As we know it today, there’s no cure for Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately, over 44 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with this awful disease. And it’s only going to progress over the years.
This fatal disease is showing no signs of going away anytime soon. It’s a battle more and more people will have to take on over the years.
But there’s a solution that seems promising.
Experts are researching the drug trazodone as a way to slow down Alzheimer’s. It’s showing that it may be able to protect the brain.
Curious to know more? Read on and we’ll show you the ways trazodone is helping with Alzheimer’s.
It Prevents Brain Cells from Dying
When humans are diagnosed with a deadly disease like Alzheimer’s or dementia, it attacks the brain. If the brain is under attack, the cells being a protective process.
They shut down the production of all proteins. This is done in order to stop the virus from spreading further.
What may sound like a good natural defense system is actually the opposite. The problem when it comes to dementia and Alzheimer’s is that the cells shut down for so long they begin to die off.
That’s what makes those two diseases so deadly. The brain cells remain inactive for so long that they begin to impair the person.
This results in loss of memory and being unable to move. And in worse cases, death.
Trazodone can help stop the body’s defense system. Instead of causing the cells to shut down, it’ll make them remain active.
When they remain active, they can help combat the disease. Not only could this drug help with Alzheimer’s but with other degenerative diseases as well.
So far it’s only been tested on mice. They reacted well to it and it was shown to stop any kind of neurodegenerative disease.
Trazodone is Already Used to Treat Depression
For those that suffer from depression, they may already be on this drug. Right now its common uses are to improve the appetite, mood, and energy levels.
If the patient also suffers from insomnia and/or anxiety, this drug would be prescribed to them as well. It’s mostly known for restoring the right amount of serotonin in the brain.
Trazodone is showing promise because of its ability to prevent the natural defense system in the brain. Again, it prevents the cells from shutting down.
We know it’s safe for humans to consume because it’s been prescribed time and time again. Other treatments have been tested in mice but they proved to be dangerous if consumed by humans.
With it protecting the brain in patients with depression, it could be a real game changer for those with dementia and Alzheimer’s. But before we can be certain, more research is needed.
It Lessens Stress Amongst Veterinary Patients
For those that are unaware, stress plays a big role in Alzheimer’s disease. It’s been shown to eventually lead to this deadly disease later in life.
The reason for this is because high levels of stress produce large amounts of beta-amyloids. Otherwise known as proteins in the brain.
These proteins are in relation to the symptoms of brain dysfunction. When there is too much of this protein, it can cause memory loss and the inability to make decisions.
Now, a recent study shows that trazodone may lessen stress. But this research was only conducted using dogs who were hospitalized.
Why should this concern you? Because the results will surprise you.
The reason why this study was conducted is to find an alternative to sedation. Too often, dogs are sedated when stressed out, which can affect their health when being treated.
For the study, there were two groups of dogs. Ones that were put on trazodone and another group that was left as is.
They paired the dogs up in groups of two. One dog was given the drug while the other wasn’t.
For the dogs that were on the substance, they were given stronger doses over a course of 24 hours. But it did not exceed a certain amount of milligrams.
After they were treated for the day, a researcher came in. They had no idea which dogs were given trazodone.
Each of the dogs were separated and evaluated in their rooms. During this time, the observer did not interact with any of the dogs.
After evaluating each of the dogs, they came to a conclusion. Those treated with the drug showed different behavioral signs than the ones left untreated.
Those given the substance had significant decreases in aggression-like behavior.
This study has yet to be used on humans. But with it showing promise in dogs, it’s possible it could be used to treat those who are middle-aged and highly stressed.
It’s Already Given to Those in Later Stages of Dementia
Surprisingly enough, trazodone is prescribed to those who already have dementia. It’s given to them when they reached the later stages of the disease.
It hasn’t proved much success since dementia often leads to Alzheimer’s anyway. But possibly giving this medication to those who show early signs of developing dementia may turn the tables.
If it’s given before the person fully develops the disease, it could stop the degenerative process before it even begins. It’ll either stop it completely or slow the progression.
Either way, it could be the key to creating a preventive solution. Within the next two or three years, it’s possible to know.
Researchers are working hard to know everything they can about this drug and how it’ll react to dementia and Alzheimer’s. Studies have been conducted with mice and dogs. Now it’s time to know if humans can be tested using this drug for that cause.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s are scary diseases. And when there’s no cure, it’s easy for some to lose all hope.
Luckily, studies have been conducted to further explain how this drug could possibly react with humans battling these diseases.
In the upcoming years, we should expect some sort of breakthrough. Hopefully, it’ll be an end to these conditions being incurable.
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