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Improving Your Alzheimer Treatment Plan

Advances are being made in the treatment of Alzheimer's because new studies and research projects are being conducted on an ongoing rate that will insure that new treatments as well as experimental drugs and cognitive therapies are being developed. Scientists find promising drugs when conducting clinical trials at teaching hospitals and universities. Those who suffer from Alzheimer's are willing to cooperate in these studies because it is devastating to know what the future holds for them without the hope of new drugs and other treatments. Improving upon a treatment plan for an Alzheimer's disease patient involves being able to consistently monitor the current plan and to be able to evaluate the patient on a regular basis. It also dictates that the medical professionals constantly are updated on new studies and the results of those studies so they can apply that information to each patient's treatment plan as it applies to them on an individual basis.

The Journal of Neuroinflammation, published earlier in 2008, results concerning a study involving a new therapeutic molecule (cytokines). In particular the study focused on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF). Patients in the study were given an injection of anti-TNF therapeutic called etanercept. This study revealed a dramatic and unprecedented therapeutic effect that occurred within minutes of the delivery of the injection into the spine. Etanercept has been FDA approved to treat immune-mediated disorders. Making use of these published results and seeking to improve the treatment plan of their patients is what radically improves the outlook for Alzheimer patients. Understanding the need for these studies and making available case studies for those who wish to participate leads to more discoveries such as this one.

Like any progressive disease, the treatment plan changes as the course of the disease progresses. The treatment plan by nature of the disease cannot remain static. Periodic review and updating is expected in order for the treatment plan to best address the needs of the patient currently and in the future.

Whenever a treatment plan is changed it becomes mandatory that the patient and those who care for the patient learn how to recognize new symptoms and report them promptly so that an evaluation can be made regarding importance of the symptom to the successful administration of the treatment plan.

As in most diseases, the patient must partner with the doctor or other healthcare professional in designing the treatment plan. In order for improvements to have a positive affect on the treatment plan, all parties much are aware of the need to carefully monitor the plan and to allow the plan to have importance regarding the outcome of the disease.

In the case of Alzheimer's and most dementia diseases, as the disease progresses the family members or others in a care giving position for the patient, take a more active role in the day to day monitoring of the treatment plan.