PROGRESS: Bill Gates donated $100,000,000 to Alzheimer’s research. Here is an excerpt from his post, “What I Learned at Work This Year,” on positive trends in Alzheimer’s research in 2018.
EXCERPT: I saw two positive trends in Alzheimer’s research in 2018.
One is that researchers focused on a new set of ideas about how to stop Alzheimer’s.
The first generation of theories, which dominated the field for years, emphasized two proteins called amyloid and tau. These proteins cause plaques and tangles in the brain, clogging up and killing brain cells. The idea was to stop the plaques and tangles from forming. I hope these approaches pay off, but we have not seen much evidence that they will.
In the past year, researchers have doubled down on a second generation of hypotheses. One theory is that a patient’s brain cells break down because their energy producers (called mitochondria) wear out. Another is that brain cells break down because part of the immune system gets overactivated and attacks them.
This is a great example of how improving our understanding of biology will reduce both medical costs and human suffering.
The other trend this year is that the Alzheimer’s community focused on getting more and better access to data. We’re working with researchers to make it easier for them to share information from their studies broadly so that we can better understand questions like how the disease progresses.
Over the past few years, the U.S. government has dramatically stepped up funding for Alzheimer’s research, from $400 million a year to over $2 billion a year. There is also a big push to create better diagnostics.
The only problem where I don’t yet see a clear path forward yet is how to develop more efficient ways to recruit patients for clinical trials. Without a simple and reliable diagnostic for Alzheimer’s, it’s hard to find eligible people early enough in the disease’s progression who can participate in trials. It can take years to enroll enough patients. If we could find a way to pre-screen participants, we could start new trials more quickly.
But there is so much momentum in other areas—scientific tools, better diagnostics, improved access to data—that as long as we can solve the recruitment problem, I am confident that we will make substantial progress in the next decade or two.
I’m studying the infectious disease theory of AD and it seems that infection may the underlying cause of changes to the blood brain barrier as well as mitochondia, which are recognized as ancient bacteria. Elaine Moore
When we have the best brains and will on this, sure we shall have success. The brain hard disk needs to be prevented from corruption and needs to be defragmented regularly
what you are going to need most are caregivers who actually form meaningful relationships with dementia clients, utilizing palliative care and technology. dementia needs meaningful interaction at intense level…no just meds and babysitters
Let's keep the keeping going, better days ahead am skeptical
The retirement homes are full of patients at different levels of Dementia. I am so happy that currently there is a study taking place in my Mother's Residence.