Although Alzheimer’s is a global epidemic, recent studies are showing that women bear a disproportionate burden of the disease. The reason for this remains largely unclear, but an increasing body of research is taking a closer look at Alzheimer&#8217;s in  all women.
Learn more about the impact of the disease on women and the studies that are seeking to understand why.
<h2>Alzheimer&#8217;s in Women</h2>
Two-thirds of the 5.7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s are women. It was previously thought that <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/8-12-15-why-is-alzheimers-more-likely-in-women/" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.alzheimers.net/8-12-15-why-is-alzheimers-more-likely-in-women/">women were at an increased risk</a> for the disease because they typically live longer than males, and age is the main risk factor for developing the disease.
<blockquote>However, researchers now believe that there are biological and social determinants involved. Women also bear the Alzheimer&#8217;s caregiving burden, with 60% of caregivers being female.</blockquote>
Rebecca Edelmayer, director of scientific engagement at the Alzheimer’s Association, remarks:
“Women are at the epicenter of Alzheimer’s disease as both persons living with the disease and as the caregivers of those with dementia. Over the last three years, the Alzheimer’s Association has invested $3.2 million into 14 projects looking at <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/a-greater-focus-on-gender-in-alzheimers/">sex differences for the disease</a> and some of the findings today may explain risk, prevalence and rate decline for women.”
<h2>2019 Alzheimer&#8217;s Studies Focus on Differences in Gender</h2>
In response to the burden that Alzheimer&#8217;s is placing on women, several studies are now focusing on why there is such a <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/gender-gaps-in-alzheimers-research/">gender gap</a> when it comes to the disease.
From biological differences to lifestyle choices, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2019/07/28/new-research-sheds-more-light-on-alzheimers-in-women/#1e37a3a741e9" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">these studies</a> seek to understand (and ultimately bring relief) to women:
<ol>
<li>A study from the University of California at San Diego School of Medicine used data from brain scans and found that women were able to metabolize glucose more efficiently, which could help them compensate for damage caused by Alzheimer&#8217;s and retain cognitive function, delaying an early dementia diagnosis. When the disease is not diagnosed in its early stages, the person with Alzheimer&#8217;s or dementia is less likely to benefit from clinical trials or therapies that could slow its progression.</li>
<li>A study from Vanderbilt University found abnormal tau protein in the brain may be wider <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/alzheimers-progression-discovered/" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.alzheimers.net/alzheimers-progression-discovered/">spread among various brain regions</a> in women than men. Using <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/alzheimers-brain-map-published-by-scientists/" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.alzheimers.net/4-18-16-researchers-diagnose-alzheimers-from-brain-scans/">brain imaging technology</a>, researchers found that women who had mild cognitive impairment (MCI) had more tau present as well as a quicker spread of tau across more brain regions compared to men with MCI.</li>
<li>Yet another study evaluated socioeconomic factors finding that women who worked steadily experienced a decreased risk of Alzheimer’s, especially among married mothers. The study found that women between the ages of 60 and 70 who were married mothers and never worked were 61% faster than married mothers who continued to work.</li>
</ol>
As research continues to reveal more about the differences between men and women, scientists are seeking to understand how the brain structural differences between genders impact the risk of Alzheimer’s.
It’s increasingly clear that Alzheimer&#8217;s research cannot take a gender-neutral approach and scientists will need to <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2014-04-10/how-alzheimers-evolves/">consider gender moving forward</a>.
Why do you think there is a higher prevalence of Alzheimer&#8217;s and dementia in women than men? We&#8217;d like to hear from you in the comments below.
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<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/a-greater-focus-on-gender-in-alzheimers/">A Greater Focus on Gender in Alzheimer’s Research</a></li>
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2019 Studies Shed Light on Alzheimer's in Women

