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Alzheimer’s Booming Among Florida’s Boomers
Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute in Tampa begins human trials to test effect of caffeine on Alzheimer’s pathology and memory problems
New estimates set the number of adult Floridians expected to develop Alzheimer’s disease at 1.3 million by 2050 – a threefold increase. At the same time, the number of Americans suffering from the disease is expected to grow to 16 million, according to figures released this June at the Alzheimer’s Association International conference on Prevention of Dementia in Washington D.C.
Dr. Huntington Potter, CEO and Scientific Director at the Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute also announced during the conference that the Tampa-based institute has just begun human studies into the effects of caffeine on Alzheimer’s disease.
The Byrd Institute is completing work on the world’s largest freestanding research center dedicated to Alzheimer’s research. The institute’s new home is located on the campus of the University of South Florida in Tampa.
The human caffeine tests are specifically designed to study how well aging people tolerate the effects of caffeine and how effectively it reduces a substance in their blood that acts as a “marker” for the presence of Alzheimer’s.
Earlier groundbreaking research conducted by the Institute found that the equivalent of five cups of coffee a day when administered to mice with the Alzheimer’s gene prevented or reduced pathological symptoms of the disease.
In a paper delivered Tuesday to the conference, Potter reported to the gathering of international scientists on the caffeine research, as well as on the promising effects of two other substances – an anti-depressant called Rolipram, and an ingredient in green tea, EGCG.
The Institute is also conducting clinical studies for a pharmaceutical company, Neurochem, into the effectiveness of a drug called “Alzhemed.” Unfortunatly the results of the first round of clinical tests found “disappointingly big differences” between data collected at the different testing sites, Neurochem reported. More analysis will be required to determine whether Alzhemed will be a useful Alzheimer’s drug.
Meanwhile, the cost of Alzheimer’s to the Florida economy is a staggering $10 billion a year, noted Potter. And the projected increases in the number of people suffering from the disease “is a catastrophe that is going to happen to all countries as their populations age.”
“Florida,” he said, “is at the eye of that storm.”
Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute Research and Programs Update
Clinical Trials – The Institute’s clinical research department has participated in 15 trials since the launch of the clinic in 2004. Representing effective partnering with industry leaders, these trials bring Florida the newest experimental drugs. Our upcoming trial is a human research study on the ability of caffeine to reduce beta-amyloid (the protein associated with Alzheimer’s disease). For more information on enrolling studies and how you can participate in our clinical trials, please call (813) 866-1611 or go to www.byrdinstitute.org
Vaccine Study – Chuanhai Cao, Ph.D. and Gary Arendash, Ph.D., are working on vaccine research, starting with studies in mice. Their work has changed the way the vaccine is made. Partnering with industry leaders, work is ongoing to develop even more efficient methods and safer vaccines. Patents on Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute’s new Alzheimer’s treatments, including a vaccine that prevents Alzheimer’s disease in mice, have been applied for.
Environment Enrichment – Gary Arendash, Ph.D. and Huntington Potter, Ph.D., are leading this study testing what part of the environment enrichment is important – social, exercise, or cognitive brain stimulation. Results are important for our future tests in humans. Parallel human studies are currently being planned. Mice studies have also identified a drug, Rolipram, an antidepressant, that mimics environment enrichment.
Down Syndrome – Huntington Potter, Ph.D., lead scientist on this study reports that the most important gene that causes inherited Alzheimer’s also causes normal cells to become Down syndrome cells by gaining an extra chromosome 21. This further solidifies the connection between the most important brain diseases of the elderly and the young. People at risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease might be identified by looking for Down syndrome cells. It may also be possible to treat Alzheimer’s by preventing and/or reversing the development of these Down syndrome cells.
CEO Notes
The numbers are staggering, but after a while they can be numbing. I was at the national Alzheimer’s Association Conference in Washington D.C. recently and was reminded again of the numbers and of their repercussions for all of us.
In Florida, there is estimated to be 455,000 people living with Alzheimer’s disease. Approximately 155,000 of those individuals and their estimated 250,000 caregivers are living in the Tampa Bay area.
That means that one in three people in the local area is a family member or friend of a person with Alzheimer’s. In contrast, Raymond James Stadium can seat all of the 25,000 Alzheimer’s cases in the state of Rhode Island and leave half of the stadium empty.
This past week Johns Hopkins University released a study that suggests previous projections of the growth of the disease were too low. These scientists who study the prevalence of disease reported that by the year 2050, there are likely to be 16 million people in the US diagnosed. That is an epidemic of suffering.
Then the accountants weighed in. This year federal Medicare spent about $91 billion dollars on Alzheimer’s related care. In 2030, before the number of cases reaches 13 million, the cost to Medicare alone will be $400 billion dollars. What makes these expenses even more shocking is that Medicare pays for a relatively small percentage of the care that people with Alzheimer’s need. Families bear the greatest burden.
Put these budget numbers in context: one researcher said that $145 billion could buy free tuition, room, and board for every student in a public university or college, and there would still be enough money left over to end hunger in America four times over.
As Michael Reagan said when he spoke at the Institute’s annual dinner, “Science is expensive.” But the cost of letting this disease continue to build toward these staggering numbers will be even more expensive. We must work to prevent that dismal future.
Let Florida Senators Nelson and Martinez know; urge your Congressman to pay attention. Funding Alzheimer’s research is a national priority. Cutting research is the penny-wise and pound-foolish solution to balancing the federal budget.
Huntington Potter, Ph.D.
CEO and Scientific Director
Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute
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