 Alzheimer's Association

Wang, T., Liu, X., Guan, J., Ge, S., Wu, M., Lin, J., & Yang, L. (2019, March 05). Advancement of multi-target drug discoveries and promising applications in the field of Alzheimer's disease. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0223523419302089


Multi-target drug discovery

Multi-target drugs have displayed a higher efficacy, improved safety, and simpler administration as compared to a single target. Multi-target drugs are different in the way in that they have multiple biological targets and generally contain several main steps in target identification, validation, hits identification, and lead component optimization. 

Multi-target drug discoveries and applications to Alzheimer's disease

References for Mindfulness Interventions for Alzheimer's

- Alzheimer's disease is a progressive chronic disease. It's "a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior"; over time, these symptoms progressively interfere with daily tasks.
- It's the 6th leading cause of death. Current treatments can alleviate the symptoms but can't stop the progression of Alzheimer's.

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Kalamazoo College

- As per NIH, chronic diseases usually last for ≥3 months and can be progressive.
- As per CDC, the deadliest chronic diseases in the US (from most to least deadly) are heart disease, cancer, CLRD, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes.
- People with chronic diseases are more likely to experience severe complications of COVID-19 if they get infected.

Chronic Diseases

Centella asiatica is prepared, consumed, and utilized in multiple ways for its strong antioxidant properties. Due to this and its purported nootropic and anxiolytic effects, it is used in traditional medicine and is thought to show promise in treating illnesses like Alzheimer's disease. Though generally well-tolerated, it is not recommended to be used orally by children, pregnant individuals, or breastfeeding individuals.

Asiatic Pennywort (Centella asiatica)

Ashwagandha's roots and leaves are thought to have nootropic and sedative effects, in addition to some animal studies showing promise for it as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease and tardive dyskinesia. However, its fruit has emetic properties and overconsumption of the plant may lead to gastrointestinal distress. Though mostly safe, it is not recommended for individuals who are pregnant or dealing with hyperthyroidism. 

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

Bacopa monnieri, sometimes used in cooking, has strong antioxidant properties. Some believe that it may be a promising treatment for Alzheimer's disease as rat studies have demonstrated potential nootropic and neuroprotective effects of the plant extract. It is generally well-tolerated and reported side effects are mild.

Water Hyssop (Bacopa monnieri)

Most commonly used in Brazil, guarana seeds are prepared into a paste that is used to make supplements and caffeinated beverages. The substance has shown nootropic and anxiolytic effects in mouse studies, indicating promise as a treatment for cognitive deterioration in cases of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, etc. However, it may not be safe to consume for individuals with certain medical conditions or who take medications like theophylline.

 Guarana (Paullinia cupana)

- Cancer is a term that refers to a collection of diseases in which some of the body's cells divide uncontrollably and invade surrounding tissues. 
- Cancer can metastasize, i.e., spread to other parts of the body. Metastatic cancer is hard to treat and tends to be fatal. Most cancer deaths are caused by metastasis.

This node should be a relation node, but I can't delete it since it's a root node of the "cancer" tree and it has two upvotes.


Cancer

- According to the WHO, "Cardiovascular disease is the name for the group of disorders of heart and blood vessels."  
- As per WHO, cardiovascular disease includes hypertension, coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease,  peripheral vascular disease, heart failure, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease, and cardiomyopathies. 
- Cardiovascular disease is a risk factor for severe COVID-19, and COVID-19 causes cardiovascular complications. 

Cardiovascular disease 

Previous lung disease is a risk factor for mortality in patients with COVID-19. Older age, male gender, home oxygen therapy, and respiratory failure on admission were associated with an increased mortality. 

lung disease

- CKD, also known as chronic renal disease,  is a chronic, non-communicable, irreversible condition where kidney function gradually declines over time.
- However, CKD progression can be slowed down dramatically or even stopped.
- The earlier stages of CKD are usually asymptomatic.
- Diabetes and high blood pressure cause almost two-thirds of CKD cases.
- Source: https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/about-chronic-kidney-disease

Chronic Kidney Disease

During the COVID-19 era the regular treatment and communication between physicians and patients regarding preexisting comorbidities has been disrupted. New guidelines and safety precautions must be put in place in order for physicians to still treat their patients and treat them through the use of telehealth or other means. While there are a lot of similarities between new communication policies being implemented across different areas of medicine, there are also many differences due to comorbidity specific criteria which facilitates different levels of involvement and communication between physicians and patients.


