WORLD ALZHEIMER’S DAY 21 SEPTEMBER
World Alzheimer's Day: 21 September 2011
The European Medicines Agency supports World Alzheimer’s Day which is taking place on Wednesday 21 September 2011. World Alzheimer's Day is held each year on 21 September and is dedicated to raising awareness of dementia and to educate and challenge people's misconceptions about dementia. In 2011, the theme of the day is 'faces of dementia’. The Agency plays a key role in the authorization of medicines to treat dementia. In the European Union (EU), all medicines for the treatment of diseases causing degeneration of the brain and nervous system, including dementia, must be authorised centrally at a European level, rather than in each Member State separately.
To date, a total 11 medicines for use in patients with Alzheimer's disease have been authorized in the EU on the recommendation of the Agency, including medicines for the treatment and for the diagnosis of the disease. The Agency has also recommended the authorisation of medicines used to treat other types of dementia. Earlier this year, the Agency also carried out a public consultation on a qualification opinion for a clinical biomarker intended to identify patients who can be recruited for clinical trials of treatments for pre-dementia Alzheimer's disease. Information on this biomarker was recently published in the journal European Neuropsychopharmacology.
The Agency works closely with organisations representing patients with dementia through Alzheimer Europe, an umbrella organisation of 31 national Alzheimer associations from 27 European countries. It also interacts with organisations representing healthcare professionals in the field of dementia, and works with European and international scientific organisations such as the Critical Path InstituteThe Agency organises regular events and meetings many of which cover issues related to dementia, as well as providing guidance for companies developing medicines for the treatment and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses.
: Eminent consultants and neurologists encouraging the construction of dementia clinics and nursing homes in public sector have urged the government to take effective measures to contain the increasing numbers of people affected with dementia and Alzheimer’s.Addressing a seminar titled ‘Faces of Dementia’ to mark ‘World Alzheimer’s Day’, Associate Professor and Consultant Neurologist Dr Arsalan Ahmad explained in detail symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia and also discussed the treatment options with the audience.
‘Dementia is a progressive deterioration of intellect, behavior and personality as a consequence of diffuse disease of the cerebral hemispheres. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type and cause of dementia in old age,’ said Dr. Arsalan. He said, ‘Dementia is one of the major causes of disability in later life. After the age of 65, the prevalence of dementia doubles with every five years’ increment in age.’In Pakistan, he informed, in 2002, approximately 5.775 million people above 65 years of age were affected with dementia. He quoted a report of Alzheimer’s disease International (ADI) published in 2009, according to which there were 35.6 million people were with dementia and Alzheimer and it was expected that the number would increase to 65.7 million by 2030.
While highlighting the symptoms, he said dementia was a collective name for progressive degenerative brain syndromes, which affect memory, thinking, behavior and emotion. Symptoms may include loss of memory, difficulty in finding the right words or understanding what people are saying, difficulty in performing previously routine tasks and personality and mood changes.He stated that a careful history of the person’s problem from a close relative or friend, together with an examination of the person’s physical and mental status can help in diagnosing the disease. ‘However, it can only be confirmed with certainty by examining the brain at post mortem,’ he expressed.
An early diagnosis is helpful, because it enables caregivers to be better equipped to cope with the disease progression and provides people with dementia with an opportunity to make decisions about their financial and legal affairs before they lose the ability to do so,’ Dr. Arsalan opined while adding that it also gives people with dementia a better chance to benefit from existing treatments.He observed that people who keep their brains active may be at less risk of developing dementia. Reading, engaging in a hobby such as playing bridge or chess, or doing crosswords and word puzzles may help to reduce risk. Neurology Division of Shifa International Hospital has organized the event here on Wednesday in connection to mark September 21, as World Alzheimer’s Day.A large number of people from all walks of life attended the informatory seminar. A question-answer session was also held and panel of experts including Prof Mohammad Tariq from Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Head Neurology Division SIH Dr Ismail Khatri, Dr Arsalan Ahmad, Dr. Azhar Saeed and Dr. Maimoona Siddiqui gave detailed answers of patients’ queries. The theme for World Alzheimer's Day™ 2011 is 'Faces of dementia'
In our materials and activities ADI and Alzheimer associations across the world will focus on the many issues surrounding the 'Faces of dementia'. They will be asking if you recognise the face of dementia while paying tribute to those who represent the 'Faces of dementia' in all parts of the world and working tirelessly to promote increased support and care for people with dementia and their carers.
Every year on 21 September Alzheimer associations across the globe unite to recognise World Alzheimer's Day and 2011 will be no exception with events taking place internationally. We are confident that the large numbers of people involved and the media coverage these events will gain can make a real difference for people with dementia, their families and carers worldwide.
