Alzheimer's disease
Traces of inflammation in the blood increase the possibility of Alzheimer's disease
People
in whose blood there are signs of inflammation are more likely to get
Alzheimer's disease, compared with those in whose blood they are no
signs, says a study published in the American journal of Neurology.
The study included 691 healthy person of average age of 79 years. Blood tests determined the existence of traces of infection in participants. Their health was monitored over the next 7 years, after which 44 of them were suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
The blood of the participants was tested on cytokines, protein immunological transmitters that trigger the inflammation. Those with the highest levels of cytokines in the blood had twice the chances of Alzheimer's disease. Increased levels of cytokines had 28% women and 30% of men, but among them was 42% of ill."These results are new evidence that inflammation plays an important role in the development of Alzheimer's," said study author Zaldy Tan, MD from Harvard University in Boston. Production of cytokines in the future could be an indicator of possible Alzheimer's disease. "
The study included 691 healthy person of average age of 79 years. Blood tests determined the existence of traces of infection in participants. Their health was monitored over the next 7 years, after which 44 of them were suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
The blood of the participants was tested on cytokines, protein immunological transmitters that trigger the inflammation. Those with the highest levels of cytokines in the blood had twice the chances of Alzheimer's disease. Increased levels of cytokines had 28% women and 30% of men, but among them was 42% of ill."These results are new evidence that inflammation plays an important role in the development of Alzheimer's," said study author Zaldy Tan, MD from Harvard University in Boston. Production of cytokines in the future could be an indicator of possible Alzheimer's disease. "
Additional beneficial effects - caffeine prevents inflammation in the brain
In
addition, mice that drank water with caffeine showed a 50 percent
smaller amount of beta-amyloid, a protein of the brain responsible for
the destruction of brain cells in Alzheimer's disease. Further tests
showed that caffeine affects the production of enzymes necessary for the
production of beta-amyloid, and scientists say that caffeine prevents
inflammation in the brain that lead to excessive production of harmful
proteins.
Previous tests of the same research team showed that young mice bred to develop Alzheimer's disease, which at a young age were given caffeine, were spared from problems with memory.
It all does not mean that people should begin to take huge amounts of caffeine, scientists warn, but they believe that research could be useful in the struggle with Alzheimer's disease.
Previous tests of the same research team showed that young mice bred to develop Alzheimer's disease, which at a young age were given caffeine, were spared from problems with memory.
It all does not mean that people should begin to take huge amounts of caffeine, scientists warn, but they believe that research could be useful in the struggle with Alzheimer's disease.
Mice on caffeine - memory and thinking skills
In
the study was used a control group of 55 mice bred to develop symptoms
of Alzheimer's disease. The researchers first conducted a series of
tests to see which mice show signs of problems with memory. This was
done in old mice between 18 and 19 months, which is equivalent of about
70 years in human age.
After that, half of the mice were given plain water, and half the water in which they injected caffeine, in a ratio that is equivalent to the caffeine in five cups of coffee, 14 cups of tea or 20 non-alcoholic beverages with caffeine.
After two months, the mice who received caffeine had much better results on tests that measured memory and thinking skills. The results of these mice were the same as healthy mice, which did not show any signs of dementia. Mice that drank only water had a lot worse results.
After that, half of the mice were given plain water, and half the water in which they injected caffeine, in a ratio that is equivalent to the caffeine in five cups of coffee, 14 cups of tea or 20 non-alcoholic beverages with caffeine.
After two months, the mice who received caffeine had much better results on tests that measured memory and thinking skills. The results of these mice were the same as healthy mice, which did not show any signs of dementia. Mice that drank only water had a lot worse results.
Coffee as a medicine against Alzheimer's disease
Coffee
manufacturers will surely be satisfied with the news about the research
of scientist from Florida in the United States, which have found that
drinking five cups of coffee a day can help avoid problems with memory
that occur with Alzheimer's disease.
Research also shows that caffeine intake is beneficial in the production of clusters of proteins that are the main feature of the malignant disease. Previous studies have also shown that drinking coffee can have a positive impact in the fight against some illnesses and medical conditions such as stroke.
Research also shows that caffeine intake is beneficial in the production of clusters of proteins that are the main feature of the malignant disease. Previous studies have also shown that drinking coffee can have a positive impact in the fight against some illnesses and medical conditions such as stroke.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Stimulation of body and spirit - fight against Alzheimer
Scientists are working to identify new drugs that will slow down, stop or prevent the emergence of Alzheimer's disease.
Meanwhile, people without dementia should maintain their memory sharp
(filling crosswords, solving the rebus and reading). The recommendation
is to develop interests and hobbies and be involved in various social
activities that stimulate the mind and body. "In a healthy body, healthy
spirit" is an old saying. It is recommended limited use of alcoholic
beverages because alcohol destroys brain cells.
Many
people find help in list of what to do, use of the notepad, calendar
and small pieces of paper for memos. Memory can be improved if new
things are mentally connected with the already known facts, such as
known names, song or lyrics. Depression, fear or anxiety is recommended
to treat with medication or professional advice because these problems
can make a person forgetful. In any case, it is important to recognize
the first signs of dementia as a disease rather than as a normal course
of aging and begin appropriate treatment.
We cannot stop alzheimer; we can only slow it down
There is no effective treatment unfortunately and the methods used today to fight Alzheimer's disease, at best, slow the progression of symptoms.
We used vitamins, cerebral vasodilators (for the expansion of brain
blood vessels), drugs for motor restlessness, mood stabilizers and
sedatives.
In the early stages of the disease are used inhibitors of acetylcholine esterases, neurotransmitters, substances that serves the transfer of nerve impulses between brain cells, which slow the progression of the disease, and are used some natural products that improve cerebral metabolism and circulation.
Even if you are diagnosed permanent and irreversible form of dementia, much more can be done to treat disease and help families to cope with the disease. A person with dementia should be under medical supervision, and are required tests of neurologists, psychiatrists, family physicians and internists. The doctor can treat physical illness, behavior problems and also to answer numerous questions of family.
Many patients due to problems of behavior and mood, anxiety, depression, restlessness or trouble sleeping need medication that should be dosed accurately, which helps patients and families. Important is a proper nutrition that helps maintain good physical health, although there is no special diet that would improve the course of dementia.
Family members of those suffering can make life easier to them if they help in maintaining daily routines, physical activity and social contacts. People with dementia should be informed about their condition and details of life, for example, what time of the day it is, what hour, place where they live, the names of persons with whom they live... Many families have big calendars with their plans, important dates, notes on safety precautions and instructions for use of household appliances, which proved to be useful. It is advised that patients always have identification paper with the address, phone number, or a bracelet or necklace with a pendant in which are engraved the base data.
In the early stages of the disease are used inhibitors of acetylcholine esterases, neurotransmitters, substances that serves the transfer of nerve impulses between brain cells, which slow the progression of the disease, and are used some natural products that improve cerebral metabolism and circulation.
Even if you are diagnosed permanent and irreversible form of dementia, much more can be done to treat disease and help families to cope with the disease. A person with dementia should be under medical supervision, and are required tests of neurologists, psychiatrists, family physicians and internists. The doctor can treat physical illness, behavior problems and also to answer numerous questions of family.
Many patients due to problems of behavior and mood, anxiety, depression, restlessness or trouble sleeping need medication that should be dosed accurately, which helps patients and families. Important is a proper nutrition that helps maintain good physical health, although there is no special diet that would improve the course of dementia.
Family members of those suffering can make life easier to them if they help in maintaining daily routines, physical activity and social contacts. People with dementia should be informed about their condition and details of life, for example, what time of the day it is, what hour, place where they live, the names of persons with whom they live... Many families have big calendars with their plans, important dates, notes on safety precautions and instructions for use of household appliances, which proved to be useful. It is advised that patients always have identification paper with the address, phone number, or a bracelet or necklace with a pendant in which are engraved the base data.
Assessment of mental state
In
addition to anamnesis data (at the beginning data can be obtained from
the patients, later from the members of the household or entourage) in
the diagnosis we also use the neurological and psychological tests (the
best known test is the MMS = mini-mental score, test evaluation of
mental states -- Table 1). Assessment of mental status helps precise
description of mental disorders, and tested are the following functions:
attention, orientation, alertness, speech, comprehension, memory,
naming, repetition, reading, writing, and computing and right-left
discrimination.
The test evaluates each response (from 0 to 30 points), and the result serves the assessment of dementia severity with the possibility of monitoring the progression of the disease. Complete assessment of memory loss may include gathering information on previous illness, family illness, the medication that the patient takes, information on nutrition. Neuroradiological methods confirm the diagnosis, CT (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the brain, which shows strong atrophy of the cerebral cortex diffuse and hipokampalne region. With analysis of cerebrospinal fluid, which is done exceptionally, it can be determined an increase of the protein components. In the diagnosis can help and EEG (electroencephalography) and PET scan (positron emission tomography).
For differential diagnosis or assessing whether it is Alzheimer's type dementia or dementia of vascular causes, clinical it is used ischemic Hachinsky assessment.
The test evaluates each response (from 0 to 30 points), and the result serves the assessment of dementia severity with the possibility of monitoring the progression of the disease. Complete assessment of memory loss may include gathering information on previous illness, family illness, the medication that the patient takes, information on nutrition. Neuroradiological methods confirm the diagnosis, CT (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the brain, which shows strong atrophy of the cerebral cortex diffuse and hipokampalne region. With analysis of cerebrospinal fluid, which is done exceptionally, it can be determined an increase of the protein components. In the diagnosis can help and EEG (electroencephalography) and PET scan (positron emission tomography).
