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ScienceDaily — A new study published in the medical journal Neurology suggests that impaired kidney function is a risk factor for cognitive decline in old age
The study, conducted by researchers at Rush University Medical Center, found that poor kidney function was linked specifically with cognition related to memory functions. Damage to one of these functions, episodic memory, which retrieves memories of time, place, associated emotions and other contextual knowledge, is often the earliest sign of Alzheimer's disease.
"Given the dearth of modifiable risk factors for age-related cognitive decline, these results have important public health implications," said Dr. Aron Buchman, a neuroscientist in the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center. "Further work to understand the link between kidney function and the brain may provide new strategies for preventing memory loss in elders."
Buchman said the findings suggest that there are common disease processes that affect both the brain and the kidneys in the elderly, and hypothesized that underlying vascular problems, such as diabetes and hypertension, may account for the association between kidney problems and cognitive decline.
The study analyzed data for 886 older adults who participated in the Rush Memory and Aging Project, a group of community-dwelling seniors with a mean age of 81, all of them initially free of dementia. The participants were examined annually for up to six years to track changes in cognition over time. Cognitive assessments included multiple tests that were summarized as a composite measure of overall cognition and of five individual cognitive abilities.
The individual cognitive systems assessed were visuospatial ability; perceptual speed, or the ability to quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures or patterns; semantic memory, related to meaning, understanding and other concept-based knowledge; working memory, which temporarily stores and manipulates information; and episodic memory.
Ruling out the influence of factors like aging and medications, which can affect cognition, the researchers found that poor kidney function, assessed at the beginning of the study, was linked with a more rapid rate of decline in cognition over the next several years – not in visuospatial ability or perceptual speed, but in three specific areas: episodic, semantic and working memory.
The rate of decline in cognition was equivalent to that of a person seven years older at baseline, Buchman said.
The study was supported by funds from the National Institute on Aging, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Robert C. Borwell Endowment Fund.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Gammaglobulin may help treat Alzheimer's
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CLEVELAND, (UPI) --
U.S. researchers say they are testing gammaglobulin as a treatment to help slow the progress of Alzheimer's disease.
The study -- called the Gammaglobulin Alzheimer's Partnership Study -- is recruiting 360 participants at 36 sites nationwide. The large Phase III clinical trial expands on earlier testing and is part of the final phase before seeking regulatory approval for treating Alzheimer's disease with intravenous immune globulin or IGIV, also known as gammaglobulin -- a traditional treatment for immunodeficiency disorders.
The researchers say the immunotherapy may target the protein that forms the core of plaques in the brain -- beta amyloid -- associated with Alzheimer's disease.
"We are investigating whether IGIV, which contains naturally occurring human anti-amyloid antibodies, will defend the brain of Alzheimer's disease patients against the damaging effects of beta amyloid," study principal investigator Dr. Alan Lerner of University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland says in a statement. "If it does, giving IGIV to patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's may potentially slow the rate of progression of the disease."
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CLEVELAND, (UPI) --
U.S. researchers say they are testing gammaglobulin as a treatment to help slow the progress of Alzheimer's disease.
The study -- called the Gammaglobulin Alzheimer's Partnership Study -- is recruiting 360 participants at 36 sites nationwide. The large Phase III clinical trial expands on earlier testing and is part of the final phase before seeking regulatory approval for treating Alzheimer's disease with intravenous immune globulin or IGIV, also known as gammaglobulin -- a traditional treatment for immunodeficiency disorders.
The researchers say the immunotherapy may target the protein that forms the core of plaques in the brain -- beta amyloid -- associated with Alzheimer's disease.
"We are investigating whether IGIV, which contains naturally occurring human anti-amyloid antibodies, will defend the brain of Alzheimer's disease patients against the damaging effects of beta amyloid," study principal investigator Dr. Alan Lerner of University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland says in a statement. "If it does, giving IGIV to patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's may potentially slow the rate of progression of the disease."
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sleep deprivation can lead to dementia, research shows
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Barchester Heathnews
A lack of sleep can cause brain problems and lead to dementia, according to a new study.
Chronic sleep deprivation increases plaques in the brain thought to be a main cause of dementia, research shops.
A protein called orexin that helps to regulate the sleep cycle is directly involved, say the scientists at Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
Amyloid beta, which forms plaques, rises and falls with sleep and wakefulness, with deprivation leading to a 25 per cent rise.
Injecting orexin into the brains of mice made them stay awake longer and increased amyloid beta levels, putting them at greater risk of developing plaques.
Neurologist Professor David Holtzman explained that lack of sleep can have "potential long-term impacts on brain health".
It is thought that plaques and tangles "silt up" the brain and cause Alzheimer's.
Earlier this week, it was suggested that difficulties in money management could indicate Alzheimer's, with the University of Alabama in Birmingham saying financial problems may be seen a year ahead of a dementia diagnosis
Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be
Here are more interesting dementia brain boosting activities
Barchester Heathnews
A lack of sleep can cause brain problems and lead to dementia, according to a new study.
Chronic sleep deprivation increases plaques in the brain thought to be a main cause of dementia, research shops.
A protein called orexin that helps to regulate the sleep cycle is directly involved, say the scientists at Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
Amyloid beta, which forms plaques, rises and falls with sleep and wakefulness, with deprivation leading to a 25 per cent rise.
Injecting orexin into the brains of mice made them stay awake longer and increased amyloid beta levels, putting them at greater risk of developing plaques.
Neurologist Professor David Holtzman explained that lack of sleep can have "potential long-term impacts on brain health".
It is thought that plaques and tangles "silt up" the brain and cause Alzheimer's.
Earlier this week, it was suggested that difficulties in money management could indicate Alzheimer's, with the University of Alabama in Birmingham saying financial problems may be seen a year ahead of a dementia diagnosis
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Post-stroke dementia can be reduced with better aftercare
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NursingTimes.net
Better aftercare may reduce the affects of post-stroke dementia, according to a report published in the online Lancet Neurology.
The conclusion follows a review by Sarah Pendlebury and Peter Rothwell at Oxford University’s Stroke Prevention Research Unit of studies published between 1950 and May this year.
They found that multiple strokes and the complications and characteristics of the stroke itself are more important predictors of post-stroke dementia than underlying vascular risk factors, and that the burden of dementia can be reduced by providing the best possible stroke care and secondary prevention measures.
The findings show that dementia rates range from 7.4% in population studies where pre-stroke dementia is excluded to 41.3% in hospital studies where pre-stroke dementia is included.
Most of the variance is explained by differences in factors such as setting and case mix.
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NursingTimes.net
Better aftercare may reduce the affects of post-stroke dementia, according to a report published in the online Lancet Neurology.
The conclusion follows a review by Sarah Pendlebury and Peter Rothwell at Oxford University’s Stroke Prevention Research Unit of studies published between 1950 and May this year.
They found that multiple strokes and the complications and characteristics of the stroke itself are more important predictors of post-stroke dementia than underlying vascular risk factors, and that the burden of dementia can be reduced by providing the best possible stroke care and secondary prevention measures.
The findings show that dementia rates range from 7.4% in population studies where pre-stroke dementia is excluded to 41.3% in hospital studies where pre-stroke dementia is included.
Most of the variance is explained by differences in factors such as setting and case mix.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Alzheimer's patient's art raises money
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Chicago Tribune
By PAUL SWIECH
NORMAL, Ill. - Elizabeth Jones's paintings depict bright flowers, colorful landscapes and bold sunsets, reflections of photographs and memories.
