UPDATES ON ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH

UPDATES ON ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH

Dr. Dung Trinh

In neuroscience research, a new direction in Alzheimer’s clinical trials is to detect the disease early enough to possibly prevent it from progressing. Now, more and more research companies, including Irvine Clinical Research (ICR), are shifting their focus to trying to find and identify Alzheimer’s while symptoms are still mild or even before symptoms begin to appear.

During the last seventeen years in Alzheimer’s research, over 150 studies have been conducted without any success to find a treatment or a cure for the disease. In fact, since 2003, no new medication for Alzheimer’s treatment has been approved by the FDA. A handful of the existing medications can only treat the symptoms, but cannot prevent, slow down or cure the disease. With no successful therapy, Alzheimer’s has become the third leading cause of death in Orange County. We have been successful in treating conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and stroke, but have made little strides in medications or treatments for Alzheimer’s. However, the last few decades of research have not been in vain. The past clinical trials, though not fruitful in producing a treatment, have taught us that we need to start our research at the early stages of the disease to try to detect the symptoms early or before they occur. By the time people go to the doctor with symptoms of memory loss from Alzheimer’s, approximately 10-15 years of silent brain damage has already occurred. Many patients enter clinical trials already in the moderate stage of Alzheimer’s. This delay in detection is possibly the reason behind many unsuccessful clinical trials. The new paradigm shift in Alzheimer’s research is to stop the disease by reaching people in the earlier stages of memory loss, diagnosed with mild Alzheimer’s or MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment). Prevention trials exist for patients who have not been diagnosed yet. This is the direction that our team at ICR and I are working on.

In one study recently published, Monoclonal Antibodies (MCA) were used to direct the immune system to recognize and detect brain amyloid as “the bad guy”. After three years of medication treatment in this trial, participants have shown a reduction in amyloid plaque in their brain based on PET scan data, and have also shown improvement in memory testing compared to a placebo group. These are incredibly positive signs, and I think we are headed in the right direction.

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For more information, visit www.healthybrainclub.com. To find resources on Alzheimer’s in Orange County, visit www.alzoc.org .

Dr. Trinh is Chief Medical Officer at Irvine Clinical Research. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Alzheimer’s Orange County. He can be reached at dung.trinh@alzoc.org .

Dr. Dung Trinh

WHAT HCF HAS MEANT TO ME

by Carol Krejci

or 38 years, HCF has meant family to meF … connectivity and availability are hallmarks of HCF, and as a fairly new Christian, I had many questions. Because of prior circumstances, even as a new believer, I was often in a state of bewilderment and felt spiritually alone. I was always just a phone call away from the past president, Aubrey, and HCF USA’s time, wisdom and love.

When my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer, I was overwhelmed with grief. It was in the ER, where I worked, that one quiet evening a doctor shared Jesus with me and my life was never the same. Enter another doctor who had been in Tulsa and stopped in at the first National HCF USA Conference there. He liked what he saw and brought a New Heart magazine and a very informative handbook written by Aubrey of HCF USA on how to start an HCF chapter. Later, as I read more about the purpose of HCF, I was ecstatic! THAT is exactly how I was led to the Lord—by a doctor in the workplace! We followed the manual and in no time, we started our own chapter in Lancaster, Ohio. The following year, I traveled to San Diego with two other nurses for the second national conference.

My spirit was filled to overflowing by the many uplifting testimonies of God’s loving care. Music and prayer were interspersed with sessions taught by spiritual leaders. I met wonderful believing medical workers from all areas of care: surgeons, interns, lab techs, CNAs, housekeepers. The list goes on… And so did the years: HCF USA grew, traveled across America, even to my own hospital! Seminars, retreats, conferences and a variety of media were available to take home, and all combined to provide me with what I needed to serve the Lord right where I was, be it in the ER, home health or a doctor’s office. HCF means this to me: It means education and enabling, spiritual food and drink for the weary health care worker, beautiful music to satisfy my soul, reading material for my mind, scholarships when I had no funds. Yes—HCF truly means fellowship and proves that we are all part of the family of God.

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Carol is a published writer of books and short stories. You can email Carol at cakrejci2001@yahoo.com .