I have a personal interest in this subject as my husband has Alzheimer’s, as did several of his brothers and I am concerned for our children. The drugs designed to clear amyloid do not work and fraud was recently uncovered in the original research that concluded amyloid is the cause. The Alz research establishment has been captured by this faction but there is hope elsewhere.
One promising theory is that Alz is caused by a herpes virus, perhaps the one that causes cold sores. But there are several herpes strains and it’s possible one or more may be implicated. Some are looking at recipients of the shingles vaccines to see if they are less likely to develop Alz. In addition, Lysine cures cold sores and could be another avenue for treatment.
Another is gut bacteria. Research into why older people are more vulnerable to covid has shown that a bacterium called Bifidum declines with age. Perhaps that is a factor in Alz. As well. Also, I read of one case in which a person with Alz also had c. Dificile (sp?) the treatment for which is a fecal transplant. In this case, said transplant also reversed the Alz. Gut bacteria....
My guess is that there is more than one cause - that Alzheimer’s may be several diseases. I am sure it is complicated. Anyone interested can go to Pub Med and search for research in these areas. While there, you can look to see that both Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine were being studied to combat SARS viruses well before the current pandemic and both apparently kill the virus in the lab dish.
I listen to Darkhorse podcasts regularly and wish you all well in your new digs.
Reductionism is not in itself a bad thing. Much of what we believe has been arrived at by that method, and the method is every bit as valid as the insights it leads to. However biological systems seem to be too complex for reductionism to answer any but the simplest questions, a position most honest biologists take. But Alzheimer's is a particularly frightening disease. It is a terrible thing to see a loved one lose the personality that you loved for many years, and that makes us that more susceptible to snake oil salesmen touting ANYTHING that looks like it might lead to a cure. Alas, Nature, Science and their red-headed adopted sibling Scientific American have decided that they know what science is, rather than reporting on what science thinks it has found.
Be good to the ones you love. Put down your tech. Look people in the eye—both the ones you love, and the ones you don’t. Imagine what it is like to be them. Have conversations.
pretty much sums it up for me, Thank you.
I might add a section from an Alan Watts article,
So you see here again the problem comes out, we do not really know how to interfere with the way the world is. The way the world actually is, is an enormously complex interrelated organism. The same problem arises in medicine, because the body is a very complexly interrelated organism.
Thank you so much for this post. I had just sent the Alz. Assoc. announcement re: the study to my dementia caregiver support group with a note that I'd attempt to decode the information (and previous info I'd sent regarding the falsified study, the failed Biogen drug/FDA/Medicare debacle) soon. You have done that and I can share your clearly written information with them from a REAL scientist and not a dweeb who does a lot of reading and goes with her gut when things seem wrong.
What bothered me about the Alz. Assoc. announcement was telling people that "27% saw improvement in cognition" who were given the Eisai drug, which they called "significant", without saying over what period of time. Unless you took time to read the study you didn't know it was for 18 months, had 1,800 participants with mild to moderate cognitive impairment, and findings were based on caregiver/family observation and the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR). "Lecanemab was also associated with side effects, including swelling and bleeding in the brain. Most side effects were detected by MRI and caused no symptoms. There was a relatively low incidence of serious side effects," during the 18 month study. (Brain and Health Registry, Oct. 2022)
I know that most early onset and MCI patients are able to delay symptoms by remaining active physically, mentally, and socially. The more they keep learning new skills the better they are able to function later in the progression so learning to play new games, learn new languages, learning to play instruments or crafts, anything that challenges their brain will help with neuroplasticity which will allow for more connections to substitute for those that are lost as dementia causes damage. The healthier their diet and lifestyle so that they have no diabetes, heart issues, no clotting issues, no strokes, low cholesterol, strong bones and muscles, good blood flow with oxygenation, don't smoke anything, avoid chemicals that are harmful and illicit drugs, limit head injuries the less chance they have of developing dementia.
Thank you so much for following this story, for your honest assessment of this issue of research by ones we used to trust to protect us from harm, and for teaching us how to continue to think critically and be bold in continuing to question those in authority when we have doubts.
I appreciate everyone protect those they care for. "Have courage and be kind."
Dr. Dale Bredesen seems to have the best handle on dementia. It took years to get approval on his clinical trials using a multidimentional approach. The results? Reversal of symptoms! His books are informative and emphasize prevention and early treatment - with a focus on diet and lifestyle. Lots of interviews available online. Let's be proactive, and make Altzheimers rare.
Dr Dale Bredesen and colleagues have published studies on their treatment approach which has demonstrated success in reversing early Alzheimer's Disease and pre-Alzheimer's cognitive impairment. They use nutrition, exercise, sleep, relaxation and supplements.
See the following:
Reversal of Cognitive Decline: 100 Patients
Dale E Bredesen, Kenneth Sharlin et al
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinsonism
2018
Reversal of Cognitive Decline: A novel therapeutic program
Bredesen DE
Aging (2014)
Reversal of Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer's Disease
I have a personal interest in this subject as my husband has Alzheimer’s, as did several of his brothers and I am concerned for our children. The drugs designed to clear amyloid do not work and fraud was recently uncovered in the original research that concluded amyloid is the cause. The Alz research establishment has been captured by this faction but there is hope elsewhere.