"It gives me pleasure," Jones, 64, said of her painting and sketching.
Jones's art has taken a larger role in her life since she became a resident of Sugar Creek Alzheimer's Special Care Center in February 2008. Beginning Saturday, her art takes a community role of combating Alzheimer's disease.
Four pieces of her art will go on public display in the form of greeting cards available for sale at the Farmers' Market in downtown Bloomington. A packet of six cards will be $5.
Proceeds will go to the Alzheimer's Association-Greater Illinois Chapter for its programs and services to families dealing with Alzheimer's disease, said Melissa Chrisman, the chapter's special events' manager. Cards also will be sold at the association's Memory Walk in Normal on Oct. 3.
"I'm always glad to do it for them," said Jones, who answered questions with brief, direct answers.
"I think that's a good idea," she said of raising money for the association. "I'm trying to help anybody. I've always tried to be good."
Her longtime friend, Donna Thoma of Bloomington, who has helped to support Jones in recent years, is gratified that other people will appreciate her friend's talent.
"She's sharing her talent and helping other people," Thoma said. "She's thrilled."
Jones was born and reared in Bloomington. While she never married and wasn't employed out of the home, she kept busy taking classes at Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan universities, reading and traveling. After her father, James A. Jones, died, she took care of her mother, Anita.
"I've always been interested in art," she said. She took classes at the McLean County Arts Center in the 1980s.
She began to pursue.....read all of Alzheimer's patient's art raises money
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Chicago Tribune
By PAUL SWIECH
NORMAL, Ill. - Elizabeth Jones's paintings depict bright flowers, colorful landscapes and bold sunsets, reflections of photographs and memories.
"It gives me pleasure," Jones, 64, said of her painting and sketching.
Jones's art has taken a larger role in her life since she became a resident of Sugar Creek Alzheimer's Special Care Center in February 2008. Beginning Saturday, her art takes a community role of combating Alzheimer's disease.
Four pieces of her art will go on public display in the form of greeting cards available for sale at the Farmers' Market in downtown Bloomington. A packet of six cards will be $5.
Proceeds will go to the Alzheimer's Association-Greater Illinois Chapter for its programs and services to families dealing with Alzheimer's disease, said Melissa Chrisman, the chapter's special events' manager. Cards also will be sold at the association's Memory Walk in Normal on Oct. 3.
"I'm always glad to do it for them," said Jones, who answered questions with brief, direct answers.
"I think that's a good idea," she said of raising money for the association. "I'm trying to help anybody. I've always tried to be good."
Her longtime friend, Donna Thoma of Bloomington, who has helped to support Jones in recent years, is gratified that other people will appreciate her friend's talent.
"She's sharing her talent and helping other people," Thoma said. "She's thrilled."
Jones was born and reared in Bloomington. While she never married and wasn't employed out of the home, she kept busy taking classes at Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan universities, reading and traveling. After her father, James A. Jones, died, she took care of her mother, Anita.
"I've always been interested in art," she said. She took classes at the McLean County Arts Center in the 1980s.
She began to pursue.....read all of Alzheimer's patient's art raises money
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
3 Genetic Variants Are Found to Be Linked to Alzheimer’s
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New York Times
By NICHOLAS WADE
Two teams of European scientists say they have discovered new genetic variants associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The variants account for about 20 percent of the genetic risk of the disease, and may lead to a better understanding of its biology, the scientists say.
One of the teams, led by Julie Williams of Cardiff University in Wales, scanned the genomes of about 19,000 patients, the largest study so far conducted on Alzheimer’s, and turned up two variants that have a statistically significant association with the disease. A second study, led by Philippe Amouyel of the University of Lille in France, also found two variants, one of which is the same as detected by the Cardiff team.
The fact that two studies could agree on at least one gene is an advance. More than 550 genes have been proposed in various small-scale studies as the cause of Alzheimer’s, but all have failed the test of replication by others, Dr. Amouyel said.
The three new variants have been detected by using much larger numbers of patients and by employing the new technique known as a genome-wide association study, in which patients’ DNA is scanned with devices programmed to recognize half a million sites of variation along the genome. The new studies were published Sunday in the journal Nature Genetics.
One of the new variants is in a gene active at synapses, the junctions between brain cells, and the two others help damp down inflammation in the brain. Inflammation is a known feature of Alzheimer’s, but it is often regarded as a consequence of the disease. Dr. Williams said that the detection of the new variants, which undercut the brain’s efforts to restrain inflammation, suggested inflammation might play a primary role.
The gene that has the largest effect in Alzheimer’s is a variant called ApoE4, discovered in 1993 in the laboratory of Allen Roses of Duke University. Dr. Roses said that the three new genes had minor effects compared with the variant site near ApoE4, and that their biological role in the disease was unclear, despite the statistical data pointing to their involvement.
Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be
Here are more interesting dementia brain boosting activities
New York Times
By NICHOLAS WADE
Two teams of European scientists say they have discovered new genetic variants associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The variants account for about 20 percent of the genetic risk of the disease, and may lead to a better understanding of its biology, the scientists say.
One of the teams, led by Julie Williams of Cardiff University in Wales, scanned the genomes of about 19,000 patients, the largest study so far conducted on Alzheimer’s, and turned up two variants that have a statistically significant association with the disease. A second study, led by Philippe Amouyel of the University of Lille in France, also found two variants, one of which is the same as detected by the Cardiff team.
The fact that two studies could agree on at least one gene is an advance. More than 550 genes have been proposed in various small-scale studies as the cause of Alzheimer’s, but all have failed the test of replication by others, Dr. Amouyel said.
The three new variants have been detected by using much larger numbers of patients and by employing the new technique known as a genome-wide association study, in which patients’ DNA is scanned with devices programmed to recognize half a million sites of variation along the genome. The new studies were published Sunday in the journal Nature Genetics.
One of the new variants is in a gene active at synapses, the junctions between brain cells, and the two others help damp down inflammation in the brain. Inflammation is a known feature of Alzheimer’s, but it is often regarded as a consequence of the disease. Dr. Williams said that the detection of the new variants, which undercut the brain’s efforts to restrain inflammation, suggested inflammation might play a primary role.
The gene that has the largest effect in Alzheimer’s is a variant called ApoE4, discovered in 1993 in the laboratory of Allen Roses of Duke University. Dr. Roses said that the three new genes had minor effects compared with the variant site near ApoE4, and that their biological role in the disease was unclear, despite the statistical data pointing to their involvement.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Aus researchers claim to slow down Alzheimer's disease
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Indopia
Melbourne
Researchers in Australia have claimed that will soon find a way to slow the process or altogether prevent Alzheimer's disease.
The membrane, which controls what is allowed into the brain, gets damaged if food containing high saturated fat is consumed, experts at Curtin University in Western Australia have found out.
Preventing deposits of protein amyloid from accumulating can delay Alzheimer's, researcher John Mamo said in an ABC report.
"If we can understand the mechanisms behind how diet influences risk for Alzheimer's disease then it becomes possible for us to think of what type of intervention strategy we might have," he said.
Mamo said it could also be possible to reverse it.
Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be
Here are more interesting dementia brain boosting activities
Indopia
Melbourne
Researchers in Australia have claimed that will soon find a way to slow the process or altogether prevent Alzheimer's disease.
