How are viral diseases treated?

Treatment of viral infections varies depending on the specific virus and other factors. General treatment measures are aimed at relieving your symptoms so that you can get the rest you need to keep up your strength and recover without developing complications.

General treatments for viral infections include:

    Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) for fever, body aches, and pain

    Drinking extra fluids

    Getting extra rest and sleep

    Maintaining good nutrition

Depending on the type of viral infection and the presence of complications, a wide variety of other treatments may be needed. For example, a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection that leads to cervical dysplasia can be treated by surgical removal of the abnormal cells on a woman’s cervix.  

In general, it is recommended that children younger than age six not use cold or cough medications because of the risk for serious side effects. In addition, people with a viral disease should not use aspirin or products that contain aspirin because of the risk of developing a rare but life-threatening condition called Reye syndrome. Reye syndrome has been linked to taking aspirin during a viral illness, such as a cold or the flu.
Prescription medications used to treat viral diseases

In some cases, certain medications may be prescribed to treat viral diseases:

    Antiretroviral medications, which can help people with HIV/AIDS lead longer lives. Antiretroviral medications hinder the ability of HIV to reproduce, which slows the spread of HIV in the body.

    Antiviral drugs, which minimize the severity and length of some viral infections, such as the flu and shingles, especially in people who are at a high risk for serious complications. For example, the drugs oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu) and zanamivir (brand name Relenza) may be prescribed for some cases of flu. These drugs are not appropriate for all people with the flu.

Antibiotics, which are not prescribed for viral diseases because they are ineffective in the treatment of viral infections, may be prescribed if a person with a viral disease develops a secondary bacterial infection, such as bacterial pneumonia, bacterial bronchitis, or encephalitis.
Complementary treatments

Complementary and traditional treatments will not cure a viral disease but may help to increase comfort, promote rest, and minimize symptoms of viral diseases. 

Management of HIV in Pregnancy

HIV infection in young children most commonly arises as a result of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). It is thought that only 1.5-2% of MTCT occurs transplacentally during pregnancy. The vast majority occurs due to maternofetal transmission of blood during parturition or postnatal breast-feeding.

All pregnant women are recommended screening for HIV infection, syphilis, hepatitis B and rubella in every pregnancy at their booking antenatal visit. If a woman declines an HIV test, this should be documented in the maternity notes, her reasons should be sensitively explored and screening offered again at around 28 weeks.

A negative maternal HIV test at booking does not preclude neonatal infection - maternal infection and seroconversion can occur at any time during pregnancy and lactation. This is well-documented in countries with a high prevalence of HIV and has been seen in the UK.

Risk of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT)

This is increased with:

    Higher levels of maternal viraemia.
    HIV core antigens.
    Lower maternal CD4 count.
    Primary HIV Infection occurring during pregnancy.
    Chorioamnionitis.
    Co-existing other sexually transmitted disease (and malaria - possibly).
    Invasive intrapartum procedures, eg fetal scalp electrodes, forceps, ventouse.
    Rupture of membranes (especially if delivery is more than 4 hours after the membranes ruptured).
    Vaginal delivery.
    Preterm birth
    Female babies more likely to be infected early (transplacental/perinatal routes).
    Advanced maternal age.
    The firstborn of twins (born to an HIV-infected mother).

Factors that decrease risk of transmission are:

    Higher levels of neutralising HIV antibody.
    Elective Caesarean section.
    Zidovudine (ZDV)
    Less invasive monitoring and intrapartum procedures.

Management

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV infection can be greatly reduced through early diagnosis of maternal HIV infection.

    Pregnant women should be offered screening for HIV early in pregnancy because appropriate antenatal interventions can reduce MTCT of HIV infection.
    Interventions to reduce MTCT of HIV during the antenatal period include antiretroviral therapy, elective Caesarean section delivery and avoidance of breast-feeding after delivery.
    These interventions can reduce the risk of mother-to child HIV transmission from 25-30% to less than 1%.
    All pregnant women who are HIV-positive should be screened and appropriately treated for genital infections during pregnancy. This should be done as early as possible in pregnancy and repeated at about 28 weeks.
    Presentation with symptoms or signs of pre-eclampsia, cholestasis or other signs of liver dysfunction during pregnancy may indicate drug toxicity, and early liaison with HIV physicians is essential.

