Amanda Der

How does CDNF impact memory loss in older adults with neurodegenerative disorders?

Started June 17, 2022

Abstract or project description

As life expectancy continues to increase, more people will encounter neurodegenerative disorders in their lifetimes. The societal impact of neurodegenerative disorders is significant; there are often large decreases in quality of life for patients, steep prices required for care and treatment (on health care systems and also patients’ families), and disproportionate effects of these disorders in specific communities. Potentially one of the most lethal and negatively impactful symptoms associated with such neurodegenerative disorders is memory loss. Memory loss is a symptom that is observed across several neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and Huntington’s Disease. Innovative treatments like CDNF may halt the progression of memory loss across these distinct types of neurodegenerative disorders. In our current review paper, we will synthesize information from various scientific articles in order to investigate CDNF’s impact on memory loss in neurodegenerative disorders. This review will incorporate information from ten scientific journal articles that have studied the impact of CDNF on memory. Specifically, we will assess whether incorporating CDNF therapy into treatment effectively improves memory in neurodegenerative disorders and whether it should be recommended as a treatment. Further, we will investigate whether CDNF improves memory across distinct types of neurodegenerative disease (such as Alzhimer’s, Parkinson’s) or whether the improvements in memory are disorder-specific. To evaluate effectiveness of the CDNF intervention we will assess memory improvements (or cessation of memory loss), side-effects of CDNF including potential interference with other medications, the dosage of CDNF used, longevity of the impact on memory, and whether results can be generalized to a variety of socioeconomic and racial groups. Evaluating the CDNF as a treatment for memory loss in neurodegenerative disease has the potential to improve quality of life in the lives of many and reduce burden on the health care system.