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Dr. Jonathan Lasson is a professor of psychology and has taught, written and spoken extensively on many topics in psychology.
Dr. Lasson grew up watching relatives suffering from Alzheimer’s. In its initial stages there are some comical aspects of forgetting. However, as the disease progresses, there is absolutely nothing comical about the disease. The toll it takes on the individual sufferer as well as the family is devastating. All he can remember are those final days, months and sometimes years of people in pseudo-vegetative states as family members scramble to figure out how to keep them safe. He was scared to go near them. He did not want to remember them in this way. So, he avoided visits whenever possible.
Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia that involves deficits in cognition, progressive worsening of memory and other cognitive functions, and progressive deterioration of specific cognitive functions such as aphasia (language), apraxia (motor functions) and agnosia (perception). There are typically four stages of the disease as it progresses. Most people have unfortunately seen a loved one go through these stages and witnessed its devastating impact on a once completely intact, functioning brain.
Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the US. In fact, between 2000 and 2015, deaths from heart disease have decreased by 11% while deaths from Alzheimer’s have increased by almost 123%. Compounding these statistics, it is estimated that Alzheimer’s and other dementias with cost close to 1.1 trillion dollars. So, hearing the number 30 million dollars (will be invested in developing a diagnostic test), offered very little optimism for the future. What is the next step after finding a diagnostic tool? There is still no cure available. Dr. Jonathan Lasson certainly appreciates Bill Gates and others for their commitment to developing a diagnostic tool, and, hopefully, it happens as soon as possible. However, the question looms if there is a cure out there.
Currently, there are five and possibly a sixth drug, approved by the FDA for Alzheimer’s sufferers, that focus on treating the symptoms. They do not treat the actual cause of the disease. On the horizon, there are drugs that target beta-amyloid such as Aducanumab, which help prevent beta-amyloid fragments from clumping into plaques along with antibodies that remove it from the brain altogether. Since the drug is still in research, it is not yet available to the public.
Due to the grim statistics and the fact that most drugs are still in the trial phase of development, it is important to take another approach. This approach has nothing to do with pharmacology but everything to do with living life to its fullest. Memories need to be created and kept filed away for our generations to view. In today’s day and age, where practically everyone has a phone with a camera, a memory can easily be captured and stored in cyberspace.
There are many ways to create memories. One is to choose an activity that involves the entire family. Birthdays with t-shirts are excellent ways to retain a memento from that precious time. Everyone must take advantage of technology and create memories early and often. Having meaningful age appropriate conversations is invaluable.
Lastly, it is important to realize that while pharmacological advancements are on the horizon with the help of Bill Gates and others, a way needs to be found to bring back those loving feelings that bond people together for eternity. No matter what stage of the disease friends and relatives find themselves in, they will never forget certain emotions and feelings that can only be provided by the presence of those who truly care for them.
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