Close relationships may slow Alzheimer's progress
Monday, August 3rd, 2009
A close relationship with a caregiver may slow the progression of Alzheimer's Disease. Researchers at Johns Hopkins and Utah State University found that patients who had a very close relationship with their caregivers experienced less loss of brain function than patients in a control group.
Starting in 2002, scientists examined 167 pairs of caregivers and Alzheimer's patients, visiting them in their homes. They continuously tested the patients for cognitive function and behavioral health.
WHYY's Behavioral Health reporter Maiken Scott spoke to psychologist Dan Gottlieb about the relationship between Alzheimer's patients and caregivers:
Listen:
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read an article about the study here
Any research that provides additional insight into Alzheimer’s is critical to finding a cure. It’s also important for patients and families affected by Alzheimer’s to consider participating in clinical studies. One study is the ICARA Study, whose goal is to explore if an investigational drug, called Bapineuzumab, can help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease. Patients and families affected by Alzheimer’s can visit http://www.icarastudy.com to see if they might be eligible to enroll.