A new angle has emerged in the field of treating Alzheimer’s disease. In a newly published research article, a scientific advancement in the field of Alzheimer’s was announced. A membrane protein referred to as aquaporin-4 has been found to have a correlation between healthy brains and those that have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. While this study is a very preliminary sort of advance in this type of study., there is a lot of hope here when it comes to the treatment of the disease.
Science is making great strides when it comes to knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease and its treatment.
Aquaporin-4 is a normally occurring part of every healthy brain. It is part of the glymphatic system, and it is known to assist with the cleansing away of tau and amyloid proteins from the brain. In people suffering from Alzheimer’s, these proteins accumulate and may be contributors to the degeneration of brain cells. Researchers believe that this system–and the failure of it that occurs when someone suffers from Alzheimer’s–might be one of the causes of Alzheimer’s. If aquaporin-4 levels can be kept at healthy levels, they have reason to believe that some of the symptoms of this type of dementia could be alleviated.
It’s important to add that the doctors that were involved in this study were quick to point out that they are unsure that just targeting aquaporin-4 in the brain will be a sufficient treatment when it comes to the successful treatment of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia in general. It is a very complex disease, and although this is a big step forward, researchers are not under any illusions when it comes to how difficult it is to treat. However, this, along with other advances that have and will be made, might get medical experts moving forward in the right direction when it comes to improving the quality of life of those that are suffering from this disease.
You probably know that those who suffer from Alzheimer’s go through a very difficult time, both in themselves as they lose the functioning of their body and of their cognitive abilities. They have a drastically increased need of care and supervision, and it is not uncommon that many individuals with this disease end up in nursing homes.
If you have an elderly parent or another loved one that has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you need to start thinking about their senior care. The nursing home might be the best choice for them, but oftentimes, especially in the earlier stages of the disease, it isn’t. Many individuals actually see their symptoms worsen when they are placed in a new location. In-home care allows dementia patients to receive the care and assistance they need without being relocated and experiencing the sudden worsening of the disease’s spread. If you are currently looking for care for a family member, we encourage you to consider all of your options before you choose one. If you have questions, consult with a doctor familiar with your loved one’s situation and get their opinion on what’s best. Also remember that many in-home care services will provide free consultations if you are considering using their services.
Leave a Reply