World Alzheimer’s Month 2023
World Alzheimer’s Month 2023: Defying dementia with magical mushrooms, new drugs, and neuro occupational therapy.
With September marking World Alzheimer's Month 2023, we found lots to celebrate in some of the latest research findings in preventing and managing Alzheimer’s disease.
Experts are calling it the beginning of ‘a new era’ of Alzheimer’s therapy [1] as scientists move ever closer to discovering what causes this progressive neurodegenerative disease and, vitally, what cures it.
And though words of caution are tempering the new findings (it’s still early days!) fresh seeds of hope have been sown. Here are some of the latest discoveries...
Fabulous fungus
Diet is one of our most important weapons in the battle against AD [Alzheimer’s disease].’ [2]
There is mushrooming evidence [3] that a healthy diet can help to manage, delay or improve some Alzheimer’s symptoms, such as memory loss or cognitive difficulties.
And now the mushroom itself is under the microscope of researchers investigating the impact of early dietary interventions for the progressive disease which causes damage to brain cells.
In a study published in Foods Journal [2], a Chinese research team reviewed literature that explored how mushrooms' bioactive properties might help delay the onset or slow the progression of Alzheimer’s.
And they concluded, “Mushrooms may be a promising functional food for preventing AD. Mushrooms have many bioactive compounds that have the potential to regulate AD.
These findings are encouraging; however, a substantial amount of research is still needed to study their optimal dose, limitations, bioavailability, the differences between chemical forms, and their possible interactions with other dietary components. 
Drug discoveries
Among the fresh drug findings in the Alzheimer’s field lately, two names in particular have been making headlines - lecanemab and donanemab.
Both drugs have been shown to slow down the loss of memory and thinking skills in patients with early Alzheimer’s symptoms.
- Donanemab slowed it down by over 20 per cent [4], with evidence suggesting the earlier it was taken in the disease stages, the better the outcome.
- Lecanemab achieved a 27 per cent slowdown [5], and was also found to be effective for early-stage Alzheimer’s.
However, as with all new drug discoveries, there is much more research to be done [6], particularly as the most recent trials of both drugs only lasted 18 months and most participants were from a white background.
Neuro OT aid for Alzheimer’s
Our neurooccupational therapists (OTs) understand how Alzheimer’s symptoms can impact life after a diagnosis – for the individual and those who care about them.
They use evidence-based occupational therapy strategies and tools that can reduce the impact of the disease on activities of daily living.
Their approach includes assessing changes in the ways the body and brain function, such as:
- Emotions, moods, and personality
- Memory and thinking skills
- Planning and problem-solving
- Behaviour and self-image
- Language and communication
Our neuro OTs also help clients to understand more about how the disease may be impacting them and the things they can do to :
- Improve, develop, or re-learn abilities and skills
- Maintain independence
- Compensate for challenges
- Modify their environment
Avoiding Alzheimer’s
Do you know the 12 everyday risks of developing Alzheimer’s disease?
To mark this year’s World Alzheimer’s Month, Alzheimer’s Disease International has designed a helpful check chart to remind you of them.
It also reflects the theme of this year’s campaign, 'Never too early, never too late' [7] highlighting the importance of identifying and reducing risk factors that may lead to developing the disease.
Check the chart to see if you guessed all 12 risks correctly...
Risk-Factors-Graphic-2021.pdf (alzint.org)
To mark this year’s World Alzheimer's Month, Dementia UK [8] is inviting people affected by Alzheimer’s disease to share their experiences and learn more about the support services available.
Further reading
We can’t end up in a situation where new drugs are being approved, but people can’t access them early in their dementia journey when they work best – we need more accurate, earlier dementia diagnosis...
Alzheimer’s Society
A double drug breakthrough, diagnosis dilemmas, and how neuro OTs boss memory loss...it’s all in Dementia Action Week 2023
