While there are many new and in depth studies into the causes and genes behind Alzheimer’s disease, there still remains a great deal of mystery behind possible treatments. There have been found three new genetic variations that go along with the disease. In the last 15 years, four others have also been found. However, this is seemingly not helping with the search for treatment or a possible cure. Treatments are still reduced to a handful of drugs that do nothing but slow the inevitable process and temporarily relieve certain symptoms. Most recent research has found that the amyloid theory might hold the most weight, which states that the build-up of a certain protein is the ultimate cause of the disease. It seems that even with all of this information; there is little benefit to be had from it because it isn’t necessarily getting us any closer to a cure. The APOE (apolipoprotein E) gene is the largest of the genes associated with Alzheimer’s, with the APOE 4 mutation being the biggest sign of increased risk for the disease. This was discovered in 1993, and we still aren’t any closer to a cure.
While this doesn’t completely shock me, I am still slightly surprised at how little real usable progress has been made. Alzheimer’s has affected my life personally so I am very aware there is not a real cure, only small treatments that slow temporarily the swiftness with which the onset of dementia can run its course. It is amazing to me, however, that with all of the knowledge we seem to have gained through science that there is still so much mystery involved in understanding the human brain and why and how it does and is effected by certain drugs and treatments.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2009/09/more_alzheimers_genes_found_cu.html#more
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