Federal officials announced today a groundbreaking clinical trial in the world of Alzheimer’s research—one that could potentially lead to treatments that prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
According to The New York Times, a drug developed by Genetech Inc. will be tested on an extended family in Colombia who have a rare, inherited genetic disposition that guarantees they will develop Alzheimer’s. Those with the mutation begin showing signs of cognitive impairment around age 45, with full-blown dementia around age 51, reports the Times.
The study will run for five years—though researchers could detect in as little as two years whether the drugs are helping delay telltale brain changes.
National Institutes of Health officials also announced that part of the trial will include a small number of Americans with the gene mutations guaranteed to cause early-onset Alzheimer’s. This new trial could offer answers—and hope—for the millions of people living with Alzheimer’s worldwide. For a full report on the trial, visit The New York Times.
While most people get Alzheimer’s after age 65, up to 5% start suffering early, in their 40s and 50s. Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia where brain cells degenerate and die, causing problems with memory, thinking, and behavior—something an estimated 5.4 million Americans are living with, most of whom are women. Last month, legendary women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt retired at the age of 59 due to early onset Alzheimer’s.
There are steps you can take to help reduce your chances of developing the disease—at any age. Check out Prevention's .