For differential diagnosis or assessing whether it is Alzheimer's type dementia or dementia of vascular causes, clinical it is used ischemic Hachinsky assessment.
Alzheimer`s disease Gradual and imperceptible beginning II
The term dementia
describes a group of health disorders that are a result of changes in
brain. Dementia impairs the ability of people to independently perform
daily activities. Symptoms are present, such as rapid forgetting,
difficulties in reading and writing, hard to find words in speech. Soon,
patients cannot successfully carry out their duties. Change in behavior
and character is visible, they are becoming stingy, stubborn, but the
emotions at this stage are still well preserved. Over time, the
situation becomes increasingly difficult, there is a decrease of
orientation in time and space, their perception of the surrounding
events is distorted, they have sleeping problems, lack of any
initiative, are depressed, they express the fear, they less understood
speech.
Their
speech becomes poorer, but then comes to the stage of Echolalia, the
automatic repetition of words in a meaningless row. Exaggerated
movements appear and so called primitive reflexes, the ability of daily
functioning is becoming more limited, they neglect the hygienic habits
and they become dependent on others. Usually they become incontinent (no
control of urination and stool), often wandering, perplexed are
agitated, especially at night. At the end a patient is tied to the bed.
The start of the disease, although rare, can be acute and dramatic. All the symptoms appear suddenly, unexpectedly and at once, usually at the same time with a physical illness or emotional shock. The patient becomes disturbed, disoriented, disturbed psycho-motor skills (occasionally slow), disturbed perception, thought, emotion, sleep and wake cycles. This state is called delirium and requires urgent and intensive hospital treatment.
The start of the disease, although rare, can be acute and dramatic. All the symptoms appear suddenly, unexpectedly and at once, usually at the same time with a physical illness or emotional shock. The patient becomes disturbed, disoriented, disturbed psycho-motor skills (occasionally slow), disturbed perception, thought, emotion, sleep and wake cycles. This state is called delirium and requires urgent and intensive hospital treatment.
Alzheimer`s disease Gradual and imperceptible beginning I
In
the beginning the disease is not easily identified, given that the
clinical beginning of the above mentioned disorder is usually gradual
and imperceptible, and symptoms initially are attributed to
forgetfulness. Therefore, many older people fear forgetfulness, because
often they think that this is the first sign of Alzheimer's disease.
In the past, memory loss and confusion, was considered a normal part of
aging. Scientists confirm that today many of the elderly are mentally
awake and aware, but they need more time to remember some things. We can
say that many people have experienced gaps in memory, but some of these
problems are serious, others are not.
People with significant changes in memory (especially of recent events), personality and behavior may have a form of brain disease called dementia and Alzheimer's disease is one of the many forms of dementia.
People with significant changes in memory (especially of recent events), personality and behavior may have a form of brain disease called dementia and Alzheimer's disease is one of the many forms of dementia.
Several theories of Alzheimer’s genesis
The
cause of the disease is unknown, although there are several theories of
creation. Usually we talk about genetic origins. It is well known, that
descendants of people with the disease have up to ten times more
chances than the average population to get Alzheimer's disease.
Patients with Down syndrome (trisomy of 21st chromosome) have the same
pathological changes in the brain in certain life- age, so a mutation at
the 21st chromosome is often accused of increasing the production of
amyloids (which is in the form of plaques found in brain cells of those
affected) and the emergence of Alzheimer's disease. There are theories
that in the underlying of Alzheimer’s dementia there are cerebral
deficit of Acetylcholine disorder and disturbance of Acetylcholine
metabolism.
Dementia is caused by many conditions, some of which are transient, and some are not. Some can be treated. Transient states are caused by dehydration, fever due to infectious diseases and lack of vitamins, inadequate nutrition, reactions to medications, thyroid problems or minor head injury. Such medical conditions can be serious and should be treated as soon as possible. Sometimes older people have emotional problems that can be mistaken for dementia. Feelings of loneliness, anxiety or boredom often occurs in older people facing retirement or death of persons close to them, and adaptation to these changes cause confusion and forgetfulness. Emotional problems are easier to tolerate with the support of those close to us or professional medical advice.
Dementia is caused by many conditions, some of which are transient, and some are not. Some can be treated. Transient states are caused by dehydration, fever due to infectious diseases and lack of vitamins, inadequate nutrition, reactions to medications, thyroid problems or minor head injury. Such medical conditions can be serious and should be treated as soon as possible. Sometimes older people have emotional problems that can be mistaken for dementia. Feelings of loneliness, anxiety or boredom often occurs in older people facing retirement or death of persons close to them, and adaptation to these changes cause confusion and forgetfulness. Emotional problems are easier to tolerate with the support of those close to us or professional medical advice.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Alzheimer's dementia - when spirit and body cease to be one
Usually occurs in the fifth and sixth decade, progresses rapidly and for the next five years turns to a severe dementia
Leading today's disease, Alzheimer-type dementia, constantly is increasing and is the most common of all dementias (makes 50 percent of all).
Alois Alzheimer in 1906 for the first time described the syndrome of dementia as a mental disorder which is named after him Alzheimer's disease (AB), or Alzheimer's dementia (DAT). Sometimes this disease was rarely mentioned and was even less diagnosed; to the sixties of last century was diagnosed as senile, vascular, atherosclerotic dementia or chronic psycho-organic syndrome.
This is the most common type of irreparable and progressive degenerative brain disease that affects the cortex cell and surrounding structures, especially in hipokampalne region. In the background is neurofibrilarna degeneration and creating senile plaques, which the results are a biochemical disorders that cause mental symptoms. Changes in nerve cells eventually lead to their death.
It is recorded in one to three percent of the world's population, according to some statistics as much as 11 percent of people older than 70 years. Usually occurs in the fifth and sixth decade of life, progressing quickly and in about five years after the first symptoms a severe dementia occurs. Diagnosed people have an average life of five to seven years from diagnosis.
Leading today's disease, Alzheimer-type dementia, constantly is increasing and is the most common of all dementias (makes 50 percent of all).
Alois Alzheimer in 1906 for the first time described the syndrome of dementia as a mental disorder which is named after him Alzheimer's disease (AB), or Alzheimer's dementia (DAT). Sometimes this disease was rarely mentioned and was even less diagnosed; to the sixties of last century was diagnosed as senile, vascular, atherosclerotic dementia or chronic psycho-organic syndrome.
This is the most common type of irreparable and progressive degenerative brain disease that affects the cortex cell and surrounding structures, especially in hipokampalne region. In the background is neurofibrilarna degeneration and creating senile plaques, which the results are a biochemical disorders that cause mental symptoms. Changes in nerve cells eventually lead to their death.
It is recorded in one to three percent of the world's population, according to some statistics as much as 11 percent of people older than 70 years. Usually occurs in the fifth and sixth decade of life, progressing quickly and in about five years after the first symptoms a severe dementia occurs. Diagnosed people have an average life of five to seven years from diagnosis.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Walk: Help with age-related dementia
Regular
walks in fresh air is a boon for the brain and protects against
age-related dementia. Research has proven that and its results were
published in the journal Neurology. Study group of researchers conducted
it from the hospital Sant'Orsola Malpighi in Bologna. It included
subjects above the 65th year of age who at the start of the study did
not have problems with dementia, and a study lasted for five years. At
the end of study from 1000 subjects 54 of them was suffering from
Alzheimer's disease, 27 of age-related dementia of vascular origin.
Number of people affected from Alzheimer's, during the study, corresponds to the number of five percent and is in accordance with the risk that is generally estimated for the population over 65 years. Number of persons who participated in the study affected with the age-related dementia was inferior by about one third compared to the general assessment. These data show that the Senile dementia of vascular origin can be reduced with daily walks for 30 minutes, improving the quality of life.
Alzheimer's can be diagnosed up to four years before the first symptoms
According
to one survey conducted by the team of neurologists, led by French
scientist Bruno Dubois in Pitie-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris, it is
possible to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease up to four years before the
first symptoms,
and it is possible to slow down its development. One of the symptoms is
memory loss that with the development of the disease becomes evident,
and this is a symptom that today represented a starting point for
diagnosing Alzheimer's disease.
"The
new criteria proposed for diagnosis make it possible to detect the
disease even 3-4 years before," explained Bruno Dubois. This is possible
thanks to the instruments that doctors today have available: magnetic
resonance imaging, memory test, biological markers are present in the
cerebrospinal fluid. "In the next few years available to us will be
drugs that are able to slow the neurodegenerative disease process," said
Dubois, "and is therefore very important to diagnose the disease as
early as possible." New diagnostic criteria are described in detail in
an article published in the journal The Lancet Neurology.
The antihypertensives in preventing and slowing down Alzheimer's disease
During
the screening conducted on drugs for cardiovascular disease, The
antihypertensives agents have been identified who, it seems, can prevent
cognitive decline and the accumulation of plaque of protein
beta-amyloid characteristic for Alzheimer's disease. The numbers show
that older patients, who were treated for hypertension, had the benefits
on the level of cognitive ability.
The study was conducted at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, and was presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP). A hundred drugs were in vitro tested to determine their eventual ability to slow down or prevents the creation of amyloid plaques and was found that among them there are seven drugs with that ability and were prescribed to treat hypertension.
