Reducing Risk In Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease

[HysteryDiagnosis]

The last three sentences, (see more at link) explains that a MULTIMILLION DOLLAR clinical study is underway to determine what many already know to be true.


http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/94927.php

Pre-Clinical Study Using Martek's DHA Demonstrates New Role For DHA In Reducing Risk In Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease

In a recent pre-clinical study published in the December 26 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience, an omega-3 fatty acid found in algae called docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, was found to decrease an important risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease(1). Conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles using a mouse model, a diabetic rat model, and cultured human cells, the study found that DHA increases the production of LR11, a protein vital to clearing the brain of the enzymes that make the beta amyloid plaques that are thought to cause Alzheimer's disease. The investigators used Martek's DHA from microalgae for a portion of the research.

Alzheimer's patients are known to have reduced levels of LR11 which is a member of the ApoE/low density lipoprotein receptor family. DHA was shown in this study to increase the production of LR11. The publication suggests that DHA may be most useful for early intervention and prevention of late-onset AD. Late-onset Alzheimer's is the most common form of the disease. It occurs later in life and has no obvious family inheritance pattern. However, several risk factor genes may interact with each other and with environmental factors to cause the disease.

This study adds to the growing body of evidence demonstrating that DHA may play a role in decreasing the risk for Alzheimer's disease. The National Institutes of Health is now funding a multi-million dollar clinical study on the effects of vegetarian DHA from microalgae in slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease. The vegetarian DHA used in the NIH study is manufactured by Martek. Results from this NIH clinical study will be available in 2010.

[Richard D]

1. There are many conditions . . .

. . . related to lack of DHA and to the general fatty acid imbalance of the modern diet. Interesting (but not unexpected) to see Alzheimer's connected into this.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

2. Another more telling clip from the article so the resident

naysayers can see that real, yes REAL scientists are willing to explore what is staring some other real scientists square in the face.



>>The Buck Institute researchers have studied human brain tissue and found that, just as expected, patients suffering from Alzheimer's clearly show more of this cleavage process than people of the same age who do not have the disease. However, when the researchers extended their studies to much younger people without Alzheimer's disease, they were astonished to find an apparent paradox: these younger people displayed as much as 10 times the amount of the same cleavage event as the Alzheimer's patients. The researchers now believe they know why.

"Young brains operate like Ferraris -- shifting between forward and reverse, making and breaking memories with a facility that surpasses that of older brains, which are less plastic," Bredesen said.

The genetic mutation that protected the mice in the 2006 experiment from Alzheimer's prevented the cleavage inside the protein that is triggered by A-beta. Bredesen said the ultimate challenge is for researchers to develop a drug that can achieve the same effect in humans.

"The fact that many people develop A-beta plaques yet show no symptoms of Alzheimer's disease tells us that the downstream signaling of A-beta -- not just A-beta itself -- is critical," said Bredesen, "and these pathways can be targeted therapeutically. Simply put, we can restore the balance."

Bredesen said the Buck Institute hopes to publish the results of companion research soon that explores the flip side of Alzheimer's: how to restore memory.<<

[enough]

3. I don't see the text you are quoting in the OP link. Do you have another link?

Most interested because my aged father has late-onset ALZ. Thanks.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

5. I have the link, but please cover your eyes and try not to see the

ads for the products on this page, just read the article... sorry to hear. You may want to look up curcumin, tumeric and certainly pycnogenol.

http://www.lef.org/news/LefDailyNews.htm?NewsID=6556&Section=Aging


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12117551?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
1: Brain Res Mol Brain Res. 2002 Jul 15;104(1):55-65.Click here to read Links
Pycnogenol protects neurons from amyloid-beta peptide-induced apoptosis.
Peng QL, Buz'Zard AR, Lau BH.

Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA.

Neuronal apoptosis is one of the pathological features of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Morphological pathology reveals that neuronal apoptosis is associated with senile plaques containing amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) in AD brains. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been proposed to be involved in the apoptotic mechanism of Abeta-mediated neurotoxicity. In the present study, using a rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cell line, we investigated the effect of Pycnogenol (PYC), a potent antioxidant and ROS scavenger, on Abeta(25-35)-induced apoptosis and ROS generation. We used vitamin E, a known antioxidant agent, to verify the effect of PYC. Abeta(25-35)-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells was demonstrated by: (1) a dose-dependent loss of cell viability; (2) a time- and dose-dependent increase in the apoptotic cells; (3) an induction of DNA fragmentation; and (4) an increase in caspase-3 activity and cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Our data showed that a significant increase in ROS formation preceded apoptotic events after PC12 cells were exposed to Abeta(25-35). We further found that PYC not only suppressed the generation of ROS but also attenuated caspase-3 activation, DNA fragmentation, PARP cleavage, and eventually protected against Abeta-induced apoptosis. Vitamin E also suppressed cell death and caspase-3 activation induced by Abeta(25-35). Taken together, these results suggest that ROS may be involved in Abeta-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells. They further suggest that PYC can reduce apoptosis, possibly by decreasing free radical generation in PC12 cells.

