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More about Alzheimer's Disease:
Definition Causes and symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Alternative treatment Prognosis Prevention Resources |
There is currently no sure way to prevent Alzheimer's disease, although some of the drug treatments discussed above may eventually be proven to reduce the risk of developing the disease. The most likely current candidates are estrogen, NSAIDs, vitamin E, and ginkgo biloba, although this list may grow or shrink with further research.
Research on the prevention of AD is focusing on blocking the production of amyloid in the brain as well as breaking down beta-amyloid once it is released from cells but before it has a chance to aggregate into insoluble plaques. There are also promising studies being conducted to develop an AD vaccine, where immune responses may result in the elimination of the formation of amyloid plaques.
The Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers (ADCs) program promotes research, training and education, technology transfer, and multicenter and cooperative studies in AD, other dementias, and normal brain aging. Each ADC enrolls and performs studies on AD patients and healthy older people. Persons can participate in research protocols and clinical drug trials at these centers. Data from the ADCs as well as from other sources are coordinated and made available for use by researchers at the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center, established in 1999.
— Judith Sims