Experts point out that current use of these drugs for their potential anti-amiloidne role is only under strict experimental phase and yet there is no data that exceeded only phenomenological observations. It is therefore necessary to perform clinical trials in order to accurately determine which drugs have a preventive effect and is found in what doses should be taken so that it does not interfere with blood pressure.
Juices and fruits against Alzheimer's
Since
today there is another reason why it is good to drink juice and mixed
fruit: it seems that it protects us from Alzheimer’s disease, one of the
most common forms of age-related dementia. According to a recently
conducted epidemiological study, the habit of drinking fruit juices at
least three times a day was associated with reduced risk (by 76 per
cent) of Alzheimer’s disease compared to those who rarely drink fruit
juices, less than once a week.
Since that has long been recognized the connection between the antioxidant power of vitamin C, E and A and protection from age-related dementia, and then was ignored, experts from Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Tennessee decided to do new research with the hypothesis that the protective effect fruit juices thanks to polyphenols and other antioxidant substances (not only vitamins) that are particularly rich in tea, juices and wine.
The study included 1900 healthy subjects, which were followed for ten years. Bearing in mind the many factors that could affect the risk of developing the disease experts have found that consumption of fruit juice has a significant stake when it comes to risk of Alzheimer's disease. Among the subjects who were taking fruit juice more than three times a day, during the years of monitoring, risk was reduced by 76 percent.
How fruit juices contain a high amount of polyphenols (which are found only in some foods such as grapes), the experts decided to determine whether a great juice consumers have increased levels of polyphenols in the blood and whether these levels are proportional to risk Alzheimer’s disease. Another goal will however be, say the scientists, to find what juice is exactly right and the strongest deterrent against Alzheimer's disease.
Drugs for hypertension for the prevention of Alzheimer's
A
new study conducted at Mount Sinai Scholl of Medicine has identified
that common medication that are given for the treatment of hypertension
can prevent the decrease in cognitive abilities typical for Alzheimer's disease.
In the last two years, the group of experts analyzed 1500 drugs present
in the market and intended for the treatment of various disorders in
order to determine their potential value in treating Alzheimer's
disease.
Six drugs against hypertension showed that in a significant way may affect the prevention of production of beta-amyloid, which plays a key role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. It is a discovery that opens new ways of pharmacological treatments for the treatment of these degenerative diseases. The following step is that scientists expect that the results that are obtained on laboratory animal studies were confirmed in humans.
Six drugs against hypertension showed that in a significant way may affect the prevention of production of beta-amyloid, which plays a key role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. It is a discovery that opens new ways of pharmacological treatments for the treatment of these degenerative diseases. The following step is that scientists expect that the results that are obtained on laboratory animal studies were confirmed in humans.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Another method for detecting Alzheimer
Automated
system for measuring the volume of brain tissue with Magnetic resonance
may help physicians to more accurately and in an earlier stage diagnose Alzheimer disease.
In this disease nerve cells are dying and all parts of the brain are deteriorating, especially hippocampus.
Visual evaluation of atrophy of hippocampus is not only difficult and subject to subjectivity, but requires a lot of time, stresses Dr. Olivier Coliot from Paris Salpetriere hospital.
Coliot and his team applied the automatic process of magnetic resonance in the sick and that automated process also proved reliable as well as manual, but is much faster.
In this disease nerve cells are dying and all parts of the brain are deteriorating, especially hippocampus.
Visual evaluation of atrophy of hippocampus is not only difficult and subject to subjectivity, but requires a lot of time, stresses Dr. Olivier Coliot from Paris Salpetriere hospital.
Coliot and his team applied the automatic process of magnetic resonance in the sick and that automated process also proved reliable as well as manual, but is much faster.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
10 signs that indicate Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer's
disease is the most common cause of dementia. Every year in the world
4.6 million people get ill from it. The main symptoms are disorders of
cognitive function of which is the most important loss of memory. After a
long period of different physical and mental deterioration over time is
disabled an execution of daily activities. Earlier recognition and
treatment of Alzheimer's disease slows its flow and improves the quality
of life.
1. Memory disorders
- Develops slowly through several months or years
- Recent events are more difficult to remember
2. DIFFICULTIES IN executing daily activities
- Cooking
- cleaning
- Maintenance of personal hygiene
3. DIFFICULTIES speaking, reading and writing
- forgotten words, replacement with peculiar terms
- Sentences are difficult to understand, have no deeper purpose or meaning
4. LOSS of Spatial and time orientations
- not knowing day, month or year
- Inability to function in previously known places
5. Wrong ESTIMATES AND DECISIONS
- inappropriate Clothing in relation to weather conditions or social occasions
6. Disturbance of abstract OPINIONS
- not functioning while doing financial reports
- Inability to fill out forms
- not understanding terms such as "birthday", "love", "justice"
7. Frequently losing and misplacing THINGS
- disposing your personal belongings on the peculiar places
8. CHANGES in mood and CONDUCT
- Inappropriate crying and laughing
- Frequent changes in calmness and nervousness
9. PERSONALITY CHANGES
- Excessive skepticism
- feeling of scariness
- Jealousy
10. LOSS OF INTEREST for SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
- A feeling of abandonment
- isolation
- Indifference
Set of guidelines is proposed by the International Association for Alzheimer disease, and they want to draw attention to this urgent health and social problem.
1. Memory disorders
- Develops slowly through several months or years
- Recent events are more difficult to remember
2. DIFFICULTIES IN executing daily activities
- Cooking
- cleaning
- Maintenance of personal hygiene
3. DIFFICULTIES speaking, reading and writing
- forgotten words, replacement with peculiar terms
- Sentences are difficult to understand, have no deeper purpose or meaning
4. LOSS of Spatial and time orientations
- not knowing day, month or year
- Inability to function in previously known places
5. Wrong ESTIMATES AND DECISIONS
- inappropriate Clothing in relation to weather conditions or social occasions
6. Disturbance of abstract OPINIONS
- not functioning while doing financial reports
- Inability to fill out forms
- not understanding terms such as "birthday", "love", "justice"
7. Frequently losing and misplacing THINGS
- disposing your personal belongings on the peculiar places
8. CHANGES in mood and CONDUCT
- Inappropriate crying and laughing
- Frequent changes in calmness and nervousness
9. PERSONALITY CHANGES
- Excessive skepticism
- feeling of scariness
- Jealousy
10. LOSS OF INTEREST for SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
- A feeling of abandonment
- isolation
- Indifference
Set of guidelines is proposed by the International Association for Alzheimer disease, and they want to draw attention to this urgent health and social problem.
Alzheimer's disease is more frequent in lonely people
Lonely
people have twice higher chance to have Alzheimer's disease, showed a
large survey conducted in the United States. Results released by the
professional journal Archives of General Psychiatry is based on
following more than 800 people of older age. By evaluating answers to
questions aimed at estimating the degree of loneliness of the subjects
(for example, the presence of feelings of abandonment) scientists have
found that every point on that "scale" was associated with the 51%
increase in the risk for Alzheimer disease.
Researchers
from Rush University added that it is not known why social isolation
increases the chances for the emergence of dementia, but exclude the
possibility that loneliness is a reaction to the presence of Alzheimer's
disease. In their words, there is a possibility of negative impact of
loneliness on the systems in the brain that are crucial for cognitive
abilities, which further escalates in the older age.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Family history and Alzheimer
Family history of disease may be another part of the puzzle in Alzheimer's disease.
Genes have only a partial role in the risk for dementia phenomena was described in the study.
Gen, which is usually associated with Alzheimer disease, does not provide a complete picture in predicting risk, according to researchers who analyzed the history of disease in families that had cases of Alzheimer's disease.
Preliminary research showed that people who have the E4 variant of ApoE gene have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer, but a new study from Duke UniversitayMedical Center is one of only a few of them who looked at together the role of ApoE gene and the family history of disease.
"We know that ApoE genotype does not describe exactly the whole genetic story. Other genes could act independently of the ApoE gene influences to the risk of disease in individuals “said Kathleen A. Welsh-Bohmer, head of Research Center for Alzheimer disease and the leading author of the study.
The study included more than 5000 people from Cache County in Utah that had 65 or more years when they were involved in the study in 1995. Around 3000 participants who provided DNA and details about their family history of Alzheimer disease were classified into groups according to family history and according to whether they had ApoE E4 variant.
"On average, after 7 and a half years of monitoring, people who had the most deterioration of cognitive function had the illness in the family and had one or more copies of genes ApoE E4"said Kathleen M. Hayden.
"Because of this, the researchers should focus not only on people who have elevated risk for the ApoE gene, but also to those who have the disease in a family. In contrast, the research of those who experience deep old age without disease is important to discover genes that could act protective against the development of Alzheimer's disease. "
The study should soon be presented at the International Conference on Alzheimer disease to be held in Chicago.
"These data provide further evidence that we must explore other genetic ways to know more about who has an elevated risk for cognitive function decline and development of dementia. ", said Welsh-Bohmer.
Genes have only a partial role in the risk for dementia phenomena was described in the study.
Gen, which is usually associated with Alzheimer disease, does not provide a complete picture in predicting risk, according to researchers who analyzed the history of disease in families that had cases of Alzheimer's disease.
Preliminary research showed that people who have the E4 variant of ApoE gene have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer, but a new study from Duke UniversitayMedical Center is one of only a few of them who looked at together the role of ApoE gene and the family history of disease.
