The Alzheimer's Society is committed to defeating dementia

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The Alzheimer's Society has announced that it will not appeal the recent high court judgment on access to Alzheimer's drugs. Last month, a high court judge, Mrs Justice Dobbs, ruled that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's (NICE) guidance on prescribing drugs to people with Alzheimer's disease on the NHS breached disability and race discrimination law. The public body was ordered to make changes to its guidance. However, the court did not rule in favour of the charity's other two legal arguments on NICE's evaluation of the benefit of drugs to carers and the costs of full time care. The judgment means that people in the early states of Alzheimer's drugs will continue to be denied access to effective treatment on the NHS because of cost.

Making the announcement today, Alzheimer's Society chief executive Neil Hunt pledged the campaign would continue. He said, ''The Alzheimer's Society has decided not to appeal the judicial review on access to Alzheimer's drugs. We hope the NICE will also accept the Court's ruling on discrimination and further argument on that issue will be unnecessary. We still believe that it makes no clinical, monetary or moral sense to deny people in the early stages of Alzheimer's access to drugs but we have no plans to pursue our legal arguments on these issues further in the courts. Instead, we look to the government, in its review of NICE, to eradicate the glaring flaws in NICE's process that have lead to this unacceptable position.

'Caring for a person with dementia is an exhausting and difficult job, and unpaid carers save the UK £6 billion every year. It is only right that the impact treatment can have on a carer's quality of life as well as that of the person with dementia is properly calculated. 'In March 2005, NICE recommended that no one with Alzheimer's should be offered drugs on the NHS for a cost of just £2.50 a day. Thanks to the passionate efforts of our dedicated campaigners thousands more people now have access to treatment. The Alzheimer's Society is committed to defeating dementia, a devastating condition that robs people of their lives. We will continue to campaign on this issue.' http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Probiotics may put skids on infant diarrhoea
Supplements of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG probiotic bacteria may provide added protection against gastro-intestinal infection and diarrhoea in infants, suggests a study.

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The early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease

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With an estimated 700,000 people in the UK suffering from some form of dementia and an ageing UK population, a new YouGov survey highlights a lack of public awareness regarding Alzheimer's disease and dementia. When respondents were asked how well informed they are about the early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease or dementia, 66% were either not very well informed or not informed at all. Only 5% considered themselves very well informed1.

When asked for the most likely reasons that somebody might not encourage their relative to seek medical advice for their memory loss, 62% percent of people said that the reason would be because they think that memory loss is a natural part of ageing. Other reasons cited were2:

- They would not wish to worry their family (28%)
- They lack sufficient knowledge about memory loss (24%)
- They would not consider memory loss to be a serious medical problem (20%)
- They would not want to bother the GP (10%)

The survey also looked at what worries people most about old age. From a list of questions, respondents cited their concerns as being2.

- Not having the independence to look after oneself (30%)
- Losing a partner or loved one (29%)
- Not being financially secure (25%)
- Having to go into a nursing home (8%)
- Having to live with your children or family (1%)

To coincide with the results of this survey, the 'Worried about your MEMORY?' Alzheimer's disease awareness roadshow will be starting its tour of the UK from 2nd October until 3rd November visiting ten UK cities. The roadshow will offer materials about Alzheimer's disease to the general public and dementia-specialist nurses will be available to offer advice to anyone with concerns or queries.Dr David Wilkinson, Consultant in Old Age Psychiatry at Moorgreen Hospital, Southampton said, "Whilst we all become more forgetful as we get older memory loss can be an early sign of Alzheimer's disease and if we delay getting it assessed it may mean patients only come for help when things have already deteriorated. "There are very clear distinctions between what is normal memory loss and what isn't. Forgetting the name of a friend, politician or actor is normal. Not being able to retain new information, not being able to learn and so becoming very repetitive is not, and when that is the case people should seek help early to gain the maximum help from available treatments and support. There is a real need to raise awareness of Alzheimer's disease so that people know what signs to look out for and where they can go to seek help and advice." http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Isoflavone-rich pasta to boost heart health
Pasta, enriched with soy isoflavones in the aglycone form, can effectively reduce blood levels of total and LDL cholesterol by about eight per cent, new research from Italy has reported.

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A new marker which may aid in early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease
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Researchers using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have found a new marker which may aid in early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, according to a study published in the October issue of Radiology."The findings of this study implicate a potential functional, rather than structural, brain marker -- separate from atrophy -- that may help enhance diagnosis and treatment monitoring of Alzheimer's patients," said the study's lead author, Jeffrey R. Petrella, M.D., associate professor of radiology at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder characterized by memory loss, confusion, personality or behavioral changes and other symptoms. According to the Alzheimer's Association, more than five million Americans currently have Alzheimer's disease.While there is still no cure for the disorder, early diagnosis is crucial so that the patient receives proper treatment."As new therapies for Alzheimer's disease enter the pipeline over the next five years, early diagnosis will become critical for patient selection," Dr. Petrella said. "fMRI may play a key role in early diagnosis, when combined with clinical, genetic and other imaging markers."

