Finding New Answers and Asking Better Questions
In the past 25 years, scientists have studied Alzheimer's disease from many angles. They've looked at populations to see how many cases of AD occur and whether there might be links between the disease and lifestyles or genetic backgrounds. They've conducted clinical studies with healthy older people and those at various stages of AD. They've examined individual nerve cells to see how beta-amyloid and other molecules affect the ability of cells to function normally.
These studies have led to better diagnostic tests, new ways to manage behavioral aspects of AD, and a growing number of possible drug treatments. Findings from current research are pointing scientists in promising directions for the future. They are also helping researchers ask better questions about the issues that are still unclear.
Part 2 of Unraveling the Mystery describes what we're learning from our search for:
- The causes of AD
- New techniques to help in diagnosis
- New treatments
- Ways to improve support for families and other caregivers
Results from this research will bring us closer to the day when we will be able to prevent or even cure the devastating disease that robs our older relatives and friends of their most precious possession - their minds.
Then and Now: the Fast Pace of Development in AD Research
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What We Didn't Know Then
15 years ago
- We didn't know any of the genes that could cause AD.
- We had no idea of the biological pathways that were involved in the development of damage to the brain in AD.
10 years ago
- We couldn't model the disease in animals
5 years ago
- NIH did not fund any prevention clincial trials.
- We had no way to identify people at high risk of developing AD.
1 year ago
- We didn't understand anything about how plaques and tangles relate to each other.
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What We Know Now (2002)
- We know the 3 major genes for early-onset AD adn 1 of the major risk factor genes for late-onset AD.
- We know a lot about the pathways that lead to the development of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain — one of the main features of AD.
- Scientists have developed special kinds of mice that produce beta-amyloid plaques.
- NIH is funding clinical trials that are looking at possible ways to prevent AD.
- We can identify individuals at high risk through imaging, neuropsychological tests, and structured interviews.
- By developing another kind of mice that have both plaques and tangles, we now know that plaques can influence the development of tangles.
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