Chinanews client, Beijing, June 20 (Reporter Zhang Ni) Every 3 seconds, a new patient with dementia will be added to the world. Alzheimer's disease patients in China are large in scale and the prevalence is increasing year by year... In contrast, most patients have missed the best time for diagnosis and treatment.

In the opinion of experts, conquering Alzheimer's disease may hope for an early diagnosis.

Data map photo by Kang Yuzhan

　　Recently, the "2021 Alzheimer's Disease (AD) New Progress International Forum" hosted by Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University was held in Beijing.

Han Ying, the chairman of this forum and a professor at Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, gave an in-depth interpretation of the current status and challenges of the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease in China.

　　According to the Global Health Estimates Report 2019 released by the World Health Organization in 2020, in the past 20 years, among the top ten causes of death in the world, Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia alone have been among the top ten causes of death in the world.

The "World Alzheimer's Disease Report 2018" shows that every 3 seconds, a new patient with dementia will be added to the world.

　　China's "running" into an aging society also makes the problem even more difficult.

　　The latest national census data show that compared with 2010, the aging of the population has further deepened.

There are 264 million people aged 60 and over, an increase of 5.44% over 2010.

　　"The aging of the population will bring many social problems, one of which is the age-dependent disease-the incidence and prevalence of Alzheimer's disease are increasing year by year." Han Ying emphasized.

Data map: In a specialized hospital that specializes in Alzheimer's disease in the suburbs of Beijing, an old man suffering from the disease is basking in the sun in a wheelchair.

Photo by Cui Nan issued by China News Agency

　　Alzheimer's disease is the main disease that causes dementia.

Early diagnosis, early intervention, and early treatment are the unanimous recommendations of the medical community for Alzheimer's disease.

The reality is that in Chinese society, Alzheimer's disease is facing the embarrassment of the "three lows": low cognition, low rate of medical visits, and a lower proportion of receiving treatment.

　　Han Ying said that most patients with Alzheimer's disease realize that memory loss is a disease, and when they think of seeing a doctor, 80% have reached the stage of moderate to severe dementia and missed the best time for diagnosis and treatment.

　　"If there is no breakthrough in prevention and treatment, Alzheimer's disease will become a world-class challenge for the health care system." Han Ying emphasized.

　　At the same time, experts emphasized that clinical trials of drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease are full of hardships. Since the US Food and Drug Administration approved memantine in 2003, no new drugs have been approved for marketing.

　　Han Ying introduced that at present, drug treatment in the dementia stage can only improve or relieve symptoms.

Conquering Alzheimer's disease hopes for early diagnosis.

　　In fact, there is also a "gold standard" for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease, which is the "senile plaques" of the brain.

　　Han Ying said that the so-called "senile plaques" of the brain refer to the amyloid deposited in the cerebral cortex of patients with Alzheimer's disease. After amyloid accumulates in the cerebral cortex to a certain amount, it will induce the hyperphosphorylation of tau protein and cause the brain. Cell death.

　　"If Alzheimer's disease is discovered before only amyloid is positive and the cascade reaction is not triggered, and amyloid aggregation is reduced, it may block the course of Alzheimer's disease and prevent it before it happens." Han Ying said. .

　　In addition, experts also emphasized the importance of prevention, including improving one's own education (before 15 years old), preventing hearing loss in middle age, preventing brain trauma, preventing hypertension and diabetes, staying away from obesity, quitting smoking and controlling alcohol, and exercising more. , Maintain a good attitude, etc.

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