There are an estimated 5.5 million people in the United States living with Alzheimer's. Currently there is no cure for this disease. However, there are medications that help decrease symptoms and delay the progression of Alzheimer's. I have worked in various fields in healthcare and have seen how difficult this disease is on the individual as well as their families. So, while I was looking for an article to blog about I came across "Simple Blood Test Spots Dementia Protein" in Nature. This spiked my interest because I had never herd of a dementia protein.
The article talked about a cheaper and easier testing alternative that could help better progress treatments for the Alzheimers disease.
In science often times we have to do research to find a solution to a problem. Scientists in Japan and Australia have been trying to find a way to help stop the progression to Alzheimer's. They have developed a blood test that helps detects a protein associated with Alzheimer's. Individuals who are more susceptible to developing the disease have high levels of protein amyloid-beta.
The only way to detect amyloid-beta in the brain has been through use of a PET scan or through CSF analysis. These tests, although effective, are very expensive. A scientist in Japan, Katsuhiko Yanagisawa, and his colleagues have created a blood test that is cheaper than what is currently being used and is just as effective as the PET scans and CSF analysis.
I think this advancement in science would be helpful for so many individuals. I work at a free healthcare clinic in Salt Lake City and I see so many individuals come through who can't afford healthcare or insurance. Some have serious health concerns. I think this test could also go towards helping those who come into the free healthcare clinic. Because the tests would be cheaper the clinic would probably be more willing to offer the trial to individuals. This could be the next stepping stone in advancing ways to help find a cure to stopping the disease long before symptoms show.
Post by: Leanne Carbine
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-01466-8
The article talked about a cheaper and easier testing alternative that could help better progress treatments for the Alzheimers disease.
In science often times we have to do research to find a solution to a problem. Scientists in Japan and Australia have been trying to find a way to help stop the progression to Alzheimer's. They have developed a blood test that helps detects a protein associated with Alzheimer's. Individuals who are more susceptible to developing the disease have high levels of protein amyloid-beta.
The only way to detect amyloid-beta in the brain has been through use of a PET scan or through CSF analysis. These tests, although effective, are very expensive. A scientist in Japan, Katsuhiko Yanagisawa, and his colleagues have created a blood test that is cheaper than what is currently being used and is just as effective as the PET scans and CSF analysis.
I think this advancement in science would be helpful for so many individuals. I work at a free healthcare clinic in Salt Lake City and I see so many individuals come through who can't afford healthcare or insurance. Some have serious health concerns. I think this test could also go towards helping those who come into the free healthcare clinic. Because the tests would be cheaper the clinic would probably be more willing to offer the trial to individuals. This could be the next stepping stone in advancing ways to help find a cure to stopping the disease long before symptoms show.
Post by: Leanne Carbine
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-01466-8
I recently had my DNA tested by 23 and Me and my results came back with carrying the variant for Alzheimers. That doesn't really surprise me because my Grandma had Alzheimers and I figured that I would too. This article interested me because I am wanting to do more research on Alzheimers and things I can do to prevent or delay myself from this onset. Is the blood test only available in Japan, or can I order it in the states? When you said it was cheaper than medications, what price are we looking at, and what were the prices for the medications? Is there a reason why that test isn't available in USA yet too? JZ
ReplyDeleteI would like to add to the comment regarding the benefits of learning about yours and your family’s genetics. I have seen it benefit individual family members who were able to make more informed decisions about their medical care during cancer treatment based on the presence of certain genes, which demonstrate predisposition to other types of cancer. I have also personally helped people and their family members coordinate treatment for individual's suffering from Alzheimer’s. It's rewarding to hear about the difference these services make in supporting both the individuals suffering from the illness as well as their caretakers and family members. Typically this illness has robbed people of who they are and the way they live, making it difficult for families to find a new sense of normal. However, with the assistance of these additional services, it allows individuals and their families to make the most of their time left together; including helping people put their affairs in order, arrange for in home healthcare assistance, and medication management. This takes a tremendous burden off the family, who are usually the primary caretakers. I think there will be a point in our lives where we will all have our genetic profile and know what our future lives might bring to pass
DeleteTo answer your question of "When you said it was cheaper than medications, what price are we looking at, and what were the prices for the medications?" Medications for Alzheimer's include, donepezil, galantamine, memantine, and rivastigmine. All of these medications wont stop the process of Alzheimers taking place but they can slow down the process and sometime only help the person feel less pain. Pricing of these medications have fluctuated over time with certain improvements on them but most insurance plans will help with long term care that is required for patients with Alzheimers. - SL
DeleteIm not really sure about the cost. but it does say that it is quite a bit cheaper than PET scans and CFS analysis. I have been trying to narrow down a cost but there's nothing available. It is not available in the U.S. yet but it's been projected that it will be in the next 5 years. Possibly as early as the year 2020.
ReplyDeleteI love this blog. From ages thirteen to eighteen, I lived with my grandparents and watched my grandpa slowly lose his memory and his identity. He couldn't remember his grand-kids, his passions, or his purpose in life. You're right; it was not only challenging for him, but everyone around him. One of the biggest road blocks for my family and my grandpa's health was finances. If this blood test would have been discovered and available during my grandpa's younger years, it would helped my family and him to prepare for the trials that come with memory loss. As for advancement in the science field, I feel as if this will be a great benefit to the medical world if they will use it. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSL
I would like to add to the comment regarding the benefits of learning about yours and your family’s genetics. I have seen it benefit individual family members who were able to make more informed decisions about their medical care during cancer treatment based on the presence of certain genes, which demonstrate predisposition to other types of cancer. I have also personally helped people and their family members coordinate treatment for individual's suffering from Alzheimer’s. It's rewarding to hear about the difference these services make in supporting both the individuals suffering from the illness as well as their caretakers and family members. Typically this illness has robbed people of who they are and the way they live, making it difficult for families to find a new sense of normal. However, with the assistance of these additional services, it allows individuals and their families to make the most of their time left together; including helping people put their affairs in order, arrange for in home healthcare assistance, and medication management. This takes a tremendous burden off the family, who are usually the primary caretakers. I think there will be a point in our lives where we will all have our genetic profile and know what our future lives might bring to pass . TN
ReplyDelete