Researchers from the University of California Irvine released the results of study on the effects of estrogen on the course of Alzheimer's Disease. The results suggested that taking estrogen has no effect when administered to elderly women who have previously been diagnosed with the disease. Some previous studies had suggested that estrogen could improve the cognitive impairment that is the hallmark of the diseases. This study showed that for the women in the study taking estrogen had no effect on the progression of their disease. The study involved 120 elderly women (over age 75) who had previously been diagnosed with mild or moderate Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's is a progressive debilitating disease that affects more than 4 million people in the United States, twice as many women as men. It progresses from mild memory lapse to full dementia. Eventually the affected person will loose all cognitive function and become totally dependent. This study was just one of many that are ongoing in an attempt to find an effective treatment for this disease that mainly affects people over the age of 60. Estrogen is presently used to help prevent numerous debilitating effects of aging such as osteoporosis and heart disease. As the Baby Boom generation ages the search for a cure or effective treatment for Alzheimers disease becomes more urgent. Baby Boomers who develop Alzheimer's Disease may overwhelm the health care system.

Current Treatments
People with Alzheimer's have been found to have a loss of an important neurotransmitter in the nerve cells. This neurotransmitter is important in helping the electrical signals travel along the nerve pathways. The most promising drugs that have been developed so far are drugs that inhibit the protein that impedes the production of the neurotransmitter.

• Tacrine (Cognex) was approved after studies showed that high doses could improve the cognitive process in moderate or advanced cases of Alzheimer's. Since approval its effectiveness has not been as high as hoped, it has only shown to be effective for 30-40 % of those taking it. It also comes with some very severe side effects, including nausea, vomiting and a very high risk of liver disease.
• Donepezil (Aricept) was approved in 1996 and has a more targeted action than Tacrine. It has similar side effects of nausea and vomiting, but does not affect the liver. Aricept, like Tacrine does not help everyone and has similar rates of effectiveness.

Clinical Trials
Research studies similar to the estrogen trial are being run in many research centers. Researchers are looking at non-steroidal anti-inlammatory drugs and even nicotine as possible treatments.The National Institutes of Health has a database of new and ongoing trials that are actively recruiting patients. Participating in a clinical trial is voluntary and not for everyone. If you are interested in finding out about ongoing research you can check out this site:
Alzheimers's Disease Clinical Trials

Check back frequently as new trials are being introduced all the time.

More Information and Resources for Alzheimer's Disease Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's Disease Resources From Women's Health

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