There are constantly new developments and findings being published in the world of Alzheimer’s research. These updates can help doctors better diagnose and treat those with Alzheimer’s and dementia; they can help caretakers and memory care homes better understand and care for their residents; they can even help develop more effective treatments for dementia. All in all, Alzheimer’s research has many implications for the future, and it’s important to pay attention to. Here are just a few of the recent updates in Alzheimer’s research you should be aware of.
Why Does Alzheimer’s Research Matter?
Before diving into the research, it’s important to address why exactly Alzheimer’s research is so important.
First off, it is a disease that impacts a large portion of the population: Currently, an estimated 6.7 million people in the United States have Alzheimer’s. About 1 in 9 people over the age of 65 have Alzheimer’s disease. And those numbers are expected to grow: By 2050, as many as 12.7 million Americans are projected to have Alzheimer’s disease.
Additionally, there is currently no known cure for Alzheimer’s. With every bit of research being conducted, our understanding of the disease increases. We are getting one step closer to finding a cure, or at least finding better dementia treatments.
With all of that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the recent studies, findings, and advancements in dementia research.
Recent Alzheimer’s Research: Hot Flashes and Dementia
One study that was presented in 2023 found an interesting association between hot flashes and dementia. Women going through menopause who were experiencing hot flashes, particularly during sleep, were found to have a higher risk of Alzheimer’s.
Continued research in this area could determine whether hot flashes during sleep are a reliable midlife marker of brain health and Alzheimer’s disease risk. Studies like this have the potential to help us diagnose Alzheimer’s earlier, or prevent it from even developing.
The Latest Alzheimer’s Research: ABCA7 Gene
A lot of research recently has also been focused on the ABCA7 gene. Studies over the past few years have suggested that variations in this gene could be an indicator of dementia.
ABCA7 plays a large role in brain functioning. If it is associated with Alzheimer’s disease, it could be a key to helping us understand how the disease impacts the brain. Manipulations of the ABCA7 gene are a promising potential treatment for dementia.
Recent Dementia Research: Cholesterol and Dementia
Another interesting association that has been discovered this year is that between cholesterol and dementia. What may be surprising is that the research actually found a stronger association between “good” cholesterol (HDL) and dementia than it did between “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and dementia.
Levels of HDL that were very high or very low were found to be associated with higher dementia risk. “Good” cholesterol levels then, could be a controllable risk factor that we are able to make use of to prevent dementia. If people are able to make lifestyle changes to keep their HDL in the normal range, they may be decreasing their risk of dementia at the same time.
Just like with all the other studies above, more research needs to be done in this area to draw any concrete conclusions. But any associations that improve our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease are worth noting and paying attention to.
Finding A Cure For Alzheimer’s Disease
None of the research described above has found a cure for Alzheimer’s disease – yet. But there is promise that the developments made throughout 2023 could eventually lead to more effective dementia treatments or even a cure for Alzheimer’s.
As we learn more about the ABCA7 gene and its role in dementia, researchers may be able to exploit it as an effective dementia treatment. As we learn more about the connection between cholesterol and dementia, it may prove to be an avenue through which people can decrease their risk of developing dementia. And the research about hot flashes and Alzheimer’s brings us one step closer to understanding how to identify different warning signs of Alzheimer’s before it develops.
All of this information is valuable in the fight to end Alzheimer’s. And the team at our world-class memory care homes stays on the forefront of all the recent developments like these to ensure our residents are receiving the best memory care possible.
Looking ahead to 2024, we are excited for the continuing developments in Alzheimer’s research and even more studies that help us better understand this debilitating disease.
Sources:
https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures
https://n.neurology.org/content/100/2/e133
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8124837/
https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/alz.067665
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780128001059000342
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2019.00387/full
