Latest news with #Alzeheimer
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
‘Game-changing' Alzheimer's drug could STOP disease in its tracks – as the ‘most powerful weapon' against condition yet
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A NEW "game-changing" drug could stop the progression of Alzheimer's disease, early trials suggest. Scientists say the treatment - called trontinemab - could be the most powerful weapon yet against dementia, as they look into giving the drug to people with no symptoms in the hopes of preventing disease. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Trontinemab is formulated to bypass the blood-brain barrier to target plaques clogging up brain cells Credit: Getty Phase two trial results for trontinemab were presented at he Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Toronto. Researchers said the drug seemed to clear plaques - the abnormal build-up of proteins around brain cells that cause damage and disrupt function - quicker than other drugs licensed to treat Alzheimer's. Trontinemab cleared out plaques and eliminated visible signs of the the disease within 28 weeks for nine out of 10 patients. Drug-maker Roche is now conducting another trial to see if plaque clearance also improves patients' memory. The 18-month study includes 1,600 people, the Telegraph reported. Separate research will examine whether the drug could be given to people without any signs of dementia, just as statins are used to ward off heart disease. Experts hope the drug could stop patients from developing dementia symptoms at all, if it is given early enough. They described the findings so far as 'very promising', suggesting that the drug was much more powerful than existing ones while leading to fewer side effects - as it was able to clear plaques better within seven months that other drugs can in 18 months. Roche's chief medical officer Levi Garraway said: 'Alzheimer's disease represents one of the greatest challenges in healthcare today and tackling it requires early detection and effective therapeutics. 'Trontinemab is designed to target a key driver of Alzheimer's disease biology more effectively in the brain. Common painkiller used for back pain ups risk of dementia by 29%, scientists warn "Combining new treatment avenues with advanced diagnostics may enable earlier and potentially more effective intervention. "With plans for phase three trials in both early symptomatic and pre-clinical Alzheimer's disease, we are advancing science with the goal of delaying - and ultimately preventing - progression of this devastating condition.' Prof Sir John Hardy, the chairman of molecular biology of neurological disease at University College London's Institute of Neurology told the Telegraph trontinemab could be 'game-changing'. The scientist, who was the first to identify the role of amyloid plaques in Alzeheimer's, said: 'This is absolutely great news. "It sucks the plaque out of the brain really quickly, much faster than we have seen with lecanemab or donanemab.' Both are Alzheimer's drugs approved for used in the UK, which target amyloid proteins in the brain to slow disease progression. However, neither treatment is offered on the NHS, as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) deemed them too expensive - in large part because patients need frequent scans to monitor for brain swelling and bleeds. Prof Hardy added: 'There is no doubt [trontinemab] could be game-changing. "We hope that if we can use these drugs to people early, we can halt the progression of disease, even before people have symptoms. "Now we need to see the size of the clinical effect. 'These results show it is much faster and safer than previous drugs, which means less monitoring. "That brings down the cost significantly, it means fewer MRI scans, so that would surely mean it would get Nice approval.' Early signs of dementia It's not unusual for your memory to lapse a bit as you get older. But dementia is different from 'just getting old' as it will cause noticeable - rather than gradual - changes to mental abilities and make managing everyday tasks and activities increasingly difficult. The symptoms of dementia may be small to start with, but get worse over time. Below are some examples of possible signs. Memory loss Memory loss is a key sign of dementia. This can include: Forgetting something you were only recently told. You may ask for the same information repeatedly – for example, 'Are the doors locked?' Putting objects in unusual places – for example, putting your house keys in the refrigerator. Being unable to learn new tasks, like how to use a new washing machine. Planning and decision making issues People with dementia can have difficulty with planning and decision making. This can include: Getting very confused when planning or thinking things through. Struggling to stay focused on a single task. Not making informed, careful decisions when dealing with money or looking at risks. Finding it hard to manage regular payments, budgets or monthly bills. Problems with language and understanding In people with dementia, this can manifest as: Having frequent problems finding the right word or regularly referring to objects as 'that thing'. Finding it hard to take part in conversations. Regularly being unable to follow what someone is saying even without distractions. Losing sense of time and place Dementia can cause problems with orientation, including: Losing track of the date, season or the passage of time. Getting lost in a place that is familiar or that should be easy to find your way around – for example, a supermarket. Regularly being unable to follow what someone is saying even without distractions. Problems with vision and perception This can mean having problems making sense of what you see. For example, having difficulty judging distances on stairs, or mistaking reflections or patterns for other objects. Mood and behavioural changes Finally, dementia can also make people act differently or shift their mood. This