Respectful Adult Communication Improves Quality of Care in Alzheimer's

News from the Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease 2008

Respectful Adult Communication Improves Quality of Care in Alzheimer's---New research says don't talk to them like children.

"The style of communication that we use with people with Alzheimer’s influences how they feel about themselves and how well they respond to those providing care,” said Sam Fazio, PhD, Director, Medical and Scientific Relations at the Alzheimer’s Association. “With the growing prevalence of Alzheimer’s, it will be increasingly important for healthcare providers, caregivers and families to understand the effect Alzheimer’s has on communication and, perhaps more importantly, the impact their communication may have on the individual’s quality of life.”

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Bob DeMarco is the Founder of the Alzheimer's Reading Room and an Alzheimer's caregiver. The blog contains more than 3,361 articles with more than 397,100 links on the Internet. Bob lives in Delray Beach, FL.

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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.

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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

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