It is estimated that about 5.8 million people in America have Alzheimer's disease, and that it affects about 1 in 9 people over age 65.
Since it causes cognitive and physical decline–sometimes rapidly–loved ones and caregivers make up the majority of online posts about the condition.
What are they posting about? And what therapies are giving people hope to alter the course of the disease?
The Trends Section provides an overview of some of the most recent and relevant topics that relate to particular health conditions.
It features a selection of the topics that have the fastest growing Google search interest across the last three months, and reflects the inquiries of patients, healthcare providers, scientists, and others who are invested in the topic.
This is valuable to understand people’s interests and concerns at the present moment, and often include the U.S. states that have the highest interest in a topic.
Quilt.AI brings these trends to life through an analysis that incorporates both cultural and scientific lenses.
Search interest for plaque brain symptoms grew by 43% over the last 3 months, from July 2022 to September 2022.
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Search interest for Plaque Brain Symptoms increased in the past three months, between July to September. The greatest interest came from Tennessee, Maryland, Minnesota, Ohio and California. Amyloid plaque buildup in the brain is strongly associated with Alzheimer's disease[1].
Early symptoms include episodic memory loss, unexplained personality changes, paranoia, and loss of hearing. Since early detection and treatment is the key to effective cure[2], there is a growing sense of urgency in people trying to identify early symptoms - resulting in growing searches for the same.
Search interest for the drug Lecanemab (brand name: Aricept) has increased during the last three months, with most of the searches coming from Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Utah, Arkansas and New Jersey.
The increase in search is likely attributed to recent news on Lecanemab’ promising results in its phase 3 tests [1] in slowing rate of cognitive decline in early Alzheimer’s patients [2]. The FDA is also considering Lecanemab for an accelerated approval due to these positive results [3].
This could lead to better outcomes for patients since it means a more effective cure for their conditions, as well as easier way to get treatment - loosening of Medicare coverage restrictions [3].
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Search interest for Lecanemab grew by 363% over the last 3 months, from July 2022 to September 2022.
Search interest for viagra alzheimer grew by 61% over the last 3 months, from July 2022 to September 2022.
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Search interest for the topic ‘Viagra Alzheimer’ increased rapidly in September - mostly originating from North Dakota, Kansas, Rhode Island, Idaho and Alabama.
In 2021, researchers found that those taking viagra were 69% less likely develop alzheimer’s. Further studies funded by NIH showed there were indeed associations between viagra use and reduced alzheimer’s risk, despite showing no evidence of prevention or reversion. [1]
However, a more recent study debunked the previous one, reaffirming that that Viagra does not actually reduce the risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease.[2]
Search interest for Noradrenergic drugs has surged in the past three months, with most of it coming from California, North carolina, Pennsylvania, New York and Texas.
Noradrenergic drugs have been found to provide improvements in both global cognition and apathy in Alzheimer’s disease [1]. Researchers found that Noradrenergic drugs used for deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, and high blood pressure helps in Alzheimer’s treatment[2]. These studies provided a strong case for further trials of the drug in Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Noradrenergic drugs have caught the interest of not only medical researchers, but also patients since it offers great opportunity in developing more effective treatment in Alzheimer’s disease to improve cognition and apathy.
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Search interest for Noradrenergic under the Physical Therapy category increased to 61% over the last 3 months, from July 2022 to September 2022.
Search interest for Stroop Test under the Alzheimer’s Disease category grew by 564% over the last 3 months, from July 2022 to September 2022.
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Search interest for Stroop Tests has increased drastically in the last two months, with most of the searches coming from Alabama, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Illinois.
Stroop test is a behavioural test developed by researchers, as a simple way to measure an individual’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms appear. However, they emphasized that this test is neither diagnostic yet, nor measures one’s risk for Alzheimer’s. Rather, it shows a strong correlation between the group the group of high-risk individuals and those that perform poorly on the test.[1]
For a long time, diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease have been a complicated issue. The simple behavioural testing tool for Alzheimer’s have become a surprise for many people. It is quite evident from the strong skyrocketing search interest.
The Culture Section highlights emerging cultural trends, new products, and notable dialogue about a variety of health conditions. The purpose of this section is to zoom in on what has been happening within the cultural and professional landscape of a particular health condition–stories that are often missed by quantitative searches.
By featuring influential social media items, patient discourse, professional dialogue, product innovations, and impactful news items, this section illuminates the lived experiences of many patients, while also providing a snapshot of the developments happening around them.
Here, Quilt.AI offers a detailed and nuanced perspective of what is new and what is meaningful.
Tik Tok is a popular platform where people and patients can find informational videos on neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia - with hashtags such as #preventalzheimers and #brainhealth amassing up to 31M views and 125M views respectively. Most of these videos come from healthcare professionals and influencers who give advices and tips on combating these diseases.
Robert Love (513K followers, 3M likes) is one of the most popular influencers on the platform and has been addressing the different ways one can cope with memory loss, and deal with Alzheimer’s and dementia. This includes debunking myths, introducing lifestyle and dietary changes, and backing these claims with scientific evidence. Such content is consistent with what many other influencers are posting as well.
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Recent studies by researchers [1] found that there is strong evidence supporting the idea that cannabinoids have neuroprotective properties and could have a role in treating common neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s.
Following this, individuals have taken to Twitter show their excitement towards new possibilities to treating Alzheimer’s - especially with the legalization of cannabis across US states in the recent years.
Along with accredited health and cannabis brands, consumers have quoted medical studies in their posts to emphasized the benefits of CBD in Alzheimer patients. Conversations around Alzheimer’s, CBD and TBH make up to 3M, 1M and 200K in audience size respectively on the platform in US.
/r/alzheimers is a community thread, has been active since september 2009 around 11,000 redditors. More recently, there has been more discussions by Alzheimer’s patients on the thread sharing their personal stories of having an electronic pet as a companion. This has received 100% upvotes.
To these patients, socializing with family or friends can be difficult sometimes, but having a pet in their presence can help reduce the effects of anxiety, agitation, irritability, depression, and loneliness - making these electronic pets a more effective solution to help manage their conditions.
In addition, electronic pets also eliminates the amount of work and effort required to take care of a real one.
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World Alzheimer's Day is observed annually on September 21st to raise awareness about neurological disorders, and this year’s theme was “Know Dementia, Know Alzheimer’s”. It is held annually in more than 600 communities across the US. Instagram has clocked over 50,000 posts for the hashtag #walktoendalzheimers
‘Walk to End Alzheimer's’ is the world's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support, and research. The movement has garnered a lot more support since the pandemic. People have taken to Twitter and Instagram to show their support and participation
Lisa Michelle (@lisamichellemusic) started an Instagram page (@alzheimerscaregiversupport) to support Alzheimer's patients and caregivers.
Through this Instagram page and website (www.alzcaregiversupport.com), she has been helping raise funds, and honoring the patients and their families at the same time. Through sharing testimonies of patients and their families from around the world, she conveyed the importance of the caregiver’s role in improving the patient’s quality of life. Her instagram profile managed to amass 10K supporters with over 1300 heartwarming, and motivational posts.
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