Therapy

Pharmacological

Green tea epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) modulates amyloid precursor protein cleavage and reduces cerebral amyloidosis in Alzheimer transgenic mice
Rezai-Zadeh, K., Shytle, D., Sun, N., Mori, T., Hou, H., Jeanniton, D., Ehrhart, J., Townsend, K., Zeng, J., Morgan, D., Hardy, J., Town, T. and Tan, J.
J Neurosci (2005) 25: 8807-14
Green tea contains a component (epigallocatechin-3-gallate) that promotes the "good" cleavage of the protein that amyloid plaque Abeta comes from. It may act to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease as a result.
Note: if you are taking medications prescribed by your doctor, discuss with them any herbal supplements (such as green tea) that you are taking. Green tea is very caffeine-rich, so should be probably be avoided by patients with heart disease.

Envionmental Enrichment

It is becoming clear that individuals who keep mentally active during their life are somehow "protected" from developing Alzheimer's disease. "Mentally active" does not simply mean doing crossword puzzles (although this can only help) but includes the complete spectrum of human activities. Visiting friends, keeping active in the workforce, membership of clubs or churches and family activities are all considered to be helpful in helping to reduce the chances of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Byrd Institute investigators are taking the lead in this area, by using powerful statistical and psychosocial research techniques. They are also using mice to determine, in a controlled way, whether environmental enrichment protects against either cognitive deficits, brain amyloid deposition, or both. Drs. Gary Arendash and Huntington Potter, together with their groups, have shown that mice that are housed for long periods in a stimulating environment with lots of "toys" do not develop Alzheimer's symptoms as rapidly as those living in standard boring cage. Similar results are being found with people.

Complexity of work and risk of Alzheimer's disease: a population-based study of Swedish twins
Andel, R., Crowe, M., Pedersen, N. L., Mortimer, J., Crimmins, E., Johansson, B. and Gatz, M.
J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci (2005) 60: P251-8
Complex work, and particularly complex work involving other people appears to protect (although not prevent) individuals from developing symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

Environmental enrichment improves cognition in aged Alzheimer's transgenic mice despite stable beta-amyloid deposition
Arendash, G. W., Garcia, M. F., Costa, D. A., Cracchiolo, J. R., Wefes, I. M. and Potter, H.
Neuroreport (2004) 15: 1751-4
Adult mice with Alzheimer's disease characteristics (deposition of amyloid plaques in the brain and memory deficits) were placed in a stimulating environment for several months and tested again. Compared to mice always living in standard housing, Alzheimer mice exposed to a stimulating environment regained cognitive function (ie were behaviorally cured). There was no significant difference between the plaque levels in the brains of the two groups.