can mean: Becoming withdrawn and losing interest in work, friends or hobbies. Feeling unusually sad, anxious, frightened or low in confidence. Getting easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places that usually feel comfortable or familiar. Source: Alzheimer's Society Trials for lecanemab and donanemab showed the drugs helped clear toxic clumps out of the brain and slow nerve damage caused by Alzheimer's by 27 per cent and 35 per cent respectively, over the course of 18 months. But the treatments did present a risk of brain swelling and brain bleeds, meaning patients needed intense monitoring. Trontinemab appears to be safer and cause fewer side effects, with less than five per cent of patients showing abnormal results on their brain scans. All of these cases were quickly resolved, researchers said. The drug - administered by infusion into the bloodstream - also doesn't need to be given a frequently. Upcoming trials will examine the impact of giving the drug to patients once a month for six months, then every three months. Trontinemab has been designed to efficiently bypass the blood-brain barrier, a protective layer of cells that stops harmful substances in the blood stream from attacking the brain and spinal cord. This barrier can make it hard for many drugs to reach the brain. Prof Jonathan Schott, the chief medical officer at Alzheimer's Research UK, told the Telegraph: 'We urgently need a range of treatments for Alzheimer's that are effective and safe for the people affected by this devastating disease. 'Evidence presented at the Alzheimer's Association conference in Toronto on trontinemab is very promising, showing that the drug can effectively and rapidly clear amyloid from the brain, seemingly with very few side effects. 'We now need to see whether these early stage results carry through to later stage clinical trials, which are planned to start later this year, including in the UK. "These trials will show whether the drug is not only safe, but impacts on memory, thinking and quality of life.' He said it was 'exciting' that the drug would now be tested in some people without symptoms under the phase three trials.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Senior Care Authority Celebrates Major Wins and Welcomes Four New Franchisees in Q1 2025
The leading elder care consulting and placement franchise saw strong growth in the first quarter of 2025, marked by national accolades for franchisee satisfaction. PETALUMA, Calif., April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Senior Care Authority, a leading senior placement and elder care consulting franchise, kicked off 2025 with tremendous momentum, adding new franchisees, expanding corporate staff and earning national recognition for franchisee satisfaction and support. "This has been a big first quarter for us," said Mark Molnar, who transitioned from franchise owner in Cleveland to the brand's President and Chief Operating Officer at the start of this year. "It's been energizing to join the corporate team at a time when there's so much positive activity across the system." This quarter, Senior Care Authority was named one of Franchise Business Review's Top Franchises for 2025, including a place on the Top Franchises for Women list. "The fact that these recognitions are based on surveys of our franchisees makes them especially meaningful," said Molnar. "It's a testament to the strength of our system and the people behind it." One of the biggest highlights of the quarter was Senior Care Authority's National Conference, held January 10-13 in Clearwater Beach, Florida. The event brought together franchisees, industry experts and leadership for three days of learning, networking and celebration. "This year's conference focused on growth, innovation, and the future of elder care," said Molnar. "We explored topics like leveraging technology to better serve our clients, the future of memory care and how to align our mission and business model for lasting impact. The energy and engagement from our community was incredible." Key sessions included: Merging the Mission and the Model, discussing SCA's business model and the positive impact on families and seniors. The Future of Memory Care, exploring the Montessori Method for dementia care. Franchisee panels and personal stories from families affected by Alzeheimer's and dementia. Senior Care Authority also welcomed four new franchisees in Q1, expanding into Jacksonville, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; Seattle, Washington; and Virginia Beach, Virginia. "We're attracting a great mix of people — some with experience in senior care and others who bring strong interpersonal skills and a passion for service," said Molnar. "Our most successful owners are great networkers who are compassionate and committed to helping families navigate complex decisions." With a strong pipeline of candidates, the brand anticipates continued expansion in Q2. To support this growth and enhance franchisee services, Senior Care Authority added several new members to the corporate team this year, including Molnar himself, as well as professionals in contracting and CRM support. "We're also working to revamp our new franchisee training program and strengthen our tech base so we can use data more effectively," Molnar said. "It's all part of building a stronger foundation for long-term success." One major initiative completed in Q1 was earning CEU credentials for the brand's Beyond Driving with Dignity program, offering accredited continuing education for nurses and social workers — a significant step in reinforcing SCA's leadership in dementia and elder care education. As 2025 continues, Senior Care Authority is focused on sustainable growth, technology innovation and empowering franchisees to deliver exceptional service in their communities. "The strength of our brand in the marketplace is attracting more interest than ever," Molnar said. "The services we offer, the quality of our training and the meaningful work we do — all at a very attractive entry point — make this an exciting time to join Senior Care Authority." For more information about franchising with Senior Care Authority, visit About Senior Care Authority Senior Care Authority® was founded in 2009, began franchising in 2014, and currently serves over 100 locations across the U.S. The network consists of professionally trained and experienced local advisors who assist families with the overwhelming challenges associated with selecting the best options in assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing care, and navigating through a complex healthcare system. Senior Care Authority offers Eldercare Consulting services to families and is the exclusive provider of the Beyond Driving with Dignity program. Learn more at Media Contact Nick Powills, 1851 Franchise, 3125263996, nick@ View original content: SOURCE 1851 Franchise