It&#8217;s no secret that women are more likely to develop Alzheimer&#8217;s disease. Researchers previously attributed this to the&nbsp;longevity of women,&nbsp;but scientists are finding that there may be other contributing factors to the disease.
Learn more about the new studies and what may be causing more women to suffer from Alzheimer&#8217;s.&nbsp;
<h2>Alzheimer&#8217;s Is More Likely in Women</h2>
While Alzheimer&#8217;s is indiscriminate, recent studies have found that <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2014-03-19/women-at-higher-risk-for-alzheimers/" target="_self" rel="noopener noreferrer">women are bearing a disproportionate amount of the Alzheimer&#8217;s burden</a>:
<ol>
<li>Aside from the fact that 60% of all Alzheimer&#8217;s caregivers are women, at the age of 65, women have a 1 in 5 chance of developing Alzheimer&#8217;s, compared to a 1 in 11 chance for men.</li>
<li>Additionally, out of the 5 million people living with Alzheimer&#8217;s in the U.S., 3.2 million are women.</li>
<li>Research has found that women in their 60s are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer&#8217;s than to develop breast cancer.</li>
</ol>
Maria Carrillo, chief science officer for the Alzheimer&#8217;s Association, said of these risks:
<blockquote>&#8220;There are enough biological questions pointing to increased risk in women that we need to delve into that and find out why. There is a lot that is not understood and not known. It&#8217;s time we did something about it.&#8221;</blockquote>
Taking action, the Alzheimer&#8217;s Association brought together 15 of the world&#8217;s leading scientists to look further into why <a href="https://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/06/29/why-are-most-alzheimers-patients-women/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Alzheimer&#8217;s is more likely in women</a>, stating that &#8220;researchers are now questioning whether the risk of Alzheimer’s could actually be higher for women at any given age due to biological or genetic variations or differences in life experiences.&#8221;
<h2>Risk Factors Beyond Longevity</h2>
Until now, the gap had been largely attributed to the longevity of women, since age is the number one risk factor for Alzheimer&#8217;s.&nbsp;<a href="http://bigstory.ap.org/article/b66758b1efeb46cead426a622247dda0/new-questions-about-why-more-women-men-have-alzheimers" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Roberta Diaz Brinton</a>,&nbsp;a University of Southern California professor who studies gender differences said, &#8220;It is true that age is the greatest risk factor for developing Alzheimer&#8217;s disease.&#8221; But she went on to say, &#8220;on average, women live four or five years longer than men and we know that Alzheimer&#8217;s is a disease that starts 20 years before the diagnosis.&#8221;
Thus far, genetic studies have&nbsp;offered a&nbsp;startling account for the difference. Researchers from <a href="http://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2014/04/14/having-a-copy-of-apoe-gene-variant-doubles-alzheimers-risk-for-women-but-not-for-men/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Stanford University studied over 8,000 people looking for a form of the gene </a><a href="http://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2014/04/14/having-a-copy-of-apoe-gene-variant-doubles-alzheimers-risk-for-women-but-not-for-men/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ApoE-4</a>, a gene that increases the risk of Alzheimer&#8217;s. They found that women who carry a copy of that particular gene variant were twice as likely to eventually develop Alzheimer&#8217;s as women without the gene. Men who had the gene were only at a slightly increased risk than men who did not have the gene. While it is not clear why the gene poses such a drastic increase in risk, Brinton believes it may be how the gene interacts with estrogen.&nbsp;
Another study suggests that it may be related to heart health. A study from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/resources/massachusetts/framingham/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Framingham, Massachusetts</a> suggests that because men are more likely to die from heart disease in middle age, those men who live past 65 may have healthier hearts which may protect the brain from Alzheimer&#8217;s.&nbsp;These two diseases share many risk factors including high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity.
Exactly why women are bearing the Alzheimer&#8217;s burden remains yet to be determined. Carrillo pointed out that 40 years ago, no one understood how heart disease affected women and says:
<blockquote>&#8220;How do we make sure we&#8217;re not making that mistake when it comes to Alzheimer&#8217;s?&#8221;</blockquote>
What do you think about the link between Alzheimer&#8217;s and women? Have you seen any other&nbsp;contributing causes that create an&nbsp;increased risk for the disease? Share your stories with us in the comments below.
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Why Is Alzheimer's More Likely in Women?

