Alzheimer's Hope

This year may be significant for Alzheimer's disease sufferers all over the world.

February 9, 2012, marked the announcement of an unusual weapon in our arsenal to treat one of our species most heartbreaking ailments. Mice with brain plaques were dosed by researchers with a drug already on the market. Doctors found spectacular results with a skin cancer drug previously used specifically to treat the sarcomas of AIDs patients.

Plaques and tangles in mouse brains began to clear from the tiny mouse patients within hours of starting the doses. Within three days, over half their Alzhimer type plaques had vanished and the critters recovered memory and some of their lost cognition.

This is so amazing that it might even be considered a cure.

But the drug has not been tested on humans for dementia. Approval for this purpose will be sought after, to be sure, and it is an approved human drug at present, so the likelihood of approval is not as tough as if it were the "new kid on the block".

Think of it. The nursing homes and continuing care facilities could scale back.

Home care could be so much more fun when your parent or spouse shares experiences or even the cooking.

Think of it. The future might be just one shot at your local pharmacy and then you could have Grammy back.

I just get goose bumps.

Seniors Rock.