eScience
Eureka
in Health & Medicine
Researchers from the Peninsula Medical School, the University of Cambridge and the University of Michigan, have for the first time identified a relationship between Vitamin D, the "sunshine vitamin", and cognitive impairment in a large-scale study of older people. The importance of these findings lies in the connection between cognitive function and dementia: people who have impaired cognitive function are more likely to develop dementia. The paper will appear in a forthcoming issue of the Journal of Geriatric Psychology and Neurology. The study was based on data on almost 2000 adults aged 65 and over who participated in the Health Survey for England in 2000 and whose levels of cognitive function were assessed. The study found that as levels of Vitamin D went down, levels of cognitive impairment went up. Compared to those with optimum levels of Vitamin D, those with the lowest levels were more than twice as likely to be cognitively impaired.
Vitamin D is important in maintaining bone health, in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, and in helping our immune system. In humans, Vitamin D comes from three main sources – exposure to sunlight, foods such as oily fish, and foods that are fortified with vitamin D (such as milk, cereals, and soya drinks). One problem faced by older people is that the capacity of the skin to absorb Vitamin D from sunlight decreases as the body ages, so they are more reliant on obtaining Vitamin D from other sources.
According to the Alzheimer's Society, dementia affects 700,000 people in the UK and it is predicted that this figure will rise to over 1 million by 2025. Two-thirds of sufferers are women, and 60,000 deaths a year are attributable to the condition. It is believed that the financial cost of dementia to the UK is over £17 billion a year.
Dr. Iain Lang from the Peninsula Medical School, who worked on the study, commented: "This is the first large-scale study to identify a relationship between Vitamin D and cognitive impairment in later life. Dementia is a growing problem for health services everywhere, and people who have cognitive impairment are at higher risk of going on to develop dementia. That means identifying ways in which we can reduce levels of dementia is a key challenge for health services."
Dr Lang added: "For those of us who live in countries where there are dark winters without much sunlight, like the UK, getting enough Vitamin D can be a....read the whole article
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Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Brain-aging gene identified, opening door for new treatment
McKnight's
Long Term Care
Scientists at the Université de Montréal have discovered a gene that is responsible for the aging of neurons in the brain and central nervous system. This finding could lead to new therapies for Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's.
The gene, called Bmi1, prevents the activation of certain other brain functions, and also prevents the accumulation of free-radicals in the brain, which can lead to diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, according to research authors. Without the gene, the aging process of the brain and the eye was dramatically accelerated in laboratory mice, the research shows.
The primary risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease is age, researchers say. By controlling this gene, they hope to be able to reduce pathological aging of the brain and central nervous system, thus preventing the development of those degenerative diseases. The study appears in......read the whole article
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Long Term Care
Scientists at the Université de Montréal have discovered a gene that is responsible for the aging of neurons in the brain and central nervous system. This finding could lead to new therapies for Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's.
The gene, called Bmi1, prevents the activation of certain other brain functions, and also prevents the accumulation of free-radicals in the brain, which can lead to diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, according to research authors. Without the gene, the aging process of the brain and the eye was dramatically accelerated in laboratory mice, the research shows.
The primary risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease is age, researchers say. By controlling this gene, they hope to be able to reduce pathological aging of the brain and central nervous system, thus preventing the development of those degenerative diseases. The study appears in......read the whole article
click here for more dementia information
For Alzheimer's and dementia activities, click here
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Positive Outlook Cuts Chances of Dementia
US News and World Report
New research suggests relaxed, outgoing people less likely to get Alzheimer's
By Tate Gunnerson
HealthDay Reporter
(HealthDay News) -- Sociable people who don't sweat the small stuff may be more likely to remember the small stuff as they age, suggests new research exploring the link between personality and the incidence of Alzheimer's disease."Older people who are active, outgoing and relaxed may be less likely to develop dementia," said study author Hui-Xin Wang, with the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden.
The study, published in the Jan. 20 issue of Neurology, adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting a link between personality traits, lifestyle and Alzheimer's disease.
According to the National Institute on Aging, Alzheimer's disease currently affects between 2.4 million and 4.5 million Americans, and that number will increase significantly as the population ages unless the disease can be effectively treated or prevented.
Researchers questioned 506 older people about their personality traits and lifestyle, to measure their sociability and disposition to stress. After six years, 144 people had developed some sort of dementia, but researchers discovered that calm, more relaxed people, whether they had active social lives or not, were 50 percent less likely to develop dementia than those who had higher levels of neuroticism.