The membrane, which controls what is allowed into the brain, gets damaged if food containing high saturated fat is consumed, experts at Curtin University in Western Australia have found out.
Preventing deposits of protein amyloid from accumulating can delay Alzheimer's, researcher John Mamo said in an ABC report.
"If we can understand the mechanisms behind how diet influences risk for Alzheimer's disease then it becomes possible for us to think of what type of intervention strategy we might have," he said.
Mamo said it could also be possible to reverse it.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Can You Prevent Dementia?
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by Adrienne Carlson
Can You Prevent Dementia?
It’s a sad but true fact of life – even the most brilliant of minds atrophy into nothing when old age and its related ills take over. Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other mental illnesses are the plague of the elderly, and it’s all we can do to stave them off as long as possible. Why are people affected by these diseases, people who are intelligent and have until then led normal and fulfilling lives? It’s mostly in our genes, so even doctors are not sure if we can prevent dementia altogether, but you can keep it at bay for a good many years if you take good care of your mental health.
• Early diagnosis is the key: If you have a family history of mental illnesses like dementia and Alzheimer’s, it’s best to keep monitoring your mental health for signs of the disease. You don’t have to be paranoid, just careful enough so you don’t have to suffer the way your ancestors did. Doctors do prescribe medicines to keep you in good mental health, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
• An active life helps: Even if you grow old, it’s wise to stay active – go to work every day, work out a little, eat healthy food, and generally prevent your life from slowing down. When you stop doing something, your body becomes accustomed to it and shuts down the parts that are used to do perform that activity. So if you stay in bed without getting up, your legs are bound to atrophy and become useless. Even if you’ve retired, keep yourself busy with volunteer work or activities around your home.
• Mental stimulation works: This is very important if you want to stay mentally healthy until you die – push your brain to take up new challenges. Besides doing crossword puzzles, Sudoku and other mentally challenging activities, try something new like learning a language or how to play a musical instrument. The more active your neurons remain, the less chance they have of becoming vegetative.
• Social networks are important: No, I’m not talking about the ones that exist on the Internet but about the friends and acquaintances who are a part of your life. Instead of staying holed up at home with the television, get out and socialize – make time to hang out with your friends, playing cards or having a drink together and talking about old times. Take a walk together early in the morning or when the sun is going down. In short, continue to meet people and lead an active social life to keep dementia away.
• Move with the times: You may be a baby boomer, but if you don’t keep up with technology, you’re going to feel like a misfit in today’s world. Get yourself a cell phone, an iPod or even a laptop. Use them to stay updated on the latest that’s happening in the world. Not only do you feel young at heart, you also feel young in mind.
By-line:
This guest article was written by Adrienne Carlson, who regularly writes on the topic of pharmacy technician certification . Adrienne welcomes your comments and questions at her email address: adrienne.carlson83@yahoo.com
Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be
Here are more interesting dementia brain boosting activities
by Adrienne Carlson
Can You Prevent Dementia?
It’s a sad but true fact of life – even the most brilliant of minds atrophy into nothing when old age and its related ills take over. Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other mental illnesses are the plague of the elderly, and it’s all we can do to stave them off as long as possible. Why are people affected by these diseases, people who are intelligent and have until then led normal and fulfilling lives? It’s mostly in our genes, so even doctors are not sure if we can prevent dementia altogether, but you can keep it at bay for a good many years if you take good care of your mental health.
• Early diagnosis is the key: If you have a family history of mental illnesses like dementia and Alzheimer’s, it’s best to keep monitoring your mental health for signs of the disease. You don’t have to be paranoid, just careful enough so you don’t have to suffer the way your ancestors did. Doctors do prescribe medicines to keep you in good mental health, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
• An active life helps: Even if you grow old, it’s wise to stay active – go to work every day, work out a little, eat healthy food, and generally prevent your life from slowing down. When you stop doing something, your body becomes accustomed to it and shuts down the parts that are used to do perform that activity. So if you stay in bed without getting up, your legs are bound to atrophy and become useless. Even if you’ve retired, keep yourself busy with volunteer work or activities around your home.
• Mental stimulation works: This is very important if you want to stay mentally healthy until you die – push your brain to take up new challenges. Besides doing crossword puzzles, Sudoku and other mentally challenging activities, try something new like learning a language or how to play a musical instrument. The more active your neurons remain, the less chance they have of becoming vegetative.
• Social networks are important: No, I’m not talking about the ones that exist on the Internet but about the friends and acquaintances who are a part of your life. Instead of staying holed up at home with the television, get out and socialize – make time to hang out with your friends, playing cards or having a drink together and talking about old times. Take a walk together early in the morning or when the sun is going down. In short, continue to meet people and lead an active social life to keep dementia away.
• Move with the times: You may be a baby boomer, but if you don’t keep up with technology, you’re going to feel like a misfit in today’s world. Get yourself a cell phone, an iPod or even a laptop. Use them to stay updated on the latest that’s happening in the world. Not only do you feel young at heart, you also feel young in mind.
By-line:
This guest article was written by Adrienne Carlson, who regularly writes on the topic of pharmacy technician certification . Adrienne welcomes your comments and questions at her email address: adrienne.carlson83@yahoo.com
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Why you should embrace World Alzheimer's Day on September 21
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Healthnews-stat.com
Author Susan Berg says "It is everyone’s duty to embrace this day because there is no time to lose when fighting the battle of preventing this terrible disease." Here are some simple things you can do
What do you know about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias?
How can you decrease your chances of getting these disease?
How can you help someone with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia?
This year’s theme is 'Diagnosing Dementia: See It Sooner'
Yes, there is an urgency for all to learn about these diseases and do what they can to prevent them in themselves. Also legislators need to contacted so more funds can be allocated for research. World Alzheimer’s day, on Sept 21, is the perfect time to do this.
Approximately 5.3 million people in the United States already have Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. The number will continue to grow as the baby boomers reach the age of retirement.
What can you do right now to lessen your chances of getting these diseases?
1. Stop smoking! There is nothing positive about smoking. Studies have shown that smoking not only raises your chances of developing dementia, but it also increases your chances of getting other diseases.
2. Eat a healthy diet. Research suggests that the Mediterranean diet staves off the onset of dementia
3. Keep mentally active. Again studies have shown this, to be a way to delay the onset of dementia.
4. Keep physically active. Research indicates that moderate exercise at least a half an hour three times a week is another way to keep dementia from affecting you.
How can you help others?
Donate to the Alzheimer’s Association. Give your time and/ or money. Help with special events. Organize fund raisers.
Susan Berg has written a book called, Adorable Photographs of Our Baby, for those with dementia, their caregivers, and interested professionals.
She is donating money to the Alzheimer’s Association for each book she sells. She is passionate about educating others on these diseases. Visit her blog at http://dementiaviews.blogspot.com.
You or someone you know could develop symptoms tomorrow. The cost of caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia is expensive monetarily, physically, emotionally, and psychologically.
So please acknowledge World Alzheimer’s Day, this Monday, September 21st
Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be
Here are more interesting dementia brain boosting activities
Healthnews-stat.com
Author Susan Berg says "It is everyone’s duty to embrace this day because there is no time to lose when fighting the battle of preventing this terrible disease." Here are some simple things you can do
What do you know about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias?
How can you decrease your chances of getting these disease?
How can you help someone with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia?