It’s no secret that women are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers previously attributed this to the longevity of women, but scientists are finding that there may be other contributing factors to the disease. Learn more about the new studies and what may be causing more women to suffer from Alzheimer’s.  Alzheimer’s Is More Likely in […]

Brain health supplements are a $3.2 billion industry but neurologists are warning against their use, claiming many Americans are being scammed and served false hope.<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-67665" src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/doctors-say-brain-health-supplements-are-pseudoscience-300x158.jpg" alt="Doctors Say Brain Health Supplements Are “Pseudoscience&quot;" width="300" height="158" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/doctors-say-brain-health-supplements-are-pseudoscience-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/doctors-say-brain-health-supplements-are-pseudoscience.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> 
Learn more about the lack of evidence supporting brain health supplements and proven ways to <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/what-the-experts-do-to-promote-brain-health/">support brain health</a>.
<h2>Brain Health Supplements in the United States</h2>
Three neurologists from the University of California San Francisco’s Memory and Aging Center expressed concern about the use of brain health supplements in an opinion piece in the <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2723294?resultClick=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2723294?resultClick=1">Journal of American Medical Association</a> (JAMA).
<blockquote>The neurologists warned against “pseudomedicine” and “science,” stating that “No known dietary supplement prevents cognitive decline or dementia, yet supplements advertised as such are widely available and appear to gain legitimacy when sold by major U.S. retailers.”</blockquote>
The article goes on to say, “Some of these practitioners may stand to gain financially by promoting interventions that are not covered by insurance&#8230; These interventions lack a known mechanism for <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/preventing-dementia-through-lifestyle-choices/">treating dementia</a> and are costly, unregulated and potentially harmful.”
<h2>FDA Warns Against &#8220;Pseudoscience&#8221; Supplements</h2>
The <a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-action-against-17-companies-illegally-selling-products-claiming-treat-alzheimers-disease" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-action-against-17-companies-illegally-selling-products-claiming-treat-alzheimers-disease">U.S. Food and Drug Administration</a> (FDA) has issued a warning to both domestic and foreign companies that sell 58 products claiming to prevent, treat or cure Alzheimer’s disease or other chronic health conditions. Their statement said, “These products may be ineffective, unsafe and could prevent a person from seeking appropriate diagnosis and treatment.”
<blockquote>Dr. Joanna Hellmuth, one of the authors of the JAMA article, says that these companies are using fear to sell products. “If people really reflect, a lot of this is motivated by fear, which is understandable because these diseases are horrible, they’re frightening,” Hellmuth says. “They are diseases that alter your personality, who you are as an individual. So, understandably, people are driven by fear or compelled to want to do something.”</blockquote>
Not only are many of these <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/what-experts-say-are-the-best-supplements-for-your-brain/">brain health supplements</a> not effective, but many are also actually dangerous. They are not reviewed by the FDA for efficacy or safety and not being able to verify what is in them can cause health issues and negative interactions with prescription drugs.
When it comes to preventing Alzheimer’s and promoting better brain health, Hellmuth suggests spending money and time on activities and exercise classes.
<blockquote>“The things we recommend are being cognitively active, physically active and socially active,” she continues. “For physically active, we follow the American Heart Association recommendations of two and half hours a week of vigorous cardiovascular exercise.”</blockquote>
She also recommends a <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/healthier-lifestyle-may-prevent-dementia/">heart-healthy diet, maintaining healthy cholesterol levels</a> and getting a high quality of sleep.
What steps have you taken to improve your brain health? We&#8217;d like to hear from you in the comments below.
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Doctors Say Brain Health Supplements Are “Pseudoscience"

Brain health supplements are a $3.2 billion industry but neurologists are warning against their use, claiming many Americans are being scammed and served false hope. Learn more about the lack of evidence supporting brain health supplements and proven ways to support brain health. Brain Health Supplements in the United States Three neurologists from the University […]

