Roskamp Institute Seeks To Help A Rapidly Aging Population

The world is aging at a steady and inexorable pace thanks to major advances in the fields of medicine, nutrition and public hygiene. The quality of life has improved dramatically over the past few decades and various diseases have been eliminated during the same period. However, a rapidly aging population also brings about various demographic challenges. Not only do people desire to live better and not just longer lives but governments also fear increasing public health costs that arise from having an elderly population. While age related deterioration is the unintended disadvantage of leading a long life, it doesn’t always have to be this way. The Roskamp Institute based in Sarasota, Florida is at the forefront of the march towards healthy aging. 

It is an unfortunate but scientific fact that the brain begins to shrink as one age and this results in a curtailment of various bodily and mental functions. There are also changes in the structure of the brain that reduce the ability to communicate between neurons. Further, there is also a reduction in blood supply to the brain because arteries become narrow. In addition to all of the above, the brain also gets damaged by free radicals which are responsible for inflammation in tissues. All in all, it becomes very difficult for a very elderly person to enjoy a rich and varied life since many complex functions can no longer be performed by the body and mind. Most degenerative diseases of the brain appear at around 60 years of age, with the chances of getting them increasing exponentially as one grows older.

 The Roskamp Institute’s Dr. Michael Mullan has built up a formidable reputation in the field of Alzheimers research and he has devoted his efforts to finding solutions to various neurodegenerative disorders by developing effective drug therapies for them. Addiction is another area of interest at this institute and this too has very important ramifications for society. The research teams at this institute have already been able to greatly increase our understanding of these diseases, leaving the way open to finding cures in the future. As of now, it has become possible to reduce the severity of symptoms even though cures are not always possible. Identifying the symptoms correctly and diagnosing diseases during their early stages will ensure that treatments can be started as quickly as possible.

It is safe to say that it is only a matter of time before drugs will easily be available for various neurological based psychiatric and degenerative diseases. In fact, the great importance of the path breaking work undertaken at this institute is underlined by the fact that it receives a great deal of funding from many private and government sources. 

Dr. Michael Mullan is introducing a very important aspect regarding Alzheimer's disease  which is very dangerous disease for both man and women in old age.