This year’s theme is 'Diagnosing Dementia: See It Sooner'
Yes, there is an urgency for all to learn about these diseases and do what they can to prevent them in themselves. Also legislators need to contacted so more funds can be allocated for research. World Alzheimer’s day, on Sept 21, is the perfect time to do this.
Approximately 5.3 million people in the United States already have Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. The number will continue to grow as the baby boomers reach the age of retirement.
What can you do right now to lessen your chances of getting these diseases?
1. Stop smoking! There is nothing positive about smoking. Studies have shown that smoking not only raises your chances of developing dementia, but it also increases your chances of getting other diseases.
2. Eat a healthy diet. Research suggests that the Mediterranean diet staves off the onset of dementia
3. Keep mentally active. Again studies have shown this, to be a way to delay the onset of dementia.
4. Keep physically active. Research indicates that moderate exercise at least a half an hour three times a week is another way to keep dementia from affecting you.
How can you help others?
Donate to the Alzheimer’s Association. Give your time and/ or money. Help with special events. Organize fund raisers.
Susan Berg has written a book called, Adorable Photographs of Our Baby, for those with dementia, their caregivers, and interested professionals.
She is donating money to the Alzheimer’s Association for each book she sells. She is passionate about educating others on these diseases. Visit her blog at http://dementiaviews.blogspot.com.
You or someone you know could develop symptoms tomorrow. The cost of caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia is expensive monetarily, physically, emotionally, and psychologically.
So please acknowledge World Alzheimer’s Day, this Monday, September 21st
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Alzheimer's Disease : The role of Tangles and Plaques
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Article Blast
Written by liza arwati
Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder that affects person memory, thinking and behavior. This disease is a form of dementia that is found mainly in people over the age of 65. Alzheimer's disease accounts for approximately 70 percent of dementia cases.
Alzheimer's disease was first recorded by Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German physician who specialized in neuropathology and histopathology, in early 1900's. One of his patients, a woman names Auguste Deter, had completely lost her memory and developed strange behaviors. When she passed away, Dr. Alzheimer decided to examiner her brain to find out the causes of the symptoms. He noticed two differences that have come to identify Alzheimer's disease, gumlike clumps outside some cells and an abnormal collection of protein inside other cells. He dubbed these plaques and tangles.
Tangles
The nutrients from the cell body need to be transported to nerve endings. Inside the healthy brain cells, long threads of proteins serve as tracks for this transport of nutrients.
When scientists examined the brains of patients with Alzheimer disease who had died, they discovered that some of these transport proteins were tangled. Neurons with tangles in their branches could not send nutrient molecules to their nerve endings, and therefore they could not communicate with other neurons. Tangles are found in the cerebral cortex of the brain mainly in the temporal lobe structures.
Plaques
The second thing Alzheimer took note of was the neuritic plaques. The neuritis plaques are made of a protein called amyloid, normally found in the body. In a person with alzheimer's disease, large sediments of the protein accumulate between the nerve cells. These plaques were later found to be comprised of deposits of aluminum silicate as well as the amyloid protein.
Amyloid plaques damage the connection points between neurons and interfere with their ability to communicate with one another. Plaques seem to develop initially in the cortical areas in the temporal lobes, which explains why Alzheimer's patients first develop profound memory loss.
Patients who suffer from a more severe form of Alzheimer disease have far more plaques than those with mild forms. The brains of persons unaffected by Alzheimer can have a few plaques.
Scientists are now on searching to find out why millions of plaques found in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease while very few found in the brains of healthy older peoples.
Amyloid plaques seem to trigger an inflammatory response. In the brain, the inflammatory cells may cause injury simply by their arrival in and around the plaques. The inflammatory process appears to destroy large numbers of brain cell in alzheimer's patients.
Another contributor to Alzheimer's disease may be that the natural repair mechanism that rid the body of free radicals is faulty. Apolipoprotein E, which has the potential to protect the lipid membranes against free radical injury, might be less efficient (in repairing the damage) variant in the brain of an Alzheimer's patients. Without an adequate protection, the free radicals that are brought to the inflammation sites around a plaque can kill nearby innocent neurons too.
Antioxidants such as vitamin E, which aid in the absorption of free radicals, seem to ease the burden of Alzheimer's disease in some patients.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBlast.com
Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be
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Article Blast
Written by liza arwati
Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder that affects person memory, thinking and behavior. This disease is a form of dementia that is found mainly in people over the age of 65. Alzheimer's disease accounts for approximately 70 percent of dementia cases.
Alzheimer's disease was first recorded by Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German physician who specialized in neuropathology and histopathology, in early 1900's. One of his patients, a woman names Auguste Deter, had completely lost her memory and developed strange behaviors. When she passed away, Dr. Alzheimer decided to examiner her brain to find out the causes of the symptoms. He noticed two differences that have come to identify Alzheimer's disease, gumlike clumps outside some cells and an abnormal collection of protein inside other cells. He dubbed these plaques and tangles.
Tangles
The nutrients from the cell body need to be transported to nerve endings. Inside the healthy brain cells, long threads of proteins serve as tracks for this transport of nutrients.
When scientists examined the brains of patients with Alzheimer disease who had died, they discovered that some of these transport proteins were tangled. Neurons with tangles in their branches could not send nutrient molecules to their nerve endings, and therefore they could not communicate with other neurons. Tangles are found in the cerebral cortex of the brain mainly in the temporal lobe structures.
Plaques
The second thing Alzheimer took note of was the neuritic plaques. The neuritis plaques are made of a protein called amyloid, normally found in the body. In a person with alzheimer's disease, large sediments of the protein accumulate between the nerve cells. These plaques were later found to be comprised of deposits of aluminum silicate as well as the amyloid protein.
Amyloid plaques damage the connection points between neurons and interfere with their ability to communicate with one another. Plaques seem to develop initially in the cortical areas in the temporal lobes, which explains why Alzheimer's patients first develop profound memory loss.
Patients who suffer from a more severe form of Alzheimer disease have far more plaques than those with mild forms. The brains of persons unaffected by Alzheimer can have a few plaques.
Scientists are now on searching to find out why millions of plaques found in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease while very few found in the brains of healthy older peoples.
Amyloid plaques seem to trigger an inflammatory response. In the brain, the inflammatory cells may cause injury simply by their arrival in and around the plaques. The inflammatory process appears to destroy large numbers of brain cell in alzheimer's patients.
Another contributor to Alzheimer's disease may be that the natural repair mechanism that rid the body of free radicals is faulty. Apolipoprotein E, which has the potential to protect the lipid membranes against free radical injury, might be less efficient (in repairing the damage) variant in the brain of an Alzheimer's patients. Without an adequate protection, the free radicals that are brought to the inflammation sites around a plaque can kill nearby innocent neurons too.
Antioxidants such as vitamin E, which aid in the absorption of free radicals, seem to ease the burden of Alzheimer's disease in some patients.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBlast.com
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Dementia cases predicted to soar
Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,
Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be
Here are more interesting dementia brain boosting activities
ABC News
By national medical reporter Sophie Scott and staff
An Alzheimer's Australia report says the number of Australians with dementia will quadruple to more than 1.1 million people by 2050.
There are currently almost 250,000 people living with dementia in Australia. The first baby boomers turn 65 next year, and by 2020 there will be 75,000 baby boomers with dementia.
The new figures are a substantial increase from predictions four years ago and Alzheimer's Australia chief Glenn Rees says the ageing population is to blame.
"The main driver of the increase in numbers is the success of medical science in keeping us healthy for longer so we're living longer, and as we've lived longer dementia becomes more of an issue," he said.
