Alzheimer's 'self-defence found'

[Warpy]

Researchers believe that they have found how the body protects itself against diseases like Alzheimer's.

International experts found a brain enzyme that "snips apart" tangles of a protein linked to a decline in mental abilities and brain cell death.

The scientists said that, in the future, drugs could be used to enhance this natural defence mechanism.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5319540.stm

Good news, indeed. I think a lot of breakthroughs are going to be discovered by studying people who don't get a certain disease and comparing them to the people who do.

Maybe they'll even get around to addiction some day. I remain convinced it's a matter of brain chemistry.

[northernsoul]

1. this is good news

Now, if we can just hold the anti-science irrationalists at bay, we might actually cure some diseases in our lifetime!

[DURHAM D]

2. Thanks for posting. I hope this works out.

In three weeks we (me and my siblings) are moving our parents into Alzheimer's units. They have been married for 66 years and have rarely spent a night apart. We can not find anyplace to place them that will allow them to sleep together. Both are in good physical health - just in late stages of loss of their mental health.

Everyone we talk to says they we have an unusual set of circumstances and no solutions.

[Kali]

3. Oh god, that is terribly sad.

I am so sorry.

[DURHAM D]

4. Thanks - we feel terrible and they don't know yet.

It is very, very sad. They are devoted to each other. To this day I have never heard either one of them express anger toward the other.

Also, it just seems oddly unfair that they are physically healthy. They still exercise (walk) twice a day. Some days they take three walks because they forget that they have already exercised twice. They have always been very disciplined about being active and curious about the world and this seems like a cruel payback.

They are fiercely independent and have planned financially for this day. Its a good thing - their monthly expenses will go from about $1,400 a month to $11,000 a month.

[Warpy]

5. Have you exploed assisted living faciilities?

They can provide a bridge between home and nursing home.

Alzheimer's units that take married couples generally try to accomodate them in the same room as soon as beds become available. The patients are much better at coping when they're together with a spouse.

Alzheimer's units are also excellent at dealing with patients when they become fearful, agitated, or violent without restraining them physically or with drugs.

Alzheimer's is a very cruel disease, but as it progresses, it will be harder on you than it is on them. Try to accept them within what they have left without trying to make them what they used to be.

You've made the right decision. Unless someone can be with them 24/7, it's terribly dangerous for them to live at home. They tend to do things like put a newspaper on the stove, think about getting a cup of tea, turning the stove on, and wandering off (true story, but someone was living with them and averted disaster). A unit dedicated to Alzheimer's patients really is the best place. Just don't expect them to like it.

[DURHAM D]

6. They have lived in a retirement village for 8 years. They are

currently living independently (in a duplex)with a some assistance from my sister. However, they won't let her provide their meals on a regular basis and will not let her dispense their medicine. They won't even let her clean and do the laundry. My mother continues to insist they can do it all themselves. But they aren't. When my Mother says "we" she actually means my Dad. He is five years older than she is. Their lifelong devotion to being independent is why they have been able to remain in independent living 5-6 years into their diagnosis.

We asked the administrators to do their annual evaluation a month early because we were worried about their nutrition and are afraid they will wonder/drive off. The administrator/management gave us 30 days to change their living status after their recent examination. The village has three assisted living step-ups. My mother has to go straight into the Alzheimer's unit immediately - my Dad is basically her constant seeing-eye dog, daily memory and provider. He is only slightly better and her care is wearing him out. Every day is a new day. It is as if nightfall erases their data banks.

We have looked at every possibility in the area but they live in a small town in the midwest. They are very sweet and have been great parents. My nephew got married last month and they could not attend the wedding - my Mother did not want to fly. My Dad cried while he told me that he felt bad that they could no longer parent, grandparent and great-grandparent the way they were supposed to. I told him it was time for all of those they had nurtured to give back to them. He felt embarrassed to admit or accept help - he is 90 years old.