Alzheimer's Research-Mom Knows Best

Recently I presented some of the latest research to our leadership group. When I got to mother's assisted living facility, I began relating my day to Mom as I usually do. This seems to be enjoyable to her and it gives me a place to start, as carrying on a conversation becomes more and more difficult. I started listing some of the remarkable advancements and how they were breakthroughs which could make a real difference in the future. Toward the end of this, Mom said "Can any of this help me?" It rather broke my heart, as she was so right, none of this research was in time to help her. She then surprised me, stating "I am just glad somebody is doing something, this is so terrible." It had been a long time since she had mentioned her pain with the disease. I, in fact, had thought she progressed beyond even understanding the pain, but this interaction helped me to understand, she still, at least sometimes, has the pain, but was thinking still of others.

What is some of the newer research? First, we are now beginning to understand that the amyloid plaques, which Dr. Alzheimer found on autopsy in 1906, are formed because the brain of the person with the disease can't dispose of this normal protein. it's like having a clogged drain. Could a medication in the future help this problem? Secondly, we know there are times when we make more of the normal protein than others. When we are daydreaming we make large amounts of the protein and when we are focused in a deep thinking task for a long period we slow down the production of the protein. Also in deep sleep we produce less amyloid protein. How could we keep our brain in this focused states more of the time so we would not have the large amounts of the protein to dispose of, naturally or with a medication? Thirdly, there is more research looking at the relationship between higher education and Alzheimer's disease. It is exciting to see the progress of research in this field. If you go back 20 years the research was much more sparse. We are making real progress!! Thanks to all.

May God keep you in the palm of Her hand.