Asthma Treatment for Alzheimer's Disease?

Who would have guessed that the very same treatment to help you manage respiratory symptoms can also help improve your brain health? Researchers now believe that one type of the FDA-approved asthma medication, Zileuton, might be able to slow down or even reverse Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's is a life-threatening condition that interferes with the brain's functioning, memory, and reasoning ability. The disease usually progresses until the patient is no longer able to manage basic day-to-day activities, according to the National Alzheimer's Association. This eventually leads to a decline in health and finally death.

Despite the threat that this all-too common illness poses for so many people, until now there's been little that can be done to treat Alzheimer's or to stop it from progressing. But a study published in the American Journal of Pathology in March 2011, conducted by researchers from Temple University's School of Medicine, offers new hope for patients and families to better manage or treat the disease using Zileuton, which is currently prescribed for asthma.

Since there isn't an obvious link between asthma and Alzheimer's, it may seem confusing as to how the benefits of this asthma medication can extend to both diseases. To understand the connection, you need to know that one major risk factor of being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease is the release of an enzyme in the brain that causes a chain reaction that ultimately leads to dangerous brain plaque build-up.

While earlier Alzheimer's treatments have tried to prevent this condition from developing, they have backfired because they have also blocked protective actions needed to avoid cancer and other serious illnesses.

The asthma treatment affects the same enzyme, though, and also seems to achieve the right balance, inhibiting the dangerous effects without hampering the vital functions needed to safeguard health. Studies on mice using this asthma treatment have shown a 50 percent reduction of the related brain plaque without ill effects.

As a result, scientists are now looking to modify the asthma treatment and tailor it specifically to help prevent and treat Alzheimer's.

While asthma drugs aren't yet approved to officially treat Alzheimer's, if you already take Zileuton you may still reap the extra benefits. You can also talk to your doctor to determine your likelihood of being diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Keep in mind that while you can't prevent Alzheimer's disease at this point, the latest research suggests that eating well, managing your weight, exercising regularly, and keeping your overall health at its best can help reduce your risk.

Sources:

"Alzheimer's Facts and Figures." Alzheimer's Association. Alzheimer's Association, 20 April 2011. Web. 10 May 2011.

"Alzheimer's Information." Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Service (ADEAR). National Institute on Aging, 8 Dec 2010. Web. 10 May 2011.

"Asthma Drug Could Help Control or Treat Alzheimer's Disease." Temple University. Temple.edu, 25 March 2011. Web. 9 March 2011.

Chua, Jin and Pratic, Domenico. "Pharmacologic Blockade of 5-Lipoxygenase Improves the Amyloidotic Phenotype of an Alzheimer's Disease Transgenic Mouse Model: Involvement of ?-Secretase." The American Journal of Pathology, Volume 178, Issue 4, April 2011: 1762-1769. Web. 9 March 2011.

View the original article here

Asthma Treatment for Alzheimer's Disease?

Who would have guessed that the very same treatment to help you manage respiratory symptoms can also help improve your brain health? Researchers now believe that one type of the FDA-approved asthma medication, Zileuton, might be able to slow down or even reverse Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's is a life-threatening condition that interferes with the brain's functioning, memory, and reasoning ability. The disease usually progresses until the patient is no longer able to manage basic day-to-day activities, according to the National Alzheimer's Association. This eventually leads to a decline in health and finally death.

Despite the threat that this all-too common illness poses for so many people, until now there's been little that can be done to treat Alzheimer's or to stop it from progressing. But a study published in the American Journal of Pathology in March 2011, conducted by researchers from Temple University's School of Medicine, offers new hope for patients and families to better manage or treat the disease using Zileuton, which is currently prescribed for asthma.

Since there isn't an obvious link between asthma and Alzheimer's, it may seem confusing as to how the benefits of this asthma medication can extend to both diseases. To understand the connection, you need to know that one major risk factor of being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease is the release of an enzyme in the brain that causes a chain reaction that ultimately leads to dangerous brain plaque build-up.

While earlier Alzheimer's treatments have tried to prevent this condition from developing, they have backfired because they have also blocked protective actions needed to avoid cancer and other serious illnesses.

The asthma treatment affects the same enzyme, though, and also seems to achieve the right balance, inhibiting the dangerous effects without hampering the vital functions needed to safeguard health. Studies on mice using this asthma treatment have shown a 50 percent reduction of the related brain plaque without ill effects.

As a result, scientists are now looking to modify the asthma treatment and tailor it specifically to help prevent and treat Alzheimer's.

