventative or treatment option is extremely important. The latest data show approximately 6 million Americans currently identified as having the disease. It’s also one of the top causes of death in adults within the United States, with a steep incline in mortality rate of 88% between 1999 and 2019. And that statistic may only be scratching the surface, because it represents only those clinically diagnosed. We know that people with cognitive impairment may struggle with receiving an appropriate diagnosis, and that they often are challenged by other health conditions as well.
Scientists are hopeful that Protollin, in addition to Aduhelm as well as other antibody drugs undergoing study, are placing us on a promising path forward. Jeffrey Cummings, a brain-science professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, goes as far as to state, “It just feels like we have turned a corner.”
Our aging care experts are helping older adults with Alzheimer’s each day, and we excitedly anticipate a point in the future when the disease is defeated. Until then, we’re here for your needs with personalized, creative care to help make life the very best it can be for older adults with dementia.
It’s very important for loved ones caring for a person with dementia to protect their own health by ensuring ample time for self-care. Our dementia respite care team is available to help you arrange a schedule for regular time away – just as much or as little as you wish. We’re skilled in effective management of many difficult signs and symptoms of the disease, including wandering, aggression, agitation, sundowning, and many others.
Call us 24/7 at 630-323-4665 for a free consultation for additional information about home care in Hinsdale or the surrounding area.