Alzheimer's Treatment Centers of America

mschikin

Has anyone here had any experience with the Alzheimer's Treatment Centers of America ???  To date, there are only 2 .. one is in Atlanta, GA and the other is in Cumming, GA .. would be interested if others have been to either of these centers .. I am not feeling that my husband is getting a full comprehensive diagnosis and/or treatment from his PCP

harshedbuzz

I haven't been, but their website sets off all manner of alarm bells for me. The FOQ page made the hair on my neck stand on end. They work with a lender that doesn't run credit checks? That gets a hard pass from me. 

TBH, it looks like they're pushing "best practices" which is something you could google and supplements they sell. Nothing magical there. I kind of laughed at the idea that they claim to spend "60 minutes with patients on their first visit"; I recall dad's first visit at the university teaching hospital memory clinic being a half-day with follow-ups lasting at least an hour. 

In your shoes, I would take him to a teaching hospital's memory center for an evaluation as a second opinion if you feel he's being short changed by a PCP. That said, dad was seen in a very well regarded memory center and my dear friend's mom was seen by her PCP- treatment was similar as was outcome. 

HB

harshedbuzz

Specializing in primary care for people living with dementia (emoryhealthcare.org)

PickledCondiment

Thanks harshedbuzz, you beat me to it!  So many things about that 'business' raised immediate red flags and alarm bells.  Researched on the Georgia Corporations website, only incorporated in 2019, no serious track record. Yet, they talk about there five year protocol, etc, not adding up.  They mention no providers, no FDA or AMA, no connections.  

Bluntly, they are looking to capitalize (take your money) on those of us currently dealing with a LO issues.  Mr. Buckley is CEO, CFO and secretary, in layman's terms, the organization is very, very new. He has a significant  turnaround, startup background.  I smell a way to get people desperate for answers to part with their money.

Again, echoing harshedbuz, consider a teaching hospital.  I'd also go back to the PCP and demand answers.  Yes, harsh but you're the one in the daily trenches. PCP's are pulled in multiple directions, dementia, etc is a challenging, changing area.  Only you can make the PCP accountable, if they don't respond, find another provider ASAP.

Rescue mom

I got some truly bizarre responses to this business name, including one that talks about how they use cutting edge AI for treatment…..(who knows what their definition of AI is? Not necessarily what we think). Ditto what HB said, it sets off big alarm bells. 

Emory,  meanwhile, is 24k, a known entity with a great rep.

But to the PCP question…many people here have found their PCP lacking, or fell short, dealing with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. Not to slam on PCPs, many are wonderful and do great work. But they have to deal with so many varied things, it’s a lot to expect them to be fully up to speed on Alzheimer’s/dementias.

At some point a specialist might be advised, or a different PCP who deals with a lot of dementia. 

JJ401

The thing that stuck out to me was ‘patented protocol’. I’ve never heard of a protocol being patented. This protocol is so great that only our patients can use it. Really!

Then there’s the you can’t see our study until you’ve given us your name and email. The study that you say was done with MCI patients. The study was 2 1/2 years long. But, many people stay at MCI for this long or longer. Plus MCI does not always decline further. 

Both of their addresses use suite numbers. It does not seem that they are full fledged medical facilities. Plus there are no doctor names, that I could find, on the entire website. They just say expert doctors.

Cost. They tout that they are in network with most insurance. But, note that the FAQ talks about supplements that you can get shipped to you. Most insurance plan do not cover supplements.

Personally, I’d avoid this center. Ask your PCP for a referral to a specialist or a hospital based memory center near you.

Iris L.

Patented protocol?  I don't know of any credible doctor who talks like this.  IMO, this sounds like a doctor or even a non-doctor who is using something like Dr. Bredesen's protocol.  There are many threads about Dr Bredesen and his protocol.  They are also using the Alzheimer's Association term of "care consultants".  I agree with HB and the others.

Iris

Michael Ellenbogen

OMG this has scam written all over it. I will be turning these folks in.