"The biggest risk factor for dementia is age, there are other risk factors but age is the predominant one."
Mr Rees says the projections are dramatic, but are credible.
"They're based on ABS population projections and the prevalence rates that Access Economics use are very much an average of those that epidemiologists around the world have calculated," he said.
"The research that underlies these kinds of figures has been around for a number of years."
The organisation is calling for more money for research, as none of the current medications can stop or slow the progression of the condition.
"There are 30 or 40 compounds that pharmaceutical companies have in development that may help and modify the disease progression; at the moment the only medications we have really address symptoms not the cause. Within three to five years we may have medications that help slow the disease or, if they are very effective, prevent it.
"The first thing is to try and reduce the numbers in the future if we can, but meanwhile we know whatever we do there's going to be many, many more people with dementia needing care.
"The growth of services both within the health system - primary care, hospitals, as well as community and residential care - will need to be sensitive to the needs of people with dementia."
Mr Rees says the report also very deliberately looked at people from non-English speaking backgrounds who suffer from dementia.
"The report shows that by the middle of this century there would be 120,000 people with dementia who don't speak English at home - that clearly presents a lot of difficulties in terms of language, in terms of culturally appropriate services and having services flexible enough to respond to the needs of people from very different backgrounds."
Dementia cases predicted to soar
Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be
Here are more interesting dementia brain boosting activities
ABC News
By national medical reporter Sophie Scott and staff
An Alzheimer's Australia report says the number of Australians with dementia will quadruple to more than 1.1 million people by 2050.
There are currently almost 250,000 people living with dementia in Australia. The first baby boomers turn 65 next year, and by 2020 there will be 75,000 baby boomers with dementia.
The new figures are a substantial increase from predictions four years ago and Alzheimer's Australia chief Glenn Rees says the ageing population is to blame.
"The main driver of the increase in numbers is the success of medical science in keeping us healthy for longer so we're living longer, and as we've lived longer dementia becomes more of an issue," he said.
"The biggest risk factor for dementia is age, there are other risk factors but age is the predominant one."
Mr Rees says the projections are dramatic, but are credible.
"They're based on ABS population projections and the prevalence rates that Access Economics use are very much an average of those that epidemiologists around the world have calculated," he said.
"The research that underlies these kinds of figures has been around for a number of years."
The organisation is calling for more money for research, as none of the current medications can stop or slow the progression of the condition.
"There are 30 or 40 compounds that pharmaceutical companies have in development that may help and modify the disease progression; at the moment the only medications we have really address symptoms not the cause. Within three to five years we may have medications that help slow the disease or, if they are very effective, prevent it.
"The first thing is to try and reduce the numbers in the future if we can, but meanwhile we know whatever we do there's going to be many, many more people with dementia needing care.
"The growth of services both within the health system - primary care, hospitals, as well as community and residential care - will need to be sensitive to the needs of people with dementia."
Mr Rees says the report also very deliberately looked at people from non-English speaking backgrounds who suffer from dementia.
"The report shows that by the middle of this century there would be 120,000 people with dementia who don't speak English at home - that clearly presents a lot of difficulties in terms of language, in terms of culturally appropriate services and having services flexible enough to respond to the needs of people from very different backgrounds."
Dementia cases predicted to soar
Friday, September 11, 2009
High Fruit And Vegetable Intake Linked To Antioxidant Status And Cognitive Performance In Healthy Subjects
Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,
Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be
Here are more interesting dementia brain boosting activities
ScienceDaily — Researchers at the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I of the Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany, investigated the relationship between fruit and vegetable intake, plasma antioxidant micronutrient status and cognitive performance in healthy subjects aged 45 to 102 years. Their results, published in the August issue of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, indicated higher cognitive performance in individuals with high daily intake of fruits and vegetables
Subjects with a high daily intake (about 400 g) of fruits and vegetables had higher antioxidant levels, lower indicators of free radical-induced damage against lipids as well as better cognitive performance compared to healthy subjects of any age consuming low amounts (< 100 g/day) of fruits and vegetables. Modification of nutritional habits aimed at increasing intake of fruits and vegetables, therefore, should be encouraged to lower the prevalence of cognitive impairment.
The work was performed in collaboration with the Department of Pharmacology at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Department of Geriatrics at Perugia University, Italy, and the Department of Neurology of the St. Elisabeth Hospital in Cologne, Germany.
Dr. M. Cristina Polidori, currently at the Department of Geriatrics, Marienhospital Herne, Ruhr-University of Bochum, Germany, explains: “It is known that there is a strong association between fruit and vegetable intake and the natural antioxidant defenses of the body against free radicals. It is also known that bad nutritional habits increase the risk of developing cognitive impairment with and without dementia. With this work we show a multiple link between fruit and vegetable intake, antioxidant defenses and cognitive performance, in the absence of disease and independent of age. Among other lifestyle habits, it is recommended to improve nutrition in general and fruit and vegetable intake in particular at any age, beginning as early as possible. This may increase our chances to remain free of dementia in advanced age.”
These findings are independent of........read all of the Cognitive Performance In Healthy Subjects
Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be
Here are more interesting dementia brain boosting activities
ScienceDaily — Researchers at the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I of the Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany, investigated the relationship between fruit and vegetable intake, plasma antioxidant micronutrient status and cognitive performance in healthy subjects aged 45 to 102 years. Their results, published in the August issue of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, indicated higher cognitive performance in individuals with high daily intake of fruits and vegetables
Subjects with a high daily intake (about 400 g) of fruits and vegetables had higher antioxidant levels, lower indicators of free radical-induced damage against lipids as well as better cognitive performance compared to healthy subjects of any age consuming low amounts (< 100 g/day) of fruits and vegetables. Modification of nutritional habits aimed at increasing intake of fruits and vegetables, therefore, should be encouraged to lower the prevalence of cognitive impairment.
The work was performed in collaboration with the Department of Pharmacology at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Department of Geriatrics at Perugia University, Italy, and the Department of Neurology of the St. Elisabeth Hospital in Cologne, Germany.
Dr. M. Cristina Polidori, currently at the Department of Geriatrics, Marienhospital Herne, Ruhr-University of Bochum, Germany, explains: “It is known that there is a strong association between fruit and vegetable intake and the natural antioxidant defenses of the body against free radicals. It is also known that bad nutritional habits increase the risk of developing cognitive impairment with and without dementia. With this work we show a multiple link between fruit and vegetable intake, antioxidant defenses and cognitive performance, in the absence of disease and independent of age. Among other lifestyle habits, it is recommended to improve nutrition in general and fruit and vegetable intake in particular at any age, beginning as early as possible. This may increase our chances to remain free of dementia in advanced age.”
These findings are independent of........read all of the Cognitive Performance In Healthy Subjects
Monday, September 7, 2009
Powerful new 'molecular GPS' helps probe aging and disease processes
Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,
Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be
Here are more interesting early fall brain boosting activities
R&D
News
posted in Life Science
Scientists in Michigan are reporting the development of a powerful new probe for identifying proteins affected by a key chemical process important in aging and disease. The probe works like a GPS or navigation system for finding these proteins in cells. It could lead to new insights into disease processes and identify new targets for disease treatments, the researchers say. Their study is scheduled for the Sept. 18 issue of ACS Chemical Biology, a monthly journal.