"We know that ApoE genotype does not describe exactly the whole genetic story. Other genes could act independently of the ApoE gene influences to the risk of disease in individuals “said Kathleen A. Welsh-Bohmer, head of Research Center for Alzheimer disease and the leading author of the study.
The study included more than 5000 people from Cache County in Utah that had 65 or more years when they were involved in the study in 1995. Around 3000 participants who provided DNA and details about their family history of Alzheimer disease were classified into groups according to family history and according to whether they had ApoE E4 variant.
"On average, after 7 and a half years of monitoring, people who had the most deterioration of cognitive function had the illness in the family and had one or more copies of genes ApoE E4"said Kathleen M. Hayden.
"Because of this, the researchers should focus not only on people who have elevated risk for the ApoE gene, but also to those who have the disease in a family. In contrast, the research of those who experience deep old age without disease is important to discover genes that could act protective against the development of Alzheimer's disease. "
The study should soon be presented at the International Conference on Alzheimer disease to be held in Chicago.
"These data provide further evidence that we must explore other genetic ways to know more about who has an elevated risk for cognitive function decline and development of dementia. ", said Welsh-Bohmer.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
New discovery of Alzheimer
The impact of clusters in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease could be more significant than previously thought.
Researchers from the Institute for neurodegenerative diseases in general hospitals in Massachusetts applied advanced image techniques to examine the influence of clusters in the brain that arise from the protein, which is called amyloid.
It was already shown that clusters affect neurons - nerve cells that transmit signals through the nervous system.
However, recent research shows that the clusters could enhance activity of nervous system cells known under the name astrocites that are believed to assist the brain in performing normal functions.
Stronger activity occurs throughout the brain, not only in areas near the amyloid cluster.
Kishora Kuchibhotla, head of research, commented: "Our work shows that clusters of amyloid have a complex role in the brain than we previously thought."
"We showed that astrocites are creating a network mechanism that can expand the impact of amyloid cluster in distant areas of the brain," concluded at the end.
Researchers from the Institute for neurodegenerative diseases in general hospitals in Massachusetts applied advanced image techniques to examine the influence of clusters in the brain that arise from the protein, which is called amyloid.
It was already shown that clusters affect neurons - nerve cells that transmit signals through the nervous system.
However, recent research shows that the clusters could enhance activity of nervous system cells known under the name astrocites that are believed to assist the brain in performing normal functions.
Stronger activity occurs throughout the brain, not only in areas near the amyloid cluster.
Kishora Kuchibhotla, head of research, commented: "Our work shows that clusters of amyloid have a complex role in the brain than we previously thought."
"We showed that astrocites are creating a network mechanism that can expand the impact of amyloid cluster in distant areas of the brain," concluded at the end.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Alzheimer and older smokers
The risk of Alzheimer disease is elevated in older smokers.
Older adults that smoke could be faced with elevated risk of developing Alzheimer's disease according to the new study.
In an analysis of 24 previous studies, researchers from the UK found that seniors who currently smoke have a higher risk of Alzheimer in relation to those who do not smoke. When the results of study were drawn, the current smokers had 79% higher risk of this disease that affects memory.
There is also evidence that smokers have higher risk from other types of dementia, such as mental deterioration related to aging. However, these connections were not statistically significant - which means that the results could be random.
The main thing is that smoking is "probably linked to elevated risk of developing Alzheimer's disease."
This should be one of the many reasons to stop smoking, or better still, to never start, said Dr. Ruth Peters, from Imperial College London.
Smoking may contribute to dementia in the same way that affects the cardiovascular health - damage to blood vessels and deteriorating blood flow. As people get older, it can accelerate the damage to brain tissue.
Encouraging is, said Dr. Peters and her colleagues, that we have found that while current smokers had a higher risk of Alzheimer in the studies, former smokers did not. It is not clear what this means, according to the opinion of Dr. Peters, but it is possible that the elevated risk of Alzheimer’s decreases after smoking cessation.
"In any case," she said, "stop smoking definitely has good effect on health and it is likely that this may apply also for dementia."
Older adults that smoke could be faced with elevated risk of developing Alzheimer's disease according to the new study.
In an analysis of 24 previous studies, researchers from the UK found that seniors who currently smoke have a higher risk of Alzheimer in relation to those who do not smoke. When the results of study were drawn, the current smokers had 79% higher risk of this disease that affects memory.
There is also evidence that smokers have higher risk from other types of dementia, such as mental deterioration related to aging. However, these connections were not statistically significant - which means that the results could be random.
The main thing is that smoking is "probably linked to elevated risk of developing Alzheimer's disease."
This should be one of the many reasons to stop smoking, or better still, to never start, said Dr. Ruth Peters, from Imperial College London.
Smoking may contribute to dementia in the same way that affects the cardiovascular health - damage to blood vessels and deteriorating blood flow. As people get older, it can accelerate the damage to brain tissue.
Encouraging is, said Dr. Peters and her colleagues, that we have found that while current smokers had a higher risk of Alzheimer in the studies, former smokers did not. It is not clear what this means, according to the opinion of Dr. Peters, but it is possible that the elevated risk of Alzheimer’s decreases after smoking cessation.
"In any case," she said, "stop smoking definitely has good effect on health and it is likely that this may apply also for dementia."
New drug for Alzheimer
Results of clinical studies that are
ongoing indicate to promising results with a new medicine Bapineuzumab
in treating Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive degenerative brain disease that affects memory, thinking and behavior, while increasing especially in countries with a high standard in accordance with the increase in the share of older population.
Despite the many new findings about Alzheimer’s disease we do not yet know, nor etiology nor adequate prevention or treatment of this disease, although in the last few years knowledge is rapidly increasing.
Report of the pharmaceutical company Wyeth, which conducted the study shows the improvement of cognitive function (thinking, speech, attention, memory) in the group of respondents with similar genetically characteristics related to Alzheimer’s disease (lack of Apo E4 gene). Average sinking of cognitive function in people suffering in the 18 months is usually 6.5 degrees, and in treated with the new medicine is from 2 to 2.5 degrees.
Respondents also lost less brain mass in relation to the group of respondents who took placebo. Cure, however, did not lead to improvement in patients who do not have the aforementioned genetic characteristics.
If the drug is approved, it may help in treating Alzheimer's disease compared to other medications that temporarily improve symptoms, but do not affect the process of illness.
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive degenerative brain disease that affects memory, thinking and behavior, while increasing especially in countries with a high standard in accordance with the increase in the share of older population.
Despite the many new findings about Alzheimer’s disease we do not yet know, nor etiology nor adequate prevention or treatment of this disease, although in the last few years knowledge is rapidly increasing.
Report of the pharmaceutical company Wyeth, which conducted the study shows the improvement of cognitive function (thinking, speech, attention, memory) in the group of respondents with similar genetically characteristics related to Alzheimer’s disease (lack of Apo E4 gene). Average sinking of cognitive function in people suffering in the 18 months is usually 6.5 degrees, and in treated with the new medicine is from 2 to 2.5 degrees.
Respondents also lost less brain mass in relation to the group of respondents who took placebo. Cure, however, did not lead to improvement in patients who do not have the aforementioned genetic characteristics.
If the drug is approved, it may help in treating Alzheimer's disease compared to other medications that temporarily improve symptoms, but do not affect the process of illness.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
The precise and disciplined persons suffer less from dementia
American
scientists declared that the people who have orderly life, which are
self disciplined and precise, will have less opportunity to get sick in the old age of Alzheimer's disease.
In the latest study, scientists from the University of Chicago, conducted a survey on about 1,000 Roman Catholic nuns and priests, and it was found that precise people who control their behavior, later have less risk of getting a neurodegenerative disease.
Respondents were subjected to neurological examination and filled out the questionnaire. During the research, which began in year 1994, 176 people got Alzheimer’s disease.
Scientists have stated the fact that self discipline effects on maintenance of cognitive function [memory, concentration and analysis], which are endangered in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
The study says that people, who in their youth were good students and have done well later in official duties at work, also have a lower risk to have dementia.
It is estimated that 24.3 million people in the world have Alzheimer’s disease, and by year 2040 there could be 81 million people, warned the world's experts.
More than 100 years after the German doctor Alojz Alzheimer in year 1906 discovered this neurodegenerative disease, it is still incurable. Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are progressive loss of cognitive function.
Every year 4.6 million people get Alzheimer's disease, reminded the World Health Organization.
In the latest study, scientists from the University of Chicago, conducted a survey on about 1,000 Roman Catholic nuns and priests, and it was found that precise people who control their behavior, later have less risk of getting a neurodegenerative disease.
Respondents were subjected to neurological examination and filled out the questionnaire. During the research, which began in year 1994, 176 people got Alzheimer’s disease.
Scientists have stated the fact that self discipline effects on maintenance of cognitive function [memory, concentration and analysis], which are endangered in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
The study says that people, who in their youth were good students and have done well later in official duties at work, also have a lower risk to have dementia.
It is estimated that 24.3 million people in the world have Alzheimer’s disease, and by year 2040 there could be 81 million people, warned the world's experts.
More than 100 years after the German doctor Alojz Alzheimer in year 1906 discovered this neurodegenerative disease, it is still incurable. Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are progressive loss of cognitive function.
Every year 4.6 million people get Alzheimer's disease, reminded the World Health Organization.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Fast food speeds up the development of Alzheimer's disease
High consummation of hamburgers, French fries and other delicacies from the deep hot oil could take you to - oblivion.
