RECENT headlines of former leaders in Malaysian politics, Abdullah Badawi and the late Samy Vellu, suffering from various types of dementia reveals the severity of the disease that affects over 250,000 people in Malaysia.
This number is projected to increase by 300% before 2050 as Malaysia becomes an ageing country. Globally, over 140 million people will be affected.
Pak Lah suffers from dementia.
— Khairy Jamaluddin ??? (@Khairykj) September 11, 2022
It has been challenging for us to see the deterioration in his cognitive function. Some people are aware but many are not. The family has decided to openly share this partly to shine a light on dementia & cognitive impairment. https://t.co/BHav9buseb
On World Alzheimer’s Day, it is crucial to emphasise Alzheimer’s disease so that patients can realise the benefits of early diagnosis and treatment without feeling discriminated against. That begins with awareness and understanding of the illness.
There are several main types of dementia, with Alzheimer’s being the most prevalent form of the disease. Historically, scientists have always pinpointed the cause of Alzheimer’s disease as dysfunctional proteins in the brain known as ß-amyloid and tau.
However, despite decades of research in this field, the disease remains an enigma that has yet to be solved.
It is therefore essential to continue to invest in research and development of diagnostic and therapeutic solutions that can help to better understand how the disease develops and progresses, to first identify its onset and improve its management.
Yesterday, Roche hosted a virtual educational event for the media which featured leading experts in diagnostics, early Alzheimer’s disease, and clinical research.
Featured during the panel session were Dr Rachelle Doody, Global Head of Neurodegeneration at Roche; Professor Bruno Vellas, Chief of the Alzheimer's Disease Clinical and Research Center at the University Hospital CentrE in Toulouse, France; Dr Geoffrey Kerchner, Global Head of Early Development in Neuroscience & Rare Diseases, pRED, Roche; and Dr Bruce Jordan, from Personalized Healthcare Solutions of Roche Diagnostics.
The session opened with the topic of understanding Alzheimer’s disease and its potential treatment targets while simultaneously providing an overview of what Alzheimer’s disease is, its prevalence and how it impacts the brain.
Dr Geoffrey Kerchner explained the importance of targeting Alzheimer’s early. Mild symptoms of Alzheimer’s include short-term memory loss and minor physical impairment, which are often dismissed as an ageing process, and the reason majority of cases are only diagnosed after the onset of severe symptoms.
Hence, a shift in emphasis toward identifying individuals far earlier in the disease process reflects the recognition that immediate action is required to lessen the burden of this illness.
"Having an early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is one of the key elements for better management,” said Guido Bartalena, the Diagnostics Solutions & Healthcare Transformation director of Roche Diagnostics Italia.
“We continue to work on the development of diagnostic solutions that can provide clinicians with more timely and accurate information so that patients receive the most appropriate treatments as soon as possible to counteract the progression of the disease.
“Among the diagnostic areas on which we are focusing our efforts, in particular, are tests performed on cerebrospinal fluid, already used to date for an accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's since its early stages.
“For some years we have also been working a lot on the development of blood tests that much easier to perform, which will support early diagnosis in the future by identifying patients with cognitive symptoms that require further diagnostic or imaging evaluations.”
The session also had Dr Bruce Jordan who spoke about why improving the journey to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis matters and presented a vision for the future.
To date, Roche’s diverse group of experts have contributed their perspectives to develop a blueprint for a patient-centred diagnostic journey for people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s.
Roche continues to find ways to work together across countries and stakeholders to find the right match of solutions that help optimise outcomes for Alzheimer's patients and their families while making healthcare more sustainable for future challenges.
“It is important to have a multidisciplinary approach to achieve a more personalised diagnostic-therapeutic path for those living with Alzheimer's disease.
“Thus, it is essential to have early diagnosis to promptly intervene in the management of the disease,” said Anna Maria Porrini, medical director of Roche Italy.
“It is vital to invest in research and development of therapeutic solutions capable of modifying the disease to have a positive impact on those affected by this pathology.
“We are already studying different therapeutic approaches with molecules that could affect the potential main causes of Alzheimer's disease development, including beta-amyloid and tau, and new approaches to help biological drugs reach the brain,” she added.
The discussion continued between Dr Rachelle Doody and Professor Bruno Vellas who reflected on their twenty years of scientific experience, including obstacles, accomplishments, and lessons learned in the pathway to the advancement of Alzheimer’s research.
The panel summarised some of the primary obstacles to be overcome in future research.
These include the need for continually improving and adapting disease models, clinical trial designs, and research methods.
The rate of translating newly emerging or promising results into practical applications can only be accelerated by a sustained commitment to solving these issues.
Dr Rachelle and Professor Bruno also discussed potential areas of current and future scientific research and development.
Looking to the future, the scientists gathered at the forum remain committed to further expanding the body of knowledge concerning this illness to resolve one of the most pressing public health issues today. – The Vibes, September 21, 2022