The comorbidities addressed under this node include:
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular Diseases
- Digestive Diseases
- Elective Surgeries
- Liver Diseases
- Psychological Disorders
- Renal Diseases

Changes to COVID-19 Patient Comorbidity Treatment and Communication

Diabetes is a collection of diseases in which blood glucose levels (i.e., blood sugar) is too high. The most common types of diabetes are type II diabetes, type I diabetes, gestational diabetes, and prediabetes.



Diabetes

Alzheimer's Disease

Neurodegenerative diseases refers to neurological diseases caused by neuronal death or deterioration due to many factors, including protein aggregation/misfolding, apoptosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction. 

Neurodegenerative Diseases

- Motivation
- Goal setting
- Problem Solving (overcoming barriers to positive change)
- Emotional Management
- Health Psychology

Link between Psychology and Chronic Diseases

Since mindfulness meditation can alleviate symptoms of distress, pain, and chronic disease, it can be used to treat hallucinations and delusions experienced by schizophrenic patients. 

What Symptoms Mindfulness Meditation can help Treat in Patients with Severe Schizophrenia

- Cystic fibrosis
- Diabetes
- Multiple sclerosis
- Cancers
- AIDS
- Hemophilia
- Epilepsy
- Hepatitis
- Hyperhidrosis
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Cardiovascular Diseases
- Long COVID

List of Medical Disabilities

Abnormally excessive sweating that is often unrelated to body temperature nor exercise. Known as the silent disorder, this is a widespread condition that affects almost 3% of the population. Currently, solutions to alleviate the condition either serve as temporary solutions or cause many other side effects.

Hyperhidrosis

"Chronic pain management" or "pain management" typically refers to the practice of employing pain killing medicines, psychological therapy/ practices, and/ or managing/ controlling the environment of the patient/ sufferer in order to lessen or mitigate the pain they feel or else make the pain in question more manageable.

Chronic Pain Management

Chronic pain is often a symptom of chronic conditions/ disabilities, though not always. In the medical sphere, "chronic pain" is defined as pain that may be constant in some sense of come and go. Or, in the case of conditions that may have a cure or may "heal", chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts longer than three to six months.

Chronic Pain

Chronic illness increases the likelihood of comorbid conditions such as mental illness and other physical conditions, a lower quality of life, increased cost of healthcare, and complications from a failure to manage the condition(s) properly. 

Mental Health Issues in Children and Adolescents with Chronic Illness

A disorder characterized by involuntary movements, especially involving the face, mouth, lips, and tongue. Can be caused by prolonged use of antipsychotic drugs, like chloropromazine

Tardive Dyskinesia

- Caused by degradation of cells containing dopamine that project on basal ganglia cells 
- Symptoms include tremors during periods of stagnation, loss of facial muscle tone, rigid muscles, and decreased voluntary movement
- Disease usually not inherited, but there are some defective genes that can be inherited, including a-synuclein (protein normally found in basal ganglia cells) and parkin

Parkinson's Disease

- Brand Name(s): Elixophyllin, Elixophylline, Pukmophyllin, Quibron-T, Theo-24, Theolair, Uniphyl
- Indication: Treatment of asthma, COPD, and bronchospasm
- Class: Bronchodilator
- Mechanism: Theophylline is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor with bronchodilatory effects and anti-inflammatory properties. It relaxes the smooth muscle of the airways and lung blood vessels and diminishes the response of the lungs to allergens, histamine, and adenosine (inflammatory mediators). 
- Common AEs: dizziness, fainting, nausea, vomiting, rapid pulse, heart arrhythmias, chest pain 
- Drug-Drug Interactions: Moderate drug interactions with esomeprazole, albuterol, etc.
- Safety and Efficacy: Use in COVID-19 patients associated with a higher ROX or ratio of oxygen saturation score, a lower mortality rate, and lower C reactive protein values indicating less inflammation in the body. Data supports testing of the drug in clinical trials.

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