Michael Ellenbogen

FYI

From: Michael Ellenbogen

Sent: Monday, October 11, 2021 9:35 AM
To: Janet Woodcock; George Vradenburg; Lock, Sarah; hodesr; Ian Kremer
Subject: Is this a scam

Good morning folks, 

I just came across this site by someone who has posted it on the Alzheimers Association forum. I think it seems like a big scam. I am making you all aware of this and not sure what you folks can do but we need to expose places like this. To many vulnerable people out there that will be taken advantage of if we do nothing.

https://alzheimerstreatmentcentersofamerica.com/

Thanks

Michael Ellenbogen

 

Michael Ellenbogen - International Dementia Advocate & Connecter

UsAgainstAlzheimer’s - Dementia Advisor

Michael Ellenbogen

FYI

From: Woodcock, Janet
Sent: Monday, October 11, 2021 9:44 AM
To: Michael Ellenbogen 
Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] Is this a scam

Thanks for referring. We will look into it.  Janet Woodcock

Lane Simonian

I agree with Iris, this center looks to be using the Bredesen protocol or some form of it.

The Bredesen protocol posits that there are many causes of Alzheimer's disease (which is true) and that if you remove or reduce these causes you can treat Alzheimer's disease (which is partially true early on).  His treatments for Alzheimer's disease include several antioxidants, although not the most effective ones.

All of the triggers for Alzheimer's disease produce oxidation and nitration, which damage various receptors, transport systems, and enzymes in the brain leading to an inability to retrieve short term memory loss and the death of neurons.  Both of these processes are partially reversible with the use of strong antioxidants.  These triggers usually also lead to the formation of misfolded amyloid and tau protein and inflammation but these are only secondary factors.

Here are the most promosing results for antioxidant natural products and drugs (in clinical trials) used to treat Alzheimer's disease with the limitations of the studies in parenthesis.

Panax ginseng/Korean red ginseng (no placebo group)

Improvement of Cognitive Deficit in Alzheimer’s Disease Patients by Long Term Treatment with Korean Red Ginseng

A 24-week randomized open-label study with Korean red ginseng (KRG) showed cognitive benefits in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. To further determine long-term effect of KRG, the subjects were recruited to be followed up to 2 yr. Cognitive function was evaluated every 12 wk using the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS) and the Korean version of the Mini Mental Status Examination (K-MMSE) with the maintaining dose of 4.5 g or 9.0 g KRG per d. At 24 wk, there had been a significant improvement in KRG-treated groups. In the long-term evaluation of the efficacy of KRG after 24 wk, the improved MMSE score remained without significant decline at the 48th and 96th wk. ADAS-cog showed similar findings. Maximum improvement was found around week 24. In conclusion, the effect of KRG on cognitive functions was sustained for 2 yr follow-up, indicating feasible efficacies of long-term follow-up for Alzheimer’s disease.

Aromatherapy using a diffuser with rosemary and lemon essential oils in the morning (for cognition) and lavender and orange in the evening (to reduce anxiety) (six week trial, no placebo group, direct inhalation is more effective, bay laurel and lemon balm are additional effective essential oils).

Effect of aromatherapy on patients with Alzheimer's disease

Results: All patients showed significant improvement in personal orientation related to cognitive function on both the GBSS-J and TDAS after therapy. In particular, patients with AD showed significant improvement in total TDAS scores. Result of routine laboratory tests showed no significant changes, suggesting that there were no side-effects associated with the use of aromatherapy. Results from Zarit's score showed no significant changes, suggesting that caregivers had no effect on the improved patient scores seen in the other tests.

Conclusions: In conclusion, we found aromatherapy an efficacious non-pharmacological therapy for dementia. Aromatherapy may have some potential for improving cognitive function, especially in AD patients.

TrappsolCyclo (only one person so far):

After 18 months, the patient showed neurologic and cognitive stability: this is a positive outcome given that persons with Alzheimer’s Disease dementia are generally expected to decline during an 18-month timeframe. Speech fluency also improved as documented by the treating physician’s report of a decrease in latency to word-finding. In addition, mood and behavioral features of the disease improved, such as less agitation, as noted by the patient, the patient’s family and the treating physician.