Swedish researchers conducted a study during which for nine months mice ate fast food. After the above-mentioned period, on the brains of animals were discovered nodes that are connected with Alzheimer disease. Searching of mouse brain they found chemical changes similar to those in with Alzheimer disease caught brain.
The research results illustrate how diet rich in fats, sugar and cholesterol increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.- Now, we believe that increased entry of fat and cholesterol in combination with genetic factors can negatively affect a number of chemical substances in the brain, which in turn may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease..
Alzheimer's disease is incurable, and is also the most common type of dementia from which older age people are getting ill. It strikes parts of the brain responsible for thinking, memory and language.
Swedish researchers conducted a study during which for nine months mice ate fast food. After the above-mentioned period, on the brains of animals were discovered nodes that are connected with Alzheimer disease. Searching of mouse brain they found chemical changes similar to those in with Alzheimer disease caught brain.
The research results illustrate how diet rich in fats, sugar and cholesterol increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.- Now, we believe that increased entry of fat and cholesterol in combination with genetic factors can negatively affect a number of chemical substances in the brain, which in turn may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease..
Alzheimer's disease is incurable, and is also the most common type of dementia from which older age people are getting ill. It strikes parts of the brain responsible for thinking, memory and language.
Power lines cause Alzheimer's disease?
Life at a range of 50 meters from the high voltage power lines could represent twice higher risk of Alzheimer's disease..
Researchers have reviewed all cases of death from this neurodegenerative disease between 2000 and 2005 . The survey included a total of 9200 deaths associated with Alzheimer disease.
Twenty percent of these cases occurred in people who have lived for 15 years at a range of 50 meters of high voltage power lines, which is twice the risk compared to the remaining population.
Alzheimer is more often among people who live at a range of 50 meters from the power lines
Scientists didn’t notice the disease among people who have lived at distances greater than 50 meters from the line.
According to the University of Bern it is the first survey in the world that explicitly deals with the possible action of magnetic field of power lines on diseases such as Alzheimer's.
These indicators were perceived during the research in which they included electrical engineers and train personnel who were exposed to high magnetic fields.
Swiss scientists emphasize that their research does not enable adoption of a definitive conclusion that the power lines and magnetic fields actually causes increased risk from Alzheimer's disease.
One theory states that the fields disrupt contacts between the neural and other cells, while according to another theory, for a disease is responsible the excess of free radicals that are created, which are considered a possible trigger of degenerative diseases.
Researchers have reviewed all cases of death from this neurodegenerative disease between 2000 and 2005 . The survey included a total of 9200 deaths associated with Alzheimer disease.
Twenty percent of these cases occurred in people who have lived for 15 years at a range of 50 meters of high voltage power lines, which is twice the risk compared to the remaining population.
Alzheimer is more often among people who live at a range of 50 meters from the power lines
Scientists didn’t notice the disease among people who have lived at distances greater than 50 meters from the line.
According to the University of Bern it is the first survey in the world that explicitly deals with the possible action of magnetic field of power lines on diseases such as Alzheimer's.
These indicators were perceived during the research in which they included electrical engineers and train personnel who were exposed to high magnetic fields.
Swiss scientists emphasize that their research does not enable adoption of a definitive conclusion that the power lines and magnetic fields actually causes increased risk from Alzheimer's disease.
One theory states that the fields disrupt contacts between the neural and other cells, while according to another theory, for a disease is responsible the excess of free radicals that are created, which are considered a possible trigger of degenerative diseases.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Memory loss: Men are 'slowing down' after 39th year
It was discovered that the speed of response in men intensively decreases after 39th year.
Scientists have conducted research of 72 men, aged 23 to 80 years, who for ten seconds had to bang their forefinger on the table, as fast as they can. Their cerebral activity was measured in order to determine the amount of myelin, a substance that shrouds the neuron and allows the transmission of impulses in the brain.
It was also discovered that the speed of thumping and amount of myelin rapidly is decreasing after the 39th year. Head of Studies George Bartzokis, professor of psychiatry at the University of UCLA, said that the results are quite shocking.
- It is possible that this is the reason why the best sportsmen retreat, while older people move slower than they moved when they were younger - said George Bartzokis.
Bartzokis and other scientists have for a long time trying to prove that the aging of the brain is linked with the amount of myelin in the organism. New knowledge about slowing of motor-ability and speed could help in the study of aging of the brain.
- Myelin decline begins in middle age, which gives the doctors a few decades during which the process may slow down or stop, and perhaps even delay the degenerative diseases associated with aging, such as Alzheimer - Bartzokis says.
Scientists have conducted research of 72 men, aged 23 to 80 years, who for ten seconds had to bang their forefinger on the table, as fast as they can. Their cerebral activity was measured in order to determine the amount of myelin, a substance that shrouds the neuron and allows the transmission of impulses in the brain.
It was also discovered that the speed of thumping and amount of myelin rapidly is decreasing after the 39th year. Head of Studies George Bartzokis, professor of psychiatry at the University of UCLA, said that the results are quite shocking.
- It is possible that this is the reason why the best sportsmen retreat, while older people move slower than they moved when they were younger - said George Bartzokis.
Bartzokis and other scientists have for a long time trying to prove that the aging of the brain is linked with the amount of myelin in the organism. New knowledge about slowing of motor-ability and speed could help in the study of aging of the brain.
- Myelin decline begins in middle age, which gives the doctors a few decades during which the process may slow down or stop, and perhaps even delay the degenerative diseases associated with aging, such as Alzheimer - Bartzokis says.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Cannabis-bad, but useful for Alzheimers
Exclusively
medicinal, we swear! It is in fact, a kind of paradox. While in the
past, it was connected with a loss of memory, recently was discovered
that some of its properties make an excellent medicine in the fight
against one of the most difficult illnesses - Alzheimer's. In fact,
marijuana prevents the production of proteins in the brain responsible
for the emergence of this serious illness. Of course, with the
prevention is better to start as soon as possible, but may still need to
wait for everything to be a little more defined.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Memory exercise
Exercise of the brain by using the computer program is better than the classic games for stopping the old age dementia,
announced the Israeli scientists. And while computer games and
entertainment centers have always been fun for teenagers, its "place
under the sun" in recent times is getting games for older people. Games,
which are made by the company Nintendo and Mattel Inc were designed
based on studies that show that older people,
with a little practice, can improve their mental abilities.
Israel experts examined how the program for mind training MindFit works in this respect compared to the classical computer game like Tetris. The study, which was funded by a manufacturer of games CogniFit Ltd, involved 120 volunteers aged over 50 years, who were using for 3 months MindFit and Tetris.
Examinees were divided into two groups and did not know whether to use the program to exercise the brain, or the replacement program.
Both groups had benefits, but one that using MindFit system showed statistically significant shifts in the short-term memory, learning and concentration. These skills are particularly important in driving or in avoiding accidents, which are the most common causes of injuries of older people, said Dr. NIR Giladi, a neurologist from the University of Tel Aviv, who conducted the research.
Findings of the study, which were presented at the conference on Alzheimer’s disease in Salzburg, are similar to the findings of another, smaller research that was conducted last year, by experts from the University of California.
with a little practice, can improve their mental abilities.
Israel experts examined how the program for mind training MindFit works in this respect compared to the classical computer game like Tetris. The study, which was funded by a manufacturer of games CogniFit Ltd, involved 120 volunteers aged over 50 years, who were using for 3 months MindFit and Tetris.
Examinees were divided into two groups and did not know whether to use the program to exercise the brain, or the replacement program.
Both groups had benefits, but one that using MindFit system showed statistically significant shifts in the short-term memory, learning and concentration. These skills are particularly important in driving or in avoiding accidents, which are the most common causes of injuries of older people, said Dr. NIR Giladi, a neurologist from the University of Tel Aviv, who conducted the research.
Findings of the study, which were presented at the conference on Alzheimer’s disease in Salzburg, are similar to the findings of another, smaller research that was conducted last year, by experts from the University of California.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Folate against Alzheimer's disease
Taking larger amounts of folate could help in reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, the main cause of dementia in elderly people,
but vitamins B12 and B6 did not have the same effect, we learn from the
study of the Faculty of Medicine Columbia University in New York.
Research conducted under the scrutiny of physicians Jose Luchsinger included 965 people from Manhattan over 65 years of age. Those who also through food and nutrition were taken more folate showed fewer tendencies to the development of destructive diseases of the brain. This is one of a series of recent studies that indicate that folate may protect older people from Alzheimer. Scientists assume that folate disintegrate amino acids in homocysteine.
Research conducted under the scrutiny of physicians Jose Luchsinger included 965 people from Manhattan over 65 years of age. Those who also through food and nutrition were taken more folate showed fewer tendencies to the development of destructive diseases of the brain. This is one of a series of recent studies that indicate that folate may protect older people from Alzheimer. Scientists assume that folate disintegrate amino acids in homocysteine.
Luchsinger warns that it is still too early to recommend taking increased amounts of folate.
Folate is a B vitamin that the body needs for the construction of new healthy cells. It is found in green vegetables like spinach, and citrus, and beans. Folic acid is a form of folate that is found as the additive of food and food enriched.
Elevated homocysteine increases the risk of developing diseases of cardiovascular system, and a stroke. Vitamins affecting homocysteine levels are folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6.
Alzheimer epidemic associated with the aging of the population
More than five million Americans have Alzheimer disease,
which is an increase of 10 percent compared to year 2000, while
long-term forecasts are announcing a true epidemic of dementia
associated with population aging, announced on Tuesday a national
Alzheimer association in Washington.
