Living with Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia that affects about 1 in 9 people (10.7%) aged 65 and older, globally. This debilitating neurological condition is marked by the death of neurons (brain cells), shrinkage of the hippocampus region of the brain., causing an array of symptoms. Like most neurological conditions, AD is degenerative in nature and the severity increases with age. Apart from the common symptom of memory loss that disrupts daily life, people with AD also suffer from changes in mood, personality, or behaviour contributing to an overall reduced quality of life.

Studies show that people with Alzheimer’s disease have a significantly impaired IGF-1 function contributing to the gradual degeneration of the vascular network in the brain and leading to severe cognitive dysfunction. Furthermore, it is also reported that patients with Alzheimer’s Disease have increased levels of the binding protein that inactivates IGF-1 bioactivity, further reducing IGF-1 function.

cGP plays a crucial role across our lifespan and is increasingly important to maintain the bioactivity of IGF-1. As age naturally depletes the IGF-1 levels in the body, having an optimal cGP concentration in crucial. Older people with higher cGP concentration have been reported to have better cognitive retention and memory. Normalising IGF-1 function through cGP promotes the building of new blood vessels that provide neuroprotection through cell repair and neuroplasticity, which could help in slowing the progression of the disease and an overall improved quality of life.