A pill called Xanamem, taken once a day, is showing promise in slowing — and possibly even stopping — cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer’s. It may also help those with severe depression and other types of dementia such as frontotemporal (FTD) and Lewy Body disease.
Xanamem enters the brain and blocks an enzyme that promotes cortisol production, thus reducing cortisol levels in the brain. High levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) have been shown to damage the hippocampus and other brain regions affected in Alzheimer’s. The drug is unique in that it does not interfere with cortisol synthesis in the adrenal glands, and therefore it doesn’t have negative effects on blood pressure or the functioning of other organs.
Xanamem is being developed by the Australian biotechnology company Actinogen Medical, and there are currently two trials underway throughout the USA and Australia, including NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. To be eligible for for the studies, participants must:
- Be over 50 years of age
- Have a diagnosis of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease
- Have noticed difficulty with memory, attention, concentration, decision-making, and complex task execution
- Not have impaired kidney, liver, lung, or heart function
- Have a ‘trial partner’ who knows them well and would be available for the duration of the study.
Participation in the trial will last about 50 weeks (essentially one year). This includes a pre-screening period (if required) of 6 weeks, a screening period of up to 4 weeks, a treatment period of 9 months (36 weeks) and a follow-up period of 4 weeks.
If you’re interested in taking part, please send an email to clinicaltrials@actinogen.com.au or ring 02 8964 7401.
Most importantly, the message is to reduce the stress in our lives. I’ve just delivered a two-hour presentation on the subject, so I can’t do it justice in one short blog. However, I’ll leave you with a key principle of turning stress into success: 80% of stress management is self management. We don’t see things as they are; we see things as we are. We can’t always change what’s going on around us, but we can always change what’s going on inside us. We get to choose our attitude in any given situation. Sometimes our stress is exacerbated, if not caused by, the things we tell ourselves about a situation, rather than the situation itself. So here is an acronym to consider whenever you feel stressed: STRESS = Self Talk Ruining Exciting Stimulating Situations. Simply entertain this as a possibility, and begin asking yourself empowering questions:
- How could I view this situation in a more favourable light?
- How could I turn this to my advantage?
- What’s one step I can take to improve things?
- How might this make me stronger, more resourceful and more resilient?
Embracing challenges is one of the most powerful ways to maintain excellent brain function as we age. Therefore, if we view stressful situations as an opportunity to grow and learn, stress can actually boost our brain.
Please share this Health-e-byte with anyone who might be eligible for the Xanamem trial.
