What difference could new Alzheimer’s disease drugs make?
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Aug 8, 2023
Two new Alzheimer's drugs show promise in slowing memory and thinking problems; personal experiences of individuals affected by dementia; understanding the role of amyloid protein in Alzheimer's disease; opportunity for new Alzheimer's drugs; analysis of hot flushes during menopause; understanding menopause symptoms and avoiding misdiagnosis.
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Mary's Experience
Mary, who lives alone, enjoys the Memory Café for social interaction.
She experiences fluctuating memory, sometimes forgetting familiar names, but manages overall.
insights INSIGHT
Amyloid's Dual Nature
Amyloid, a natural brain protein, is crucial for healthy brain function, including blood vessel repair and learning.
In Alzheimer's, amyloid is processed differently, creating a toxic, sticky version.
insights INSIGHT
Toxic Amyloid's Impact
Toxic amyloid is sticky and clumps around brain cells, hindering their function.
This is central to the amyloid cascade hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease.
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Until recently, breakthroughs in treating Alzheimer’s disease were non-existent. But two new drugs have shown promise in moderately slowing memory and thinking problems for people with early-stage disease. While welcoming the idea of a ‘new era’ for treating Alzheimer’s disease, how much of a difference could these drugs make for people living with the condition?
James Gallagher visits a Memory Café in Doynton to hear about the daily challenges people living with dementia face, and their feelings about the new treatments on the horizon. Lauren Walker, Alzheimer’s disease researcher at Newcastle University, gives an overview of the protein these drugs target in the brain, and Liz Coulthard, Professor of Cognitive Neurology at the University of Bristol, explains how these treatments might impact patient's lives.
After listening to our “How hot is too hot for human health?” programme, one of our listeners contacted insidehealth@bbc.co.uk to ask how the heat experienced during a hot flush impacts the body. James asks Clare Eglin, lecturer in applied physiology at the University of Portsmouth, what happens in the body during a hot flush and hears about how many others symptoms are actually caused by the menopause from GP, Margaret McCartney.
Presenter: James Gallagher
Producer: Julia Ravey
Editor: Erika Wright
Production Co-ordinator: Johnathan Harris
Technical Producer: Tim Heffer
Inside Health