Kate Carroll and colleagues note that scientists have known for years that the excess build-up of highly-reactive oxygen-containing molecules in cells can contribute to aging and possibly to disorders such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Scientists believe that a diet rich in antioxidants, which are abundant in fruits and vegetables, may help deter this cell-damaging process by blocking the accumulation of these molecules, also known as reactive oxygen species (ROS). But until now, scientists have lacked the proper tools to study the effects of these molecules in detail.
The researchers developed a new molecule called DAz-2, which they say functions like a tiny GPS device for quickly finding specific proteins that are affected by ROS. The molecules do this by chemically "tagging" sulfenic acid. Formed in cells, sulfenic acid indicates that a protein has undergone a type of reaction - called oxidation - caused by ROS. In lab studies using cultured cells, the scientists identified more than 190 proteins that undergo this reaction. The study may lead to better strategies for fighting the wide range of diseases that involve these excessive oxidation reactions, the researchers say.
Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be
Here are more interesting early fall brain boosting activities
R&D
News
posted in Life Science
Scientists in Michigan are reporting the development of a powerful new probe for identifying proteins affected by a key chemical process important in aging and disease. The probe works like a GPS or navigation system for finding these proteins in cells. It could lead to new insights into disease processes and identify new targets for disease treatments, the researchers say. Their study is scheduled for the Sept. 18 issue of ACS Chemical Biology, a monthly journal.
Kate Carroll and colleagues note that scientists have known for years that the excess build-up of highly-reactive oxygen-containing molecules in cells can contribute to aging and possibly to disorders such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Scientists believe that a diet rich in antioxidants, which are abundant in fruits and vegetables, may help deter this cell-damaging process by blocking the accumulation of these molecules, also known as reactive oxygen species (ROS). But until now, scientists have lacked the proper tools to study the effects of these molecules in detail.
The researchers developed a new molecule called DAz-2, which they say functions like a tiny GPS device for quickly finding specific proteins that are affected by ROS. The molecules do this by chemically "tagging" sulfenic acid. Formed in cells, sulfenic acid indicates that a protein has undergone a type of reaction - called oxidation - caused by ROS. In lab studies using cultured cells, the scientists identified more than 190 proteins that undergo this reaction. The study may lead to better strategies for fighting the wide range of diseases that involve these excessive oxidation reactions, the researchers say.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Moderate drinkers '25% less likely to develop dementia'
Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,
Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be
Here are more interesting dementia articles and activities,
Craegimoor.co.uk
According to the latest research, light to moderate drinkers are 25 per cent less likely to develop dementia than those who do not drink any alcohol.
Research studies, based on a survey of 10,000 people worldwide, explored links between drinking and dementia through meta-analysis of 15 research studies.
Results of studies were followed up with participants at intervals over two to eight years, according to study leader Kaarin Anstey, of the Australian National University.
"We found that light to moderate drinkers were 28 per cent less likely to develop Alzheimer's than non-drinkers, 25 per cent less likely to develop vascular dementia, and 26 per cent less likely to develop any dementia'," Ms Anstey said.
The report was published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.
Some of the research projects considered in the ANU synthesis study only reported whether participants were drinkers or non-drinkers and did not explore the extent of their drinking.
The news comes as research carried out by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that people who do not drink alcohol have an increased risk of anxiety and depression.
Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be
Here are more interesting dementia articles and activities,
Craegimoor.co.uk
According to the latest research, light to moderate drinkers are 25 per cent less likely to develop dementia than those who do not drink any alcohol.
Research studies, based on a survey of 10,000 people worldwide, explored links between drinking and dementia through meta-analysis of 15 research studies.
Results of studies were followed up with participants at intervals over two to eight years, according to study leader Kaarin Anstey, of the Australian National University.
"We found that light to moderate drinkers were 28 per cent less likely to develop Alzheimer's than non-drinkers, 25 per cent less likely to develop vascular dementia, and 26 per cent less likely to develop any dementia'," Ms Anstey said.
The report was published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.
Some of the research projects considered in the ANU synthesis study only reported whether participants were drinkers or non-drinkers and did not explore the extent of their drinking.
The news comes as research carried out by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that people who do not drink alcohol have an increased risk of anxiety and depression.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Research Demonstrates that Optimized Turmeric Extract Inhibits Amyloid-Beta...
Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,
Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be
Here are more interesting dementia articles and activities,
HerbalScience Research Demonstrates that Optimized Turmeric Extract Inhibits
Amyloid-Beta Accumulation, a Hallmark of Alzheimer's Disease
- Results of Laboratory Study Detecting Previously Unidentified Bioactives in
Standardized Turmeric Extract Will Be Published in Upcoming Issue of Current
Alzheimer's Research -
NAPLES, Fla., Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Alzheimer's disease is the most common
cause of dementia among the elderly and is projected to increase in prevalence
over the next decades as the population ages -- creating an urgent need for
treatments that will prevent or reverse the now-inexorable course of cognitive
deterioration and memory loss. Because development of synthetic drugs is
expensive and complex, many researchers are focusing on botanical extracts
whose benefits have been documented by traditional medicine systems. In that
vein, scientists with HerbalScience Group LLC, working with researchers from
other organizations and medical institutions, conducted an in-depth study of
optimized turmeric extracts, demonstrating that key bioactives in the
botanical extracts inhibit aggregation and release of amyloid, a protein
fragment considered a prime causal suspect in Alzheimer's disease.
An article detailing the study, titled "Optimized Turmeric Extracts Have
Potent Anti-Amyloidogenic Effects," will be published in the December 2009
issue of Current Alzheimer's Research, a peer-reviewed scientific journal. The
authors are affiliated with several research organizations and medical
institutions, including HerbalScience Group LLC; the University of Miami
Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida; the University of South
Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida; Veterans Administration Hospital,
Research Service, Tampa, Florida; and Natura Therapeutics, Tampa, Florida.
"The optimized extracts outperformed curcumin, the best studied anti-Alzheimer
extract from turmeric," said Randall S. Alberte, Ph.D., one of the authors of
the study and Chief Scientific Officer of HerbalScience Group LLC, a Naples,
Florida, and Singapore-based company dedicated to applying advanced science
and technology to the production of botanical drugs and nutraceuticals.
For the research, three standardized turmeric extracts were prepared that were
enriched in curcuminoids and turmerones, two major classes of compounds
present in turmeric. Each of the three proprietary extracts had a different
chemical profile and was standardized using advanced extraction technology
developed by HerbalScience to create herbal extracts that are dose-reliable
and efficacious. The activities of the extracts were compared to standard
curcuminoids.
Inhibition of amyloid aggregation and secretion was studied in vitro among the
different extracts and standards, and it was found that one of the extracts
had the greatest activity in inhibiting the aggregation and secretion of
amyloid. This extract, containing the highest levels of curcuminoids among all
of the extracts, demonstrated activity that was significantly greater than
curcumin alone, the most active of the four curcuminoid standards. This result
indicates that an enriched turmeric extract could be just as or more effective
than curcumin, the most commonly studied turmeric material for Alzheimer's
disease.
The HerbalScience study also used advanced DART (Direct Analysis in Real Time)
Time-of-Flight mass spectrometry technology to generate detailed chemical
profiles of each extract in order to determine the key bioactive compounds.
Only 5% of the compounds were known chemicals, with the remaining 95% being
identified for the first time. With further chemical analysis and
identification of key bioactives, highly standardized extracts such as these
could offer a rich new source for potential drug discovery for Alzheimer's and
other therapeutic targets.
