Alzheimer's Theory

Alzheimer was distinguished in 1907 but not considered to be a big thing until year 1970s. During this year researchers named this disease after Dr. Alzheimer. Dr. Alzheimer was the first person that matches the symptoms with plaques and tangles. Even though Alzheimer’s disease was discovered from senility and dementia, the government did not approve research funding, instead it was supported by the families who suffered from Alzheimer 's. In 1979, the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association, Inc was formed and was renamed later on as Alzheimer’s Association. This association was build by five Alzheimer 's family support groups across the United States along with the National institutes of Health.

In 1970s, scientist

Chad Dickey, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida. Recipient of a 2006 New Investigator Research Grant. Dickey researched is about human tau and how it actually affects our brain. On his experiment with the mice, he found out that the younger mice are capable of clearing tau while older are unable. Tau proteins are proteins that perform the function of stabilizing microtubules. A damaged tau can lead to Alzheimer’s disease.
Dickey’s theory indicated that methylene blue and derivative azure C can lower tau levels in brain of the mice which shows improvement of memory function. In addition to his research, methylene blue reduces tau levels by preventing a heat shock protein called Hsp70. Hsp70 activators significantly increased tau levels and the breakdown of tau is rapidly promoted when Hsp70 is repressed by methylene blue. The Hsp70 activity prevents the degradation of tau and can indicate the importance and beneficial target for Alzheimer’s.

Giulio Tagliatatela, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, recipient of a 2008 Investigator Initiated Research Grant. Giulio researched the role of beta-amyloid. It was discovered that the number of amyloid plaques on autopsy in individuals with Alzheimer’s did not associates with the disease

Although there are no current medications that can cure Alzheimer’s there are some medications that is FDA approved to help the progression effects of this disease. Cholinesterase inhibitors such as Donepezil (Aricept) is approved to treat all stages of Alzheimer’s. Rivastigmine (Exelon) and Galantamine (Razadyne) are approved to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer’s. These medicines can prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine which is the chemical messenger important for learning and other thought processes. This can also delay worsening up to six to twelve months. Memantine is another medicine approved by FDA for moderate to severe Alzheimer’s. This meds regulates activity of glutamate. Some doctors prescribe vitamin E and also knowns as alpha tocopherol or antioxidant. Antioxidant protect brain cells and other body tissues from certain kinds of chemical wear and