Drug therapy

Women who require HIV treatment for their own health should take highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and continue treatment postpartum. They may also require prophylaxis against pneumocystic pneumonia (PCP), depending on their CD4 lymphocyte count.

Women already taking HAART and/or PCP prophylaxis before pregnancy should not discontinue their medication.

    Antiretroviral therapy is given to prevent MTCT and to prevent maternal disease progression. The optimal regimen is determined on a case-by-case basis.
    Zidovudine (ZDV) is indicated for use in pregnancy for prevention of MTCT of HIV but single-agent ZDV therapy which does not suppress plasma viraemia to undetectable levels may allow the emergence of resistant virus.
    Potent combinations of three or more antiretroviral drugs (HAART) have now become the standard of care. Women with advanced HIV should be treated with a HAART regimen. The start of treatment should be deferred until after the first trimester, if possible, and should be continued after delivery.
    For women who do not require HIV treatment for their own health, HAART should be initiated between 20 and 28 weeks and discontinued at delivery. If they have a plasma viral load of less than 10,000 copies/ml and are prepared to be delivered by elective Caesarean section, an acceptable alternative is ZDV monotherapy initiated between 20 and 28 weeks, given orally, 250 mg twice daily, and intravenously started four hours before beginning the Caesarean section, continuing until the umbilical cord has been clamped. ZDV is usually administered orally to the neonate for four to six weeks.
    Combination antiretroviral therapy maximises the chance of preventing transmission and represents optimal therapy for the mother but may increase the risk of drug toxicity to the fetus.
    The use of antiretrovirals to reduce MTCT has resulted in resistant mutations and, in the Paediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group Protocol, 15% of the women developed nevirapine-resistant mutations by 6 weeks' postpartum.

In sub-Saharan Africa, access to services is improving. In 2008, 45% of HIV-infected pregnant women received antiretroviral treatment compared with 9% in 2004. 

Prevention of Viral Diseases

   Viral diseases are among those which spread from one person to another. Illness develops when a virus enters the body, invades healthy cells and replicates itself. At times, a virus can mutate itself during the replication process, making it more difficult for the body to fight. Viruses depend on other living organisms to survive and are hard to remove once in the body. Few medications fight viruses, making the body's immune system the best protection against infection.

    Viruses range in severity, making some life threatening conditions. Viruses have several groups in which they are categorized based on shape, behaviors and other common characteristics. For instance, the picornaviruses group includes the rhino-viruses which cause the common cold, or the papovaviruses which includes the papilloma virus known to women as HPV. More serious viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis C fall into groups of viruses known to generate their own DNA, enabling them to replicate themselves repeatedly within the body.

    Transmission
    Viruses are transmitted from one person to another through touching, breathing, bites and contact with body fluids (saliva, blood, semen or excrement). The most common form of transmission is by inhaling droplets of a virus in the air you breathe. Shared objects such as spoons, cups, door knobs and pencils that have been exposed can carry droplets of a virus from person to person. Insects and animals can transmit viruses by biting a human or another animal.
    Direct contact with body fluids can cause virus transmission, but only when certain conditions are met. Direct contact requires a significant amount of body fluid to be present, the person to have direct contact with the fluid, have a point of entry for the virus to enter into the body (cuts, scrapes, eyes, mouth) and be susceptible to the virus.

    Effects
    Viruses cause illness and discomfort for the sufferer, many of them are often temporary and usually non-life threatening. Effects of viruses can include symptoms such as dehydration, nausea, vomiting, high fever and weakness. Viruses such as Influenza cannot be cured with medication, but their effects can be kept under control until it finally disappears.
    Viruses, such as strains of Hepatitis, HIV and herpes, do not disappear. Their effects are felt throughout a lifetime for the person infected, sometimes resulting in death.

