By now, you know that I’ve been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. And, in fact, I’ve been prescribed the medication, donepezil, to treat it. Which, unfortunately, “appears to result in a small benefit in mental function and ability to function”.

That’s the bad news.

The Good News

The good news is that there’s a brand new drug on the market, Aduhelm or aducanumab, (how in the world do they come up with these goofy names?!) that has received preliminary FDA approval for treatment of the illness. The advantage of Adulelm? “It’s the first therapy,” according to the FDA, “to target and affect the underlying disease process, rather than just the symptoms.”

A possible downside? The drug can cause swelling of the brain. Which, although probably temporary, is of particular concern for me because I already have a fat head. Or, actually, a swollen brain. It’s a condition known as NPH, short for Normal Pressure Hydrocephalous. Symptoms? Trouble walking. Urinary incontinence. And, you guessed it, dementia. In my case, they’ve treated the NPH with a brain shunt that relieves the pressure. And, while the shunt has helped, I’m by no means a “new man.”

A definite downside? Exorbitant cost. One year of Aduhelm will set you (or Medicare) back a cool $56,000. It’s provoked a firestorm of controversy.

But bottom line? My doc tells me I’m not a good candidate for the new Alzheimer wonder drug because I already have a swollen head. Er, brain.

So, What’s A Guy With A Fat Head To Do?

You guessed it. More pills. Granted, many of the pills that Dr. Maria Hopp recommends in following the Bredersen anti-Alzheimer’s protocol seem pretty garden variety. But, taken together, all the vitamins and supplements that I’m popping morning and night barely fit into a LARGE 7 day pill organizer. Which immediately suggests a question: how in the world did I ever get so old?!! Simple: one day at a time.

But ready or not, here’s a rundown on all the pills my favorite pusher, Dr Hopp, has me on. And who, for all the world, appears to be an intelligent physician with a gentle sense of humor. And, moreover, seems to be a straight shooter.

• Multivitamin: Nothing new here; been taking these forever.
• CoQ10: I dare you to figure this one out. In fact, unless you’re a real pill geek, I dee-double dare you. According to WebMD, this supplement is an anti-oxidant that protects cells from damage and is available in many foods. For my purposes, preliminary research suggests that it may help ward off Alzheimer’s. Aha!
• Vitamin D: The “Sunshine Vitamin” is generally recognized as conducive to good bone strength. Something important to me, a guy who’s had more sports related fractures than I care to recall. Or that you want to hear about. But it’s also worth noting that the Mayo Clinic reports that “low levels of vitamin D in the blood are associated with cognitive decline.” So, what’s a guy have to lose for upping the sunshine factor when he’s already been branded with the scarlet “A”?
• Probiotics: The little “bugs” found in fermented foods like yogurt and sauerkraut. To my surprise, there’s actually some research suggesting that these rascally microbes may help us old codgers battling Alzheimer’s.
• DHA Omega: Basically, fish oil. I’ve actually been taking it for years at the recommendation of my psychiatrist to ward off the acute misery and wild euphoria of bipolar disorder. Research now suggests it might also be helpful in warding off dementia. So, lucky me. A twofer!
• Vitamin E: Found in many foods besides vegetable oil, this versatile vitamin (and that, folks, is an alliteration) is required for the proper functions of many of our organs. “Fine,” you say, “but what’s it got to do with Alzheimer’s?” This: “it doesn’t seem to prevent Alzheimer disease from developing. But in people who already have Alzheimer disease, taking vitamin E along with some anti-Alzheimer medicines might slow down memory loss.”
• Curcumin: Best known to us non-nerd types as turmeric, this is the bright yellow spice of Asian cuisine. While its efficacy for treating dementia is controversial, an article on the National Institutes of Health website suggests that the compound may be useful in delaying the onset of the disease. My take? You pays your money and you takes your chances.
• Pregnenolone: I’m no internet search wizard, but I couldn’t find anything suggesting it helps with Alzheimer’s. Guess I’ll have to ask Dr Hopp.
• Vitamin A: Again, generally a good idea. But helpful with Alzheimer’s? I couldn’t find it.
• Zinc: The Journal of Neuroscience reports that “zinc supplementation was associated with reduced risk and slower cognitive decline, in people with Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment.” Chalk one up for the good guys.
• Copper: Great. Some reputable sources say it hurts. Others say it helps. Answer? I guess you picks your poison.
• Ashwagandha: An herbal remedy for stress commonly used in Asia and Africa, it’s a head scratcher for me when it comes to Alzheimer’s.
• Testosterone: Given my history of bipolar disorder, this one really makes my wife nervous. But what’s she think? That her 70 year old husband is going to morph into a muscle bound sex maniac? Whatever. But research suggests that low testosterone levels in older men with memory problems may signal progression to Alzheimer’s disease. And trust me. My wife definitely thinks I have memory problems. But, for the sake of domestic harmony, I promise to ask my shrink her opinion about this one.

The Fly In The Ointment

So, there you have it. The laundry list of pills and potions that I take at the suggestion of Dr Hopp. And I’ve probably missed some. But the real question is: Do they actually help? And before I go on, let me add, “I sure hope so!” All those pills don’t come cheap.

Of course, Drs Hopp and Bredersen believe so. But what about third parties? Now, I’m certainly no expert. And I can’t claim to have thoroughly researched the question. But a look at the internet suggests skepticism. The Lancet is a weekly peer-reviewed general medical journal. Highly regarded, it is among the world’s oldest and best-known general medical journals.

And what does The Lancet have to say about The End Of Alzheimers? Exercise extreme caution. In an extensively footnoted article in the May 2020 edition, numerous red flags were highlighted, including undisclosed conflicts of financial interest, shoddy research techniques, and an unbalanced presentation of proposed scientific findings.

Want more? Actually, much more? Check out this lengthy research paper by the Global Council on Brain Health, a world wide consortium of scientists and health professionals working in the the areas of human cognition. Their conclusion about the efficacy of supplements for treating a disorder like Alzheimers? To put it mildly, it’s not encouraging.

So, will I continue? I certainly intend to have a heart to heart with Dr Hopp. Stay tuned.