A team led by Dr. Kiran Bhaskar, an Indian-American scientist at the University of New Mexico, is pioneering a novel approach to combat Alzheimer’s disease. Through their groundbreaking research, they have developed a prototype vaccine that could potentially transform the way we treat this debilitating condition.
The designed vaccine could rescue memory impairments and stave off neuron death by diminishing tau tangles in parts of the brain crucial for memory and learning. This experimental vaccine utilizes virus-like particles (VLPs) to stimulate antibody production in mice to combat tau tangles. It is hypothesized that these tau tangles are also responsible for inciting symptoms of Alzheimer’s in humans.
Tau is a protein that, when tangled in the brain, disrupts neuron communication, impairing vital cognitive functions. Our body’s immune system can generate antibodies capable of eliminating these tau tangles, exemplifying the potential effectiveness of this vaccine.
Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease, a distressing neurological disorder, causes a progressive degeneration and eventual death of brain cells. This catastrophic cellular destruction leads to memory loss, speech and writing difficulties, poor judgment, personality changes, confusion over time and place, among other symptoms. Initially mild, these symptoms intensify over time, severely impacting the patient’s quality of life.
Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia among older adults. Dementia is a collective term for various brain disorders that cause the erosion of intellectual and social skills. The disease is characterized by the build-up of proteins known as tangles or plaques within the brain, leading some to categorize it as the third type of diabetes.
Though aging significantly increases the risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, rare genetic mutations can also trigger symptoms as early as the 30s. It is currently incurable, as the death of brain cells cannot be reversed. Demonstrating a gender disparity, women have a significantly higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease than men. The US Department of Health and Human Services states that nearly twice as many women suffer from Alzheimer’s disease compared to men.
Key Facts and Findings
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| People with dementia in India | More than 4 million |
| Projected increase by 2050 | Triple the current number |
| Global number of people with dementia | At least 44 million |
| Gender disparity | Women are at nearly twice the risk compared to men |
Alzheimer’s – A Global Health Crisis
India currently houses more than 4 million individuals suffering from some form of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, and this number is projected to triple by 2050. Globally, at least 44 million people are living with dementia, bolstering the urgency with which this disease must be addressed. Western countries report high Alzheimer’s rates due to robust diagnostic processes. In contrast, in countries like India, dementia often goes unnoticed, mistaken for a natural process of aging, exacerbating the need for increased awareness and improved diagnosis.