The journal article detailing the study will appear in the December 2009 issue
of Current Alzheimer's Research (Vol. 6, No. 6). Authors are R. Douglas
Shytle, Paula C. Bickford, Kavon Rezai-zadeh, L Hou, Jin Zeng, Jun Tan, and
Paul Sanberg, with University of South Florida College of Medicine
affiliations including the Department of Neurosurgery Center for Excellence in
Aging and Brain Repair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine
Silver Child Development Center, and Neuroscience Program; Cyndy D. Sanberg of
Natura Therapeutics, Inc., Tampa, Florida; Bill Roschek Jr. and Randall S.
Alberte, of HerbalScience Group LLC, Naples, Florida; and Ryan C. Fink,
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Miami
Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida. Dr. Bickford is also
affiliated with the Veterans Administration Hospital, Research Service, Tampa,
Florida; and Drs. Shytle, Bickford, Tan, and Paul Sanberg are also affiliated
with Natura Therapeutics.
HerbalScience is a privately-held life sciences company headquartered in
Naples, Florida, with facilities in Singapore. HerbalScience is engaged in the
discovery, development, manufacture, and marketing of proprietary botanical
compounds for human health in the U.S. and international markets. The company
has prominent alliances with prestigious university laboratories and prominent
researchers in the U.S., as well as research institutions in China.
Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be
Here are more interesting dementia articles and activities,
HerbalScience Research Demonstrates that Optimized Turmeric Extract Inhibits
Amyloid-Beta Accumulation, a Hallmark of Alzheimer's Disease
- Results of Laboratory Study Detecting Previously Unidentified Bioactives in
Standardized Turmeric Extract Will Be Published in Upcoming Issue of Current
Alzheimer's Research -
NAPLES, Fla., Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Alzheimer's disease is the most common
cause of dementia among the elderly and is projected to increase in prevalence
over the next decades as the population ages -- creating an urgent need for
treatments that will prevent or reverse the now-inexorable course of cognitive
deterioration and memory loss. Because development of synthetic drugs is
expensive and complex, many researchers are focusing on botanical extracts
whose benefits have been documented by traditional medicine systems. In that
vein, scientists with HerbalScience Group LLC, working with researchers from
other organizations and medical institutions, conducted an in-depth study of
optimized turmeric extracts, demonstrating that key bioactives in the
botanical extracts inhibit aggregation and release of amyloid, a protein
fragment considered a prime causal suspect in Alzheimer's disease.
An article detailing the study, titled "Optimized Turmeric Extracts Have
Potent Anti-Amyloidogenic Effects," will be published in the December 2009
issue of Current Alzheimer's Research, a peer-reviewed scientific journal. The
authors are affiliated with several research organizations and medical
institutions, including HerbalScience Group LLC; the University of Miami
Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida; the University of South
Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida; Veterans Administration Hospital,
Research Service, Tampa, Florida; and Natura Therapeutics, Tampa, Florida.
"The optimized extracts outperformed curcumin, the best studied anti-Alzheimer
extract from turmeric," said Randall S. Alberte, Ph.D., one of the authors of
the study and Chief Scientific Officer of HerbalScience Group LLC, a Naples,
Florida, and Singapore-based company dedicated to applying advanced science
and technology to the production of botanical drugs and nutraceuticals.
For the research, three standardized turmeric extracts were prepared that were
enriched in curcuminoids and turmerones, two major classes of compounds
present in turmeric. Each of the three proprietary extracts had a different
chemical profile and was standardized using advanced extraction technology
developed by HerbalScience to create herbal extracts that are dose-reliable
and efficacious. The activities of the extracts were compared to standard
curcuminoids.
Inhibition of amyloid aggregation and secretion was studied in vitro among the
different extracts and standards, and it was found that one of the extracts
had the greatest activity in inhibiting the aggregation and secretion of
amyloid. This extract, containing the highest levels of curcuminoids among all
of the extracts, demonstrated activity that was significantly greater than
curcumin alone, the most active of the four curcuminoid standards. This result
indicates that an enriched turmeric extract could be just as or more effective
than curcumin, the most commonly studied turmeric material for Alzheimer's
disease.
The HerbalScience study also used advanced DART (Direct Analysis in Real Time)
Time-of-Flight mass spectrometry technology to generate detailed chemical
profiles of each extract in order to determine the key bioactive compounds.
Only 5% of the compounds were known chemicals, with the remaining 95% being
identified for the first time. With further chemical analysis and
identification of key bioactives, highly standardized extracts such as these
could offer a rich new source for potential drug discovery for Alzheimer's and
other therapeutic targets.
The journal article detailing the study will appear in the December 2009 issue
of Current Alzheimer's Research (Vol. 6, No. 6). Authors are R. Douglas
Shytle, Paula C. Bickford, Kavon Rezai-zadeh, L Hou, Jin Zeng, Jun Tan, and
Paul Sanberg, with University of South Florida College of Medicine
affiliations including the Department of Neurosurgery Center for Excellence in
Aging and Brain Repair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine
Silver Child Development Center, and Neuroscience Program; Cyndy D. Sanberg of
Natura Therapeutics, Inc., Tampa, Florida; Bill Roschek Jr. and Randall S.
Alberte, of HerbalScience Group LLC, Naples, Florida; and Ryan C. Fink,
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Miami
Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida. Dr. Bickford is also
affiliated with the Veterans Administration Hospital, Research Service, Tampa,
Florida; and Drs. Shytle, Bickford, Tan, and Paul Sanberg are also affiliated
with Natura Therapeutics.
HerbalScience is a privately-held life sciences company headquartered in
Naples, Florida, with facilities in Singapore. HerbalScience is engaged in the
discovery, development, manufacture, and marketing of proprietary botanical
compounds for human health in the U.S. and international markets. The company
has prominent alliances with prestigious university laboratories and prominent
researchers in the U.S., as well as research institutions in China.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Finding places in London using QYPE
When you have a loved one with dementia, you do not have a lot of spare time. You need a place where you can learn about good: restaurants in London. I have found just the place. It is a web site called QYPE. Here you can read all about what others think about the restaurants London has to offer. You can do this from the comfort of your own home.
If you find restaurants, you really like you can submit reviews for them, as well. In fact reviewing and writing reviews can be a meaningful activity for you and a loved one with dementia.
Before you do this, however, read some of the opinions of other people about certain restaurants to see if the place is somewhere you can easily take a loved one with dementia.
If you go to a restaurant with a person who has dementia, you may want to call the place ahead of time especially if your loved one has particular behaviors or eating peculiarities. Going to a restaurant that is not too fancy is best. Also going to one that is quiet is a good idea also.
You should probably go out for lunch rather than supper because lunch time is a better time of day for most people who have dementia. Arriving at an off hour on a traditionally slow day usually works well.
No doubt, you will need to take time to relax. Using QYPE will help you find the ideal pubs London has to offer that meets your particular needs.
Not only will you be able to find out about restaurants and pubs in London, but you can also find information about bars, hotels and events. This will make it easier for you to plan outing for you and the person who has dementia. You will get good information and possibly save some money
I have found much needed information and saved a lot of time using QYPE.
If you find restaurants, you really like you can submit reviews for them, as well. In fact reviewing and writing reviews can be a meaningful activity for you and a loved one with dementia.
Before you do this, however, read some of the opinions of other people about certain restaurants to see if the place is somewhere you can easily take a loved one with dementia.
