Thursday, 7 November 2013

Fighting Alzheimer’s and Other Such Brain Diseases with Dr. Michael Mullan



Dr. Michael Mullan is a great biomedical researcher working in the field of B-amyloid protein and their active relations with the deadly disease of Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s disease or as it is also known as Alzheimer’s dementia is a very common form of dementia or memory loss, which is incurable till now and the person suffering from it losses all its memories with the progression of disease, worsening the condition of the patient and eventually the patient dies. Since this disease is usually diagnosed in people over 65 years of age, this was thought to be an age related problem earlier. But with time more and more cases were reported at a very early stage of life.

It was the scientists at Roskamp Institute, who found the first solid evidence of this disease being genetic more than 20 years ago. Michael Mullan was the director of Roskamp Institute since 1994 when it was founded in Sarasota and now is the president and the CEO of the Roskamp Institute. He was born in Kent, in a place known as Farnborough in 1956 and started working at Royal Free Hospital and Friern Hospital while studying at the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 1988. He learned about many fields of researches and worked in many to strengthen his interest in the field of geriatric psychology. He has been held accountable for many responsibilities and positions in so many years that includes senior registrar in Psychiatry and also had been an Honorary Clinical Research Registrar at the Masonic Hospital in the Department of Psychological Medicine there.

With his caliber and research he has touched all heights in the field of Alzheimer’s disease research. He holds about a dozen patents and hundreds of research publications on his name. He has been publishing exclusive research on the molecular genetics and Alzheimer’s disease and also on the focus points of the neuropathology of dementia and role and effects of alcoholism. He also wrote about the manic depression and disease schizophrenia as a contribution to a scientific magazine.


 Michael Mullan Sarasota


Michael Mullan Biomedical Researcher collaborating with a team of neuroscientist at the Roskamp Institute founded by Bob Roskamp invented the Brain Reserve Index which is a numerical index that indicates and predicts risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in a person.  He was the one to find a connection between amyloid accumulations and triggering of chained events that leads to degeneration of brain cells and declination of cognitive that is on set of the Alzheimer’s disease. Based on this study he developed some transgenic mice which act as a model of early onset of Alzheimer’s disease in humans. With these mice model based studies, new drugs were developed to control and fight this disease. It is quite known that the disease Alzheimer does not only destroys a person’s life but also shatters the family of that person. Because before dying it takes away all the cherished memories of that person killing his social and family life too. But with the efforts of Michael Mullan Roskamp Institute much have been developed in the field of this science and with his ongoing efforts and research it is quite possible that we get a cure to this disease very soon.



Friday, 11 October 2013

Interested In Knowing About The Advanced Research Done By Dr. Michael Mullan On Alzheimer



Michael Mullan is an MBBS and PhD degree holder, who has published many papers related to neurological science. He was the senior author of the book “Nature and Nature Genetics”, that represented the mutations in Amyloid Precursor Protein, often abbreviated as APP, which is the root cause of Alzheimer’s disease. With his colleague Dr. Fiona Crawford, he discovered the “Swedish” mutation in APP Gene, which further led to the development of first animal model for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). He has worked with several prestigious medical institutes, and even established the Roskamp Institute, dedicated completely towards finding treatments for neurological disorders.


Michael Mullan Roskamp Institute


Mullan is a well-known scientific researcher who has dedicated his life towards finding better treatments for disorders linked with brain. Several of the papers published by him have been concluded after deep study of different subjects. Michael Mullan Sarasota dreams to find the cure to the most sophisticated brain disorders in the world, to give a new life to patients suffering from these kinds of disease. For this purpose, he not only runs a special institute, but even directs a memory center which conducts clinical evaluations on patients. He is also engaged in several governments as well as private industry sponsored clinics.

Dr. Mullan established his Rockamp Institute in Sarasota, Florida. The institute is not only focused on research on Alzheimer’s, but also experiments on Traumatic Brain, Gulf War Illness, and various other neurological disorders. The current research areas include Inflaming, Traumatic Brain Injury, Drug Discovery for Neurodegenerative disorders and Gulf War Syndrome. The research conducted by Dr. Muller on Alzheimer’s, has given him a good reputation in the medical community. He basically studied the relationship between beta-amyloid with Alzheimer’s to provide revolutionary results.

Michael Mullan Biomedical Researcher has recently published a report on traumatic brain injuries. The report throws quite a good light on the relationship between head injuries and Alzheimer’s. He has carefully scrutinized the American footballers to determine the close links between declines in cognitive abilities and repeated concussion. Studies show that moderate and severe diseases are related to AD, and full recovery of cognitive loss can be easily regained after mild TBI i.e. Traumatic Brain Injury. Another study involves the relationship between time of injury, and the development of subsequent dementia. In a study of large populations, conclusions have been made that TBI at old age is worse as compared to TBI at a younger age





Another question that has been answered by his research is how the brain remembers signs of injury after so many years without even showing any signs of cognitive loss. Once all the puzzles and riddles hidden beneath AD and TBI are sorted out, it would provide new targets for prevention of AD following TBI. Another area which demands attention is the risk of poor recovery after an efficient TBI Technique and subsequent risk for AD in the coming future. A bit of more work is certainly needed in this field, but when the final conclusions are made, the day would be no less than a complete revolutionary day in the history of mankind.

