In what holds promise for a large number of Alzheimer's patients, a breakthrough has arrived in the form of an inch long contraption designed to be implanted under the skin on the abdomen. Indeed a promising treatment option, this implant contains a medicine that is slowly pumped into the patient's blood stream. According to the results of the clinical trails of this implant, the medicine is capable of retarding the progress of the disease for up to a year.
Each contraption is designed to last up till 6 months, all the while letting out a consistent dosage to control the symptoms of Alzheimer's. Once the contents of device are completely used up, it simply blends into the blood stream, without causing any harm.The greatest advantage in this device is that apart from obliterating the need for the daily or weekly drug injections, it will effectively offset the ups and downs in the symptoms, which normally occur with medicines that are swallowed or injected. The overriding benefit is the fact that patients in the throes of memory loss need not be concerned about ensuring regular intake of drugs.
Leuprolide acetate, the medicine which has been in use for over two decades to treat prostate cancer is now being used inside the implant and research has shown that is capable of retarding the progress of Alzheimer's.
Susanne Sorenson, head of research at the Alzheimer's society said 'Tests on mice have shown it is effective in reducing levels of a chemical strongly associated with Alzheimer's, and first tests on humans have indicated it could help slow the progression of the disease. But it's too early to tell if it will stop the disease developing.'
