Hope for Alzheimer’s

Research, studies and new drugs encourage seniors diagnosed with or suffering the disease.The number of cases of Alzheimer’s disease in the United States could more than double in the next 50 years, but great strides are being made in studies of the disease, research shows.

Dr. Carl Cotman, executive director of UC Irvine’s Institute for Brain Aging and Dementia, discussed some of the recent studies and findings Thursday in a presentation titled “Delaying Alzheimer’s Disease: Behavioral, Dietary and Pharmacological Interventions.”

Cotman is the recipient of the 2004 UCI Medal for his outstanding contributions to research.

In Thursday’s presentation, Cotman discussed how exercise, diet and some of the Alzheimer’s drugs can help delay development of the disease. Using studies performed at UC Irvine to back his statements, Cotman said exercise and a healthy diet rich in antioxidants have proven to improve brain activity and learning ability, therefore slowing the progression and at times even reversing effects of Alzheimer’s. He also said regular social activity and intellectual stimulation help.

UC Irvine also has been testing and studying drugs such as Aracept that can help alleviate symptoms and improve functions.

“The secret is to combine all of these into a healthy lifestyle,” Cotman said.

He also touched briefly on the subject of stem cell research being conducted in the field, but said that although much of the research looks promising, it is still in its early stages.

Cotman said despite all the research going on around the country and the $1 billion being spent on Alzheimer’s studies, only 15% of the proposed research is funded.

“The main thing [for people to do] is to advocate support for research,” Cotman said. “There’s a great need to bring more money in.”

Newport Beach resident Herb Hoffman, 77, attended Thursday’s event because he got a flier in the mail. He said his curiosity was peaked because he is interested in stem cell research.

Hoffman said he has not been affected by Alzheimer’s disease and until listening to Cotman’s research, he didn’t think he could be. He said the information discussed will help to reinforce many of the things he already does.

“Now I know why I’m taking fish oil every morning,” Hoffman said. “I will probably buy more multi-vitamins.... All the things I do are the right things.”

John Rumsfeld of Newport Beach also attended Thursday’s event. He said the research at UC Irvine has always been of interest to him.

“The neurological institute has become world famous, and I’m interested in keeping up with what they do,” he said, adding that right in his own backyard is one of the most important places for medical research in the country.

Hal Schwennesen of Newport Beach was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in May of 2003. The 78-year-old said he saw a bulletin at the Oasis Senior Center seeking people for a study on memory loss and had recently started experiencing that, so he made an appointment.

“It’s important to see a doctor as soon as you notice anything wrong,” Schwennesen said, adding that often seniors dismiss memory problems as typical symptoms of aging, an attitude he thinks is foolish. “It’s a great institution, and I’m so grateful I’m able to help in the research program.”

Schwennesen has since participated in three separate studies at UC Irvine. He takes Aracept and Namenda, which are provided by the university.

“Thank God the medicine is helping, and I can remember how to spell Schwennesen,” he joked. “I’ve been doing crossword puzzles also, and that helps, they say.”

Schwennesen said he walks for half an hour every day and goes for an occasional swim. He and his wife Jean also take part in Alzheimer’s support groups, which he said he finds helpful.

A support group sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Assn. Orange County Chapter is scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. on Nov. 17 at Harbor Trinity Church, 1230 Baker St., Costa Mesa. For a complete list of upcoming support groups, or for more information on the Alzheimer’s Assn. Orange County Chapter, call (800) 272-3900 or visit www.alzoc.org.

WARNING SIGNS OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

* Memory loss

* Difficulty performing familiar tasks

* Problems with language

* Disorientation to time and place

* Poor or decreased judgment

* Problems with abstract thinking

* Misplacing things

* Changes in mood or behavior

* Changes in personality

* Loss of initiative

SOME STATISTICS ABOUT THE DISEASE

* An estimated 4.5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. The number of Americans with Alzheimer’s has more than doubled since 1980.

* The number of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease will continue to grow to as many as 16 million by 2050. the number of individuals with Alzheimer’s could range from 11.3 million to 16 million.

* Finding a treatment that could delay onset by five years could reduce the number of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease by nearly 50% after 50 years.

* A person with Alzheimer’s disease will live an average of eight years and as many as 20 years or more from the onset of symptoms as estimated by relatives. From the time of diagnosis, people with Alzheimer’s disease survive about half as long as those of similar age without dementia. Average survival time is affected by age at diagnosis and severity of other medical conditions.

* National direct and indirect annual costs of caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease are at least $100 billion, according to estimates used by the Alzheimer’s Assn. and the National Institute on Aging.

* Alzheimer’s disease costs American business $61 billion a year, according to a report commissioned by the Alzheimer’s Assn. Of that figure, $24.6 billion covers Alzheimer health care and $36.5 billion covers costs related to caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s, including lost productivity, absenteeism and worker replacement.

* The average lifetime cost of care for an individual with Alzheimer’s is $174,000.

DATES TO REMEMBER

November is National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.

* Nov. 6 -- The 12th Annual Memory Walk at Camp James in Irvine. For more information, visit www.ocwalk.com. kintera.org

* Nov. 15 -- National Memory Screening Day. For more information, visit www.nationalmemory screening.org

All information is from National Alzheimer’s Assn. Website www.alz.org.

MARK DUSTIN / DAILY PILOTCarl Cotman, professor of neurology at UC Irvine’s School of Medicine, presents his lecture, “Delaying Alzheimer’s Disease: Behavioral, Dietary and Pharmacological Interventions,” at UCI’s Beckman Center Thursday night. A diagram of a brain is projected on the screen to the right of Cotman. 20051105ipgjn0knMARK DUSTIN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Dr. Carl Cotman, professor of neurology at UC Irvine’s School of Medicine, presents his lecture, “Delaying Alzheimer’s Disease: Behavioral, Dietary and Pharmacological Interventions”, at UC Irvine’s Beckman Center Thursday night. A diagram of the brain is projected on the screen to the right of Dr. Cotman.