    Prevention
    Following simple steps can greatly reduce the risk of contracting a virus. Use bandages to cover scrapes, cuts or open sores at all times. Do not eat, drink, touch your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands and avoid handling pens, pencils or other items that belong to others. Never drink from someone else's beverage containers or eat from another persons soiled utensils. Frequent hand washing is highly recommended with soap and warm running water or an alcohol based sanitizing hand gel.

    Cleaning
    Bleach based products are extremely effective in killing 99.9% of germs and viruses in, and around, the home. If the cost of bleach based cleansers is an issue, 1 1/2 cups of chlorine bleach to a gallon of fresh water will clean with the same effectiveness. You may add a few drops of dish detergent to the mixture for a soapy consistency.
    Regular cleaning is recommended for door handles, bathroom sinks, toilets and toothbrush holders in an effort to reduce the chances of contracting a strain of flu or the common cold.

Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases

One of the most important functions of the immune system is to protect us from bacteria, viruses, and fungi that can make us sick. Not all organisms are harmful--in fact, our intestines contain many bacteria that help prevent problems such as allergies and improper absorption of nutrients. The immune system identifies the difference between what is dangerous and what is not and prevents whatever is dangerous from harming us. Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDDs) are caused by mutations in genes that prevent the body from developing normal immune responses to infectious challenges. The mutations can either be inherited or appear randomly.  Because the immune system is compromised in PIDDs, harmful organisms usually cause recurrent and sometimes life-threatening infections.  In addition, since these diseases are genetic, they are generally considered to be lifelong conditions once they are diagnosed.

How common are primary immunodeficiency diseases?

The most common PIDD is selective IgA deficiency, which has been reported as frequently as about one in every 300 to 400 individuals in the United States.  Although other PIDDs may occur less frequently, the actual rates of occurrence are not known because positive diagnoses are often not made.  As screening of newborns for important PIDDs becomes implemented as a standard practice, these statistics should become more accurate.

What are the signs and symptoms of primary immunodeficiency diseases?

Signs and symptoms that often alert us of the possibility of a PIDD are well-summarized by the following "10 Warning Signs of Primary Immunodeficiency":

    Four or more new ear infections within one year, particularly after the first year of life.
    Two or more serious sinus infections within one year.
    Two or more months on antibiotics with little effect.
    Two or more pneumonias within one year.
    Failure of an infant to gain weight or grow normally.
    Recurrent, deep skin or organ abscesses.
    Persistent thrush in the mouth or significant fungal infections on the skin.
    Need for intravenous antibiotics to clear infections.
    Two or more deep-seated infections, including infections of the bloodstream.
    A family history of primary immune deficiency.

How are primary immunodeficiency diseases treated?

Our patients are often given antibiotics or antifungal medications for prevention or treatment of infections. These medications need to be prescribed carefully because they can sometimes cause unwanted side effects or encourage the growth of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. Patients who lack the ability to make antibodies often require immunoglobulin replacement therapy.  Some patients, depending on the type of PIDD that has been diagnosed, may require bone marrow or umbilical cord stem cell transplantation or even thymus transplantation in the most severe cases. Sometimes it may be treated with anabolic steroids.

How are Viral Diseases Treated?

Viral diseases are extremely widespread infections caused by viruses, a type of microorganism. There are many types of viruses that cause a wide variety of viral diseases. The most common type of viral disease is the common cold, which is caused by a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract.

Treatment of viral infections varies depending on the specific virus and other factors. General treatment measures are aimed at relieving your symptoms so that you can get the rest you need to keep up your strength and recover without developing complications.

General treatments for viral infections include:

    Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) for fever, body aches, and pain

    Drinking extra fluids

    Getting extra rest and sleep

    Maintaining good nutrition

Depending on the type of viral infection and the presence of complications, a wide variety of other treatments may be needed. For example, a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection that leads to cervical dysplasia can be treated by surgical removal of the abnormal cells on a woman’s cervix.  