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Former firefighter plans 5,500-mile charity row
A man planning to row 5,500 miles (8,800km) across the Indian Ocean in 100 days to remember his friend who died wants to raise £500,000 for charity. Billy Taylor, 52, from Selsey in West Sussex, will row from Exmouth, Western Australia, to Mombasa in Kenya in early June. The former firefighter wants to raise awareness about early onset dementia and Parkinson's disease after his school friend, Alex Flynn, died in 2022 after living with Parkinson's disease dementia. He credits his friend for inspiring him to take up ocean rowing. Mr Taylor will be joined by three other crew members on an 8.8m by 1.5m (29ft by 5ft) carbon fibre boat raising money for Race Against Dementia, an organisation focused on research to find a cure for the disease, and Rock2Recovery, a mental health charity supporting veterans and those in armed forces. Mr Taylor's friend was diagnosed aged 34, which forced the pair to have "some very long, honest, open and frank conversations about what it was going to mean for him". An estimated 982,000 people live with dementia in the UK, while more than a third do not have a diagnosis, according to Alzheimer's Society. The ocean rower said speaking to people with loved ones living with dementia "struck me that this [disease] is so prolific". "It's horrific. It robs people of the person they are," he added. He hopes his ocean row will help others learn about the impact of dementia on people and their families, and raise funds towards vital research into the disease. The crew will row in pairs, rowing for two hours and breaking for two hours over 100 days. Mr Taylor said he chose a crew made up of two men and two women to represent men and women equally. "It's quite the levelling platform the the ocean, so it was nice to represent the girls and guys getting on well together and achieving something together," he added. He has rowed the Indian Ocean once before, once across the Pacific Ocean from California to Hawaii and three times across the Atlantic. The crew will also share the journey via video link to the classrooms of thousands of schools in the UK. Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Rowers complete 'terrifying' challenge across Atlantic Women take on 'world's toughest' rowing challenge Alzeheimer's Society Race Against Dementia Rock2Recovery
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Firm chosen for study
County to negotiate contract with firm for feasibility study Contract negotiations between Koochiching County and engineering firm R. W. Beck are expected to begin as the proposed plasma gasification project moves a step forward. The Koochiching Development Authority Board Tuesday unanimously agreed to begin negotiations to hire R. W. Beck to complete the feasibility study in the Renewable Energy Clean Air Project. Commissioner Kevin Adee was absent for the vote. R. W. Beck was recommended to KDA by a six-member committee after it conducted interviews with three firms Thursday. The committee was composed of county representatives and consultants from Coronal, the consulting firm for the project. R. W. Beck was chosen because it had the most experience with evaluating gasification technology, with previous experience in Honolulu and Ottawa, said Paul Nevanen, director of the Koochiching Economic Development Authority. The plasma gasification facility would use garbage and wood biomass to create energy and other valuable byproducts while at the same time reducing the amount of garbage Koochiching County sends to a landfill. R. W. Beck is an engineering firm that will draw from its national offices to form a team of consultants to complete the feasibility study. It is important for the work on the study to be 'transparent' and for the study prepared by R. W. Beck to be 'defensible', KDA board member Mike Hanson said. The Legislature appropriated $400,000 in funding for the feasibility study. R.W. Beck's proposed that the feasibility study would cost $200,000, the highest bid of the three firms. But it was evident that the lowest bidder was not prepared during the interview, Environmental Services Director Richard Lehtinen said. After a contract has been negotiated, it is expected to be brought to the KDA Board for approval. The study, which is estimated to take 14 weeks, is expected to begin after approval of a contract. Later in the morning Tuesday, commissioners supported addition of adult day services to the other services provided by the Occupational Development Center. It will take the ODC about a year to become licensed, according to the ODC coordinator Jenell Feller. Adult day services would serve people over the age of 18 who need supervision during the day because of events such as a traumatic brain injury, early stages of Alzeheimer's or muscular dystrophy, according to Feller. Feller also discussed the ODC's proposed move from it offices at 20th Avenue to the International Industrial Park. The ODC is stuck where is located now because of wetland issues on property in the industrial park, Feller said.
