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Discovered a treatment that slows Alzheimer’s

In the last week, the blood products multinational Grifols has published the results of a clinical trial that they have named Ambar. A total of 496 patients have participated in it and it has shown an effective treatment to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s by 61% , one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases in the world today.

To reach this conclusion, the researchers have applied a treatment that consists of periodically removing plasma and replacing it with a solution of albumin , a protein present in plasma.

Initial theory and research progress

To begin the study, the researchers determined the initial theory that a high percentage of beta-amyloid, a protein present in the brain of people with Alzheimer’s, circulates in the blood plasma along with albumin. Thus, by removing this plasma periodically, they could transfer beta-amyloid from the brain to the plasma. In this way, it is possible to slow down the progression of the disease in relation to the cognitive functions of those who suffer from it.

Óscar López, director of the Azheimer Disease Research Center, argues that the effect of the treatment applied on the group of patients who have participated in the study is very positive. All of them have moderate-stage Alzheimer’s . In addition, it highlights that the research results are only the first step in the study of neurodegenerative diseases in adults.

For her part, Mercè Boada, director of the ACE Foundation, is very satisfied as she considers this to be one of the most important advances that have occurred in recent years in patients with moderate-stage Alzheimer’s . In addition, it ensures that the proposed treatment is safe and feasible for patients. Nearly 1,000 plasma replacements have already been carried out at its center.

Alzheimer’s, an incurable disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the death of neurons in the brain. So far it is an incurable disease and affects an increasing number of elderly people in developed countries.

Prevalence

An estimated 46 million people suffer from Alzheimer’s worldwide. In addition, according to long-term forecasts, the number of patients suffering from this neurodegenerative disease will increase exponentially. If the current trend continues, in 2050 there will be more than 130 million patients .

In the case of Spain, it is the third country in the world with the highest prevalence of this neurodegenerative disorder. It is estimated that approximately 6.5% of Spaniards suffer from it.

Symptoms

This degenerative disease is mainly characterized by memory loss , which occurs progressively. In addition, those who suffer from this disorder are less and less able to carry out simple daily tasks. Alzheimer’s therefore has a great impact both physically, psychologically and socially on patients and their environment.

Phases of Alzheimer’s

This disorder is divided into three phases, each of which defines the condition of the patient.

  • Light phase: the patient begins to forget events that have occurred recently, such as a conversation, as well as to lose personal items. He is subject to sudden mood swings and has an increasing tendency to isolation.
  • Moderate phase: in the second phase of the disease, memory is altered at an increasing speed. The patient is capable of remembering distant events but forgets all recent events. He has aggressive reactions and has increasing difficulty communicating as his vocabulary becomes poorer. It is very difficult for him to carry out his daily activities.
  • Severe phase: the patient forgets both recent and past events and is unable to recognize loved ones. His mood is totally unpredictable. As for language, he just babbles and sometimes repeats words without any meaning. You are unable to do any daily activities.

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Hello Readers, I am Nikki Bella a Psychology student. I have always been concerned about human behavior and the mental processes that lead us to act and think the way we do. My collaboration as an editor in the psychology area of ​​Well Being Pole has allowed me to investigate further and expand my knowledge in the field of mental health; I have also acquired great knowledge about physical health and well-being, two fundamental bases that are directly related and are part of all mental health.

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