In general, it is recommended that children younger than age six not use cold or cough medications because of the risk for serious side effects. In addition, people with a viral disease should not use aspirin or products that contain aspirin because of the risk of developing a rare but life-threatening condition called Reye syndrome. Reye syndrome has been linked to taking aspirin during a viral illness, such as a cold or the flu.

Another Disappointing Year for Alzheimer’s Drugs

You can check out what is going on by following the links in the clip.

We can only hope and pray for a breakthrough.

clipped from blogs.wsj.com Last month, Myriad Genetics said its late-stage trial of its experimental drug Flurizan failed to show any benefit for Alzheimer’s patients. The results of the Flurizan study will be unpacked this week at a big annual Alzheimer’s conference, as researchers look at what’s next in the field, the Los Angeles Times reports this morning. Eli Lilly is running a late-stage trial of its drug LY450139, which is supposed to block the production of gamma secretase Elan and Wyeth are in the midst of late-stage study of bapineuzumab, an antibody-based drug that’s supposed to clear plaques from the brain. Results from the big test are expected in 2010. But the drug has generated some excitement among investors, even though preliminary results of a mid-stage study didn’t shoot the lights out. More details on those results are scheduled to be released tomorrow.

A Safety and Efficacy Study of Oral Dimebon in Patients With Mild-To-Moderate Alzheimer's Disease

This Phase III clinical trial is still recruiting.

This study is a randomized, placebo-controlled 6-month study designed as an adequate and well-controlled trial to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of Dimebon in the treatment of patients with mild-to-moderate AD. Dimebon is an investigational drug for Alzheimer's disease. The target of Dimebon's mechanism of action are the mitochondria (a cell's primary source of energy).The Connection Study is the second of two pivotal studies evaluating the effect of Dimebon. It is a 6-month study enrolling 525 patients in the United States, Europe, and South America. All patients completing the 6-month study will be eligible to receive Dimebon in an open-label extension trial.

The patient population will be carefully selected to ensure inclusion of patients with AD, rather than other types of dementia. Mild-to-moderate disease will be defined by the screening MMSE. Patients will attend study visits with caregivers who will provide information about the patient's condition.

Dimebon in Patients With Mild-To-Moderate Alzheimer's Disease

Follow the link above for the complete information on this clinical trial including available locations.

More information and news about Dimebon:

Phase 3 Clinical Trial of Dimebon in Alzheimer’s Disease (The CONNECTION Study)

We are enrolling patients in the CONNECTION study, a second pivotal Phase 3 trial of Dimebon in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Study highlights:

* International, double-blind, placebo-controlled safety and efficacy study
* Designed to confirm the positive findings of the first pivotal 12-month safety and efficacy study of Dimebon, which showed statistically significant improvements over placebo in memory, thinking, activities of daily living, behavior, and overall function
* Enrolling 525 patients at sites in the United States, Europe and South America
* Patients aged 50 and older with a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, who are not taking any other Alzheimer’s prescription medicines, may be eligible to participate
* Two-thirds of patients will receive Dimebon and one-third will receive placebo
* After six months of treatment, all patients—including those receiving placebo—will be given the opportunity to receive Dimebon until marketing authorization

Connection Study

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Health Benefits of Pets

I know first hand how a cat can benefit a person suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's. Also, see the article below from HealthCentral.com for more about the benefits of pets in assisted living facilities.

clipped from www.cdc.gov Most households in the United States have at least one pet. Why do people have pets? There are many reasons. Some of the health benefits of pets are listed below. Pets can decrease your: Blood pressure Cholesterol levels Triglyceride levels Feelings of loneliness Pets can increase your: Opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities Opportunities for socialization Health Benefits of Pet-Ownership Strengthens Human-Animal Bond The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) issued a statement supporting the health benefits of animal companionship for people. Health Benefits of Animals The Delta Society provides abstracts, articles, and bibliographies on the health benefits of animals to people. Health Benefits of Pets, NIH

Pet Doors Opening at Assisted Living Centers

This is an excellent article that I read at HealthCentral.com. I know from first hand experience about the wonderful effect a cat can have on a person suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's. Just watching this effect can bring you joy and happiness.

