New treatments for dementia. Myth, magic, and science.
Dementia could affect 778,000 Canadians by the year 2031. While current treatment is mainly supportive, a race to find new treatments for this dreaded disease takes varied approaches and currently accounts for 10% of drug company resources. Tacrine is the first drug licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in Alzheimer's disease. New treatments raise several ethical issues and involve society's attitude toward death and dying.
McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont.
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Ganesan
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Standish
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Molloy
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Darzins
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Orange
D000108:Acetylcarnitine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003704:Dementia / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D017277:Drug Approval; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009553:Nimodipine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011788:Quality of Life; D012945:Social Values; D013619:Tacrine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D013619:Tacrine; D009553:Nimodipine; D000108:Acetylcarnitine