July 18, 2012

As PFCD partner the Alzheimer’s Association is currently in the midst of the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, USA Today reports exciting news about the possibilities that early detection of Alzheimer’s offers. At the conference, 5000 researchers have gathered to further understand early warning signs and new therapies that may delay the progression of the disease. 

A new wave of research and clinical trials have focused on understanding how the disease progresses. Researchers believe that if they can slow down the progression of the disease, they will be able to prevent the worst damage that occurs from destroyed brain cells.

The significance of this new understanding – that the disease can be slowed, preventing the worst damage – is that researchers are emphasizing that early intervention is key. They are even comparing it to other diseases that have been made more manageable over the past few years such as diabetes, heart disease and even HIV, which was previously thought of as a disease with a terminal prognosis.

As both the public and private sectors increase their support of Alzheimer’s research, we at PFCD are looking forward to the day when the public perception of Alzheimer’s is that it is one of the chronic diseases that can be better managed and even prevented with the right knowledge and follow-through.