example, by taking regular doses of anti-inflammatory drugs such as ASA)could also help prevent AD. I like that theory, by the way, although the reason I like it has nothing to do with medications. Rather, I like it because exercise is a great way to lower inflammatory protein levels.
.....When it comes to diagnosis, we’re still pretty well where we were back when I first started covering AD, meaning that the diagnosis of AD is still only definitively made at autopsy. That said, our neurocognitive tests and our brain scanning abilities have gotten way, way better, so we’re not too far away, I think, from having imaging techniques that can pick up the earliest brain changes consistent with AD, which will in turn eventually allow us to develop and utilize drugs that slow the development and progress of this disorder.
.....As for treatment itself, none of the drugs in current use are outstandingly effective, although for some people, studies show that some drugs may somewhat slow disease progression, thus putting off the much more difficult years for a while.
..... The best hope for better treatment, though, rests in the strides we’re making in delineating the pathology of AD, that is, in discovering what actually happens to brain cells in AD because when you know what happens, it’s much easier to find ways to counteract that (a vaccine, for example, which has shown some promise although was also the cause of some very severe complications). Bottom line: until they come up with a “miracle” treatment (if they ever do, that is), the best thing you can do to lower your risks of AD (and nearly everything else) is to live the healthiest lifestyle you can.
..... “Which is just the same-old, same-old advice you always give, but hey, you’re my husband so I always listen to everything you tell me to do”, my wife said (I think with a sneer) on her way out to what she said was the fifth exercise class of that week, although to be honest, I’m not so sure that’s where she was heading. I mean, do they really do exercise classes in skirts and high heels these days? And why did she take my Amex card?
Dr. Art Hister can be heard on CKNW and other Corus Radio Network stations on House Calls on Saturdays at 10 AM, as well as seen on Global TV news on Saturday mornings at 9:20. |
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