Gurutz Linazasoro, a neurologist at Policlínica Gipuzkoa, pointed out that “new medications such as Lecanemab and Donanemab, which have shown to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s and have been approved in the United States and England, have not yet been approved in Europe.”
“In Gipuzkoa, a case of Alzheimer’s is diagnosed every three hours, being the most common cause of dementia,” neurologist Gurutz Linazasoro stated on Wednesday during a talk he gave on World Alzheimer’s Day, celebrated worldwide on September 21st, in the Plenary Hall of the City Hall of San Sebastián. He was welcomed by the mayor of the city, Eneko Goia. During the talk, titled “The medicine of the future for Alzheimer’s,” the prestigious neurologist from Gipuzkoa drew attention to the fact that “Europe is falling behind in the application of new Alzheimer’s drugs that are already being administered in the United States and England, such as Lecanemab and Donanemab.”
According to Linazasoro, “these new medications have shown to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s, and Europe is lagging behind in the application of Alzheimer’s medications,” emphasized the neurologist from Policlínica Gipuzkoa.
The neurologist emphasized that up to 45% of dementia cases could be prevented or slowed down with lifestyle changes. He pointed out that factors such as lack of education, hearing loss, depression, head trauma, sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, tobacco and alcohol consumption, hypertension, obesity, loneliness, pollution, and vision loss increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
Gurutz Linazasoro highlighted as the most recently discovered novelties in the study of Alzheimer’s disease in the past year, the fact that when talking about this type of dementia, they no longer refer to it as senile dementia, as well as the discovery that in its development, factors such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle, not smoking, getting enough rest, consuming alcohol moderately, exercising, following a Mediterranean diet, being active and socializing, as well as controlling cholesterol and taking care of vision and hearing to avoid isolation, can all play a role.
Clinical trials with new Alzheimer’s drugs
Gurutz Linazasoro spoke about the progress of the clinical trials that his team is conducting at Policlínica Gipuzkoa with anti-Alzheimer’s drugs, showing an optimistic approach to the future of treating this disease. “The priority of Alzheimer’s research today focuses on preventing and slowing down the disease to allow people to live longer without dementia or with mild symptoms,” the neurologist pointed out.
To maintain a “brain-healthy” lifestyle, Gurutz Linazasoro recommended the following measures:
– Engage in physical exercise (5-10,000 steps/day).
– Participate in intellectual and social activities such as learning a new language, traveling, using the internet, dancing, or playing cards.
– Treat depression and correct hearing and vision impairments.
– Control cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes, LDL cholesterol, hypertension, and obesity.
– Avoid toxins (drugs, environmental substances) and head injuries.
– Maintain restful sleep and follow healthy diets such as the Mediterranean or Harvard guidelines.
To conclude the conference, Gurutz Linazasoro emphasized never losing curiosity and optimism, stating that curiosity is the engine of learning and a fundamental tool for staying mentally active.
via: MiMub in Spanish