Anavex 2-73 (blarcamesine) (no placebo group, few people remain in trial).

Longitudinal 148-Week Extension Study for ANAVEX® 2-73 Phase 2a Alzheimer’s Disease Demonstrates Maintained Activities of Daily Living Score (ADCS-ADL) and Reduced Cognitive Decline (MMSE) for Patient Cohort on Higher Drug Concentration

jfkoc

this is followed by "learn more" which does not open....can some one get this to the NIH?

Our practitioners and researchers are among the best in their field. They have received grants from the National Institutes of Health for Alzheimers research and have the type of experience you want to get the results you need. 

In big red letters "this business is not accredited by BBB"

PickledCondiment

I agree Alzheimer's Treatment Centers of America is dodgy at best, calling it a 'scam' will be difficult to prove and a waste of valuable monetary resources.  If individuals chose of their own free will to contact, provide information to or do business with Alzheimer's Treatment Centers of America that is their right.  

Factually, Alzheimer's, dementia focused organizations are better served providing verified, credible education and resources to users.  Paying attention to organizations such as Alzheimer's Treatment Centers of America just provides free media coverage.

Jo C.

Patent appears to be on their, "analytical approach . . . "   Look at the FAQS where they explain their patent . . . .

I also hear those alarm bells clanging.  Frankly, from my perspective, (and others may feel differently), this is not the route I would choose for my LO.

From the Treatment Center partial input, (bolding is mine):

"Company Summary We have the only solution for Alzheimer's (mild cognitive impairment). Our patented protocol has been proven in trials to "halt or reverse" mild cognitive impairment up to 76% of the time. The protocol is driven by an Artificial Intelligence algorithm based on all the personal medical history, labs, family medical history, memory tests, and genetic tests . . ."

I find myself in agreement with others who are questioning.  Mr. Ellenbogen is in all probability doing a service by reporting this and perhaps clarification may come.  Light shining on such matters is important.  When looking up the owner of the company; I only found a name of one man with an MBA: whether that is accurate or not, I have no way of knowing.  For anyone interested, it would be best to do your own research.

NOTE:  One may wish to contact the Alzhemer's Assn. Helpline at (800) 272-3900 and ask to speak to a Care Consultant - they may have some information/input regarding this Center, etc.

The person bringing up this center and asking the question was a brand new Member, and has not Posted since the first day . . . . I did a search and found no other Threads or Posts from this person, so hope all is well.  If you are reading, let us know how you are doing, and if you contact that Helpline at the above number, the Consultants can be very helpful in multiple ways and they are very supportive.

Best wishes to everyone,

J.

Paris20

That is absolutely disgusting. So many people look for magical miracles, especially at the beginning. Sure enough, the charlatans suddenly appear. All you have to do is buy their supplements, play their games, and there’s the cure. When my father was dying of gastric cancer, a close relative sent us information about the Mexican apricot cancer cure. What nonsense, but vulnerable and uninformed people can be suckered in. Aren’t there better ways to earn money?

Michael Ellenbogen

FYI - The other organazationg FDA is still looking into them

From: Kelley, Melinda (NIH/NIA/ERP) [E]

Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 2021 9:39 AM
To: ellenbogen
Subject: Your email to Dr. Hodes: Is this a scam

Dear Mr. Ellenbogen,

 

I hope this email finds you well.  Thanks very much for your email to Dr. Hodes.  We checked into this site a bit and as far as we can tell, it appears to be legitimate.  However, NIH institutes are not in a position – based on our Congressionally-mandated research responsibilities – to oversee or provide official verification of any external (non-governmental) web sites.  I’m sorry we can’t be of more assistance to you.

 

Best wishes,

 

Melinda Kelley

Melinda Kelley, Ph.D.

Acting Deputy Director 

National Institute on Aging/NIH

jfkoc

I contacted them also because of their stated grants fom NIH. I thought they would be more concerned.

So legit but non accredited by BBB?  !!!!!