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.

Factors Causing Alzheimer’s Disease

Many scientists don’t yet entirely discern what causes Alzheimer's disorder, but it has become increasingly understandable that it develops because of several events happening i n succession that make a place in the brain. Dr. Michael Mullan, (CEO) Roskamp Institute, Florida has devoted a lifetime searching for the cause of this disease. As per him, the cause is a mixture of environmental, genetic and lifestyle factors. Because people’s standard of living differs, the probability of any one of these factors in increasing or decreasing the hazard of developing Alzheimer's differs from one to one.

The abnormal protein bunches, inclusions, in the brain tissue are always associated with the disease, but there could be another underlying process that is actually causing the Alzheimer's - scientists are not yet certain.

This disorder has three stages:

• Preclinical
• Mild cognitive impairment
• Dementia.

Changes In The Brain

One of the bulky mysteries of Alzheimer’s disorder is why it largely strikes older adults. Study on how the brain changes normally with age is shedding medium of vision on this interrogation. For example, scientists are acquisition of knowledge how age-of the same nature changes in the brain may disadvantage neurons and grant or bestow (as a share) to Alzheimer’s injury.

Role Of Genetics

The more researchers learn about this disorder, the more they analyze that genes play a crucial role in its development. As per London based Roskamp Institute, Alzheimer is a rare sort of disorder. It occurs to people at an age of 30 to 60 and represents less than 5 percent of all the people who have this disorder. Most cases of attack by this disease are changes in one of three known genes inherited from a father or mother.

Most people with this disorder have “late-onset” Alzheimer’s, which normally comes into action after people cross 60. Many studies have linked the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene to slow-attack Alzheimer’s. One of them, APOE ε4, increases the person’s probability of getting the disorder. However, carrying the APOE ε4 cast of the gene does not actually mean that it will definitely cause the dementia. Also, a probability still remains that people without APOE ε4 may get this disease. Most experts believe that more genes may contribute to the occurrence of slow-attack Alzheimer’s. Scientists around the world are seeking for these genes, and have discovered a variety of genes that may be contributors to the occurrence of this disease.

Women More Prone To Alzheimer

Many, but not all, studies have found that women have a higher danger for Alzheimer's disorder than men. It is certainly clear that women live longer as compared to men, but age alone does not seem to unfold the increased frequent disease occurrence in women. The frequent occurrences of Alzheimer’s distemper in women have led to consideration about the role of estrogen in Alzheimer's disease.

Other Factors

Factors including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol increase the risk of stroke, which can lead to another type of disorder. Low education is also one of the reasons.

Michael Mullan Research Scientist at Roskamp

Dr. Michael Mullan is distinguished face of biomedical science. He is widely known for his research work for Swedish mutation present in familial form. He is well known for his developmental work in therapeutic cures for Alzheimer’s disease. His arrays of interests have always been neuroscience, drug development, cognitive development, brain health and neuropsychiatric diseases.

Dr. Mullan acquired his initial education in 1984 from the Royal Free School of Medicine where he was also positioned as the President of the Royal Free Mental Handicap Society. After graduating, he practiced as a Surgeon and later on took the position in psychiatry at Friar Hospital in London. Subsequently to further increase his experience he joined Middlesex Hospital Medical School where he was positioned as a researcher in Molecular Genetic Study of Alzheimer’s disease. It was from there that he kept on developing interest and desire to find a cure for this disease. Dr. Mullan has also served as an Honorary Clinical Research Registrar at St. Mary’s Hospital and The National Hospital for Nervous Diseases. In 1992, Dr. Mullan joined University of South Florida and thus established Roskamp Laboratories. In 2003, Roskamp Institute relocated to Sarasota, Florida where Dr. Mullan served as the Director and conducted various researches on Alzheimer’s disease. 

Dr. Michael Mullan in association with his colleague Dr. Fiona Crawford made the discovery of Swedish mutation and let to find the initial cause of the Alzheimer’sdisease. They together had created the first animal model for Alzheimer’s disease. His major research works includes investigating the role of beta amyloid in inflammation and determining the CD40-CD40L signaling pathways associated with Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis. He has acquired several patents to his name and numerous publications. 

Serving at directorial positions of various organizations, he is currently the CEO and Chairman of the Board of Rockcreek Pharmaceuticals. As the founder of Roskamp institute in Sarasota, Florida, Dr. Mullan’s leadership led to cutting edge development in neuropsychiatric illnesses. His research work was funded by multiple agencies including the NIH and the Department of defense. 

Dr. Michael Mullan works mainly on Alzheimer’s disease but he is just not limited till there. He has served for finding cures in childhood metal illness and disorders like Tourette’s syndrome, Autism, Gulf war illness, Traumatic Brain Injury and Drug Addiction. His work in the field of biomedical research is very noticeable. He has served for the betterment of a vast majority of the community. Most of patients of Alzheimer’s disease are the elderly 60 plus. And preserving the life experiences is one contribution of his for the nation. Many patients reminisce about their past and it is very hard to see them with fading memories. Patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease face the most traumatic loss as they keep forgetting their recent past as well as their family and friends. Dr. Mullan’s work has tremendously contributed towards developing FDA approved drugs for such patients and new developments are still going on at the Roskamp institute in Florida.

To successfully cure neuropsychiatric diseases and promote healthy aging, Dr. Michael Mullan founded the Roskamp Institute with the same mission and to conduct safe and effective drug therapies. He has been a successful figure in the biomedical science and is achieving great heights in his work.