Finding a cure for Alzheimer’s has become as tangled as the tau threads long considered to be the core cause of the disease. But now, scientists may be coming a step nearer to untangling the mystery of Alzheimer's, through a new train of thought. The latest Alzheimer’s research results are leaning towards a potential inflammatory reaction in the brain, which raises the question: could Alzheimer’s disease really be an autoimmune disorder?
Diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and even seasonal allergy sufferers know all too well the repercussions of a hyperactive immune system. In a perfect world, our immune system shields us from viruses, bacteria, and other infections that need to be eradicated. However, with an autoimmune disorder, antibodies attack healthy, non-invasive cells, causing inflammation and other undesirable effects.
In past Alzheimer’s disease studies, those infamous amyloid plaques have been the focus. Yet we also understand that even in healthy brains, those plaques are present and are hypothesized to carry out some type of helpful purpose. The immune system targets these plaques, destroying them along with possibly healthy cells in the process: suggestive of a potential autoimmune response.
This unconventional new approach to studying and developing treatment options for Alzheimer’s has won lead author of the research, Don Weaver, MD, PhD, of the Krembil Brain Institute, the 2022 Oskar Fischer Prize, which “recognizes innovative ideas in Alzheimer’s research that look beyond prevailing theories.”
For the rest of us, it offers hope that a cure for the illness that strikes an enormous number of people may possibly be on the way. Until then, turn to The Care Company, the top provider of in-home help for seniors in Toronto and the surrounding areas, for skilled, creative, and compassionate dementia care services that help individuals with Alzheimer’s disease continue to live to their fullest potential in the homes they love. Our caregivers are adept in helping those with dementia and the families who love them to better deal with some of the more troubling facets of the disease, like:
Wandering and wanting to go “home”
Agitation, aggression, and other strong and difficult emotions
Growing unease in the late afternoon and overnight hours (sundowning)
Repetitive conversations and behaviors
Memory problems
And much more
We will partner with your family to provide as much or as little care as needed to provide you with the breaks from caregiving you need for your own overall health. After all, caring for a person with dementia is never a single-person undertaking, especially as the disease progresses. Taking time away for self-care and to recharge is incredibly beneficial for you and your family as well as for the person you love with dementia. A well-rested care provider is more patient and better prepared to provide the level of care a senior with dementia needs and deserves.
Contact us online or call (416) 422-2273 for further helpful dementia care resources, and to schedule a free in-home meeting to learn more about how our dementia care experts can help maximize quality of life for a person you love.