How celebrities Michael J. Fox, Bruce Willis, Robin Williams, Ronald Reagan, and Lou Gehrig are helping cure our worst afflictions.

These celebrities are household names, and we are all blessed to have witnessed their brilliant cinematic, presidential, or athletic endeavors.  You might know that each of these famous people are forever linked in suffering from some of mankind’s worst brain afflictions.  You have probably heard of some of their diseases:  Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body dementia, Lou Gehrig’s disease and frontotemporal dementia – and scientists are unlocking their similarities which will help speed us towards effective treatments. 

It turns out, these are all neurodegenerative disorders—conditions that gradually destroy brain cells and disrupt communication between nerve pathways. Although they differ in symptoms and areas of the brain affected, they share several key biological and clinical features.

At their core, all five disorders involve the abnormal buildup of misfolding proteins within brain cells (neurons). In Alzheimer’s, amyloid and tau proteins accumulate; in Parkinson’s and lewy body dementia, alpha-synuclein forms toxic clumps known as Lewy bodies; and in Lou Gehrig’s and frontotemporal dementia, a protein called TDP-43 misfolds and damages motor neurons. These protein changes trigger inflammation, damage, and ultimately progressive loss of brain cells, leading to symptoms such as memory loss, movement problems, or changes in speech and behavior.

Recent medical breakthroughs include the ability to successfully remove the protein clumps in Alzheimer’s disease leading to a slowing of the disease.  We are also currently researching the same approach in Parkinson’s disease and hopefully soon in Lewy Body dementia.

If you or a loved one are suffering or think you might have one of these conditions, please contact our office today to discuss research opportunities.  Also, Dr. Curtis offers free weekly seminars right here in The Villages where you can learn more about these disorders and how to protect your brain health through simple nutrition, sleep and exercise strategies.  Please call our office today at (352) 707-5252 for more information or to reserve your spot at an upcoming seminar.  Together, we can make groundbreaking advancements and make a difference in the fight against Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurodegenerative disorders.

 http://www.craigcurtismd.com/

By Craig Curtis, MD (U.S. Navy Veteran)

Kimberly Salazar, MD (U.S. Army Veteran) 

Ruth Paiano, APRN

Miguel Brito, PA