PMID: 12117551


1: Biol Pharm Bull. 2000 Jun;23(6):735-7.Links
Pycnogenol protects vascular endothelial cells from beta-amyloid-induced injury.
Liu F, Lau BH, Peng Q, Shah V.

Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, CA 92350, USA.

The neuropathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are senile plaques, cerebrovascular beta-amyloidosis, neurofibrillary tangles, and selective neuronal loss. Beta-amyloid (Abeta) has been shown to cause vascular damage mediated by generation of reactive oxygen species and this damage is considered an early event in the development of AD. In this study, we determined the effect of pyenogenol, a potent antioxidant phytochemical, on Abeta-induced cellular injury. Pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC) were exposed to Abeta for 24 h. Cell injury was assessed by measuring cell viability with methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assay, and by determining the release of intracellular lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Lipid peroxidation products of PAEC were determined by measuring thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). Exposure of PAEC to Abeta resulted in a decrease in cell viability, an increase of LDH release indicating membrane damage, and an elevated level of TBARS. Preincubation of PAEC with pycnogenol significantly minimized these changes. This study demonstrated that pycnogenol can protect vascular endothelial cells from Abeta-induced injury. The data suggest that pycnogenol may be useful for the prevention and/or treatment of vascular or neurodegenerative diseases associated with Abeta toxicity.

PMID: 10864026

[HysteryDiagnosis]

6. Also, if you go to www.Pycnogenol.com, you can dig around

until you find the page that displays these papers... or if this link will let you in, by all means read a little.

http://www.pycnogenol.com/health/health_press_releases.php
12/05/2007
New Research: Study Shows Pycnogenol® Naturally Reduces Osteoarthritis Knee Pain
10/17/2007
New Study: Pycnogenol® Boosts Nitric Oxide (NO) Production
09/12/2007
New Study: Pycnogenol Reduces ADHD Symptoms in Children
08/28/2007
New Study: Pycnogenol® Reduces Perimenopausal Symptoms
05/16/2007
New Study: Pycnogenol® Reduces Heart Failure
03/07/2007
New Study: Pycnogenol Significantly Reduces Endometriosis
02/07/2007
Pycnogenol® Delays Glucose Absorption 190 Times More Potently than Prescription Medication
02/06/2007
Horphag Research Launches New Global Web Site Dedicated to Educating Consumers
11/15/2006
Pycnogenol® Reduces Side Effects In Hypertensive Patients
11/01/2006
Horphag Research Launches New Global Web Site
10/03/2006
Pycnogenol® Reduces Diabetic Microangiopathy
09/05/2006
Pine tree bark reduces diabetic leg ulcers
07/12/2006
Study shows pine bark naturally decreases severe chronic venous insufficency
06/16/2006
New study: pycnogenol® reduces adhd symptoms in children
06/14/2006
New research shows Pycnogenol® relieves muscle cramp and pain in athletes and diabetics
04/25/2006
New study: Pycnogenol® prevents harmful inflammation disorders
02/27/2006
Study review shows CoQ10 and Pycnogenol® synergistically enhance cardiovascular health
02/03/2006
Study shows Pycnogenol® naturally reduces Osteoarthritis knee pain by inhibition of Cox, similar to Aspirin
12/20/2005
Study shows pine tree bark improves blood circulation, treats venous ulcers
10/31/2005
Type II diabetics can lower blood sugar, strenghten vessels with pine tree bark
07/08/2005
Study: Pycnogenol® can help prevent leg, ankle swelling on long airline flights
01/20/2005
Pycnogenol® shows effectiveness in management of childhood asthma
10/23/2004
Pycnogenol® research shows effectiveness in treatment of venous thrombosis on long airline flights
10/20/2004
New research on Pycnogenol® records lower blood sugar levels in type ii diabetics on anti-diabetic medication
07/01/2004
Natural health science launches groundbreaking PYCNOQ10™ heart health formula
03/18/2004
Super-antioxidant found to lower glucose levels in type 2 diabetes
02/18/2004
Natural antioxidant found to alleviate high blood pressure

[goclark]

4. So what is the best thing to do for those that have it now?

I tried Aricept for my parent and it made her depressed and they took her off of it.

