Biological/Vaccine: Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) for Alzheimer Disease

"Brain aging appears to be a common cause of dementia. While risk factors are established, the causes of dementia are not well understood, and it is likely a combination of both genetics and lifestyle. Current evidence suggests that changes in brain structure play a central role in the development of dementia. Dementia can be prevented and reduced by exercising and managing risk factors for aging." - Anonymous Online Contributor

"Dementia has a strong family component. There are no cures for dementia. However, treatments can be helpful in easing the burden for patients, their caretakers and society at large. There are many different types of interventions targeted at people with dementia, as well as dementia-specific care, for which care-giving organisations are particularly well placed to provide. These interventions, which have been shown to be equally effective across the lifespan, may include personal care, care-giving support, rehabilitation or behavioural interventions, educational activities, and emotional support for families. The scope of interventions in dementia may be too narrow for clinicians to take up all aspects of people‘s needs." - Anonymous Online Contributor

"In a country with high rates of older adults with dementia, about 75,000 are diagnosed with dementia a year. Older adults with dementia are more likely to be white, male, to be uninsured, or to have low educational levels. In addition, they are more likely to have poorer health or incomes, and are more likely to face multiple other health problems, than those without dementia." - Anonymous Online Contributor

"Neurological signs are usually the presenting feature of dementia. Cognitive symptoms are frequently not mentioned by non-medical caregivers. This could potentially explain why dementia is rarely recognized as a reason for older people to attend clinic. Neurologic signs are more frequent and severe in people with mild cognitive impairment." - Anonymous Online Contributor

"Dementia is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by a variety of cognitive and behavioural changes. Dementia is a major health problem that affects the daily life of patients and their carers, often in an irreversible, progressive manner. It is the third most common cause of disability and is frequently complicated by co-existing chronic conditions such as depression, anxiety and difficulty adjusting to the changes in role expectations. The prevalence of dementia in New Zealand is estimated at 1.4% - 3.4% of the total population depending on the age group studied and the method of measuring prevalence." - Anonymous Online Contributor

"We can say that most dementias aren't caused by viruses in the brain as some people believe, but from the interaction of our brain anatomy, chemical imbalance, and genetics.(Brain Science Foundation) With medication, lifestyle, and diet, some people with dementia can regain the quality of life they enjoyed before their dementia" - Anonymous Online Contributor

"Currently BCG is regarded as an immunostimulant that is not indicated for 'therapeutic use' in older children who experience an unexplained febrile illness or as a prophylactically measure for individuals who are at risk for immunosuppression. These children receive BCG vaccination as a routine preventive measure. The rationale for vaccinating BCG-naïve children is to reduce morbidity and mortality from a mycobacterial infection. Since BCG is now widely available, it can be injected as a 'therapeutic' measure. A variety of studies have demonstrated that BCG vaccine is very effective at clearing persistent bacilli which can persist after vaccination in the bloodstream." - Anonymous Online Contributor

"BCG injection significantly reduced the risk of Meningitis. The study suggests that BCG is effective and safe in preventing and treating meningitis caused by Meningitic WN." - Anonymous Online Contributor

"There is an expectation that older people with dementia will be more likely to be female. The average age at onset at about 65 years old shows that there used to be an expectation that males would be more affected. Over the last decade many studies have looked at this, but their results are mixed. However, studies done in 2003 showed that the prevalence of dementia was higher in females than in males.\n" - Anonymous Online Contributor

"Vaccines such as bacillus calmette-guerin are well tolerated by most adults. Vaccinations could prevent, or at least delay, the onset of Alzheimer disease. The evidence is inconclusive regarding whether the vaccine is harmful or beneficial to patients with the disease. There is no convincing evidence that vaccinations prevent dementia. There is, however, some evidence that certain types of vaccinations could reduce the risk of developing some aspects of dementia (such as vascular dementia), but this needs further study. Vaccinations against infectious diseases that are still in the developmental stage (such as measles, typhoid fever (paint-thinner), influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia) do not appear to increase the risk of cognitive dysfunction." - Anonymous Online Contributor

"There does not appear to be evidence that we can apply the principles of the medical community to support clinical trials. Those interested in clinical trials in dementias would be well-served if they followed a set of rules to maximize their chances of achieving their outcome. Clinically we have to accept that we are a medical community. This is a challenge that will be pursued through research, and through education and training. These are the ways that we hope to bring these principles to bear." - Anonymous Online Contributor

"There's still a lot of things to do with dementia research but recent advances have brought about new discoveries for treatment, prevention and the future of dementia.\n\nWhat is new in the literature about dementia, that will modify the care of patients with dementia?\n- Recent advances in the treatment of dementia have focused on acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. This type of medication helps treat cognitive dysfunction in dementia. Some evidence suggests niacin may be effective in treating Alzheimer’s disease.\n- While vitamin B improves memory and thought function in people with dementia, it's unclear if it is more effective than placebo for people with mild or moderate dementia." - Anonymous Online Contributor