positive signs for Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients

Sri Lanka has a rapidly ageing population and this means there’s a growing risk of developing neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. However, neurologists are keeping their fingers crossed on new research and breakthrough medication that will help cure these health conditions and allow patients to live longer. 

“The amyloid precursor protein causes Alzheimer’s and dementia,” explained Dr. Ruwani Gunawardena, neurologist in Fulton, Maryland, USA. “Dementia is a sad disease where you will see your loved ones experiencing progressive memory loss and finding it difficult to do their day-to-day work. The first drug that came out is a monoclonal antibody that blocks the amyloid precursor protein. This is a cure for dementia but this was a controversial approval as it wasn’t a robust medication. This is because it only improved one domain of the memory but it was the first drug to prevent amyloid production.” said Dr. Gunawardena. 

“We are participating in a research project to screen patients for early mild cognitive impairment, which is 10 years prior to developing dementia you experience subtle diminishing of Executive functions,” she added. “We do the Montreal cognitive assessment test in our clinics to realize mild cognitive impairment. If patients fit into the inclusion criteria they get random amyloid scans. This is for the research because these scans are astronomically expensive. So if they are amyloid positive in the brain it means that they have Alzheimer’s or dementia. Once the new drugs are approved patients will be able to get their infusions.” the doctor added. 

Dr. Gunawardena further said that in another five years there will be a cure for dementia and likewise there are many promising drugs in the pipeline.