One promising theory is that Alz is caused by a herpes virus, perhaps the one that causes cold sores. But there are several herpes strains and it’s possible one or more may be implicated. Some are looking at recipients of the shingles vaccines to see if they are less likely to develop Alz. In addition, Lysine cures cold sores and could be another avenue for treatment.
Another is gut bacteria. Research into why older people are more vulnerable to covid has shown that a bacterium called Bifidum declines with age. Perhaps that is a factor in Alz. As well. Also, I read of one case in which a person with Alz also had c. Dificile (sp?) the treatment for which is a fecal transplant. In this case, said transplant also reversed the Alz. Gut bacteria....
My guess is that there is more than one cause - that Alzheimer’s may be several diseases. I am sure it is complicated. Anyone interested can go to Pub Med and search for research in these areas. While there, you can look to see that both Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine were being studied to combat SARS viruses well before the current pandemic and both apparently kill the virus in the lab dish.
I listen to Darkhorse podcasts regularly and wish you all well in your new digs.
Reductionism is not in itself a bad thing. Much of what we believe has been arrived at by that method, and the method is every bit as valid as the insights it leads to. However biological systems seem to be too complex for reductionism to answer any but the simplest questions, a position most honest biologists take. But Alzheimer's is a particularly frightening disease. It is a terrible thing to see a loved one lose the personality that you loved for many years, and that makes us that more susceptible to snake oil salesmen touting ANYTHING that looks like it might lead to a cure. Alas, Nature, Science and their red-headed adopted sibling Scientific American have decided that they know what science is, rather than reporting on what science thinks it has found.
Wow the last few paragraphs starting at,
Be good to the ones you love. Put down your tech. Look people in the eye—both the ones you love, and the ones you don’t. Imagine what it is like to be them. Have conversations.
pretty much sums it up for me, Thank you.
I might add a section from an Alan Watts article,
So you see here again the problem comes out, we do not really know how to interfere with the way the world is. The way the world actually is, is an enormously complex interrelated organism. The same problem arises in medicine, because the body is a very complexly interrelated organism.
Thank you so much for this post. I had just sent the Alz. Assoc. announcement re: the study to my dementia caregiver support group with a note that I'd attempt to decode the information (and previous info I'd sent regarding the falsified study, the failed Biogen drug/FDA/Medicare debacle) soon. You have done that and I can share your clearly written information with them from a REAL scientist and not a dweeb who does a lot of reading and goes with her gut when things seem wrong.
What bothered me about the Alz. Assoc. announcement was telling people that "27% saw improvement in cognition" who were given the Eisai drug, which they called "significant", without saying over what period of time. Unless you took time to read the study you didn't know it was for 18 months, had 1,800 participants with mild to moderate cognitive impairment, and findings were based on caregiver/family observation and the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR). "Lecanemab was also associated with side effects, including swelling and bleeding in the brain. Most side effects were detected by MRI and caused no symptoms. There was a relatively low incidence of serious side effects," during the 18 month study. (Brain and Health Registry, Oct. 2022)
I know that most early onset and MCI patients are able to delay symptoms by remaining active physically, mentally, and socially. The more they keep learning new skills the better they are able to function later in the progression so learning to play new games, learn new languages, learning to play instruments or crafts, anything that challenges their brain will help with neuroplasticity which will allow for more connections to substitute for those that are lost as dementia causes damage. The healthier their diet and lifestyle so that they have no diabetes, heart issues, no clotting issues, no strokes, low cholesterol, strong bones and muscles, good blood flow with oxygenation, don't smoke anything, avoid chemicals that are harmful and illicit drugs, limit head injuries the less chance they have of developing dementia.
Thank you so much for following this story, for your honest assessment of this issue of research by ones we used to trust to protect us from harm, and for teaching us how to continue to think critically and be bold in continuing to question those in authority when we have doubts.
I appreciate everyone protect those they care for. "Have courage and be kind."
Dr. Dale Bredesen seems to have the best handle on dementia. It took years to get approval on his clinical trials using a multidimentional approach. The results? Reversal of symptoms! His books are informative and emphasize prevention and early treatment - with a focus on diet and lifestyle. Lots of interviews available online. Let's be proactive, and make Altzheimers rare.
Dr Dale Bredesen and colleagues have published studies on their treatment approach which has demonstrated success in reversing early Alzheimer's Disease and pre-Alzheimer's cognitive impairment. They use nutrition, exercise, sleep, relaxation and supplements.
See the following:
Reversal of Cognitive Decline: 100 Patients
Dale E Bredesen, Kenneth Sharlin et al
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinsonism
2018
Reversal of Cognitive Decline: A novel therapeutic program
Bredesen DE
Aging (2014)
Reversal of Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer's Disease
Bredesen DE, Amos EC et al
Aging (2016)