Contents:
- Medical Video: First Alzheimer's patient treated with focused ultrasound to open the blood-brain barrier
- The benefits of asthma medication for Alzheimer's
- Is this drug already allowed for Alzheimer's treatment?
- The main treatment for Alzheimer's disease must still be prioritized
Medical Video: First Alzheimer's patient treated with focused ultrasound to open the blood-brain barrier
Untreated Alzheimer's disease can cause premature death. Because the disease that is vulnerable to attack the elderly causes difficulty swallowing which can reduce nutrient intake. In addition, Alzheimer's can change behavior that can harm patients. A study shows that asthma drugs seem to have potential as a new drug for Alzheimer's. Curious what are the benefits of asthma medication for Alzheimer's patients? Consider the following review.
The benefits of asthma medication for Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's disease is a disease that decreases the brain's cognitive ability to think, weakens memory, and changes a person's behavior in carrying out daily activities. Alzheimer's is a progressive disease that will gradually damage the brain.
Until now there is no treatment that really cure Alzheimer's disease. Current medications can only reduce the symptoms and severity of the condition. However, with proper care, Alzheimer's patients can improve their quality of life.
A study recently found the potential for asthma drugs to treat Alzheimer's in mice. Studies conducted by Lewis Katz of Medicine at Temple University report that zileuton asthma drugs can prevent the formation of lesions (wounds) in the brain that are the cause of Alzheimer's.
In the study, engineered mice had proteins in the brain similar to Alzheimer's patients. Without treatment, these mice experience memory loss, a characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. After that, rats were given zileuton asthma medication regularly for four months.
Treatment results showed that inflammation in the brains of the mice was reduced. In addition, the mice also experienced an increase in synapses in the brain, namely the transfer of signals from one cell to another in the brain.
Researchers argue that zileuton inhibits the development of leukotrienes, namely substances found in the lungs and brain. "In the early stages of dementia, leukotrienes try to protect nerve cells in the brain. However, in the long run, leukotrienes can cause damage, "explained Dr. Domenico Practico, chairman of the study, as reported by Healthline.
Is this drug already allowed for Alzheimer's treatment?
Although research has found the potential, the use of zileuton asthma drugs cannot be used for the treatment of Alzheimer's patients. Why?
Jimmy El Hokayem, Ph.D., a molecular biologist and neurologist from the University of Miami believes that the potential of drugs is only shown in mice, not humans. Drugs can bring benefits as well as different side effects between animals and humans. Further research is needed to test the efficacy and safety of these drugs directly in Alzheimer's patients.
Although it has not been proven, the study arouses new hope for Alzheimer's patients and the world of health.
The main treatment for Alzheimer's disease must still be prioritized
For now, care for Alzheimer's patients is still focused on maintaining mental functions and managing behavior change, which includes:
- Treatment to maintain brain function can be done with drug therapy such as donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, and memantine. These drugs work by regulating the delivery of signals and chemicals between neurons thereby reducing the severity of symptoms.
- Behavioral therapy and sleep therapy can be done to overcome anxiety, aggression, and difficulty sleeping. This therapy trains patients to be able to control themselves, not do something that endangers themselves and others. In addition, patients are also taught to live healthier to manage other diseases that patients have.
