We all love to reminisce about the good old days! Memories are part of our life and everyone reflects upon the good and bad times spent. Unfortunately, with a steadily increasing incidence of Alzheimers disease globally, many are losing their memoriesin fact even losing the ability to remember basic activities that do not as such require conscious thought. What is Alzheimers disease? Alzheimers disease (AD) is one of the major causes of dementia, and as of the last decade, there are approximately 3.7 million Indians with the condition. The lack of awareness regarding the early symptoms of the disease and knowledge about the associated risks poses challenges in early diagnosis and prompt interventions. Moreover, one cannot prevent or reverse the disease process. AD begins in individuals around the age of 40-50 years when certain unwanted proteins accumulate in the brain. These protein deposits interfere with the connections in the brain and disrupt the transmission of informationconsider them roadblocks that cannot be crossed. Thus, with time and depending on the extent of protein accumulation, a patient begins to forget things and gradually fails to form a link between the sensory information gained and the required action. For example, in advanced stages, apart from being unable to recognise people (including family members) a patient might not know what to do with a toothbrush or how the lock on a door should be fastened, although these are things he/she would have been doing for years together. It is a sad sight to watch a family member deteriorate in this manner. Since such episodes affect the overall quality of life of the patient, caregivers also tend to face the burden. How can this be treated? Unfortunately, there are no medications to treat the disease. Thus, the least we can do is try to slow down the progression of the condition. To begin with, annual health check-ups must be advised to everyone over the age of 45 years, adding brain imaging where required. By this we might be able to identify AD early and initiate activities and treatment that can slow the progression, says Dr Pradeep Mahajan, Regenerative Medicine Researcher. We have stem cells and growth factors in our body, which function to control inflammation, enhance the functions of other cells, and provide a constant pool of healthy cells to regenerate lost tissues. Through cell-based therapy, we are only providing these molecules at the required location in the appropriate quantity, explains Dr Mahajan. He continues, There are several other molecules, for example, chaperones (helper proteins) and exosomes (cell-associated packets of genetic material, proteins, immune cells, etc.) that act as messenger molecules, and also help in de-tangling nerve fibres and protein deposits in the brain. These can be utilised to create a healthier environment in the brain and restore internal balance (homeostasis). With more targeted therapies being researched, it might be possible to reverse AD in the future. For now, though, regenerative medicine can be a beacon of hope for patients to help lead an independent life for as long as possible in a natural, minimally invasive manner, concludes Dr Mahajan.

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How stem cell therapy can help with Alzheimers disease - Times of India