Memory Loss: Preparing for the Inevitable

Memory loss, in general, doesn't always indicate that you're at risk of Alzheimer's disease. There are instances when people forget what they've seen or heard a few minutes ago; that's just how the brain works, according to psychologists. However, if you can't remember the names of people you spend a lot of time with, it may signify a problem. If you compare the brain to a hard drive, long-term memory loss is the same as a corrupted drive.

It's crucial to detect this degenerative mental disease in its early stages. Among those considered as early-stage symptoms are the inability to conjure ideas despite having rehearsed hundreds of times and the tendency to do multiple tasks at the same time. Memory screening tests can help identify whether or not a person has Alzheimer's disease, although its results aren't the sole basis. Early stages of the disease should be countered with early preparation.

Alzheimer's disease is progressive. Early detection may not yield a cure, but anticipating the disease ahead of time can prepare friends and family better for the inevitable. People suffering from Alzheimer's are most in need of medical and social support from those close to them. Memory screening and other clinical tests can help diagnosed patients prepare in advance for the journey ahead. 

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Basic Facts on Clinical Trials and Research

Before a drug is placed in the market or certain medical procedures are approved, clinical trials are frequently conducted to ensure their efficacy and safety. As a component of medical research, clinical trials are methodologically conducted by a team of professionals composed of doctors, nurses, research scientists, social workers, and other healthcare experts. Majority of trials are funded by government agencies, non-profit organizations, and pharmaceutical companies.

From discovering new treatments to identifying ways to prevent certain diseases or complications, there are many advantages associated with clinical trials. In fact, a number of participants who would've otherwise not received treatment, survive and get better with the help of clinical trials. However, as with most researches, there are still uncertainties and risks connected with every clinical trial. This is why patients and volunteers are thoroughly informed of the trial's objectives, risks, benefits, and its process before they are asked to sign a consent.

At present, several clinical trials are geared towards determining more effective cure for deadly and chronic conditions, such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Without medical research and clinical studies, there's no way to guarantee the effectiveness of a treatment. Furthermore, adverse reactions related to the drug being tested will not be discovered and resolved if not for medical trials. In the end, it's always about weighing the pros and cons.

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What Are the Phases of Clinical Trials?

Clinical trials are scientific research studies that involve patients as subjects to test treatments and newly developed medicines. The research goes through several stages to make sure that the results are unarguably accurate and reliable. The first stage is usually done for a small group of around 20 to 80, where the subject therapy will be administered for the first time.

The second phase involves about a hundred to 300 patients. The results of the Phase I tests will be checked against and compared to the Phase II results. The study will only reach the third stage if the pre-determined number of patients benefit from the treatment. In Phase III, the respondents are a much larger group of a thousand to three thousand. This phase involves evaluation of the treatment's effectiveness and monitoring of its side-effects.

For a certain drug to pass the stringent standards of the Food and Drugs Administration, it should make it through the third phase. However, this isn't the last step; Phase IV trials will have to be conducted while the drug is already in the market.

The purpose of the fourth phase is to continually evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment or drug and to discover any new benefits that may come up from them. This is why it's common to hear about scientists “discovering new uses for X medicine or Y drug.” In the end, clinical trials assure you that your medication, barring all other factors, can give you the cure you need.

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