People who were both calm and outgoing, with active social lives, were also 50 percent less likely to develop dementia.
The study found that......read the whole article
For more dementia information, click here
For Alzheimer's and dementia activities, click here
New research suggests relaxed, outgoing people less likely to get Alzheimer's
By Tate Gunnerson
HealthDay Reporter
(HealthDay News) -- Sociable people who don't sweat the small stuff may be more likely to remember the small stuff as they age, suggests new research exploring the link between personality and the incidence of Alzheimer's disease."Older people who are active, outgoing and relaxed may be less likely to develop dementia," said study author Hui-Xin Wang, with the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden.
The study, published in the Jan. 20 issue of Neurology, adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting a link between personality traits, lifestyle and Alzheimer's disease.
According to the National Institute on Aging, Alzheimer's disease currently affects between 2.4 million and 4.5 million Americans, and that number will increase significantly as the population ages unless the disease can be effectively treated or prevented.
Researchers questioned 506 older people about their personality traits and lifestyle, to measure their sociability and disposition to stress. After six years, 144 people had developed some sort of dementia, but researchers discovered that calm, more relaxed people, whether they had active social lives or not, were 50 percent less likely to develop dementia than those who had higher levels of neuroticism.
People who were both calm and outgoing, with active social lives, were also 50 percent less likely to develop dementia.
The study found that......read the whole article
For more dementia information, click here
For Alzheimer's and dementia activities, click here
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Fruit Rich in Polyphenols Protects Against Alzheimer's Disease, Cognitive Decline
NaturalNews) Fruits rich in polyphenols may help protect against the oxidative stress that has been linked to cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease, according to a study conducted by researchers from three Korean universities and published in the Journal of Food Science.
"Our study demonstrated that antioxidants in the major fresh fruits consumed in the United States and Korea protected neuronal cells from oxidative stress," the researchers wrote. "Therefore, additional consumption of fresh fruits such as apples, bananas, and oranges may be beneficial to ameliorate chemopreventive effects in neurodegenerative disease."
Researchers took a cancer cell line derived from the forebrains of rats, intended to simulate human neurons. These cells were exposed to hydrogen peroxide after being treated with varying concentrations of fruit extracts.
Treatment with fruit extracts led to a...read the whole article
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"Our study demonstrated that antioxidants in the major fresh fruits consumed in the United States and Korea protected neuronal cells from oxidative stress," the researchers wrote. "Therefore, additional consumption of fresh fruits such as apples, bananas, and oranges may be beneficial to ameliorate chemopreventive effects in neurodegenerative disease."
Researchers took a cancer cell line derived from the forebrains of rats, intended to simulate human neurons. These cells were exposed to hydrogen peroxide after being treated with varying concentrations of fruit extracts.
Treatment with fruit extracts led to a...read the whole article
For more dementia information,click here
For Alzheimer's and dementia activities, click here
Friday, January 23, 2009
Does Universal Health Care Affect Attitude Toward Dementia?
Science News
ScienceDaily— A new study has found that in spite of their universal health care system which facilitates access to free dementia care, older adults in the United Kingdom are less willing to undergo dementia screening than their counterparts in the U.S. because the Britons perceive greater societal stigma from diagnosis of the disease than do Americans
Researchers surveyed 125 older adults in Indianapolis and 120 older adults in Kent, England, on their opinions on the perceived harms and benefits of dementia screening. None of those surveyed had been diagnosed with dementia, however significantly more of the U.K. participants (48 percent) had close friends or relatives who have or had Alzheimer's disease compared to U.S. participants (27 percent).
The study of public attitudes toward early detection of dementia across different health-care systems was conducted by researchers from Indiana University in the United States and the universities of Kent and London in the United Kingdom.
"From my prospective, it was a genuine surprise that having a....read the whole article
For more dementia information, click here
For Alzheimer's and dementia activities, click here
ScienceDaily— A new study has found that in spite of their universal health care system which facilitates access to free dementia care, older adults in the United Kingdom are less willing to undergo dementia screening than their counterparts in the U.S. because the Britons perceive greater societal stigma from diagnosis of the disease than do Americans
Researchers surveyed 125 older adults in Indianapolis and 120 older adults in Kent, England, on their opinions on the perceived harms and benefits of dementia screening. None of those surveyed had been diagnosed with dementia, however significantly more of the U.K. participants (48 percent) had close friends or relatives who have or had Alzheimer's disease compared to U.S. participants (27 percent).