She really has done about the same since she is off of it.

Now the doctor suggested that she try some other drug.

It's so hard knowing what to do.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

7. Adding a few things to one's diet, as well as removing others

shouldn't hurt. There is research showing Curcumin and Tumeric to be of value, and they can be purchased in pill form. Also, if you go back and read a couple responses you will see that the supplement Pycnogenol has it's own benefits for a myriad of health concerns. Here you have a paper explaining the benefits of taking an integrative approach to what so many are facing today.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15751450?ordinalpos=3&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

1: Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen. 2005 Jan-Feb;20(1):21-6.Click here to read Links
Integrated treatment approach improves cognitive function in demented and clinically depressed patients.
Bragin V, Chemodanova M, Dzhafarova N, Bragin I, Czerniawski JL, Aliev G.

Stress Relief and Memory Training Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an integrative treatment approach on cognitive performance. The study sample comprised 35 medically ill patients (20 male, 15 female) with an average age of 71.05, who were diagnosed with mild dementia and depression. These patients were evaluated at baseline and at six, 12, and 24 months of treatment, which included antidepressants (sertraline, citalopram, or venlafaxine XR, alone or in combination with bupropion XR), cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine or galantamine), as well as vitamins and supplements (multivitamins, vitamin E, alpha-lipoic acid, omega-3 and coenzyme Q-10). Patients were encouraged to modify their diet and lifestyle and perform mild physical exercises. Results show that the integrative treatment not only protracted cognitive decline for 24 months but even improved cognition, especially memory and frontal lobe functions.

PMID: 15751450

MSG must go, aspartame out, and other items that should go out the window are detailed in this book.
http://www.amazon.com/Excitotoxins-Taste-Russell-L-Blaylock/dp/0929173252/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205010642&sr=8-1
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5177Y8Q28ZL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg

Author responds to critics, September 24, 2003
By A Customer
I would like to thank the reviewers who gave a favorable review, but especially I would like to say to those who were helped by the book, God bless you. As for the harshly critical reviewers, most are from those who know little about the subject and could care less. At least one prefers hedonistic pleasures of gustatory stimulation over scientific fact and logical conclusions based on science. I direct this at the reviewer who stated, rather condescendingly, that I knew very little biochemistry and was so uninformed that I wasn't aware that Parkinson's disease occurred before the arrival of MSG and aspartame.

In fact I majored in biochemistry in undergraduate school and completed with honors biochemistry in medical school. I continue to be a student of neurochemistry. My articles on these subjects are printed in peer-reviewed medical journals, which I'm sure the reveiwer would have difficulty understanding. Cysteine is a neurotoxin, as is homocysteine, phenalanine, glutamate and aspartate and a number of naturally occurring amino acids. Has the reviewer ever heard of PKU? While cysteine plays a vital role in brain protection, it is only safe as the N-acetyl product and as cystine.

Cysteine, beside being an excitotoxin itself, is converted to homocysteic and homocysteine sulphinic acid, both very powerful excitotoxins. Sulfite, a metabolite of cysteine, is also a powerful neurotoxin (as in sulfate oxidase deficiency). As for the causation of Parkinson's and other neurodegenrative diseases, I never said they were exclusively caused by food born excitotoxins-in fact, in three places in the book I make this point. I do contend they exacerbate the symptoms and accelerate the progression of these diseases. An abundance of new evidence confirms what I wrote in the book and, in fact, paints an even more ominous picture.

I cover some of this new information in my recently released book, Health and Nutrition Secrets. As far as making tons on money on my book sales-that is a dream in the head of my angry and confused critic. I don't mind criticism that is logical and based on careful study. These critics are not qualified and did not read the book critically and carefully. The proof of my thesis that food borne excitotoxins are dangerous to human health continues to arrive in the scientific literature.

[goclark]

9. Thanks so much

[HysteryDiagnosis]

11. Most welcome and I hope you and yours will be able to benefit

from this tiny bit of input. Something else you need to know about is acetyl-l-carnitine.

Walmart has Acetyl-l-carnitine on the shelf. The polyphenols listed below should be kin to Pycnogenol. Resveratrol can be purchased at quality nutrition science stores just about anywhere. Again, curcumin and tumeric can be purchased in pill form negating the need to cook curried goat every day. :)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18042001?ordinalpos=2&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
1: Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2007 Dec;16(12):1921-31.Click here to read Links
Natural antioxidants in Alzheimer's disease.
Mancuso C, Bates TE, Butterfield DA, Calafato S, Cornelius C, De Lorenzo A, Dinkova Kostova AT, Calabrese V.

