Several events were held around the province as part of the World Alzheimer's day like for example the giant paella organised by the Huercal Overa Alzheimer's Association in the Plaza de la Constitucion last Sunday, asking for a contribution of five euros for a plate of paella ad a glass of wine to rtaise funds for the organisation which provides support for sufferers and their families.
The Torrecardenas hospital in Almeria capital revealed that in the first six months of 2008 the hospital attended to 1,200 patients with disease, 400 of whom were new cases and that a study carried out by the hospital and the University of Almeria put the incidence of the diseases in the province at 2.5 cases per one thousand people. Alzheimer's is a progressive, degenerative brain disease which affects memory, thinking, and behaviour. It usually appears in people over 65 years old although it can affect younger people as well. Its causes are not entirely understood yet but it is characterised by the formation of amyloid plaques on certain structures within the brain which interfere with their functional activity.
Although there is no known cure for Alzheimer's the onset of its effects can be delayed which is why early diagnosis is important. There exist various tests which are designed to detect the disease in its earlier, more subtle, stages and on detection treatments can involve therapy or pharmaceuticals. It was announced earlier this month that transdermal patches for treating the disease would become available in Spain later this year.
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