Follow the link in the clip to read the entire article. It is a good read.

clipped from www.healthcentral.com When the elderly woman first arrived at Brooke Grove Retirement Village in Sandy Spring, Md., some of the staffers were skeptical when they saw she hadbrought her cat along. The woman, in the early stages of dementia, "floated in and out," according to Jackie Carson, the assisted living administrator at Brooke Grove, a center specializing in Alzheimer's care. Staffers had to help the woman remember to feed the cat, and some were initially resentful, saying their job was to care for people, not animals, she added. But slowly, the staff came around, when they saw all the benefits that the cat conferred on the residents, Carson, a registered nurse, said.

Alzheimer's Patients?

The Alzheimer's Reading Room is the best source of high quality information about Alzheimer's disease, dementia, health, caregiving, research, and memory loss.

The goal of the Alzheimer's Reading Room is to Educate and Empower Alzheimer's caregivers, their families, and the entire Alzheimer's and dementia community worldwide.

The Alzheimer's Reading Room Knowledge Base

Bapineuzumab in Patients With Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease

This is a Phase III clinical trial and the study is currently recruiting participants.

This is a multi center, double-blind, placebo controlled, randomized, outpatient multiple dose study in male and female patients aged 50 to 89 years with mild to moderate AD. Approximately 200 study sites in the US and Canada will be involved. Patients will be randomized to receive either bapineuzumab or placebo. Each patient's participation will last approximately 1.5 years.

You can get all the specifics on this Phase III clinical trial at Clinical Trials.gov.

For a quick look at the locations participating in the study go to Locations

You can visit the Elan website to learn more about Bapineuzumab

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Exercise May Prevent Brain Shrinkage in Early Alzheimer's Disease

Mild Alzheimer's disease patients with higher physical fitness had larger brains compared with mild Alzheimer's patients with lower physical fitness, according to a study published in the July 15 issue of Neurology.

+Alzheimer's Reading Room

Physical Fitness May Slow Alzheimer's

Getting a lot of exercise may help slow brain shrinkage in people with early Alzheimer's disease, a preliminary study suggests. Analysis found that participants who were more physically fit had less brain shrinkage than less-fit participants. However, they didn't do significantly better on tests for mental performance.

That was a surprise, but maybe the study had too few patients to make an effect show up in the statistical analysis, said Dr. Jeffrey Burns, one of the study's authors.

He also stressed that the work is only a starting point for exploring whether exercise and physical fitness can slow the progression of Alzheimer's. The study can't prove an effect because the participants were evaluated only once rather than repeatedly over time, he said.

While brains shrink with normal aging, the rate is doubled in people with Alzheimer's, he said.

Burns, who directs the Alzheimer and Memory Program at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Kansas City, reports the work with colleagues in Tuesday's issue of the journal Neurology.

The study included 57 people with early Alzheimer's. Their physical fitness was assessed by measuring their peak oxygen demand while on a treadmill, and brain shrinkage was estimated by MRI scans.

Dr. Sam Gandy, who chairs the medical and scientific advisory council of the Alzheimer's Association, said the result fits in with previous indications that things people do to protect heart health can also pay off for the brain.

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• Are Alzheimer's Caregivers the Forgotten?
• Flavanol-rich Cocoa Consumption Improves Blood Flow to the Brain
• A Simple Three Minute Test Can Detect the Earliest Stage of Alzheimer's Disease
• Eli Lilly Launches Two Late Stage Clinical Trials for Alzheimer's (LY2062430)
• Is it Really Alzheimer's or Something Else?
• Wii a Useful Tool for Alzheimer's Caregivers
• Five Ways to Keep Alzheimer's Away
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Bob DeMarco is the Founder and Editor of the Alzheimer's Reading Room (ARR). Bob is a recognized influencer, speaker, and expert in the Alzheimer's and Dementia Community Worldwide. The ARR Knowledge Base contains more than 4,000 articles. Bob lives in Delray Beach, FL.

To learn more about Alzheimer's and Dementia visit the Alzheimer's Reading Room.