Annually are determined approximately 400,000 new cases of Alzheimer's disease, the most common cause of dementia in older people, so every eighth American older than 65 years has Alzheimer, and over the age of 85 every second.
Group predicts that in year 2011, when "baby boom" generation will be 65 years old, the frequency of disease will record a new leap, and until year 2030 from it could suffer 7.7 million Americans and in 2050 this number could reach 16 million.
"In the year 2005 the program of health insurance Medicare has spent 91 billion dollars on patients with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, and that expense could be doubled until 2015 to 189 billion dollars," says the report.
Alzheimer's is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, and the main cause of dementia.Marked by brain cell degradation and loss of memory, it leads to a person not being able to take care of itself any longer.
Medications can ease symptoms and slow disease progression, but in the end they stop working. Patient is dying from pneumonia or other causes, while his bodily functions are failing.
"But there is hope. Currently there are nine drugs in the 3rd phase of clinical testing for Alzheimer, several of which promises to greatly slow or stop disease progression," says the president of Alzheimer associations Harry Johns.
These drugs, together with advanced diagnostic methods, have the potential to change disturbing trends of spreading disease in the United States.
Annually are determined approximately 400,000 new cases of Alzheimer's disease, the most common cause of dementia in older people, so every eighth American older than 65 years has Alzheimer, and over the age of 85 every second.
Group predicts that in year 2011, when "baby boom" generation will be 65 years old, the frequency of disease will record a new leap, and until year 2030 from it could suffer 7.7 million Americans and in 2050 this number could reach 16 million.
"In the year 2005 the program of health insurance Medicare has spent 91 billion dollars on patients with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, and that expense could be doubled until 2015 to 189 billion dollars," says the report.
Alzheimer's is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, and the main cause of dementia.Marked by brain cell degradation and loss of memory, it leads to a person not being able to take care of itself any longer.
Medications can ease symptoms and slow disease progression, but in the end they stop working. Patient is dying from pneumonia or other causes, while his bodily functions are failing.
"But there is hope. Currently there are nine drugs in the 3rd phase of clinical testing for Alzheimer, several of which promises to greatly slow or stop disease progression," says the president of Alzheimer associations Harry Johns.
These drugs, together with advanced diagnostic methods, have the potential to change disturbing trends of spreading disease in the United States.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Diabetes and Alzheimer's disease
New study links diabetes
and elevated level of cholesterol, especially LDL cholesterol, with the
progressive decline of cognitive abilities in people suffering from
Alzheimer's disease.
The results of this study provide additional evidence of the role of
health of the heart and blood vessels and the emergence of Alzheimer's
disease progression.
Prevention of heart disease and diabetes - or keeping symptoms under control may potentially slow the progress of Alzheimer's disease
Prevention of heart disease and diabetes - or keeping symptoms under control may potentially slow the progress of Alzheimer's disease
Exercise keeps our mental abilities
Exercise maintains our brain in shape and reduces the loss of memory that comes with aging, scientists say.
A loss of memory comes partially because of increased levels of glucose in the blood, which takes place parallel with the aging process.
The most recent study from this region revealed that regular exercise maintains healthy blood sugar level, thus preventing the loss of mental abilities that occur with aging.
Apart from regular exercise, healthy blood glucose levels can be maintained by healthy eating and certain medicines and in this way can preserve cognitive function despite aging.
A loss of memory comes partially because of increased levels of glucose in the blood, which takes place parallel with the aging process.
The most recent study from this region revealed that regular exercise maintains healthy blood sugar level, thus preventing the loss of mental abilities that occur with aging.
Apart from regular exercise, healthy blood glucose levels can be maintained by healthy eating and certain medicines and in this way can preserve cognitive function despite aging.
Insulin protects brain from Alzheimer
Insulin
protects the brain from toxic proteins that are associated with
Alzheimer disease, which supports the theory that Alzheimer's may be
third form of diabetes, announced the American scientists.
The research results showed that insulin may protect neurons from damage, and medicines for diabetes that increase insulin sensitivity are enhancing effect of protection, it was explained by scientists from Northwestern University who conducted the research.
In fact, there are three types of diabetes, in the first type, pancreas does not produce insulin, with a second type, the tissue is sensitive to insulin because of problems with insulin receptors. The third type is when the problem with the insulin receptors are localized in the brain, which at some people appears with age.
To some people during aging effective impulses of insulin in the brain are decreasing, which makes the brain more sensitive to toxins that cause Alzheimer disease, the scientists explained.
Research has shown that harmful amyloidal-beta protein attacks the memory cells which are forming, which causes loss of memory in Alzheimer.
Scientists were healing the dead brain cells with insulin, which blocked adverse effect of amyloidal-beta protein, and the effect was increased when they added the drug rosiglitazone, which increases sensitivity to insulin.
Discovery showed that measures to protect people from diabetes, such as diet and exercise are also essential to avoid Alzheimer's disease.
From Alzheimer annually die 26 million people in the world.
The research results showed that insulin may protect neurons from damage, and medicines for diabetes that increase insulin sensitivity are enhancing effect of protection, it was explained by scientists from Northwestern University who conducted the research.
In fact, there are three types of diabetes, in the first type, pancreas does not produce insulin, with a second type, the tissue is sensitive to insulin because of problems with insulin receptors. The third type is when the problem with the insulin receptors are localized in the brain, which at some people appears with age.
To some people during aging effective impulses of insulin in the brain are decreasing, which makes the brain more sensitive to toxins that cause Alzheimer disease, the scientists explained.
Research has shown that harmful amyloidal-beta protein attacks the memory cells which are forming, which causes loss of memory in Alzheimer.
Scientists were healing the dead brain cells with insulin, which blocked adverse effect of amyloidal-beta protein, and the effect was increased when they added the drug rosiglitazone, which increases sensitivity to insulin.
Discovery showed that measures to protect people from diabetes, such as diet and exercise are also essential to avoid Alzheimer's disease.
From Alzheimer annually die 26 million people in the world.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Prevention of Alzheimer's disease
Scientists are working on discovering new drugs that will slow, stop or prevent Alzheimer's disease.
In the meantime, people without dementia should maintain its memory by
filling out the crossword puzzle, solving puzzles and reading. The
recommendation is to develop interests and hobbies and be involved in
various social activities that will stimulate your body and soul. "In a
healthy body there is a healthy spirit," says the old saying. It is
recommended limited use of alcoholic beverages because alcohol destroys
brain cells. Many people find help in the list of chores to do, then use
of notepad, calendar, and small papers for memos.
You can also improve memory if you mentally connect new things with things you already know, as well known names, songs or rhymes. It is recommended the treatment of depression or fear or anxiety by medicines, or advice of experts, as mentioned problems can make a person forgetful. It is important to begin treatment immediately upon recognizing the first signs of dementia, and not consider them as a normal course of aging.
You can also improve memory if you mentally connect new things with things you already know, as well known names, songs or rhymes. It is recommended the treatment of depression or fear or anxiety by medicines, or advice of experts, as mentioned problems can make a person forgetful. It is important to begin treatment immediately upon recognizing the first signs of dementia, and not consider them as a normal course of aging.
Monday, July 20, 2009
The emergence of Alzheimer: Several theories of origin
Cause
of illness is unknown, although there are several theories of origin.
Usually we are referring to a genetic origin. It is well known, that the
descendants of people suffering from Alzheimer can have up to ten times more chances than the average person to get Alzheimer's disease.
Patients with Down syndrome have the same pathological changes in the
brain in certain life age, so that the mutation of the 21st chromosome
is often considered the one to enhance production of amyloid and the
emergence of Alzheimer's disease ...
Dementia is caused by many conditions, among which some are passing, and some are not. Some can be healed. Passing states are caused by dehydration, fever due to infectious diseases and lack of vitamins, non satisfactory or inadequate diet, reactions to medications, problems with thyroid or minor head injuries. Such medical conditions can be serious and should be treated as soon as possible.
Sometimes
older people have emotional problems that can be confused with
dementia. Feeling of loneliness, concerns or boredom often occurs in
older people faced with pension or the death of close persons, and
adjustments to these changes is causing puzzlement and forget nesses.
Emotional problems are easier to endure with the support of those close
to you, or with professional medical help.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Alzheimer today and tomorrow
Although
it has past one hundred years since German psychiatrist and neurologist
Dr. Alois Alzheimer for the first time described patient whose disease
later took his name, Alzheimer's disease (AB) today also unabated attracts attention of experts and
laity, because it is an enigma of modern medicine. Century later, AB and other forms of dementia affects 24 million people in the world. However, of concern is the fact that the number grows very quickly. According to data published in 2005 in
eminent medical journal "Lancet", in the near future, primarily due to extension of human life, we are facing an inevitable epidemic of dementia, so a new dementia cases in the world appear every seven seconds. Scientific estimates say that up to 2020 in the world there can be 43 million people suffering from dementia and until 2040 even 81 million people.
laity, because it is an enigma of modern medicine. Century later, AB and other forms of dementia affects 24 million people in the world. However, of concern is the fact that the number grows very quickly. According to data published in 2005 in
eminent medical journal "Lancet", in the near future, primarily due to extension of human life, we are facing an inevitable epidemic of dementia, so a new dementia cases in the world appear every seven seconds. Scientific estimates say that up to 2020 in the world there can be 43 million people suffering from dementia and until 2040 even 81 million people.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Coffee prevents Alzheimer disease
Our favorite drink helps us not to sleep, but also to not forget, say scientists who have discovered how to prevent Alzheimer.
