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Transcript
The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine is taking on an important cause that affects millions of Americans. PCOM's graduate students are actually helping to unravel the Alzheimer's mystery.
NBC's Julianne Melee has more.
Lisa Salley, Caregiver for her Father:
Are you going to have a birthday party this year?
Father:
Yes.
Julianne Melee, Reporter:
Lisa Salley is devoted to her dad. Having just turned 70 on Halloween, Franklin was diagnosed with dementia 11 years ago. It has since turned their lives upside-down.
Lisa:
On a daily basis, my dad needs help with everything. Literally. From what he will eat to what he will wear.
Lisa to Dad:
What are you thinking about?
Father:
I was thinking about what was over there.
Julianne:
Franklin's speech is impaired from the disease. It is a battle, but his family won't surrender.
Lisa says her father still likes to dance. He likes to play games and he loves to eat.
Lisa:
What do you want for lunch?
Father:
A sandwich.
Lisa:
A sandwich? OK.
"Sometimes the students will ask questions that we sort of overlook."
Julianne:
Researchers everywhere are continuously looking for a treatment or a cure for dementia. Here at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, their main focus is on the most common form of dementia, Alzheimer's disease. While there are theories as to the causes of these brain disorders, so far there are no concrete answers.
Dr. Brian Balin. Researcher, PCOM. Director of the Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging.
It's important to study these particular slides.
Julianne:
That is what these researchers and students here at PCOM are trying to change. Their focus is on Chlamydia pneumoniae. It has nothing to do with the sexually transmitted disease, it is a respiratory pathogen. It could be one of the triggers of Alzheimer's disease.
Dr. Brian Baylin:
We did a study that initially looked at Alzheimer's brain tissue and normal, "control" brain tissues, where people did not have a dementing illness. We found that in Alzheimer's disease, the organism was there, and in the control tissues, it was not.
Julianne:
Dr. Brian Balin is a professor at PCOM and Director of the Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging.
He and his partner, Dr. Denah Appelt, feel they are on the right track.
Dr. Denah Appelt, Researcher, PCOM:
It is all falling into place. It is sort of like pieces of a puzzle. The missing link, we feel, might be the pathogen hypothesis, and specifically focusing in on Chlamydia pneumoniae as being the trigger.
Julianne:
Here at PCOM, the students are an important part of this research.
The research done in these labs give the students an opportunity to work on potentially cutting-edge science.
Mike Ritenuti, Grad Student:
Alzheimer's is so widespread and it effects so many people. It is nice to do work and know that what you are doing can make a difference for so many people.
Julianne:
It is an experience they do not take for granted.
Megan Hoel, Grad Student:
I think it is so much more rewarding than to just read about it in text books. We actually have the hands-on patient experience.
Mike:
Typically, you learn what all these diseases look like, and then you get to do clinical work and see what they look like. Here it is kind of the opposite. You see what patients look like with Alzheimer's and then you get to learn about it.
So in that respect, it makes it that much more meaningful.
Julianne:
The students' hard work and passion are an integral part of the lab's success, now and in the future.
Dr. Appelt:
I think we involve our students from day one a little bit more than other schools do. It is in every capacity around here. Not just in classroom and clinical work, but we involve them in our lab life, as well. So, students have a lot of opportunities here.
Dr. Balin:
Sometimes the students will ask questions that we sort of overlook.
Julianne:
As the students and researchers continue with their dream of one day finding a cure or a treatment for the disease, folks like the Salleys stand behind them. Their hope for the future lies in the hands of those searching for the answers.
Lisa Salley:
It gives me a degree of hope. I think as the disease is complex, I think the solution will be complex.
Chronic bacterial infections and associated viral infections are emerging as key players in Alzheimer's. Treating these with available medications may result in regression and even prevention of Alzheimer's.