Portable Device Provides Quick, Inexpensive Detection of Early Alzheimer’s

This is really exciting news. A new device developed by the Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University may allow patients to take a ten minute test that gauges reaction time and memory to measure mild cognitive impairment (MCA), often the earliest stage of Alzheimer's.

The test is inexpensive and could be administered as part of a routine yearly checkup at a doctor's office.

Watch the video at the Woodruff Health Sciences Center



Portable Device Provides Quick, Inexpensive Detection of Early Alzheimer’s

The latest medications can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease but none are able to reverse its devastating effects. This limitation often makes early detection the key to Alzheimer’s patients maintaining a good quality of life for as long as possible.

Now, a new device developed by the Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University may allow patients to take a brief, inexpensive test that could be administered as part of a routine yearly checkup at a doctor’s office to detect mild cognitive impairment (MCI) — often the earliest stage of Alzheimer’s. The device is expected to be commercialized later this year.

Current assessment tests capable of detecting early Alzheimer’s typically are taken with a pen and paper or at a computer terminal and last about an hour and a half. They must be given by a trained technician in a quiet environment, because any distractions can influence the patient’s score and reduce the test’s effectiveness. Because of their length and expense, the tests are not used as regular screening tools and typically are given only after there is obvious cognitive impairment such as forgetfulness or unsafe behavior.

“Families usually wait until their mom or dad does something somewhat dangerous, like forgetting to take their medications or getting lost, before bringing them in for testing. At that point, the patient has already lost a significant portion of their cognitive function,” said David Wright, MD, who helped develop the device. Wright is assistant professor of emergency medicine in Emory University School of Medicine and co-director of the Emory Emergency Medicine Research Center. “With this device, we might be able to pick up impairment well before those serious symptoms occur and start patients on medications that could delay those symptoms.”

The Georgia Tech and Emory device, called DETECT, gives individuals a roughly ten-minute test designed to gauge reaction time and memory — functions that, when impaired, are associated with the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The test is a specially modified, shortened version of the traditional pen and paper test and could be given repeatedly by doctors to evaluate any changes in cognitive functions.

“We really envision this to be part of the normal preventative care a patient receives from a general practitioner,” said Michelle LaPlaca, Ph.D., one of the creators of the device and an associate professor in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University. “It would be part of a regular preventative medicine exam much like a PSA test or EKG (Electrocardiogram), serving as a cognitive impairment vital sign of sorts.”

The portable test runs patients through a battery of visual and auditory stimuli such as pictures and words that assess cognitive abilities relative to age, gauging reaction time and memory capabilities. Its software can track cognitive capabilities — and decline — year to year during annual appointments. And because the device blocks outside sound and light from the patient’s environment, it can be administered in virtually any setting, providing more consistent results.

Preliminary analysis of the first 100 patients of a 400 person clinical study being conducted at Emory’s Wesley Woods Center has shown that the 10 minute DETECT test has similar accuracy as the 90 minute ‘Gold Standard’ pen and paper test.

With millions of baby boomers easing into late adulthood, the number of patients with Alzheimer’s is expected to skyrocket over the next few decades. More than 24 million people worldwide are currently thought to have Alzheimer’s disease and by 2040, an estimated 81 million people worldwide are expected to develop the disease.

To give these millions of potential Alzheimer’s sufferers a chance to slow the disease’s advance before serious symptoms set in, doctors need an inexpensive and easy-to- administer test to detect and track the cognitive decline associated with the early stages of the disease.

The DETECT device is designed to be administered while a patient is still healthy, tracking any abnormal decreases in the patient’s cognitive performance over time. If a patient’s performance declines outside the normal range, the patient would then undergo additional testing and care from a neurologist, neuropsychologist or other specialist.

The DETECT system includes an LCD display in a visor with an onboard dedicated computer, noise reduction headphones and an input device (controller). The display projects the visual aspect of the test, the headphones provide the verbal instructions and the controller records the wearer’s response.

