Unlocking Alzheimer’s in the Mountains of Colombia
There was a deeply jarring article in the New York Times earlier this week that told the story of an extended Colombian family with unprecedented rates of early-onset Alzheimer’s. How their incredible suffering might hold the key for discovering a cure for Alzheimer’s is the subject of the article.
Young people in this family grow up knowing they have an equal chance of being stricken by Alzheimer’s in their 40s… and if not, they are very likely to become caretakers for siblings, spouses, and even their own children. But this predictability of Alzheimer’s is what makes this family a good testing ground for preventative medications.
I encourage you to read it and watch the accompanying video. It’s a heartbreaking story about a one small corner of the globe whose suffering may, ultimately, do the world a great service.
Here’s the link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/02/health/02alzheimers.html?hp
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Posted: Alzheimer's disease, Research studies
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June 11th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
Hello, I have been working on a documentary for over three years with the families in Colombia. There are the largest group of families in the world that have a genetic mutation that produces early onset Alzheimer’s.
The most amazing thing is how the women that had less participation in the homes, today they hold the reins, provide economic support and care for the sick husbands. It is also devastating for the young women who face the question of having or not children because of fear of giving them the genetic mutation. At the root of the disease was the rape of a Native woman by a Spanish conquistador!
June 11th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
Hi Margarita, that is really interesting! Is your documentary available? We would love to see it!