Alzheimer’s treatments, drugs showing some promise, health experts say [Video]

LAND O’ LAKES, Fla. – June is recognized as Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month and, as the month comes to a close, health experts are cautiously optimistic about new treatments, while urging prevention.

Health experts in Tampa Bay believe as much attention needs to be brought to this disease as possible all year long.

“There are about 5.8 million patients with it now. The cases are actually going to triple by the year 2060,” said Tara Calise, a nurse practitioner with WellMed in Land O’ Lakes. “It’s not just the patients that are dealing with it. It’s also their families that end up being caregivers for the patients who have Alzheimer’s.

The release of a new drug that treats the root cause of Alzheimer’s disease, called Leqembi, has given hope to some families dealing with the illness.

But Calise said, unfortunately, the long-term effects are minimal.

“It actually delays it by about five months. Unfortunately, it’s not something that’s taken to prevent it,” she …