DETECT’s creators have formed a company, called Zenda Technologies (www.zendatech.com), to commercialize the device for MCI, as well as other conditions. Georgia Tech and Emory researchers are exploring other types of cognitive impairment such as Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) that could be picked up by DETECT. A version of the system designed to detect mild concussions on the sidelines of a football game, during other high-impact sports or on a battlefield, is still being tested.

The research was funded with a grant from the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation and support from the Georgia Research Alliance through Georgia Tech’s VentureLab.

Dr. Wright and Dr. LaPlaca have an equity interest in Zenda Technologies. In addition, Dr. Wright and Dr. LaPlaca are inventors on a patent application covering the DETECT technology, and may receive royalties or fees through the license agreement. Emory, Georgia Tech, Dr. Wright, and Dr. LaPlaca may benefit financially if Zenda Technologies is successful in marketing the DETECT device. Dr. Wright’s relationship with Zenda Technologies has been reviewed and approved by Emory in accordance with its policies on conflicts of interest.

For more information:
Megan McRainey
Georgia Institute of Technology
Media Relations
404-894-6016
megan.mcrainey@icpa.gatech.edu

Jennifer Johnson
Emory University, Woodruff Health Sciences Center
404-727-5696 office, 404-227-3683 cell
jennifer.johnson@emory.edu

Here is more information.

Detecting Declining Minds

The Alzheimer's Action Plan: The Experts' Guide to the Best Diagnosis and Treatment for Memory Problems

My mother--Exercise may slow Alzheimer's brain atrophy

When my mother first showed signs of dementia she was falling down almost daily. Then she fell and broke her finger. My mother who a year earlier could walk 15 blocks without any real problem could no longer walk a block. I knew I had to do something. While I was trying to decide what to do her health care provider (Humana) began offering a free membership to a health club (Gold's Gym). I enrolled her in Gold's and the Silver Sneakers program. She stopped falling. Once I realized that it was her brain and not her ability to walk, I started putting her on the treadmill. Four years later my mother is walking very slow and holding my hand very tight when she walks. Her brain is sending her all kinds of false messages. Here is the good news, she has not fallen once in these four years. An amazing result for a 92 year old woman suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

As some of you know, I am a big proponent of exercise and I believe this is a necessary component of staving off the dreaded effects of Alzheimer's.

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Exercise may slow Alzheimer's brain atrophy

Getting a lot of exercise may help slow brain shrinkage in people with early Alzheimer’s disease, a preliminary study suggests.

Analysis found that participants who were more physically fit had less brain shrinkage than less-fit participants. However, they didn’t do significantly better on tests for mental performance.

That was a surprise, but maybe the study had too few patients to make an effect show up in the statistical analysis, said Dr. Jeffrey Burns, one of the study’s authors.

He also stressed that the work is only a starting point for exploring whether exercise and physical fitness can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. The study can’t prove an effect because the participants were evaluated only once rather than repeatedly over time, he said.

While brains shrink with normal aging, the rate is doubled in people with Alzheimer’s, he said.

Burns, who directs the Alzheimer and Memory Program at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Kansas City, reports the work with colleagues in Tuesday’s issue of the journal Neurology.

The study included 57 people with early Alzheimer’s. Their physical fitness was assessed by measuring their peak oxygen demand while on a treadmill, and brain shrinkage was estimated by MRI scans.

Dr. Sam Gandy, who chairs the medical and scientific advisory council of the Alzheimer’s Association, said the result fits in with previous indications that things people do to protect heart health can also pay off for the brain.

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25676632/

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Do Brain Games Helps?

There is a lot of controversy around brain games. Skeptics say, no they don't really help. Others believe they are of enormous help in keeping the brain sharp or helping those with Alzheimer's.

My mother plays Slingo on the computer. I believe it helps. If nothing else it keeps her brain active and I am always looking for ways to keep her brain working.

One thing for sure, it can't hurt. So I recommend games like Slingo.

Good article, read on....

clipped from abcnews.go.com "I was having memory problems just like everyone else has at my age," Goldberg explained. "Using these games has given me a dramatic improvement in my memory. I'm able to recall names, places and companies that I couldn't remember in the past. And it surprises me I can remember these things and it's given me much greater confidence."

