New Alzheimer’s Guidelines have been recently announced, where new thinking in the field of Alzheimer’s study holds out the hope that literally millions of Baby Boomers could be diagnosed and possibly treated before the disease’s devastation takes effect. While this is good news for middle-aged Americans, it’s even better news for certain medical-industry companies, which stand to reap significant profits. Unfortunately, though, the byzantine public-private system of health insurance in this country means that insurers aren’t likely to spend a penny on these potentially lifesaving actions.
Tests involving brain imaging and screening proteins find in the in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can now be used clinically in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease, according to new guidelines proposed by a working group from the National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association.
“These criteria will serve us in finding the kind of diagnostic tools and interventions that will help treat people in the earliest stages of the disease and avoid the severe symptoms that are so debilitating,” says William Thies, chief medical and scientific officer for the Alzheimer’s Association.
The current guidelines have not been updated since 1984. Now, there are several advances making headway, and the panel wants to address shortcomings and provide clinicians with new guidelines. The use of biomarkers was among the top concerns.