Hype vs. Hope - What Is Behind The Claims Of The New "Wonder Cures" for Alzheimer's?

I read "hype" about a new "wonder cure" or "incredible treatment" for Alzheimer's.disease and other dementias on almost a regular basis. Every support group and educational workshop that I speak to, I emphasize that before someone buys into what they are reading about a "wonder cure",or "incredible treatment" to do their own research. I for one would rather wait for scientific proof from the National Institute of Health (NIH) and approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) than to have false hope.

"A growing number of herbal remedies, dietary supplements and "medical foods" are promoted as memory enhancers or treatments to delay or prevent Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Claims about the safety and effectiveness of these products, however, are based largely on testimonials, tradition and a rather small body of scientific research. The rigorous scientific research required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the approval of a prescription drug is not required by law for the marketing of dietary supplements or "medical foods." according to the Alzheimer's Association.

All types of unproven therapies can be economically harmful, often draining precious dollars from older Americans' limited resources.

"We all want to believe a cure is on the horizon, that an effective treatment is over the next hill. I'll believe it when I see it AND when there is placebo-controlled, double-blind, valid, reliable, repeatable, high quality medical evidence behind it. Those studies must be both statistically significant AND clinically significant. A single study with a small number of patients is essentially worthless. Validation studies with large numbers of patients are key. So go ahead and have your coconut oil; it probably causes no harm as long as you are aware that there is no quality medical evidence for it at this time.", says Dr. David Kramer, a 59 year old physician, expert and advocate who was diagnosed at the age of 56 with early-onset Alzheimer's disease.

Here is the truth about FDA approved "Alzheimer's" medications: the medications currently on the market may improve cognitive and physical abilities for a short period of time but they are not cures. The FDA approved medications do NOT slow, stop or cure Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. (Aricept, Exelon, Razadyne, Namenda). These medications may create a temporary change in chemical activity in the brain to help the neurons that are still healthy do their job by communicating and connecting to each other to help cognitive abilities. The problem is that the medications approved for treatment by the FDA for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias is that they work where there is healthy tissue, it does NOT bring damaged neurons back to life so as the disease process continues, more damage is done to the healthy neurons and atrophy of the brain continues. FDA-approved drugs temporarily slow worsening of symptoms for about 6 to 12 months, on average, for about half of the individuals who take them.

I find the articles published by pharmaceutical companies, doctors, scientists, health gurus spouting "wonder cures" or "Incredible treatment" particularly disturbing when there is not enough accurate, reliable scientific proof to substantiate their claims. The proof that their claims are unreliable or unproven is that the cure or treatment is not approved by the FDA. The FDA was organized to protect American citizens by ensuring that medication and treatments have been strenuously tested without significant adverse effects or side effects on the person for whom it is prescribed.

Before you buy into the latest, greatest cure or treatment (not approved by the FDA), consider these thoughts:

• Was there a study or trial performed on humans (was this tested on mice, pigs, monkeys?)
• How many subjects paricipated (what was the size of the group)?
• How did the "scientist" or researchers determine the alleged success (what tools did they use to gauge success? Where those tools reliable and proven to perform what the researcher intended?
• How long was the study or trial performed?
• How many phases (how many times was the study or trial repeated with the same results proving their claims)
• Understand that companies selling and promoting these alternate treatments are not required to provide the FDA with the evidence on which it bases its claims for safety and effectiveness.
• Purity is unknown. The FDA has no authority over supplement production. It is a manufacturer's responsibility to develop and enforce its own guidelines for ensuring that its products are safe and contain the ingredients listed on the label in the specified amounts.

There are claims about "natural" cures or treatments. Just because something is naturally found in the enviroment, does not mean it is safe. In fact there are claims out there about "natural" cures or treatment" that could be in fact be dangerous, especially if you are already taking approved, prescribed medications. By using a "natural" substance, you may in fact be altering the intended effect for a medication you are already taking. Some of these "natural treatments or cures" publicized are: coconut oil, Ginkgo Biloba, Coenzyme Q10, Coral Calcium, Huperzine A, Tramiprosate (a modified form of taurine, an amino acid found naturally in seaweed) currently trademarked as Vivimind.

Before trying a product that is NOT an FDA approved treatment, research possible side effects and interactions with medications or treatment you are already receiving and possible effects it may have on other health conditions that you have been diagnosed with for which the "wonder cure" was not intended.

Sacred Heart Senior Living gets as complete medical history for every resident that includes current diagnoses, current medications, current therapies, current use of over-the-counter medications, treatments and supplements that have been approved by the resident's physician. Our highly trained nursing staff reviews this information with the resident's physician and family, looking for polypharmacy issues and observations by the resident and/or our staff for unleasant side effects to determine whether our residents are getting the proper treatment to provide the best quality of life and the very best care. For more information about this subject, to get information about our facility, support groups and educational workshops please call 610-814-2700.

Karen Francis

Consultant - Memory Care

Sacred Heart Senior Living