"Since the processes leading to Alzheimer’s disease are not understood, it is unlikely that a profound therapy will be produced in the next 20 years, the scientists say."
I hope they are wrong, but at least they are much more honest than the inane article circulating last week that we are 6 years from a cure - based on - ummmmm - absolutely nothing: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-14474553
Marry22033.....everyone knows that plaques and tangles are the main cause of alzheimers.....after all my research, I have discovered the following two basic truths: 1. Crest toothpaste prevents plaque. 2. Shampoo removes tangles.
So if the two are mixed, it is a sure cure for alz. However, the method of administration poses some difficulties: 1. orally- slow absorption, and the side effect is severe vomiting. 2. Rectally- again slow absorption, with the side effect of severe diarrhea, except it blows bubbles and is soapy, so clean up is easier. 3. Intravenously- more efficient method of delivery but the blood flowing through the aorta causes large bubbles, which are very dangerous, and could cause death. 4. Topical- Perhaps the best method of delivery is topical, and the head is covered with the mixture of shampoo and crest. The only disadvantage to this is that the absorption rate is very slow, and it will an average of 16-18 years to show its effect. Unfortunately, most patients will not survive the benefits,. So the cure is very simple...a matter of figuring out how to mix shampoo with crest, and deliver it directly to the brain...and no patient has volunteered for the clinical trial....There is hope.
An interesting tidbit I saw on a university lecture/video recently and it cinched it for me about how far away we are from a good treatment much less a cure.
They have bred "AD" mice that will grow the plaques (OK) They can then experiment with drugs and treatments to try to remove the plaques. Sounds good - but we still dont know if the plaques are a cause or effect. (Are they like a scar?)
HOWEVER. . . . There is no mouse model for the Tau tangles(!) The only place they can find Tau tangles at present are in human AD brains. So at best they keep studying and researching only one half of the disease!
This is like trying to cure cancer when you cant grow tumors in the lab or on an experimental mouse. How can you ever test chemo or radiation treatments?
So Phranque, just like your diagnostic coin, I think your line of research and your experimental design is right up there with the best. :-D So we are a LONG way from even being able to reliably replicate the disease so we can effectively study it, much less cure it.
Grannywhiskers...because of the research and development costs, the cost of treatment right now is 13 trillion dollars....and it will become a generic in 7 years, and will be sold at the dollar store for $.99....or maybe $5.99 if our economy continues to grow... m-mann- I have successfully developed tangles when using my laboratory rats...I introduced simple fishing line, and within minutes, there were so many tangles that it was impossible to continue the experiment---still trying to unravel those tangles..we might be years away from that too.
Bless you Phranque, you are a wonder. When I get lost in my pity party I remember you and all that you have done and shared and it helps. I hold you and your DW in my heart along with your children, you have fought the good fight with honour and style.
Phranque...ve remoof zee brain, (ve inshtall a zeeper,) ve soak zee brain in a patented meexture uff toospaste und zhampoo, (viss SREE rinse cycles,) zenn ve reinshtall it vile you vait. Don't vorry...zere's a latte bar right down zee hall. No...sorry, ve cannot accept Medicare. Shut up about zat. Ve giff you a senior discount zough. Ok? ok.
Phranque, my hb added BenGay to the mixture and slathered it on his arms--only minimal on his cheeks. No difference in behaviors observed, but then he has vascular dementia. And I've been doing research on tangles w/my electric weed whacker's lines for the benefit of those w/AD--just trying to do my part, too.
Dear Phranque - I logged on today so low I had to look up to see bottom. Your answer was my medicine. I have tears from laughing instead of the pity for my situation I had coming on line. Thanks, thanks.
Be careful using shampoo! I should have figured it out sooner. It's the shampoo I use in the shower. When I wash my hair the shampoo runs down my entire body. It says right on the label, "FOR EXTRA VOLUME AND BODY." I'm going to get rid of the shampoo and start using Dawn dish detergent. It's label reads, "DISSOLVES FAT THAT IS OTHERWISE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE." We'll see how that works!
We have been gone for over a week on a pretty successful vacation, but now we are back & things are back to "normal" (confusion, occasional anger etc.) I checked in periodically, but I missed my daily dose. So when I read this thread it made me laugh & it made me realize that I'm home!