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.
Lhfry, my mother has Alzheimers as well, I am currently researching a link around Heart Disease, Cholesterol levels and Statin drugs, may I ask if your husband and his brothers have had any association with Heart Disease/surgery, Cholesterol levels and Statin drugs. Thanks
One of the 4. As far as I know, the 3 others had high blood pressure but nothing else. I have read that hydrochlorothiazide is an anticholinergic like benedryl and some other drugs and they may cause dementia. That drug is usually the first hypertension drug recommended and you can be on it for many years. There is also a genetic component in Alz. The APOE4 gene has a mutation that can increase risk, but it is not determinative. In my husband’s family of 10, 4 of the oldest had or have Alz. But none of the younger ones show signs despite being older now than the onset in those who did succumb. Also those who got it were not overweight, lived active lives, and those who so far didn’t have all the common diseases of old age. So much for diet and exercise.
You and Andrew are both correct. You have done a lot of research and it will help with your caring for your husband.
There are many resources beyond the Association that seems more intent on raising funds to help the government provide money to drug companies for research that will bring them profits off those people who have dementia and their caregivers who are so desperate to save them. The Assoc. hasn't been focused on caregivers or those with dementia for a long time, but on raising funds with a narrow scope to spend on research while basically ignoring various forms of dementia, the great financial costs and extensive needs related to caring for those with dementia.
My mother-in-law died in 2007 after we helped care for her over 10 years, and I've had a caregiver support group since 2005. Doing research, taking classes, reading, following data, knowing so many people who do caring and watching their caring, being in nursing homes and talking with them, nothing much has changed in over 20 years as far as new research or medications. It seems that being healthy, a healthy diet, exercise, making sure your heart is healthy, low cholesterol levels, controlling diabetes, preventing head injuries, not smoking are all ways to prevent Alzheimer's. Other dementias are dependent on heredity, gene/chemical/drug/injury/damage &/or exposure. It's complicated and like you said, Lhfry, because there are many dementias and many causes there will be many treatments and preventative avenues and, IF possible, cures. Like cancer, there isn't going to be just one approach, there will be several. The more people and ideas the better chance of finding things that work to help the ones who have the brain damage that affects their lives and those who care for them.
Until them, there needs to be greater focus on funding for in-home assistance and for better facility care for those who have dementia. People want to take care of their family and friends but can't do it alone. They need help but the funds aren't available to them for in-home assistance, for respite care, for short term stay, for facility care (if they don't qualify for Medicaid or have longterm care insurance). Massive funding goes to research, much of it is charitable, but little goes to caregivers for assistance, and it should.
I take a gut release probiotic. I had chickenpox and had to take the jab to reverse shingles onset. I believe that I was infected with SV40 by the Lederle sugar cube Oral Poliomylitis vaccine. I have always been undeservedly robust up to my dotage. Shame I didn't pass any of that on to the next generation.
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.
One of the things that I learned yesterday, while writing this piece, is that Scientific American is now a Nature property as well (https://www.nature.com/siteindex#journals-S). The list of journals now under the auspices of Nature is staggering, and I think there is more to this fact than I yet intuit.
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.
Lhfry, my mother has Alzheimers as well, I am currently researching a link around Heart Disease, Cholesterol levels and Statin drugs, may I ask if your husband and his brothers have had any association with Heart Disease/surgery, Cholesterol levels and Statin drugs. Thanks
One of the 4. As far as I know, the 3 others had high blood pressure but nothing else. I have read that hydrochlorothiazide is an anticholinergic like benedryl and some other drugs and they may cause dementia. That drug is usually the first hypertension drug recommended and you can be on it for many years. There is also a genetic component in Alz. The APOE4 gene has a mutation that can increase risk, but it is not determinative. In my husband’s family of 10, 4 of the oldest had or have Alz. But none of the younger ones show signs despite being older now than the onset in those who did succumb. Also those who got it were not overweight, lived active lives, and those who so far didn’t have all the common diseases of old age. So much for diet and exercise.
You and Andrew are both correct. You have done a lot of research and it will help with your caring for your husband.
There are many resources beyond the Association that seems more intent on raising funds to help the government provide money to drug companies for research that will bring them profits off those people who have dementia and their caregivers who are so desperate to save them. The Assoc. hasn't been focused on caregivers or those with dementia for a long time, but on raising funds with a narrow scope to spend on research while basically ignoring various forms of dementia, the great financial costs and extensive needs related to caring for those with dementia.
My mother-in-law died in 2007 after we helped care for her over 10 years, and I've had a caregiver support group since 2005. Doing research, taking classes, reading, following data, knowing so many people who do caring and watching their caring, being in nursing homes and talking with them, nothing much has changed in over 20 years as far as new research or medications. It seems that being healthy, a healthy diet, exercise, making sure your heart is healthy, low cholesterol levels, controlling diabetes, preventing head injuries, not smoking are all ways to prevent Alzheimer's. Other dementias are dependent on heredity, gene/chemical/drug/injury/damage &/or exposure. It's complicated and like you said, Lhfry, because there are many dementias and many causes there will be many treatments and preventative avenues and, IF possible, cures. Like cancer, there isn't going to be just one approach, there will be several. The more people and ideas the better chance of finding things that work to help the ones who have the brain damage that affects their lives and those who care for them.
Until them, there needs to be greater focus on funding for in-home assistance and for better facility care for those who have dementia. People want to take care of their family and friends but can't do it alone. They need help but the funds aren't available to them for in-home assistance, for respite care, for short term stay, for facility care (if they don't qualify for Medicaid or have longterm care insurance). Massive funding goes to research, much of it is charitable, but little goes to caregivers for assistance, and it should.
Thanks for your reply, like most diseases it is most likely not one cause one disease, but a combination of factors.
I take a gut release probiotic. I had chickenpox and had to take the jab to reverse shingles onset. I believe that I was infected with SV40 by the Lederle sugar cube Oral Poliomylitis vaccine. I have always been undeservedly robust up to my dotage. Shame I didn't pass any of that on to the next generation.
found this recently
https://alutotal.org/2020/01/16/lalu-total-in-english/
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.
One of the things that I learned yesterday, while writing this piece, is that Scientific American is now a Nature property as well (https://www.nature.com/siteindex#journals-S). The list of journals now under the auspices of Nature is staggering, and I think there is more to this fact than I yet intuit.
Wow! The monopolization of legitimacy and with it the monopolization of acceptable opinion 😔
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)