Last Updated: April 24, 2019
Researchers have found that active minds can help delay dementia symptoms, but a recent study has concluded that it does not delay the onset of the actual disease. <img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Active-Minds-Delay-Dementia-Symptoms-Not-Disease-300x158.jpg" alt="Active Minds Delay Dementia Symptoms, Not Disease" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68018" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Active-Minds-Delay-Dementia-Symptoms-Not-Disease-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Active-Minds-Delay-Dementia-Symptoms-Not-Disease-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Active-Minds-Delay-Dementia-Symptoms-Not-Disease.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Learn more about this research.
<h2>Active Minds Only Delay Dementia Symptoms, According to Study</h2>
A recent study published in <a href="http://www.neurology.org/content/86/12/1128" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Neurology</a> has found that <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/health/aging/busy-brains-delay-alzheimer-s-symptoms-not-disease-n529451" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">challenging your brain and keeping the mind active</a> may delay dementia symptoms but that it does not appear to affect the disease.
The study evaluated nearly 400 people over the age of 70 without dementia and found that 53 participants had mild cognitive impairment. Each participant reported how often each month or week they exercised, completed household activities and estimated how often they had read books or magazines, played an instrument or socialized.
Researchers found that the buildup of amyloid plaque in the brain, a hallmark characteristic of Alzheimer&#8217;s, did not change based on <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/7-22-15-lifestyle-changes-help-reduce-risk-of-dementia/">activity level</a> for most people.
<h2>The Impact of Education on Brain Health</h2>
However, one group of people did exhibit lower levels of amyloid plaques based on activity level. Participants with at least 14 years of education who had the APOE4 gene, which is thought to increase the risk of Alzheimer&#8217;s, and kept mentally active in middle-age, had less plaque than <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/what-are-the-top-early-signs-and-symptoms-of-dementia/">those who did not stay mentally fit</a>.
Researchers are not sure why only APOE4 carriers with higher levels of education demonstrated slower plaque accumulation, but say their findings should not discourage people from keeping an active lifestyle and making healthy choices. Study author Prashanthi Vemrui, Ph.D., from the Mayo Clinic, says:
<blockquote>&#8220;There is <a href="https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/home/PressRelease/1435" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">substantial evidence</a> that these activities help to delay the onset of memory and thinking problems. What we don&#8217;t know is how this process works.&#8221;</blockquote>
Regardless of the findings, researchers encourage people to find an activity they enjoy and expose their minds to challenging activities throughout their life to potentially delay the symptoms of dementia.
Which activities help you or your loved ones stay active and delay dementia symptoms? We&#8217;d like to hear your suggestions in the comments below.
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Active Minds Delay Dementia Symptoms, Not Disease

Last Updated: April 24, 2019 Researchers have found that active minds can help delay dementia symptoms, but a recent study has concluded that it does not delay the onset of the actual disease. Learn more about this research. Active Minds Only Delay Dementia Symptoms, According to Study A recent study published in Neurology has found that […]

It is a long-held theory that the more time a person spends educating themselves, the better protected he or she is against dementia. Research has resulted in conflicting or inconclusive results, however, a new study suggests that while those with more education do demonstrate a higher level of cognitive functioning, it does not reduce dementia risk.<img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Will-Education-Really-Reduce-Dementia-Risk-300x158.jpg" alt="Will Education Really Reduce Dementia Risk?" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68466" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Will-Education-Really-Reduce-Dementia-Risk-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Will-Education-Really-Reduce-Dementia-Risk-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Will-Education-Really-Reduce-Dementia-Risk.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Learn more about the study and the <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2014-03-13/alzheimers-brain-stages/">relationship between education and dementia</a>.
<h2>Education and Its Impact on Dementia Risk</h2>
The study, led by Robert S. Wilson, Ph.D., of Rush University Medical Center in <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/resources/illinois/chicago/">Chicago</a> and published in <a href="https://n.neurology.org/content/43/1_Part_1/13" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="https://n.neurology.org/content/43/1_Part_1/13">Neurology</a>, set out to provide more insight into education and dementia risk. Involving 2,899 participants, researchers followed the participants for an average of eight years. The average age of participants at the beginning of the study was 78 and nearly 25% developed dementia over the course of the study. Participants were split into three levels of education: 17+ years, 13-16 years and 12 years or less.
<blockquote>Researchers found that even decades after participants had finished their education, those who spent a longer time in education had a higher level of cognitive functioning. However, they also found that a higher education level did not affect dementia risk or onset.</blockquote>
Additionally, contrary to previous studies, the participants&#8217; education had no impact on how quickly <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2014-04-10/how-alzheimers-evolves/">dementia progressed after its onset</a>.
<h2>Why Education Is Important in Later Life</h2>
Wilson says the <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324357.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">education and dementia risk findings</a> are surprising, stating that the “finding that education apparently contributes little to cognitive reserve is surprising given that education affects cognitive growth and changes in brain structure.”
<blockquote>He says that the study indicates that “late-life activities involving memory and thinking skills, such as learning another language&#8230; or cognitively demanding work and having a purpose in life might be more important as we age.”</blockquote>
While the study was not entirely conclusive, it gives researchers a <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/have-alzheimers-now-what/">further understanding of the disease</a> and the effects of education on the brain, suggesting that it becomes even more important with age.
Have you seen a correlation between your or a senior loved one&#8217;s education and dementia risk? We&#8217;d like to hear your experiences in the comments below.
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Will Education Really Reduce Dementia Risk?