Except that it is found that our favorite cup of coffee helps to not sleep for at a desk it helps us to better remember.
If you choose to prevent Alzheimer, you can daily consume two cups of strong black coffee, 14 cups of tea or 20 Coca Colas, because these beverages in certain quantities contain the required 500 milligrams of caffeine.
Studies have shown that consuming 500 milligrams of caffeine per day helps memory and thus prevents the appearance of Alzheimer's disease.
Caffeine also helps us to remember the details that have taken place up to three months earlier.
Drink tea or coffee
This was confirmed by scientists who gave mice a dose of caffeine and with them have noted smaller decrease of protein responsible for the prevention of disease.
Two months later it was discovered that the mice started to memorize better. If you choose to prevent Alzheimer, you can per day consume two cups of strong black coffee, 14 cups of tea or 20 Coca-Colas, because these beverages in certain quantities contain the required 500 milligram of caffeine.
Except that it is found that our favorite cup of coffee helps to not sleep for at a desk it helps us to better remember.
If you choose to prevent Alzheimer, you can daily consume two cups of strong black coffee, 14 cups of tea or 20 Coca Colas, because these beverages in certain quantities contain the required 500 milligrams of caffeine.
Studies have shown that consuming 500 milligrams of caffeine per day helps memory and thus prevents the appearance of Alzheimer's disease.
Caffeine also helps us to remember the details that have taken place up to three months earlier.
Drink tea or coffee
This was confirmed by scientists who gave mice a dose of caffeine and with them have noted smaller decrease of protein responsible for the prevention of disease.
Two months later it was discovered that the mice started to memorize better. If you choose to prevent Alzheimer, you can per day consume two cups of strong black coffee, 14 cups of tea or 20 Coca-Colas, because these beverages in certain quantities contain the required 500 milligram of caffeine.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Alzheimer's in women are associated with low levels of brain estrogen
Post-mortem analysis of brains of women with Alzheimer disease (AD), show significantly lower estrogen content than was shown in their age and sex matched controls.
The results could explain the higher prevalence of AD in women than in men, given that experiments on animals showed that lack of estrogen speeds up the creation of beta-amyloid.
Analysis of serum did not support the findings in the brain, since the serum estrogen was low in AD patients and in normal controls. Lack of estrogen in the brain is more specific then deficiency in blood and that is the key information, the brain does not have the possibility of production of estrogen.
Potential treatment of AD with estrogen therapy will require forms of medicines that have the ability to pass through hemato-encefal barrier and mentioned team of scientists currently are studying several types of estrogen to the specified option.
The results could explain the higher prevalence of AD in women than in men, given that experiments on animals showed that lack of estrogen speeds up the creation of beta-amyloid.
Analysis of serum did not support the findings in the brain, since the serum estrogen was low in AD patients and in normal controls. Lack of estrogen in the brain is more specific then deficiency in blood and that is the key information, the brain does not have the possibility of production of estrogen.
Potential treatment of AD with estrogen therapy will require forms of medicines that have the ability to pass through hemato-encefal barrier and mentioned team of scientists currently are studying several types of estrogen to the specified option.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Alzheimer`s disease begins with depression
It is a disease which often begins with
depressive symptoms and almost complete picture of depression. If in a
family we have a father, mother, grandmother or grandfather, the person
you see is changing in the sense that it loses the will, the interest
that is in a bad mood, constantly tired, often wants to be in bed, that
is difficult to get out of bed, has a sleep disorder overnight,
its psychomotor skills are slowed down and lost its appetite, you
should seek help and see whether this is really about an involution
depression.
- It is in itself difficult, because we lose a lot of roles in life. If it is diminished only to females, who have more often Alzheimer's dementia, we lose femininity, menstrual cycles, reproductive capacity, we get old, are retired and are losing business identity and we are not so important to anyone for we are losing the role of mothers and it is normal for such depression to occur in this age. However, it should be checked that it is not Alzheimer dementia, said the doctor. She explains that one of the first symptoms of illness is changing a personality, mostly by emphasizing the bad sides. Sick ones become burst, irritable, aggressive, sarcastic and prone to make bad jokes.
- This is one of the first symptoms, so if you notice that a person highlights the sides of personality that bother, this is the first sign. The disease has treacherous flow that is difficult to recognize because people often forget irrelevant things - cannot remember someone's name, phone number, a word that is rarely used otherwise, happens to move from one room to another, but cannot remember for what it went. Gradually begin to cognitive deteriorate in the memory of new content, or of remembering the old. How cognitive decline progresses, it becomes visible because the important things are disturbed. If we talk about early Alzheimer, a person can be struck in the workplace.
- It is in itself difficult, because we lose a lot of roles in life. If it is diminished only to females, who have more often Alzheimer's dementia, we lose femininity, menstrual cycles, reproductive capacity, we get old, are retired and are losing business identity and we are not so important to anyone for we are losing the role of mothers and it is normal for such depression to occur in this age. However, it should be checked that it is not Alzheimer dementia, said the doctor. She explains that one of the first symptoms of illness is changing a personality, mostly by emphasizing the bad sides. Sick ones become burst, irritable, aggressive, sarcastic and prone to make bad jokes.
- This is one of the first symptoms, so if you notice that a person highlights the sides of personality that bother, this is the first sign. The disease has treacherous flow that is difficult to recognize because people often forget irrelevant things - cannot remember someone's name, phone number, a word that is rarely used otherwise, happens to move from one room to another, but cannot remember for what it went. Gradually begin to cognitive deteriorate in the memory of new content, or of remembering the old. How cognitive decline progresses, it becomes visible because the important things are disturbed. If we talk about early Alzheimer, a person can be struck in the workplace.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Alzheimer's disease caused by herpes virus?
Possible finding of a cure for Alzheimer's disease
By the discovery of the connections between Alzheimer's disease and lip herpes zoster virus scientists could be able to get to drug discovery for this disease.
British scientists have come to the revolutionary discovery that could lead to finding a cure for Alzheimer disease.The link between Alzheimer's disease with lip herpes virus has been discovered, which was present in 60 percent of people suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
So medications used against herpes could be the basis for the production of preventive vaccines against this disease.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia of old people, and in the UK 400 000 people are suffering from it.
By the discovery of the connections between Alzheimer's disease and lip herpes zoster virus scientists could be able to get to drug discovery for this disease.
British scientists have come to the revolutionary discovery that could lead to finding a cure for Alzheimer disease.The link between Alzheimer's disease with lip herpes virus has been discovered, which was present in 60 percent of people suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
So medications used against herpes could be the basis for the production of preventive vaccines against this disease.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia of old people, and in the UK 400 000 people are suffering from it.
10 warning SYMPTOMS of Alzheimer's disease
1. Memory loss that compromise work
ability. It is natural, from time to time to forget some obligation,
term or name of a colleague from work, but frequently to forget or
unexplained thought confusion at home and at work can mean that
something is wrong.
2. Difficulties in everyday activities. Who has a lot of commitments may occasionally be bewildered: for example, to forget something to on the cooker, or not to remember to serve prepared meals. Those suffering from Alzheimer's disease could prepare a meal but, not only will they forget to serve it, but they will not remember that they prepared it.
3. Speech problems. To everyone can sometimes happen that he had a word "on top of the tongue," but those suffering from Alzheimer's will forget simple words and will replace them with inappropriate ones making it hard to understand what they wanted to say.
4. Bad orientation in time and space. It happens to us that we cannot remember the day of a week or what we should buy, but those suffering from Alzheimer's disease may get lost on the way home, or they don’t know how they arrived there.
5. Reduction capabilities of judgment. Common mistake is to not take the jacket for cool evening, but Alzheimer's disease patient happens to be clothed in the inappropriate manner, for example by dressing a robe to go shopping or two jackets for hot days.
6. Problems with abstract thinking. To many a problem is filling the checkbook, but to Alzheimer's patient recognition of numbers and computation may be an impossible task.
7. Right thing at the wrong place. It happens to everyone to misplace a wallet or keys from the house. However, patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease put these and other objects in a very strange place, for example, iron in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl and of course, they do not remember how they arrived there.
8. Changes in mood and behavior. We are all vulnerable to changes in mood, but in person suffering from Alzheimer that changes are especially sudden and without any real reason.
9. Change of temper. By getting old we all change nature, but a person suffering from Alzheimer's disease has dramatic changes, from a peaceful person it becomes a spitfire and doubtful.
10. Lack of incentives. Naturally we may get tired from the work around the house, going to work, or social obligations, but most people retain an interest in their own activities. Suffering from Alzheimer's disease they progressively lose interest in many or all of their activities.
2. Difficulties in everyday activities. Who has a lot of commitments may occasionally be bewildered: for example, to forget something to on the cooker, or not to remember to serve prepared meals. Those suffering from Alzheimer's disease could prepare a meal but, not only will they forget to serve it, but they will not remember that they prepared it.
3. Speech problems. To everyone can sometimes happen that he had a word "on top of the tongue," but those suffering from Alzheimer's will forget simple words and will replace them with inappropriate ones making it hard to understand what they wanted to say.
4. Bad orientation in time and space. It happens to us that we cannot remember the day of a week or what we should buy, but those suffering from Alzheimer's disease may get lost on the way home, or they don’t know how they arrived there.