Monday, 9 September 2013

Tips On How to Help An Alzheimer Patient With Love And Care - As Guided By Research

It is very tough to see your loved ones suffer from any form of ailments, that’s why care should be taken to ensure they are always safe. It is but important to reorganise the living space, and every room that forms the house. Michael Mullan suggests that there are ways to take care of your loved one at home, knowing full well what the dreaded ailment can do to their thought process.
Constant communication


The roskamp institute has studied the behaviours of various patients suffering from dementia on various stages. One thing is for sure, Alzheimer's is an advanced stage where the patient remembers very less of what they do. They do not seem to understand whatever it is that happens around them. Writing or speaking coherently is a tough task for them as well. Sometimes they repeatedly engage in the same activity, which would seem meaningless to us who do not suffer from it. Research shows that as a home care giver, one should be adapt with verbal techniques, short talks and pleasant intonation when communicating with patients who suffer from dementia.

Constant care


Michael Mullan and his team opine that patients suffering from such a dreaded disease would lose their way, even if the surroundings are familiar; some of them have difficulties walking as well. The home environment should be very secure, falls should be prevented, lighting should be adequate, loose furniture items and rugs should be removed and for mobility of the patient, furniture items should be rearranged.
Avoid incontinence

Studies at the roskamp institute show that bladder incontinence happens at early stages and as the disease progresses, so would bowel irritation too. They do not happen simultaneously, but over time it does happen. Using adult diapers, liners and pads would be of great help for the patient. This would also mean having urinals that are customised for the one suffering from Alzheimer's as well. This could be very cumbersome for the caregiver, however, proper care and precaution has to be taken into account.

Daily lifestyle activities


Psychologically speaking, Alzheimer's patients need to be involved in various levels of activities to keep their minds busy. One of the things that you as a caregiver should do is to allow the patient to move as much as they can. Encourage them to move around, dance a little, sing, listen to music, read a book, take them for walks, help them socialise and more. This would not only help them have a nice time, but would also give them respite from what they do not seem to understand is happening to them.


If you would like to read more on how to help someone at home suffering from dementia, the internet has a wide range of articles and tips by Michael Mullan. Go online and check what his team and he himself has done, their research is powerful.


We hope what we just spoke about, comes in handy. A little persistence with love and care goes a long way in helping the loved one out of suffering.

Visit here to get more information about Michael Mullan.









Monday, 12 August 2013

Tips On How To Help Loved One’s Suffering From The Dreaded Alzheimer Disease



Most of us wouldn’t know how to deal with those who suffer from dementia and other dreaded brain related diseases, such as Alzheimer’s. It comes without a warning and it is up to the members of the family to deal with it, once the diagnosis is done. Remember, you are not alone in this predicament, you have Michael, an expert who would now give you tips on how to deal with the situation, using the right skills and patience.



1.    Be understanding when dealing with the patient

Half baked knowledge is dangerous, and you have to be understanding says Dr. Mullan. It would be wise to read from genuine and reputed sources, sources that educate masses about the dreaded brain disease.  Across Sarasota and Roskamp there are various local chapters and organisations that can help. Get in touch with them online or in person to learn more about dealing with patients suffering from Alzheimer’s

2.    Learn more on how to take charge of the treatment

As a caregiver, you should learn more about the patient’s current medical needs and also of their history. Keep the contact details of the physician handy, just in case you want to know more about the frequency of medication and it’s dosages. Speak to the physician and let them know about the other non-prescribed medication being taken by the patient. If there are any concerns, health and safety wise, get them documented and inform the physician on a regular basis. Get all the concerns addressed and then leave the doctors chamber, not without that.

3.    Learn and educate yourself on care-giving abilities

Across Florida a lot of research has been conducted on how to care for patients suffering from Alzheimer's. Hence the caregiver’s role here would be much different from other domains. For example, the skills and patience of the caregiver must be in abundance and unlimited, especially when they have to tackle the patients yearning for wandering needs, aggression and sometimes behavioural patterns deemed inappropriate.

4.    Keep the environment around the patient safe

Sometimes says Michael Mullan patients can do more harm to themselves when left unsupervised. There are potentially dangerous items around them, which when they touch or use, can be fatal at times. Do not keep medication around; they may consume it without any knowledge. Most of them, says Dr. Mullan don’t even remember that they just took their medicine and would overdose, by consuming the same medication again.

In most cases across Sarasota and Roskamp, patients suffering from the dreaded Alzheimer’s were found wandering. Hence, please never ever leave the patients alone or on their own. Even at night, ensure all the doors and windows are locked. 

5.    Keep the patient stimulated mentally and busy

Patients suffering from this disease should be stimulated mentally with activities that bring in fun. For example, allow them to indulge in dancing, singing, listening to music, supervised cooking and more. Even doing very simple and basic work around the house, such as folding the sheets or dishtowels for that matter, makes them feel worthy.

At all times, we do understand how frustrating and annoying it can get for the caregivers or the family members, but the Alzheimer patients should be treated with care, love and dignity.