To the relief of Baby Boomers; Drug makers see profit potential in tackling Alzheimer's disease

With increases in life expectancy and more seniors living into their 80s and 90s, Alzheimer's disease is becoming more and more common. According to the Alzheimer's Association, it strikes "one out of every 5 people between ages 75 and 84 and 42 percent of those over age 85." This means the current figure of 5 million sufferers of the disease could grow to over 13 million by 2050 as the population bubble hits the peak ages for the disease. The Alzheimer's Association also estimates the annual medical and support costs of the disease at nearly $150 billion. It may soon be the number one health care issue for baby boomers who may have spent a lifetime saving and planning for retirement only to have it effectively destroyed by the disease. Worse, sufferers can lose the memories that they spent a lifetime creating and effectively lose their families by no longer recognizing them.

In an extensive article, the New York Times looked at "war on Alzheimer's" through the eyes of the drug companies battling to bring treatments to market and much of what they found is encouraging.

At the pharmaceuticals company Wyeth, the company’s scientists not only can give rodents Alzheimer’s — they have also figured out how to take it away. Curing mice is a lot simpler than curing people, but the results are a tantalizing development that offers hope to humans suffering from the disease. The company has dedicated more than 350 scientists exclusively to Alzheimer’s research, and they are working on 23 separate projects for medicines to possibly treat the disease. They have already spent about $450 million in research funds on the disease.

Eli Lilly and Applied NeuroSolutions are also working on a treatment but at present refuse to disclose any details about it.

In addition to the pharms, the National Institutes of Health, the primary federal agency that oversees and helps fund biomedical research, is currently supporting 22 studies involving Alzheimer’s.

The Times noted that none of the four Alzheimer drugs currently on the market do anything to cure the disease. They only address some of its symptoms, and not very well at that. They are also very expensive--illustrating the desperation of family members. But with so many drugs on the market, there is reason for optimism that at least some will succeed.

The Times article had much more about Alzheimer's, including its history and stories about those with the disease. Since Alzheimer's is likely to affect all of us in some fashion, it is worth taking the time to read in its entirety. (Link to full story).

Link to online donation form for Alzheimer's Association. Please consider contributing to the war effort.