To best understand Alzheimer disease, we must remember the principles of mind, body, and spirit enunciated many years ago by the founder of the osteopathic medical profession, Andrew Taylor Still, MD, DO. We must make the most of our roles as providers of care for patients affected by this devastating disease and for the family members and friends of these patients. Furthermore, we must strive to include all of our knowledge in the education of new generations of osteopathic physicians, who will care for patients in the future. We are excited and pleased that one member of this new generation (Ms Saunders) is included in the authorship of an article in the present JAOA supplement. It is only with awareness of all of our traditional principles that we as osteopathic physicians can remain at the forefront of healthcare delivery for the many people affected by Alzheimer disease who are in need of our support and services.
In summary, Alzheimer disease is one of the greatest challenges to our healthcare system today, and the impact of this disorder will predictably increase with the aging of our population. Knowledge of disease mechanisms, screening, and diagnosis are essential to our attempts to manage this devastating disease. Current and future treatments, modern care for patients, and recruitment into clinical drug trials are vital to primary care physicians, who remain important links in successful treatment of patients with Alzheimer disease. The present JAOA supplement is a valuable resource in efforts to meet the needs of primary care physicians and, thereby, to improve the lives of patients with Alzheimer disease and their loved ones.