• Afflicts 5 percent of people over 65, and 20 percent of those over 80.
• Is the fourth leading cause of death among the elderly.
• Kills 100,000 Americans each year.
• Is the leading cause of nursing home placement and dependency for the elderly.

PROGRESS IN MEDICAL RESEARCH

Alzheimer's disease is a catastrophic affliction of the middle and later years of life. It is characterized by a progressive loss of memory, confusion, and dementia, and culminates in childlike helplessness and death. Its course may be long - 5 to 10 years from discovery of the disease. Yet no statistic tells the story of the continuing decline endured by the patient, and the suffering experienced by the family and community.

What has animal research shown about Alzheimer's disease?

A number of abnormalities have been identified in the brains of Alzheimer's disease sufferers, and they sometimes appear in families. Recent theories suggest there is an impaired regulation of brain proteins. In other studies, rabbits have been shown to develop antibodies to a protein associated with Alzheimer's disease. Genes, viruses, and toxic agents have all been looked at in animals to learn more about this disease.

Is animal research still needed on Alzheimer's disease?

Studies of the human brain are taking place, but this can only be done after a patient dies. Alzheimer's disease needs to be looked at during its development to find clues to its origin. Aging monkeys and cats with some of the signs and symptoms of human senility may provide partial models. At UC San Francisco scientists have recently developed a mouse strain which serves as a model for studying Down's Syndrome. Because brain and behavioral studies of Down's Syndrome patients reveal conditions identical to those of Alzheimer's disease patients, scientists believe this mouse strain may also prove beneficial in studying Alzheimer's disease. Animal research is also very important for finding new treatments, such as tacrine, an agent developed at Parke-Davis.

What's ahead for people with Alzheimer's disease?

In 1900 life expectancy was less than 50 years. Today the average American lives well into their seventies, but we pay a high price for the afflications of age. The financial burden to society for Alzheimer's disease has been estimated to be over 80 billion a year, but the price of human suffering is incalculable. Today about 3 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease, and as our society ages, by the year 2040 more than 7 million people could be affected. While Alzheimer's disease still threatens us all, we must continue dedicated and appropriate animal research to find the key to eventual treatment and/or prevention.