The Cleveland Clinic Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas is participating in a new trial aiming to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms. The trial is happening for the next four years in Las Vegas. The Cleveland Clinic, a large health organization in Las Vegas, is currently looking for volunteers to participate in the trial.
It is estimated that about 49,000 Nevadans live with Alzheimer’s disease. And just under that number of people are caretakers for these patients. The Cleveland Clinic has been testing a drug called Lecanemeb on patients with Alzheimer’s and have had positive results. The drug has been effective in treating those who currently live with the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
Now The Cleveland Clinic wants to take it a step further. They want to do a trial testing Lecanemeb on patients who don’t yet show the signs of the disease. They are looking for people over the age of 55 who have a family history of Alzheimer’s. Especially if they have noticed some changes in themselves lately.
What they will do first is a blood test on any potential participant to see if they have a protein called amyloid in their blood. If they do, the next step is to get imaging of the participant’s brain. This will tell whether the amyloid protein is being accumulated in the brain. If it is, the participant will begin the trial.
Lecanemeb has effectively removed the amyloid protein in the brain’s of people already experiencing Alzheimer’s symptoms. Now The Cleveland Clinic wants to see if the same drug can help people before they experience symptoms. In an interview with Fox 5 Vegas, Doctor Charles Bernick with the Cleveland Clinic said, “The idea is if we can get the amyloid out of the brain early before people have symptoms, we can actually impact the disease and possibly prevent or delay the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.”
To participate in the trial, click here. –Wendy Rush
Here are 10 early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
1. Significant Memory Loss
This is defined as memory loss that disrupts everyday life. Including asking the same question multiple times, or forgetting important dates or events.
2. Challenges In Problem Solving Or Planning
Includes trouble following a recipe someone has done several times or keeping track of their regular bills. Also taking much longer than usual to do things than before.
3. Trouble Executing Daily Routine
If someone is struggling to drive to a familiar location or suddenly forgets the rules to a favorite game, they may be experiencing the early signs of Alzheimer’s.
4. Confusion About Time Or Place
These symptoms can look like losing track of where they are or what season it is. Or confusion about how someone got to where they are.
5. Trouble With Spatial Relationships And Images
Vision issues are common for some with Alzheimer’s. Depth perception, color differentiation, or difficulty with balance or reading are reported as effects of this.
6. New Problems With Language
Following a conversation has been reported as a struggle for those with Alzheimer’s. Watch for things like stopping in the middle of a conversation, uncertain of how to proceed. Or someone repeated themselves or calling things by their wrong name.
7. Losing Things
People with the disease have often reported putting things where they don’t normally go, and not knowing how to retrace steps to find missing items. Sometimes the disease causes so much confusion here that people can accuse others of stealing their items.
8. Decrease In Sound Judgment
Sometimes those with Alzheimer’s stop making good decisions. Including things like impulsive spending or getting lazier about personal hygiene.
9. Withdrawal From Social Activities
Struggles in having conversations with others can sometimes lead someone to withdraw from engaging with other people.
10. Mood Or Personality Changes
Those with Alzheimer’s can have big changes in personality, including confusion, suspicion, depression, fear or anxiety. Especially when out of their comfort zone.