It is a long-held theory that the more time a person spends educating themselves, the better protected he or she is against dementia. Research has resulted in conflicting or inconclusive results, however, a new study suggests that while those with more education do demonstrate a higher level of cognitive functioning, it does not reduce dementia […]

A new study presented at the International Stroke Conference and published online in the Scientific Reports journal has found a correlation between dementia and gut bacteria – finding that the depletion of certain gut bacteria results in an increased risk of the disease.<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-67263" src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/06/Dementia-and-Gut-Bacteria-New-Research-Shows-Link-300x158.jpg" alt="Dementia and Gut Bacteria: New Research Shows Link" width="300" height="158" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/06/Dementia-and-Gut-Bacteria-New-Research-Shows-Link-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/06/Dementia-and-Gut-Bacteria-New-Research-Shows-Link-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/06/Dementia-and-Gut-Bacteria-New-Research-Shows-Link.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Learn more about the study and what it means for the future of dementia research.
<h2>Dementia and Gut Bacteria</h2>
The <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-38218-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">study involved 128 outpatients visiting a memory care clinic</a>. Researchers accounted for demographics, including other dementia risk factors, and used MRI brain scans and neuropsychological tests to assess cognitive function. To determine gut microbiota (organisms that live in the digestive tract and account for about a thousand different species of bacteria), researchers used fecal samples.
Study participants were divided into people with and without the disease. Their analysis revealed <a href="https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/908769#vp_3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/908769#vp_3">differences in components of gut microbiota</a> between the two groups. For the group with dementia, levels of bactericides (enterotype I) was decreased compared to the group without dementia. Meanwhile, other bacteria types (enterotype II) were increased in the group with dementia. The fecal samples also revealed higher concentrations of ammonia, indole, phenol and skatole, in the group with dementia.
<blockquote>&#8220;Although our study has numerous limitations, the results suggest that the <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/calorie-restriction-diets-may-improve-risks-for-age-related-diseases/">gut microbiome could be a new target for the management of dementia</a>,&#8221; study author Naoki Saji, MD, Ph.D., vice director of the Center for Comprehensive Care and Research on Memory Disorders, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology in Japan, says.</blockquote>
<h2>Strong Evidence of Link Between the Two</h2>
While the study was unable to prove a causal relationship and had a small sample size, researchers believe the odds ratios in the study were high, suggesting an underlying mechanism in the <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/10-07-15-midlife-weight-connected-to-alzheimers/">effects of gut microbial composition on brain health</a>.
Costantino Iadecola, MD, professor of neurology at Weill Cornell Medical College and director of the Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute in <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/resources/new-york/">New York City</a>, remarked, &#8220;It&#8217;s difficult for studies in this field to draw correlations. The microbiota is variable and it can be modified by a wide variety of factors&#8230;.&#8221;
<blockquote>Acknowledging its limitations, the study still supports previous data linking brain health and diet. Some researchers believe a <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/the-mediterranean-diet/">Mediterranean diet</a> rich in fish, fruits and vegetables may be beneficial while others promote a traditional Japanese diet. Most agree that processed foods and sugars have a negative impact on brain health.</blockquote>
Have you seen a correlation between dementia and gut bacteria in your life? We&#8217;d like to hear your stories in the comments below.
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Dementia and Gut Bacteria: New Research Shows Link

A new study presented at the International Stroke Conference and published online in the Scientific Reports journal has found a correlation between dementia and gut bacteria – finding that the depletion of certain gut bacteria results in an increased risk of the disease. Learn more about the study and what it means for the future […]