The 10 Best Foods You Aren't Eating

I don't eat most of the foods on this list. But, after reading this article I might.

The article is full of explanations and reasons why these foods should be eaten. A lot of information that was not in my awareness.

Definitely worth the time to read.

clipped from abcnews.go.com Guavas, beets and cinnamon are among the super-healthful foods that you should probably be getting more of in your diet.

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• Dr Oz Alzheimer's Memory Quiz (Test)
• Test Your Memory (TYM) for Alzheimer's or Dementia in Five Minutes
• Does the Combination of Aricept and Namenda Help Slow the Rate of Decline in Alzheimer's Patients
• Alzheimer's World -- Two Circles Trying to Intersect
• Alzheimer's Disease -- The Front Row
• Is it Really Alzheimer's or Something Else?
• Alzheimer's Clock Draw Test -- Detect the Signs of Alzheimer's Early
• 60 Good Reasons to Subscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading Room

Just a Word: Friends Encounter Alzheimer's

Bob DeMarco is the editor of the Alzheimer's Reading Room and an Alzheimer's caregiver. Bob has written more than 1,200 articles with more than 9,000 links on the Internet. Bob resides in Delray Beach, FL.

Original content Bob DeMarco, the Alzheimer's Reading Room

Can Tomatoes Carry The Cure For Alzheimer's?

I am not a fan of the vaccine approach. Nevertheless, this does look interesting.

clipped from www.biologynews.net The humble tomato could be a suitable carrier for an oral vaccine against Alzheimer's disease Kim and colleagues' aim was to develop a plant-derived vaccine against Alzheimer's disease, since beta-amyloid is toxic to animal cells. Tomatoes are an attractive candidate as a vaccine carrier because they can be eaten without heat treatment, which reduces the risk of destroying the immune stimulation potential of the foreign protein. The researchers inserted the beta-amyloid gene into the tomato genome and measured the immune responses to the tomato-derived toxic protein in a group of 15-month-old mice.

Study points to dietary cocktail for Alzheimer's

This is the kind of science that catches my attention.

clipped from web.mit.edu The combination of supplements, which contains three compounds normally found in the bloodstream, is now being tested in Alzheimer's patients. The cocktail has previously been shown to promote growth of new brain connections in rodents. "It may be possible to use this treatment to partially restore brain function in people with diseases that decrease the number of brain neurons, including, for example, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's, strokes and brain injuries. Of course, such speculations have to be tested in double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials," said Richard Wurtman, Cecil H. Green Distinguished Professor of Neuropharmacology and senior author of a paper on the new work. clipped from web.mit.edu

The New Old Age Blog

I recently ran across this New York Times blog--The New Old Age.

The blog is dedicated to Baby Boomers and issues they will be facing. You should consider adding this blog to your reader.

I will also be adding it to my Blog Roll (Weblogs) for your convenience. I included the link and the description in the clip below.

clipped from newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com About The New Old Age Thanks to the marvels of medical science, our parents are living longer than ever before. Adults over age 80 are the fastest growing segment of the population, and most will spend years dependent on others for the most basic needs. That burden falls to their baby boomer children, 77 million strong, who are flummoxed by the technicalities of eldercare, turned upside down by the changed architecture of their families, struggling to balance work and caregiving, and depleting their own retirement savings in the process. In The New Old Age, Jane Gross explores this unprecedented intergenerational challenge and shares the stories of readers, the advice of professionals, and the wisdom gleaned from her own experience caring for her mother in her waning years. You can reach Ms. Gross at newoldage@nytimes.com.

By Bob DeMarco

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Bob DeMarco is the editor of the Alzheimer's Reading Room and an Alzheimer's caregiver. Bob has written more than 1,200 articles with more than 9,000 links on the Internet. Bob resides in Delray Beach, FL.

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"I Remember Better When I Paint"

Original content Bob DeMarco, the Alzheimer's Reading Room