The technological advances in diagnostic imaging could provide a better understanding of brain activity in the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
This is the hypothesis of a group of scientists from universities in the US who will focus their study on healthy people who - based on their age and genetic disposition – have a high risk of developing the condition.
Brain imaging studies and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers will be used in addition to cognitive measures to evaluate potential Alzheimer's treatments earlier than is possible at the moment. Researchers hope to identify which treatments provide the most effective clinical benefits.
"It currently takes too many average, healthy people too much money and too many years to evaluate the range of promising presymptomatic treatments using clinical endpoints," said lead author Eric Raiman of the Banner Alzheimer's Institute and the University of Arizona.
The World Health Organization (WHO) held its World Mental Health Day on October 10th to raise awareness about the lack of investment in mental health care. The WHO states many countries have less than one mental health specialist per million people in the population.
© Adfero Ltd
Alzheimer's treatment news : 15 October 2011