Last Updated: April 15, 2019
Alzheimer&#8217;s disease is on the rise in the developed world, more so than other nations. But why? Research finds a direct correlation between good hygiene and increased rates of Alzheimer&#8217;s.<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-67256" src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/06/Good-Hygiene-Linked-to-Increased-Rates-of-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg" alt="Good Hygiene Linked to Increased Rates of Alzheimer’s" width="300" height="158" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/06/Good-Hygiene-Linked-to-Increased-Rates-of-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/06/Good-Hygiene-Linked-to-Increased-Rates-of-Alzheimers-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/06/Good-Hygiene-Linked-to-Increased-Rates-of-Alzheimers.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
It turns out that cleanliness may not be quite next to godliness after all. <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/5-11-16-early-alzheimers-caused-by-haywire-immune-system/">This news may prove</a> that it may be better to stick to regular soaps — rather than chemical-laden antibacterial kinds — and not make such a fuss about every germ. Those bacteria and germs may be good for you after all.
<h2>Good Hygiene and Increased Rates of Alzheimer&#8217;s</h2>
As soon as my mom found out the children next door had chicken pox when I was five, she sent me over there to play. I still remember the terrible itchiness that I experienced when I broke out in red bumps after I&#8217;d contracted it from them almost immediately. Our parents used to recognize that exposure to germs was actually good for strengthening our immune systems. Recent studies show that has changed.
Research from the <a href="http://emph.oxfordjournals.org/content/2013/1/173" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Oxford Journal</a> has found a strong link between sanitized, wealthier countries and a higher rate of Alzheimer&#8217;s. This study, led by Dr. Molly Fox across 192 countries, suggests that the lack of exposure to bacteria creates a poorly developed immune system, leaving your brain at risk for inflammation. Exposure to microorganisms — both good and bad — is vitally important for the body to develop proper immune responses.
The researchers &#8220;hygiene hypothesis&#8221; conclude that since increasing global urbanization at the turn of the 19th century — the populations of many of the world&#8217;s wealthier nations have seen very little exposure to the so-called &#8216;friendly&#8217; microbes which &#8220;stimulate&#8221; the immune system due to &#8220;diminishing contact with animals, feces and soil.&#8221;
<blockquote>This reduced level of contact with bacteria and other kinds of infectious agents might stall the proper development of important elements of the body&#8217;s immune system, such as white blood cells. The team also suggests that <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/alzheimers-progression-discovered/">developing Alzheimer&#8217;s might be linked to autoimmune disease</a>, in which the body&#8217;s immune system attacks itself.</blockquote>
&#8220;Alzheimer&#8217;s disease shares certain etiological features with autoimmunity,&#8221; the study states. &#8220;Prevalence of autoimmunity varies between populations in accordance with variation in environmental microbial diversity.&#8221; The researchers add:
&#8220;Exposure to microorganisms may improve individuals&#8217; immunoregulation in ways that protect against autoimmunity and we suggest this may also be the case for Alzheimer&#8217;s.&#8221;
<h2>New Research on Alzheimer&#8217;s, Antibiotics and Bacteria</h2>
The research offers no definitive guidance at this point, but the <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/7-11-16-connection-between-dementia-and-infections/">awareness does lend some hope</a>.
&#8220;The increase in adult life expectancy and Alzheimer&#8217;s prevalence in developing countries is perhaps one of the greatest challenges of our time,&#8221; Fox says. &#8220;Today, more than 50% of people with Alzheimer&#8217;s live in the developing world and by 2025 it is expected that this figure will rise to more than 70%.&#8221;
Fox adds: &#8220;A better understanding of how environmental sanitation influences Alzheimer&#8217;s risk could open up avenues for both lifestyle and pharmaceutical strategies to limit Alzheimer&#8217;s prevalence. An awareness of this by-product of increasing wealth and development could encourage the innovation of new strategies to protect vulnerable populations from Alzheimer&#8217;s.&#8221;
More recently, researchers have taken a closer look at the importance of bacteria and hygiene for better brain health.
One of those researchers is the University of California at San Francisco psychiatrist, Steve Dominy, who studies neurocognitive disorders in people who are HIV positive. From his studies of the blood-brain barrier and the neural health of people with AIDS, Dominy believes he <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/08/08/are-microbes-stealing-your-mind.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">has detected a link between a specific type of bacteria and dementia</a>. Researchers are not yet disclosing the specific type of bacteria they believe may be responsible for dementia.
Last summer, Dominy co-founded <a href="http://www.cortexyme.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cortexyme</a>, which has raised over $2.5 million to further investigate his idea, dubbed &#8220;bacterial neuro-degeneration.&#8221; Casey Lynch, co-founder and CEO of Cortexyme is excited about the unconventional approach to Alzheimer&#8217;s research saying, &#8220;A-beta has been the focus of billions and billions of dollars and a huge amount of research. Really 95% of the money has gone into this target but most of the studies are failing, so I was excited about a novel approach.&#8221; She went on to say:
<blockquote>&#8220;So we set out to do a number of experiments to prove to ourselves and the rest of the community, that this was indeed a credible theory and that we could develop treatments targeting it. The first thing we did was look at as many human brains as we could get our hands on. So far we&#8217;ve looked at 43 Alzheimer&#8217;s patients and every single one of them has this bacterial protease [enzymes that breaks down proteins] in their brain.&#8221;</blockquote>
She said that some healthy participants also showed small levels of the bacteria, which lead researchers to believe they may be at risk to develop Alzheimer&#8217;s later in life.
From here, researchers hope to find a way to shut down the bacteria, which is known to be antibiotic resistant. Cortexyme hopes to develop a drug that can protect neurons from the bacteria while also disabling it, without destroying it which could lead to toxins being released in the brain.
<h2>What You Can Do to Stay Healthy</h2>
But, don&#8217;t stop washing your hands just yet. Soap remains one of the modern world&#8217;s most effective and simple inventions for keeping myriad illnesses at bay. With that in mind, however, it&#8217;s a good idea to revert back to the good old-fashioned regular hand soap rather than the anti-bacterial kind. <a title="Triclosan Review" href="http://www.medicaldaily.com/fda-reviews-antibacterial-hand-soap-why-triclosan-bad-you-and-planet-245474" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Triclosan</a>, for example, is found in many antibacterial soaps and can cause a chemical reaction that leads to cancer, not to mention when we use it, it gets dumped right back into our water supply.
<blockquote>Above all, keep it simple when using everyday soap and avoid all the unnecessary chemicals whenever you can.</blockquote>
Do you or a loved one have a favorite milled soap with natural scents, like lavender or lemon verbena? Now might be a great time to find a lovely, organic soap to <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/7-22-15-lifestyle-changes-help-reduce-risk-of-dementia/">use to stay healthy</a>.
What else can you do to help your parent or senior loved one maintain good hygiene? We&#8217;d like to hear your suggestions in the comments below.
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Good Hygiene Linked to Increased Rates of Alzheimer’s