Among the earliest known changes to the brain in Alzheimer's disease are episodic memory deficits and structural changes in the medial temporal lobe (MTL). For the study, Dr. Petrella and colleagues set out to identify brain regions in which changes in activation took place during a memory task and to correlate these changes with the degree of memory impairment present in patients with Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment.

The researchers studied 13 patients with mild Alzheimer's disease, 34 patients with mild cognitive impairment and 28 healthy controls. The study group contained 37 men and 38 women with a mean age of 72.9 years. After completing standard neuropsychological testing, the study participants were monitored with fMRI while performing a face-name associative memory task.While some areas of the brain activate, or turn on their activity, when a person tries to remember something, other areas deactivate, or suppress their activity. Results from this study showed that along the spectrum from healthy people at low risk, to people with mild memory problems, to patients with Alzheimer's disease, there was increasingly impaired activation in the MTL, an area of the brain associated with episodic memory that normally turns on during a memory task. More surprising, however, was increasingly impaired deactivation in the posteromedial cortices (PMC), an area recently implicated with personal memory that normally suppresses its activity during a memory task. The magnitude of deactivation in the PMC was closely related to the level of memory impairment in the patients and significantly correlated with their neuropsychological testing scores.

While previous studies have suggested that MTL activation may be a possible marker of Alzheimer's, based on the findings, Dr. Petrella and colleagues concluded that, compared to activation in the MTL, deactivation in the PMC may represent a more sensitive marker of early Alzheimer's disease."In other words, the brain not only loses its ability to turn on in certain regions, but also loses its ability to turn off in other regions, and the latter may be a more sensitive marker. These findings give us insight into how the brain's memory networks break down, remodel and finally fail as memory impairment ensues," Dr. Petrella said. The researchers hope that fMRI will eventually help to identify patients at risk for developing Alzheimer's disease. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Increased whole grain consumption linked to better weight
An increased intake of wholegrain products in the diet may...

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Coffee in support of those touched by Alzheimer's

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With a goal of raising $1.25 million, Canadians coast to coast are drinking their coffee in support of those touched by Alzheimer's disease. Coffee Break™, the Alzheimer Society's nationwide fundraiser, was kicked off in communities across the country, helping raise money for critical programs and services for people with Alzheimer's disease, their caregivers and their families.

"Alzheimer's disease is a devastating illness that eventually affects all aspects of a person's life, including how they think, feel, act and react to their environment," says Scott Dudgeon, chief executive officer of the Alzheimer Society of Canada. "Thanks to the money raised through our Coffee Break events, we are able to provide help and hope to the hundreds of thousands of Canadians affected by this disease."

Coffee Break events are featured at thousands of individual locations across the country. Participants at each make a donation to the Alzheimer Society in exchange for a cup of coffee, or purchase a paper cut-out of a coffee cup to show their support. Coffee Breaks are unique to each location, and can take place anywhere: retail stores, businesses, care facilities, schools and even in people's homes. "More than ever we are learning about the importance of staying socially connected, and how it can help to keep our brains healthy," says Dr. Jack Diamond, scientific director of the Alzheimer Society of Canada. "In this way, a Coffee Break event is not only helping to raise funds for Alzheimer Society programs and services, but is also encouraging healthy brain behaviour for thousands of Canadians."

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative brain disease. Alzheimer's disease and related dementias affect an estimated 450,000 Canadians, or 1 in every 13 Canadians over the age of 65. This number is expected to increase dramatically as the population ages. Presently, there is no known cure for the disease. The Alzheimer Society thanks gold sponsor Joey's Only Seafood Restaurants, and silver sponsors Pfizer Canada Inc. and Creative Memories for their support. Appreciation is also extended to generous in-kind sponsor Sara Lee Corporation, and to the many retailers accepting coffee cup cut-outs. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Probiotics may increase isoflavone profile of milk
Adding probiotic strains to soymilk may have extra benefits by improving the bioavailability of the isoflavones in the milk, suggests new research.

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Exelon patch is the first to treat Alzheimer's

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The European Commission has approved Exelon patch (rivastigmine transdermal patch), an innovative way to deliver this effective medicine to patients suffering from mild to moderately severe Alzheimer's disease.

