Alzheimer’s: the new scenarios in the fight against the disease

The 21 September and the World Alzheimer’s Day, an opportunity not to forget those who, on the other hand, due to an inexorable process of cognitive degeneration, tend to gradually forget about themselves and who they were.

Today Alzheimer’s involves approx 600 thousand people in Italy, with a higher incidence around 74 – 75 years, a smaller percentage (less than a third) who “encounters” the disease before the age of 75 and a very small portion (about 5%), who falls ill before the age of 55.

The scientific community is still cautious about Alzheimer’s today, as an effective cure has not yet been discovered. But there are some interesting scenarios, and above all a lot can be done with one early diagnosis and with a lifestyle that promotes neurological decline.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in fact, he approved Aducanumab, a drug developed by the Pharmaceutical Company Biogen Inc. After decades of scientific research, this is the first treatment that specifically addresses the degenerative process of the disease and is not limited to just “attacking” the symptoms of dementia.

Aducanumab, in fact, seems to be able to slow down cognitive decline by acting directly on the two proteins – l’amyloid and the your – associated with Alzheimer’s disease, reducing its accumulation: it is in fact these two, which with aging, alter, causing neurodegeneration. This could be an important step towards the development of therapeutic treatments that aim to stop the progression of the disease.

Although there are still doubts about the efficacy, even taking into account the different contraindications, this result affirms the importance of research to be able to provide answers and hopes to patients, family members and caregivers (about 3 million people in Italy).

Therefore, the importance of supporting research emerges, especially that aimed at early diagnosis on which research has always focused Airalzh Onlus (Italian Association for Alzheimer’s Research) which, since 2014 – the year of its foundation – is the only association that promotes medical-scientific research on Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia at national level.

«Also in the Alzheimer’s field there is more and more talk of target drugs, as for cancer research – comments the Professor Alessandro Padovani, founding partner and member of the Board of Directors of Airalzh, as well as Director of the Clinic of Neurology at the University of Brescia and at the ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia – Of particular interest, in this area, the development of gene therapies which allow to stimulate the production of neurotrophic factors in order to improve the resistance of neurons to cerebral aging and neurodegenerative diseases. In other words, we must acknowledge that Alzheimer’s disease is much more complex than previously thought and will require different and personalized treatments».

Research is fundamental for Airalzh, committing itself every year, with the assignment to young researchers of “Airalzh Grants for Young Researchers” (AGYR), funds that make it possible to develop and enhance independent careers.

The latest grants awarded (AGYR 2020) focused onidentification of the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease: the symptoms of this pathology appear when the picture is already compromised and clinical trials have shown that drugs can obtain less favorable results when the disease is already in full swing.

Only six months after the winners of the “AGYR 2020” call were announced, Dr. Alberto Benussi, operating at the Neurological Clinic of the “Spedali Civili” of Brescia, is the one that is obtaining the most concrete results.

Benussi posted on Brain Stimulation – publisher ELSEVIER – a multicenter study that analyzed the results of a non-invasive test – the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation – on 160 subjects with mild cognitive impairment. The study demonstrated how it is possible to identify and distinguish three particular severe forms of dementia from each other thanks to a specific algorithm.

An early understanding of the pathogenetic process that is causing the mild cognitive impairment can facilitate the selection of probable patients to be included in the trial of new therapies.

The other six Researchers winners of the “AGYR 2020” Call are working on their respective projects, waiting to have the first tangible results as well. All of them are focusing on identifying the disease in its early stages, because that is the moment in which the process can be slowed down and, if the treatment with Aducanumab were to confirm its effectiveness and enter the protocols, it will be possible to intervene effectively with a treatment.

HOW TO APPROACH THE DISEASE

Among the topics promoted by Airalzh Onlus, on the occasion of World Alzheimer’s Day, there is also theapproach to the Alzheimer’s disease it must be multidimensional and multidisciplinary. To prevent this type of disease, in fact, there is numerous evidence in favor of the protective role of lifestyles and habits (healthy, dietary and social), which we know can delay the onset of symptoms or reduce the risk of onset of other chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes …

This is the theme on which the next projects of the “AGYR 2021” Call, published at the end of May with a budget of 300 thousand euros, will focus. 62 applications from young researchers were received and the winners will be announced by the end of 2021.

Medicine progresses very slowly, but in the end it achieves positive results, as happened with the case of Aducanumab. During the trials with Aducanumab there have been cases in which patients, after four years, have maintained their abilities and autonomy. Not everyone will likely benefit equally and it should be remembered that therapy can have side effects. So research will still be needed to identify patients who will respond best to therapy early.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES TO PREVENT DISEASE

But what are the lifestyles healthy, which can positively affect the onset of Alzheimer’s, or at least delay its onset? We asked Professor Padovani for them, who explained them to us. You can find them below and in our gallery. We remember that they are lifestyles that are always valid for the prevention of any type of degenerative disease, therefore useful for everyone to follow.

Beware of air pollution: Research shows that there is a direct link between exposure to air and water pollution and the onset of degenerative diseases. Although little can be done directly on the issue, it is good to adopt environmentally friendly behavior. To each do their part.

Keep neurons in training: It has been shown that those who hold stimulating job positions, or those for which they have responsibilities and require continuous updating, or those who have a high level of education, or in any case keep the synapses active, nourishing the mind with courses, books, notions of different like … has a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s. This “bombardment” of information in fact has the merit of making synapses more resistant.

Keep fit: Nonetheless, physical activity is important to slow down cellular aging, and therefore also that of neurons.

Take care of the feeding: Brain and gut microbiome are closely linked. A diet low in saturated fat and salt can help contain or delay the onset of degenerative diseases. Salt in particular, if taken in high quantities, can increase the presence in the blood of amyloid and tau proteins, responsible for the onset of Alzheimer’s.

Take care of social relationships: We are social animals, so the network of knowledge is essential for a state of good health (including mental), especially in adulthood. Loneliness is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s.