Prof. John Kurakar
World Alzheimer's Day: 21 September 2011
The European Medicines Agency supports World Alzheimer’s Day which is taking place on Wednesday 21 September 2011. World Alzheimer's Day is held each year on 21 September and is dedicated to raising awareness of dementia and to educate and challenge people's misconceptions about dementia. In 2011, the theme of the day is 'faces of dementia’. The Agency plays a key role in the authorization of medicines to treat dementia. In the European Union (EU), all medicines for the treatment of diseases causing degeneration of the brain and nervous system, including dementia, must be authorised centrally at a European level, rather than in each Member State separately.To date, a total 11 medicines for use in patients with Alzheimer's disease have been authorized in the EU on the recommendation of the Agency, including medicines for the treatment and for the diagnosis of the disease. The Agency has also recommended the authorisation of medicines used to treat other types of dementia. Earlier this year, the Agency also carried out a public consultation on a qualification opinion for a clinical biomarker intended to identify patients who can be recruited for clinical trials of treatments for pre-dementia Alzheimer's disease. Information on this biomarker was recently published in the journal European Neuropsychopharmacology.
The Agency works closely with organisations representing patients with dementia through Alzheimer Europe, an umbrella organisation of 31 national Alzheimer associations from 27 European countries. It also interacts with organisations representing healthcare professionals in the field of dementia, and works with European and international scientific organisations such as the Critical Path InstituteThe Agency organises regular events and meetings many of which cover issues related to dementia, as well as providing guidance for companies developing medicines for the treatment and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses.
: Eminent consultants and neurologists encouraging the construction of dementia clinics and nursing homes in public sector have urged the government to take effective measures to contain the increasing numbers of people affected with dementia and Alzheimer’s.Addressing a seminar titled ‘Faces of Dementia’ to mark ‘World Alzheimer’s Day’, Associate Professor and Consultant Neurologist Dr Arsalan Ahmad explained in detail symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia and also discussed the treatment options with the audience.
‘Dementia is a progressive deterioration of intellect, behavior and personality as a consequence of diffuse disease of the cerebral hemispheres. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type and cause of dementia in old age,’ said Dr. Arsalan. He said, ‘Dementia is one of the major causes of disability in later life. After the age of 65, the prevalence of dementia doubles with every five years’ increment in age.’In Pakistan, he informed, in 2002, approximately 5.775 million people above 65 years of age were affected with dementia. He quoted a report of Alzheimer’s disease International (ADI) published in 2009, according to which there were 35.6 million people were with dementia and Alzheimer and it was expected that the number would increase to 65.7 million by 2030.
While highlighting the symptoms, he said dementia was a collective name for progressive degenerative brain syndromes, which affect memory, thinking, behavior and emotion. Symptoms may include loss of memory, difficulty in finding the right words or understanding what people are saying, difficulty in performing previously routine tasks and personality and mood changes.He stated that a careful history of the person’s problem from a close relative or friend, together with an examination of the person’s physical and mental status can help in diagnosing the disease. ‘However, it can only be confirmed with certainty by examining the brain at post mortem,’ he expressed.
An early diagnosis is helpful, because it enables caregivers to be better equipped to cope with the disease progression and provides people with dementia with an opportunity to make decisions about their financial and legal affairs before they lose the ability to do so,’ Dr. Arsalan opined while adding that it also gives people with dementia a better chance to benefit from existing treatments.He observed that people who keep their brains active may be at less risk of developing dementia. Reading, engaging in a hobby such as playing bridge or chess, or doing crosswords and word puzzles may help to reduce risk. Neurology Division of Shifa International Hospital has organized the event here on Wednesday in connection to mark September 21, as World Alzheimer’s Day.A large number of people from all walks of life attended the informatory seminar. A question-answer session was also held and panel of experts including Prof Mohammad Tariq from Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Head Neurology Division SIH Dr Ismail Khatri, Dr Arsalan Ahmad, Dr. Azhar Saeed and Dr. Maimoona Siddiqui gave detailed answers of patients’ queries. The theme for World Alzheimer's Day™ 2011 is 'Faces of dementia'
In our materials and activities ADI and Alzheimer associations across the world will focus on the many issues surrounding the 'Faces of dementia'. They will be asking if you recognise the face of dementia while paying tribute to those who represent the 'Faces of dementia' in all parts of the world and working tirelessly to promote increased support and care for people with dementia and their carers.
Every year on 21 September Alzheimer associations across the globe unite to recognise World Alzheimer's Day and 2011 will be no exception with events taking place internationally. We are confident that the large numbers of people involved and the media coverage these events will gain can make a real difference for people with dementia, their families and carers worldwide.
Prof. John Kurakar
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