If you go to a restaurant with a person who has dementia, you may want to call the place ahead of time especially if your loved one has particular behaviors or eating peculiarities. Going to a restaurant that is not too fancy is best. Also going to one that is quiet is a good idea also.
You should probably go out for lunch rather than supper because lunch time is a better time of day for most people who have dementia. Arriving at an off hour on a traditionally slow day usually works well.
No doubt, you will need to take time to relax. Using QYPE will help you find the ideal pubs London has to offer that meets your particular needs.
Not only will you be able to find out about restaurants and pubs in London, but you can also find information about bars, hotels and events. This will make it easier for you to plan outing for you and the person who has dementia. You will get good information and possibly save some money
I have found much needed information and saved a lot of time using QYPE.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Why Alzheimer's and Other Dementia Caregivers Should Be Honored This Labor Day
Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,
Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be
Here are more interesting dementia articles and activities,
Healthnews-stat.com
It is estimated that there are over 55 million caregivers, of people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, worldwide. Learn what a hard job they have and why they deserve everyone's praise
According to the United States government Labor Day, celebrates the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of America. Alzheimer's and other dementia caregivers certainly meet these criteria.
The first reason to honor these caregivers is for the financial burden they incur when caring for a person with dementia. First the family has consulted an Elder law attorney to get all the finances in order. Most likely the caregiver had to cut back on the hours of paid employment. Despite using all the resources out there, all expenses for the care of a dementia person will not be covered. That means go without, or pay for necessary items out of pocket.
The second reason to pay tribute to ones caring for someone with dementia is their resourcefulness. Caregivers are good at coming up with unique strategies for managing and paying for the supervision of their loved one. They may get help from attending a support group in person or online. However, they are the ones ultimately responsible for a workable plan of care.
Third is recognizing that many perform physically demanding aspects of a dementia persons' care. Many do the bathing, feeding and toileting of their family member with dementia. These tasks are difficult because many with dementia are confused and combative.
Next, these caregivers should be honored for all the time they devote to all aspects of a dementia persons' life. As just mentioned, most caregivers are responsible for the physical aspects of care. But they also must engage their loved one in meaningful activities throughout the day and sometimes well into the night. Fortunately many take advantage of adult day care to ease the burden. Unfortunately some dementia folks refuse to participate in or have behaviors that preclude them from attending these worthwhile programs.
The fifth reason for honoring those caring for a dementia person is all the time they devote to this job. The caregiver is most likely responsible for everything from cleaning to cooking to shopping to yard work. The list seems endless. These tasks are even more difficult because while the caregiver is doing them, he must also keep the dementia person safe.
It has also been reported recently that caregivers take longer to fall asleep despite being exhausted and that caregivers of dementia spouses enjoy life less Not to mention one-quarter of spouses of those with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias are depressed
Also according to a report published by the National Alzheimer's Association, ten million caregivers provided....read all about honoring caregivers on Labor Day
Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be
Here are more interesting dementia articles and activities,
Healthnews-stat.com
It is estimated that there are over 55 million caregivers, of people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, worldwide. Learn what a hard job they have and why they deserve everyone's praise
According to the United States government Labor Day, celebrates the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of America. Alzheimer's and other dementia caregivers certainly meet these criteria.
The first reason to honor these caregivers is for the financial burden they incur when caring for a person with dementia. First the family has consulted an Elder law attorney to get all the finances in order. Most likely the caregiver had to cut back on the hours of paid employment. Despite using all the resources out there, all expenses for the care of a dementia person will not be covered. That means go without, or pay for necessary items out of pocket.
The second reason to pay tribute to ones caring for someone with dementia is their resourcefulness. Caregivers are good at coming up with unique strategies for managing and paying for the supervision of their loved one. They may get help from attending a support group in person or online. However, they are the ones ultimately responsible for a workable plan of care.
Third is recognizing that many perform physically demanding aspects of a dementia persons' care. Many do the bathing, feeding and toileting of their family member with dementia. These tasks are difficult because many with dementia are confused and combative.
Next, these caregivers should be honored for all the time they devote to all aspects of a dementia persons' life. As just mentioned, most caregivers are responsible for the physical aspects of care. But they also must engage their loved one in meaningful activities throughout the day and sometimes well into the night. Fortunately many take advantage of adult day care to ease the burden. Unfortunately some dementia folks refuse to participate in or have behaviors that preclude them from attending these worthwhile programs.
The fifth reason for honoring those caring for a dementia person is all the time they devote to this job. The caregiver is most likely responsible for everything from cleaning to cooking to shopping to yard work. The list seems endless. These tasks are even more difficult because while the caregiver is doing them, he must also keep the dementia person safe.
It has also been reported recently that caregivers take longer to fall asleep despite being exhausted and that caregivers of dementia spouses enjoy life less Not to mention one-quarter of spouses of those with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias are depressed
Also according to a report published by the National Alzheimer's Association, ten million caregivers provided....read all about honoring caregivers on Labor Day
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
How to boost Alzheimer’s-fighting compounds’ value
Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,
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News Times
Washington, August 18 (ANI): A team of researchers from Purdue University and Mount Sinai School of Medicine have shown that some of the polyphenols found in red wine, thought to help prevent Alzheimer’s disease, in fact reach the brain.
The researchers have found that the amount of polyphenols from grapeseed extract that can reach a rat’s brain is as much as 200 percent higher on the 10th consecutive day of feeding as compared to the first.
They point out that many past studies, in which absorption was measured after single or sporadic doses, often found very little of the bioactive polyphenols reaching brain tissues.
However, they add, more chronic exposure appears to improve absorption.
“This shows that reasonable and chronic consumption of these products may be the way to go, rather than single, high doses, similar to drugs. It’s like eating an apple a day, not a case of apples over two days every month,” said Mario Ferruzzi, a Purdue associate professor of food science, who collaborated on the research with Mount Sinai’s Dr. Giulio Pasinetti.
Pasinetti says that discovering how polyphenols are absorbed and distributed to the brain can impact the scientific understanding of the amount of grape products or red wine a person would need to consume to most effectively combat Alzheimer’s disease.
“The most important thing is that when.....read all about How to boost Alzheimer’s-fighting compounds’
Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be
Here are more interesting dementia activities
News Times
Washington, August 18 (ANI): A team of researchers from Purdue University and Mount Sinai School of Medicine have shown that some of the polyphenols found in red wine, thought to help prevent Alzheimer’s disease, in fact reach the brain.
The researchers have found that the amount of polyphenols from grapeseed extract that can reach a rat’s brain is as much as 200 percent higher on the 10th consecutive day of feeding as compared to the first.
They point out that many past studies, in which absorption was measured after single or sporadic doses, often found very little of the bioactive polyphenols reaching brain tissues.
However, they add, more chronic exposure appears to improve absorption.
“This shows that reasonable and chronic consumption of these products may be the way to go, rather than single, high doses, similar to drugs. It’s like eating an apple a day, not a case of apples over two days every month,” said Mario Ferruzzi, a Purdue associate professor of food science, who collaborated on the research with Mount Sinai’s Dr. Giulio Pasinetti.
Pasinetti says that discovering how polyphenols are absorbed and distributed to the brain can impact the scientific understanding of the amount of grape products or red wine a person would need to consume to most effectively combat Alzheimer’s disease.
“The most important thing is that when.....read all about How to boost Alzheimer’s-fighting compounds’
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