By Dr. Doreen DeStefano, NhD, APRN, DNP
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurologic disorder that causes the brain to shrink and brain cells to die. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) defines it as a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks.
Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, a term used for memory loss and loss of cognitive skills. Between 60 and 80 percent of dementia cases are caused by this disease. Dementia symptoms become worse over time as Alzheimer’s disease progresses in a patient. In the beginning, memory loss is minimal, but over time, a patient will reach the final stage in which he will no longer be able to interact with his environment. Patients generally live 6-8 years after symptoms first appear, but some live much longer.
It is estimated that somewhere around 6 million Americans over the age of 65 suffer from Alzheimer’s. As our population grows older, the number of those suffering from the disease will increase significantly unless progress is made toward prevention and improved treatment. There is no cure at this time, but progress is being made. Medications do not stop the progression of the disease, but do, at least to some degree, slow down the symptoms and help to improve the quality of life of patients with Alzheimer’s.
The Latest Treatments
Stem Cell Therapy
According to the National Library of Medicine’s website, stem cell therapy is making strides in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) where previous treatments have not been successful. “To date, almost all advanced clinical trials on specific AD-related pathways have failed mostly due to a large number of neurons lost in the brain of patients with AD. Also, currently available drug candidates intervene too late. Stem cells have improved characteristics of self-renewal, proliferation, differentiation, and recombination with the advent of stem cell technology and the transformation of these cells into different types of central nervous system neurons and glial cells. Stem cell treatment has been successful in AD animal models. Recent preclinical studies on stem cell therapy for AD have proved to be promising. Cell replacement therapies, such as human embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural cells, have the potential to treat patients with AD, and human clinical trials are ongoing in this regard. However, many steps still need to be taken before stem cell therapy becomes a clinically feasible treatment for human AD and related diseases. This paper reviews the pathophysiology of AD and the application prospects of related stem cells based on cell type.”1
Light Therapy
Light therapy is the controlled adjustment of your circadian rhythm using light stimulation.
Your circadian rhythm, also known as your body’s internal 24-hour clock, controls your sleep-wake cycle by responding to how light around you changes. On the cellular level, it allows cells to recognize what time of day it is so they can perform specific functions. Light therapy uses artificial light to help reset your internal clock when things are awry.
It may seem unusual to use a circadian rhythm-focused therapy on a neurodegenerative condition, but sleep-wake dysfunction is a prominent part of life with Alzheimer’s.
Research indicates sleep disorders occur early in the course of Alzheimer’s and worsen as it progresses. Daytime napping and sleep-wake cycle shifts are common.2
Methylene Blue
According to experts at the University of Texas Health Science Center, an oral dosage of Methylene Blue can improve the reaction of brain areas that govern concentration and short-term memory.
Major cytopathology in the patients’ brains includes the failure of mitochondria and energy rate, which are presumably caused by the buildup of harmful amyloid-beta peptides. Methylene Blue boosts heme production and mitochondrial respiration, which is deficient in Alzheimer’s disease brains.
Methylene Blue has repeatedly been shown to be one of the most effective treatments for delaying maturity in human cells. One of Methylene Blue’s primary actions seems to be to improve mitochondrial activity.
Usually, Methylene Blue is utilized in its original form as methylthioninium chloride; however, clinical testing in Alzheimer’s used both forms- reduced and oxidized Methylene Blue.
Oxidative stress is reduced in the accumulation of Alzheimer’s-like tau and -amyloid. Methylene blue decreases mitochondrial oxidant generation and free radical creation in vitro. It can also alter mitochondrial respiration downstream activities such as lipid oxidation, ATP synthesis, and ECM formation, contributing to improved neuronal oxidative metabolic capacity. Methylene blue may easily transition between oxidized and reduced states, acting as an electron carrier in the electron transport chain of the mitochondrial matrix. Additionally, methylene blue therapy increases cellular Oxygen consumption, ATP generation, and glucose absorption.3
While no absolute cure has been discovered for Alzheimer’s disease, these and other treatments can help a patient live a longer and fuller life. Symptoms can be less dramatic and patients and their families can decrease the gravity of the disease.
Contact Root Causes to find out more about these and other Alzheimer’s treatments.
Root Causes
12734 Kenwood Lane. Ft Myers, FL 33907 #56
239-425-2900 | www.rtcausesmd.com
References
1. L;, L.X.L. Stem cell therapy for Alzheimer’s disease, World journal of stem
cells. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32952859/.
2. Gillette, H. (2023) Alzheimer’s light therapy: What are the benefits?,
Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/alzheimers/
alzheimers-light-therapy#light-therapy-for-alzheimers.
3. Agrawal, A. (2022) Methylene blue for Alzheimer’s disease, Macsen Labs.
Available at: https://www.macsenlab.com/blog/methylene-blue-in-the-
treatment-of-alzheimers/ .