Understanding the mysteries of Alzheimer's

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- It's estimated half a million Californians 65 and older are coping with Alzheimer's disease. Nationwide, the disease affects more than 5 million people.

These numbers are expected to increase dramatically as the baby boomer population ages, so the push for participants in clinical trials is now on.

Something as simple as making a sandwich is now a challenge for Joy Walters. Her ability to organize things started to fail two years ago when she was working as psychotherapist at the time and her youngest clients noticed the changes in her memory.

"They would notice that I didn't pick up on things and they were the ones, the other clients that I had didn't notice as much, but the children knew everything I didn't get," said Joy Walters from San Jose.

In 2005 she was diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer's disease -- a progressive, deadly disorder that attacks and destroys brain cells.

Joy decided to take part in research. She's having a series of MRI's taken at the San Francisco VA Medical Center which will provide detailed images of her brain and the progression of her disease.

"The study that joy is participating in right now is of a new type of agent that would allow us to detect the disease really early, especially when new drugs are much more effective and would be expected to work better," said UCSF neurologist Dr. Adam Boxer.

Dr. Adam Boxer is director of Alzheimer's disease clinical trials at UCSF's Memory and Aging Center.

"As much as we need new treatments, we need new diagnostic tools that can detect the disease much earlier and potentially before people have symptoms that they notice," said Dr. Boxer.

A video from the Buck Institute shows genetically altered mice that have recovered from Alzheimer's, regaining their memories and their ability to find this target. But translating promising work in the lab to people is another challenge.

"That's where there's really a lack of resources, the key resource we need to test these medications to see if they work in people are participants because we really don't know they work until they're tried in people," said Dr. Boxer.

It's a message the Alzheimer's Association is working to get out nationwide. Elizabeth Edgerly is chief program officer for the Northern California chapter.

"There are so many studies available that are struggling to find subjects," said Elizabeth Edgerly, Ph.D., from the Alzheimer's Association.

And it's not just people with Alzheimer's who are being recruited for these trials. In many studies there's also the need for normal healthy control subjects to volunteer. Joy has already signed up for several clinical trials.

"Because I think that's how we're going to find a cure. Right now they don't have anything that can stop the progression and I want to help with that," said Walters.

"I'm really proud of her how she has attacked it and has dealt with it," said Bill Walters.

And husband Bill agrees taking part in research is critical.

"It's important to help those who come after us, it really is," said Bill Walters.

Dr. Boxer knows it's participants like joy who'll allow researchers to make important breakthroughs in treating and perhaps even preventing Alzheimer's.

"Imagine if we had a vaccine for Alzheimer's Disease, everyone could get the vaccine when they turned 50 or we could identify people who may be at risk, and potentially people would never get the disease," said Dr. Boxer.

But reaching the holy grail of Alzheimer's treatment can't happen without research volunteers.

If you would like more information please call the 24-7 helpline at 800-272-3900.

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health, carolyn johnson

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