The study of public attitudes toward early detection of dementia across different health-care systems was conducted by researchers from Indiana University in the United States and the universities of Kent and London in the United Kingdom.
"From my prospective, it was a genuine surprise that having a....read the whole article
For more dementia information, click here
For Alzheimer's and dementia activities, click here
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
New Product for Those with Dementia
A new product for those with Alzheimer's disease, related dementias, and others will be coming out in March. This product will be most helpful to their caregivers as well
Reuters
Kimberly-Clark revamps Depend line for men, women
By Jessica Wohl
CHICAGO, (Reuters) - Kimberly-Clark Corp (KMB.N) is overhauling its Depend line to offer disposable underwear tailored to men and women as it prepares for an influx of aging Americans who need incontinence products.
Depend has been around for nearly 25 years, but this is the first time it is offering separate versions of absorbent underwear for men and women.
The products, which look more like traditional cotton underwear than an adult diaper, will be available in North American stores in March and appear in Europe later in 2009.
While Depend is a smaller business than other Kimberly-Clark products such as Huggies diapers or Kleenex tissues, it expects an aging population will help boost sales.
Baby Boomers, the generation of Americans born between 1946 and 1964, are heading toward retirement with the oldest set to turn 65 in 2011. Many of them are already caring for parents who may use incontinence products.
Underwear currently accounts for about 75 percent of Depend brand sales.
Six unisex versions of Depend underwear will be replaced by six versions for women and two versions for men. The new products have different leg openings and other changes to fit men's and women's bodies. They offer 28 percent better leakage protection.......read the rest of the article
Preview these new depend products
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For alzheimer's and dementia activities, click here
Reuters
Kimberly-Clark revamps Depend line for men, women
By Jessica Wohl
CHICAGO, (Reuters) - Kimberly-Clark Corp (KMB.N) is overhauling its Depend line to offer disposable underwear tailored to men and women as it prepares for an influx of aging Americans who need incontinence products.
Depend has been around for nearly 25 years, but this is the first time it is offering separate versions of absorbent underwear for men and women.
The products, which look more like traditional cotton underwear than an adult diaper, will be available in North American stores in March and appear in Europe later in 2009.
While Depend is a smaller business than other Kimberly-Clark products such as Huggies diapers or Kleenex tissues, it expects an aging population will help boost sales.
Baby Boomers, the generation of Americans born between 1946 and 1964, are heading toward retirement with the oldest set to turn 65 in 2011. Many of them are already caring for parents who may use incontinence products.
Underwear currently accounts for about 75 percent of Depend brand sales.
Six unisex versions of Depend underwear will be replaced by six versions for women and two versions for men. The new products have different leg openings and other changes to fit men's and women's bodies. They offer 28 percent better leakage protection.......read the rest of the article
Preview these new depend products
For more dementia information, click here
For alzheimer's and dementia activities, click here
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
When to stop Aricept and Namenda
Alzheimer's and Dementia Weekly
Question:
My mom has been taking Aricept for three years and Namenda for two. She is in Assisted Living and continues to decline. I am not sure that these meds are helping her at all. The physician does not want to take her off the meds because she "May or May not" face a decline.
My question is: how do you go about getting good information on when its time to stop the meds, or do you have stay on them forever.
Answer:
Nurse Dina
The decision of if or when to discontinue medications varies from individual to individual. This type of decision must be made in collaboration with the treating physician who will hopefully have the patient's entire treatment plan in mind when deciding.
Certain medications can be stopped abruptly. Others require being slowly tapered down. The medications in question slow the progression of the disease but do not cure it. There is a good chance that there would be a more.....read the whole answer
For more dementia information, click here
For Alzheimer/s and dementia activities, click here
Question:
My mom has been taking Aricept for three years and Namenda for two. She is in Assisted Living and continues to decline. I am not sure that these meds are helping her at all. The physician does not want to take her off the meds because she "May or May not" face a decline.
My question is: how do you go about getting good information on when its time to stop the meds, or do you have stay on them forever.
Answer:
Nurse Dina
The decision of if or when to discontinue medications varies from individual to individual. This type of decision must be made in collaboration with the treating physician who will hopefully have the patient's entire treatment plan in mind when deciding.
Certain medications can be stopped abruptly. Others require being slowly tapered down. The medications in question slow the progression of the disease but do not cure it. There is a good chance that there would be a more.....read the whole answer
For more dementia information, click here
For Alzheimer/s and dementia activities, click here
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