Dementia widespread disease number one of the future

Dementia Republic of Germany: New strategies against neurodegenerative disease

09/04/2014

According to the German Alzheimer Society, around 1.5 million people in Germany already suffer from dementia today, and by 2050 the number of cases is expected to double by 2050 due to the aging society. Experts from the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) and the Minister of Science of North Rhine-Westphalia, Svenja Schulze, have presented the current state of dementia research at a joint event in Düsseldorf.

Although a significant increase in dementia can be expected in the coming decades and a cure seems not yet achievable. However, new studies confirm that „mental activity, exercise and healthy diet significantly delay a possible dementia“ according to the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Research of North Rhine-Westphalia. At the event in Dusseldorf, new approaches to prevention, early detection and patient care in dementia were discussed.

Average age of onset shifts
The Director for Population-Based Health Research at the DZNE in Bonn, Prof. Monique Breteler, explained that various studies of the past ten years show a continuing trend, according to which people become sick later and later with dementia. „The average age of onset for age-related dementia has shifted backwards“, Breteler continues. As a result, the number of people affected will increase dramatically in the coming years, but the average age of onset is also shifting backwards. „One of the reasons is that today's 65-year-olds are fitter than the 65-year-olds in previous years“, explained Prof. Breteler. Due to her active way of life, but also due to the influence of many unknown factors, the onset of dementia is delayed. The researchers feel thereby confirmed in the assumption, „that in prevention are very big opportunities.“

Active and self-determined life in old age
„We want to enable older people an active and self-determined life. We only succeed if we find answers to age-related diseases such as dementia“, emphasized the North Rhine-Westphalian Science Minister Svenja Schulze. However, the findings of the DZNE would encourage here - „even if we are still in the early stages of research.“ In order to make progress in prevention, therapy and care, the Science Ministry of North Rhine-Westphalia funds the DZNE sites in Bonn and Witten with five million euros a year. In addition, the country is investing 85 million euros in research construction, which is currently being built on Bonn's Venusberg, and which was laid the foundation this Thursday.

Improved early detection of dementia
The DZNE experts were also hopeful with regard to possible improvements in dementia therapy. However, the timing of the diagnosis is crucial for the efficacy of the treatment, because to date only a delay in the course of the disease can be achieved therapeutically „The sooner the therapy starts, the greater the chances of success“, explained Prof. Nikolai Axmacher, group leader at the DZNE in Bonn, whose team is currently working on the development of new methods for the early detection of dementia. „The researchers use the method of functional magnetic resonance imaging, with which changes in the brain can be visualized“, so the message of the Ministry of Science NRW.

Therapeutic potential of deep brain stimulation?
The DZNE expert explained that, for example „In people with a genetically increased risk of dementia decades before the onset of memory impairment changes in brain activity are visible.“ However, so far remain unclear, „whether these are really related to early stages of Alzheimer's dementia.“ Professor Axmacher also sees therapeutic potential in so-called deep brain stimulation, which has been used to treat Parkinson's disease. „This new method holds great opportunities. However, it is not yet understood how it works. That's why we want to explore that“, explained the expert. Other therapeutic approaches are currently being tested in numerous studies worldwide, but despite the repeated reports of supposedly breakthrough successes, so far no cure for the neurodegenerative disease in sight.

New ways in patient care and care
In view of the lack of chances of recovery, the adequate care and support of patients remains of particular importance. Therefore, the experts at the DZNE site in Witten also develop new strategies for the care and treatment of dementia patients. These include, among others „Concepts that improve understanding between patients, relatives and nurses“, reports the Ministry of Science NRW. Here lies a new approach „in non-verbal communication, for example, in the reflection of gestures when eating and drinking.“ The patients are animated to imitate the observed. All in all, it is important that the patients act independently for as long as possible. „New forms of communication can help - and relieve relatives and caregivers“, emphasized the location spokeswoman at the DZNE in Witten, Professor Martina Roes.

Population study on the protection and risk factors
Essential for the future strategies in the fight against the widespread disease According to the experts, dementia is the exact determination of the risk factors, but also the factors that have a preventive effect. In order to identify both, the DZNE claims to start a large, decades-long population study in the coming year, in which around 30,000 people over the age of 30 will be regularly examined in three investigation centers in the Rhineland. (Fp)