Princeton Medical Institute offers advances in modern Alzheimer’s treatment

   As we get older it is not uncommon to experience a few problems with our memories: trouble recalling a familiar name or occasionally forgetting where we put something. Although these “senior moments” may be a source of frustration, they greatly differ from the more serious problem of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disorder that causes loss of memory and cognitive function, impairing a person’s ability to perform routine tasks of daily life.
   People suffering from Alzheimer’s disease have particular difficulty with memory recall and may be unable to execute tasks that were once easy and effortless. For example, a person may get lost even when only a few blocks away from his or her home. People with Alzheimer’s may even be unable to recall the names of family members or entire personal experiences, explains Dr. Jeffrey Apter who is a leader in Alzheimer’s research and innovative drug treatments. Dr. Apter is the president of the Princeton Medical Institute and also serves on the advisory board of the New Jersey Alzheimer’s Association Scientific Committee and is a research collaborator at Princeton University.
   Alzheimer’s disease is associated with an abnormal protein called amyloid, which is deposited in the brain causing lesions called plaques and tangles. Although several drugs are now approved to treat Alzheimer’s disease, none of them prevent or dissolve amyloid buildup. New research is now under way to make early diagnosis possible. Radioactive dye is used in PET scans to identify amyloid deposits in the brain. A new area of research is emerging in a study of amyloid levels of high-risk individuals of families with a history of Alzheimer’s. The incidence of Alzheimer’s disease is increasing each year in the United States and is forecast to escalate in the next decade with the aging of the baby boomers. The number of people suffering from Alzheimer’s is projected to jump from 4 million to 16 million by 2050.
   Drugs like Exelon, Aricept, Reminyl, and Namenda have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of Alzheimer’s; however, new approaches are being explored including the most recent development of an antibody that attacks the amyloid plaque. This new generation of medications is currently undergoing clinical trials.
   Princeton Medical Institute, a nationwide leader in Alzheimer’s medication research is currently enrolling studies for patients in all stages of the disease. The institute offers free scanning for patients experiencing memory difficulties.
For more information on Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s research, call Princeton Medical Institute 609-921-6050.