Exelon patch is the first and only transdermal treatment for Alzheimer's disease, a degenerative brain disorder affecting 18 million people worldwide and the third leading cause of death behind cardiovascular disease and cancer3. The skin patch is applied oncedaily to the back, chest or upper arm of patients. "Exelon patch represents a therapeutic innovation that is designed specifically to meet the needs of patients, caregivers and physicians involved with this devastating disease," said James Shannon, MD, Global Head of Development at Novartis Pharma AG. "The patch has been shown to increase compliance, reduce side effects, and allow medication to be delivered through the skin into the bloodstream smoothly and continuously over 24 hours, helping to achieve optimal dosing. All these benefits offer the potential for improved outcomes in patients," Shannon said. The European Union approval, coming soon after the US approval in July 2007, was based on results from the international IDEAL (Investigation of Transdermal Exelon in ALzheimer's disease) study, which involved nearly 1,200 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease1.

The patch showed similar efficacy to the highest doses of Exelon capsules, as well as significant improvement in memory and the ability to perform everyday activities compared to placebo1. In addition, the IDEAL study demonstrated three times fewer reports of gastrointestinal side-effects (nausea and vomiting) with the patch than the oral form of the medication. "The patch is an important new addition to existing oral treatment options since it provides visual reassurance that patients have 'taken' their medicine," said Bruno Dubois, Professor of Neurology at the Hôpital Pitié Salpétrière, Centre de Neuropsychologie, Paris, France. "Just having to apply a patch can help reduce the burden of daily life for people with Alzheimer's disease and their families."

Designed with compliance in mind, the patch was preferred by more than 70% of caregivers as a method of drug delivery because it helped them follow treatment schedules and was easier to use than an oral medicine. "People with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers welcome every new therapy for the disease," said Mark Wortmann, Executive Director of Alzheimer's Disease International - an umbrella organization of Alzheimer Associations around the world which offer support and advice to people with the disease and their carers. "I am pleased that the patch offers a new approach to treatment." http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Omega-3 may reduce type-1 diabetes

An increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids from marine sources may protect children at high risk of type-1 diabetes from developing the disease, suggests new research.

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Send drugs to the brain to treat Alzheimer's

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It isn't possible to send drugs to the brain to treat Alzheimer's disease the normal way because of the blood-brain barrier that prevents drugs from moving from the blood stream into the brain, then send them through the nose instead.

Alzheimer's is a debilitating disease that leads to progressive loss of memory and cognitive functions, and a great deal of suffering for both the person afflicted and their loved ones. In the US alone, there are now more than five million people living with Alzheimer's, but there is currently no drug on the market that can cure or effectively stop the progression of this disease. The cause of this disease and other neurological diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is widely concluded to be plaque formation, which causes inflammation in the brain. Up to now, scientists working on a cure for the disease have focused on dissolving and preventing plaque formation, but most have come up against two problems ? firstly the difficulty in developing drugs that pass through the highly selective blood-brain barrier; and secondly unwanted side-effects of inflammation and hemorrhaging.

In her research Solomon, of the Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Department at Tel Aviv University, shows that by administering non-lytic filamentous phages in small doses through the nasal passages, the phages have a direct and rapid route to the brain. There they lock onto the extracellular plaques associated with Alzheimer's and dissolve them, reducing inflammation in the brain without any side effects. The body then gets rid of the waste naturally.

"The filamentous phages have a nanotubular appearance which is very similar in shape to amyloid fibrils, the main component of amyloid plaque, which is the plaque linked to Alzheimer's," explains Solomon, who recently presented her findings at a meeting of the American Society for Microbiology in Canada. Solomon first began thinking about sending phages through the nasal passages because the plaque that causes Alzheimer's first appears in the olfactory bulb. As a result, one of the early symptoms of this devastating disease is loss of smell. To test her hypothesis, Solomon and her colleagues treated 150 mice with the phage internasally for 12 months. They found the mice that had exhibited the symptoms of Alzheimer's regained their sense of smell and also showed memory and cognitive improvement. After one year of treatment, they had 80 percent fewer plaques than untreated mice.

The phages were eliminated from the brain and secreted from the body in urine and feces. The researchers saw no adverse effects in the peripheral organs - the kidneys, liver, lungs, and spleen biology were all normal. "The mice showed very nice recovery of their cognitive function," says Solomon, who emigrated with her family to Israel from Romania about 40 years ago. "We saw a reduction in the amyloid plaque and a reduction in brain inflammation. Afterward the phages were eliminated naturally from the body through the kidneys without any adverse side-effects. This is a potential breakthrough, but it needs to be proved further. Bateriophages are one of the most numerous life forms on earth and mammalian organisms are very frequently exposed to interactions with them. We know for instance that they are a very important part of the natural flora of the gut and research groups all over the world have developed classic phage therapy as an alternative to antibiotics. We are used to living with them, it's not unusual, but to take them to the brain in unusual. This is the first attempt to use phages as a treatment for Alzheimer's." http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Equateq opens gold standard omega-3 factory in Scotland

A production and research facility able to make super-pure fatty acid concentrates for the nutrition industry has officially opened in the Western Isles of Scotland, which has the potential to offer gold standard omega-3.

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