While asthma drugs aren't yet approved to officially treat Alzheimer's, if you already take Zileuton you may still reap the extra benefits. You can also talk to your doctor to determine your likelihood of being diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Keep in mind that while you can't prevent Alzheimer's disease at this point, the latest research suggests that eating well, managing your weight, exercising regularly, and keeping your overall health at its best can help reduce your risk.

Sources:

"Alzheimer's Facts and Figures." Alzheimer's Association. Alzheimer's Association, 20 April 2011. Web. 10 May 2011.

"Alzheimer's Information." Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Service (ADEAR). National Institute on Aging, 8 Dec 2010. Web. 10 May 2011.

"Asthma Drug Could Help Control or Treat Alzheimer's Disease." Temple University. Temple.edu, 25 March 2011. Web. 9 March 2011.

Chua, Jin and Pratic, Domenico. "Pharmacologic Blockade of 5-Lipoxygenase Improves the Amyloidotic Phenotype of an Alzheimer's Disease Transgenic Mouse Model: Involvement of ?-Secretase." The American Journal of Pathology, Volume 178, Issue 4, April 2011: 1762-1769. Web. 9 March 2011.

View the original article here

No More Depression Symptoms? Are You're in the Clear?

Depression is a highly treatable disorder. However, many sufferers experience a recurrence or relapse of symptoms over time.

A relapse is an episode of major depression within six months after responding positively to treatment. A recurrence, in contrast, is another depressive episode that occurs more than six months after the first. Both are common. In fact, mental health experts consider major depressive disorder a chronic condition with frequent relapses and recurrences. Individuals with major depression are more likely to experience a relapse or recurrence than those with mild depression.

The earlier you seek treatment for depression after the onset of symptoms, the more effective treatment is and the less likely you are to have a recurrence. Some patients don't respond well to initial treatment and it takes several tries to find an effective therapy. However, the more treatment strategies required, the lower your odds of beating depression. Patients who become completely symptom free following treatment (versus those who only have a partial improvement) have a better chance of staying in remission.

Certain triggers increase the likelihood of depression relapse or recurrence, including friction within personal relationships, feeling overwhelmed with too much to do, feeling like others are judging or criticizing you, ending a relationship, and physical illness.

Furthermore, individuals who first become depressed after age 60 or have depressive risk factors, such as personal or family history, co-existing mental health conditions, and lingering symptoms after initial treatment are at greater risk for additional depressive episodes.

The goal of depression treatment is to eliminate symptoms so you can resume a normal quality of life and avoid future depressive episodes. You should not stop treatment without consulting your physician and if your treatment is not helping (after giving it sufficient time to take effect), tell your physician so she can try a different therapy. Every patient responds differently to different therapies and you need to find one that's right for you.

Patients with more serious forms of depression may need to remain on long-term maintenance treatment with antidepressant medications, psychotherapy, or both. Cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy after initial treatment with antidepressants helps many patients prevent future depressive episodes, especially adolescents. Practicing mindfulness-based cognitive therapy also helps prevent relapse in patients who are in remission.

You and your physician should monitor your symptoms and be alert for the onset of a relapse or recurrence so you can begin treatment immediately.

Sources:

ScienceDaily.com. "Mindfulness-Based Therapy Helps Prevent Depression Relapse." Web. 9 December 2010. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101206161734.htm

ScienceDaily.com. "Psychotherapy Prevents Relapse Of Depression In Many Women." Web. 3 May 2007.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070501075050.htm

Nirenberg, Andrew A. M.D., Petersen, Timothy J., Ph.D., and Alpert, Jonathan E. M.D. "Prevention of Relapse and Recurrence in Depression: The Role of Long-Term Pharmacotherapy and Psychotherapy." Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 64 [suppl 15] (2003): 13-17. Web. http://www.psychiatrist.com/pcc/pccpdf/v05s09/v64s1504.pdf

National Institute of Mental Health. "Depression Relapse Less Likely Among Teens Who Receive CBT After Medication Therapy." Science Update. Web. 5 December 2008.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/depression-relapse-less-likely-among-teens-who-receive-cbt-after-medication-therapy.shtml

National Institute of Mental Health. "Depression Patients' Brain Circuitry Makes Them Vulnerable to Relapse." Science Update. Web. 1 August 2008.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/depression-patients-brain-circuitry-makes-them-vulnerable-to-relapse.shtml

National Institute of Mental Health. "Odds of Beating Depression Diminish as Additional Treatment Strategies are Needed." Science Update. Web. 1 November 2006.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2006/odds-of-beating-depression-diminish-as-additional-treatment-strategies-are-needed.shtml

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