Catholic University School of Medicine, Institute of Pharmacology, Largo F Vito, 00168 Roma, Italy.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterised by severe cognitive impairment that ultimately leads to death. Current drugs used in AD are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and antagonists to the NMDA receptors. These drugs may only slightly improve cognitive functions but have only very limited impact on the clinical course of the disease. In the past several years, based on in vitro and in vivo studies in laboratory animals, natural antioxidants, such as resveratrol, curcumin and acetyl-L-carnitine have been proposed as alternative therapeutic agents for AD.

An increasing number of studies demonstrated the efficacy of primary antioxidants, such as polyphenols, or secondary antioxidants, such as acetylcarnitine, to reduce or to block neuronal death occurring in the pathophysiology of this disorder. These studies revealed that other mechanisms than the antioxidant activities could be involved in the neuroprotective effect of these compounds. This paper discusses the evidence for the role of acetylcarnitine in modulating redox-dependent mechanisms leading to the upregulation of vitagenes. Furthermore, future development of novel antioxidant drugs targeted to the mitochondria should result in effectively slowing disease progression. The association with new drug delivery systems may be desirable and useful for the therapeutic use of antioxidants in human neurodegenerative diseases.

PMID: 18042001

[enough]

8. There is an amazing forum for Alzheimer's caregivers.

These are the people who are really in the trenches. Ask about anything and everything, and you will get answers from people with experience (and compassion).

http://alzheimers.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/frm/f/214102241

There is a short sign-in process, but you only have to do it once.

This site was a life-saver for me when I was taking care of both of my ailing parents at home, each with a different form of dementia.

All the best to you, and thanks to the OP for all the info!

[goclark]

10. Thanks so much ~ I bookmarked the site

and will use it as a lifeline.

[yy4me]

12. This is interesting but for the laymen in the group, can you

translate this a little for us? Do I need to eat 7 pounds of Broccoli a day? Some of the information is obvious but, for those of us who are medical terminology challenged, a little more everyday ordinary wording would be welcome. By the year 2010, I may not remember to check up on the results. I need the "now before it is too late" info.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

13. Nope... no gluttony necessary. You can increase your intake of

antioxidants such as the ones contained in Pycgenol, proanthocyanidins, oligomers, etc, these are the magic that is contained in red wine that protects the French... when America isn't protecting them of course. These are plant molecules... with proven therapeutic effects. What you "don't do" is just as important if not moreso than what you may proactively choose to do after reading a work such as this one.... best of luck learning about the real and not imagined underlying causes for much of what we are suffering with today.

If you check the papers here, http://www.pycnogenol.com/health/health_press_releases.php you will see the myriad health challenges these simple plant derivatives can help alleviate.

Probably one of the best things a person can do is to read the book The Inflammation Syndrome by Jack Challem, cuz truly, many seemingly health detours start out with low grade, uncontrolled inflammatory conditions.

http://www.amazon.com/Inflammation-Syndrome-Nutritional-Arthritis-Allergies/dp/0471478814/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205088150&sr=8-1
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51NK5EHSR6L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg

Book Description
"Challem’s new book hits a home run — with the latest research on what to eat and take to defeat our real number-one cause of health problems — inflammation. It’s a message of the utmost importance."
–Jean Carper
New York Times bestselling author of Stop Aging Now! and Your Miracle Brain, columnist for USA Weekend magazine

What is the Inflammation Syndrome? It’s the cumulative effect of low-grade inflammation–including the aches and pains we all experience–that grows into chronic debilitating disease. This book, the first major book on the syndrome, reveals the powerful role that inflammation plays in a wide variety of common health conditions–from simple aches and pains to heart disease, obesity, diabetes, Syndrome X, arthritis, asthma, and athletic injuries. Drawing on cutting-edge research conducted around the world, Jack Challem provides a revolutionary approach to healing inflammation-related problems through an easy-to-follow nutrition and supplement program. He also shares the latest information on C-reactive protein, one of the marker s o f serio us inflammation. This book, quite simply, shows you how to feel better for life.

"Many of our most debilitating diseases can be traced to an inflammatory cause. The program Jack Challem outlines in The Inflammation Syndrome is a great first step in ridding your body of this deadly problem."
–Fred Pescatore, M.D., author of Thin for Good, The Allergy and Asthma Cure, and The Hamptons Diet

"In a scientifically accurate and easy-to-understand manner, Jack Challem lays out the basic nutrition plan for good health and weight loss."
–Loren Cordain, Ph.D., author of The Paleo Diet