5. Reduction capabilities of judgment. Common mistake is to not take the jacket for cool evening, but Alzheimer's disease patient happens to be clothed in the inappropriate manner, for example by dressing a robe to go shopping or two jackets for hot days.
6. Problems with abstract thinking. To many a problem is filling the checkbook, but to Alzheimer's patient recognition of numbers and computation may be an impossible task.
7. Right thing at the wrong place. It happens to everyone to misplace a wallet or keys from the house. However, patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease put these and other objects in a very strange place, for example, iron in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl and of course, they do not remember how they arrived there.
8. Changes in mood and behavior. We are all vulnerable to changes in mood, but in person suffering from Alzheimer that changes are especially sudden and without any real reason.
9. Change of temper. By getting old we all change nature, but a person suffering from Alzheimer's disease has dramatic changes, from a peaceful person it becomes a spitfire and doubtful.
10. Lack of incentives. Naturally we may get tired from the work around the house, going to work, or social obligations, but most people retain an interest in their own activities. Suffering from Alzheimer's disease they progressively lose interest in many or all of their activities.
What is Alzheimer's disease?
Dementia is a clinical syndrome
marked by loss of acquired cognitive and emotional abilities, which is
present to the extent that it interferes with everyday activities of
patients and significantly reduces their quality of life.
Today more than 50 diseases that can cause dementia are known, Alzheimer's disease is the most common - degenerative process that slowly and progressively destroys brain cells. Two-thirds of all dementia are related to Alzheimer disease, from which mostly people of older age are suffering, although it sometimes appears in young patients.
The disease is named after German neurologist Alois Alzheimer (1864-1915), who in 1907 was first to describe a patients aged 51 with symptoms of paranoid ideas, memory loss and speech disorders. Disease had a progressive flow and the patient after five years from the beginning of the first symptoms died.
In the world yearly on average, in people younger than 60 years, three new patients are diagnose per 100,000 persons, while in over 60 that number increased to 125 new patients and is estimated that 17-25 million people worldwide are suffering from this disease. However, as a consequence of the elderly population in developed countries, this number is increasing every day, people suffering from Alzheimer's disease are presented in addition to social, also economic problem of a society, because they are not able to live independently but require permanent care and nursing.
Today more than 50 diseases that can cause dementia are known, Alzheimer's disease is the most common - degenerative process that slowly and progressively destroys brain cells. Two-thirds of all dementia are related to Alzheimer disease, from which mostly people of older age are suffering, although it sometimes appears in young patients.
The disease is named after German neurologist Alois Alzheimer (1864-1915), who in 1907 was first to describe a patients aged 51 with symptoms of paranoid ideas, memory loss and speech disorders. Disease had a progressive flow and the patient after five years from the beginning of the first symptoms died.
In the world yearly on average, in people younger than 60 years, three new patients are diagnose per 100,000 persons, while in over 60 that number increased to 125 new patients and is estimated that 17-25 million people worldwide are suffering from this disease. However, as a consequence of the elderly population in developed countries, this number is increasing every day, people suffering from Alzheimer's disease are presented in addition to social, also economic problem of a society, because they are not able to live independently but require permanent care and nursing.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Alzheimer's brain diabetes
The most common form of dementia is probably connected with the other usual old age disease - diabetes type II, say scientists.
According to a report presented in the new issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Alzheimer could be treated by insulin or medicines that heighten its effect. Experts believe that insulin protects brain cells from damage.
According to a report presented in the new issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Alzheimer could be treated by insulin or medicines that heighten its effect. Experts believe that insulin protects brain cells from damage.
The connection of insulin and brain diseases is studied since scientists
discovered evidence that the hormone is active in them. It is known
that diabetics also more frequently are getting the Alzheimer.
In the last study, American and Brazilian scientists have been exploring the effects of insulin on the ADDL proteins that are deposing in the brain and cause damage. Teams have with insulin and rosiglitazone treated cells of hippocampus, part of the brain that has a key role in memory. Thus they reinforced the effect of hormones in the cells. After that they were exposed to activity of protein ADDL. Results showed that the treated cells were significantly less damaged by their action, which means that insulin has blocked them.
Professor William Klein from Northwestern University in the United States said that medications that increase insulin action could become a new weapon in the fight against Alzheimer. His colleague Professor Sergio Ferreira from the University of Rio de Janeiro said that "recognition of Alzheimer as diabetes of the brain indicates to the new discoveries that could eventually result in changes in methods of treating this destructive disease."
In the last study, American and Brazilian scientists have been exploring the effects of insulin on the ADDL proteins that are deposing in the brain and cause damage. Teams have with insulin and rosiglitazone treated cells of hippocampus, part of the brain that has a key role in memory. Thus they reinforced the effect of hormones in the cells. After that they were exposed to activity of protein ADDL. Results showed that the treated cells were significantly less damaged by their action, which means that insulin has blocked them.
Professor William Klein from Northwestern University in the United States said that medications that increase insulin action could become a new weapon in the fight against Alzheimer. His colleague Professor Sergio Ferreira from the University of Rio de Janeiro said that "recognition of Alzheimer as diabetes of the brain indicates to the new discoveries that could eventually result in changes in methods of treating this destructive disease."
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Risk factors:of Alzheimer's disease are: high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity ...
At the very beginning, when first symptoms of Alzheimer's dementia are obvious loss of memory is very pronounced. Patients have great difficulty in the attempt to remember something from the immediate past. In time are also evident problems when you try to remember something that happened long time ago, explains doctor Frank Jessen: "In parallel with these symptoms,
problems with orientation develop. In the late stage of illness,
patients are generally not doing well orientating in their own home. In
the last stage of illness, patients are unable to do anything on their
own or in any way to communicate. "
Doctor Jessen very well-knows symptoms of incurable Alzheimer dementia due to which his patients at a psychiatric university hospital in Bonn die. As head of diagnostic center for disease of memory loss in old age Jessen explores methods with the help of which would be possible to earlier diagnose Alzheimer: “If a man is older his risk of disease is higher. Increased risk also applies to people whose family members have had this form of dementia. In addition there are a number of factors that is proven to destroy the human brain: for example high blood pressure, diabetes, high levels of fat in the blood and obesity. "
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Who hesitate to go to pension will not get Alzheimer
Active brain has a much lower risk of Alzheimer,
show the latest research for the British Institute of Psychiatry.
Pensioners who went into retirement earlier had less risk of developing
malignant diseases. According to data from the Croatian Association for Alzheimer, 24 million people in the world suffers of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia…
THE IMPACT Of stress on DEVELOPMENT of Alzheimer's disease, stress and Alzheimer
24 million of people in the world have Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Every 72 seconds, a resident of the United States has first symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Although these numbers are scary, it seems that epidemic of Alzheimer
is yet to come. The proportion of population with alzheimer increases
with the age of population. Statistics for the U.S. show that in the
number of 4.9 million people, suffering from Alzheimer, 2% of them are
between 65 to 74 years, 19% from 75 to 84 years and 42% are older than
85 years.
With increasing aging of the population in developed countries, there will be more and more people who will experience very old age and thus increase the number of people suffering from Alzheimer. Because of this, large number of research is trying to discover what contributes to the occurrence of these diseases. Latest results show that one of the causes could be stress. A study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry found that stress encourages the formation of amiloid β-peptide (Aβ). Aβ peptide is insoluble peptide with tertiary structure changes that deposit it selves in the brain tissue forming characteristic forms that are one of the possible signs of Alzheimer's disease.
With increasing aging of the population in developed countries, there will be more and more people who will experience very old age and thus increase the number of people suffering from Alzheimer. Because of this, large number of research is trying to discover what contributes to the occurrence of these diseases. Latest results show that one of the causes could be stress. A study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry found that stress encourages the formation of amiloid β-peptide (Aβ). Aβ peptide is insoluble peptide with tertiary structure changes that deposit it selves in the brain tissue forming characteristic forms that are one of the possible signs of Alzheimer's disease.
C. Catania, N. Sousa and OFX Almeida measured the levels of Aβ in hypocampus and prefrontale cortex of middle-aged rats that were previously exposed to stressful situations. They noticed the increase in Aβ levels and its precursors, C99 peptide. The same results have been given when the mice have been injected with glukocortikoids, increase in blood is among the first physiological responses to stress. Rats, which were previously been exposed to stressful situations, have reacted strongly to the new stress and glukocortikoids and their level of Aβ and C99 increased even more. Also was observed that injection of pure Aβ leads to the increase in C99 levels which confirms the thesis that Aβ can stimulate the formation of itself. To confirm the link between Aβ levels and the appearance of Alzheimer's disease, researchers at the test rats interrogated their abilities to learn, their memory and the level of anxiety, since these are most visible symptoms of disease. Trial rats showed lesser ability at orientation in space, lesser interest in learning, and much higher level of anxiety than the control group. The results of rats that were exposed to stress and received doses of glukocortikoids were even weaker. This indicates that the effect of stress is probably cumulative. The results of these studies are important because it helps to understand all the ways that stress affects the brain and to discover new mechanisms behind the appearance of Alzheimer's disease. They bring attention to the patients suffering from Alzheimer who receive glukocortikoids as therapy for other diseases. Now, given the existence of indications that glukocortikoidima contribute to the progress of Alzheimer's disease, it will be important to assess the benefits and harm of such therapy on their condition and possibly change the method of treatment.