Last Updated: April 15, 2019 Alzheimer’s disease is on the rise in the developed world, more so than other nations. But why? Research finds a direct correlation between good hygiene and increased rates of Alzheimer’s. It turns out that cleanliness may not be quite next to godliness after all. This news may prove that it […]

As the search for a dementia cure continues, many researchers are prioritizing early detection and prevention of the disease. One way dementia can be spotted early is through biomarkers like changes in the function and size of the brain, as well as changes in – or composition of – cerebrospinal fluid and protein levels.<img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Could-a-Blood-Brain-Barrier-Test-Predict-Dementia-300x158.jpg" alt="Could a Blood-Brain Barrier Test Predict Dementia?" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68228" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Could-a-Blood-Brain-Barrier-Test-Predict-Dementia-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Could-a-Blood-Brain-Barrier-Test-Predict-Dementia-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Could-a-Blood-Brain-Barrier-Test-Predict-Dementia.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Learn more about a new study that examines the role of biomarkers in the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier, as shown in the cerebrospinal fluid, and how it may predict dementia years before its onset.
<h2>The Blood-Brain Barrier and Dementia</h2>
Although there is no cure or treatment for dementia, <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/better-alzheimers-prevention-with-early-detection/">early detection can help mitigate and sometimes even slow disease symptoms</a>, allow for more time to prepare for a future with dementia and allow people with the disease to participate in clinical trials.
&#8220;Because of our aging population and growing public health concerns, efforts to find a reliable predictor of cognitive impairment and dementia are very important to researchers and the public,&#8221; explains Dr. Suzana Petanceska, a program director at the National Institute on Aging (NIA).
One new <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-018-0297-y" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-018-0297-y">study published in Nature Medicine</a> has found a potential new predictor of dementia in the cerebrospinal fluid, indicating that the <a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/blood-brain-barrier-test-may-predict-dementia" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/blood-brain-barrier-test-may-predict-dementia">blood-brain barrier has been compromised</a>. The blood-brain barrier separates circulating blood from the brain and allows passage of some gases, molecules and water. It also controls the movement of cells and molecules surrounding neurons.
<h2>The Breakdown of the Blood-Brain Barrier Is Linked to Cognitive Impairment</h2>
The study, led by Dr. Berislav V. Zlokovic at the University of Southern California, <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/resources/california/los-angeles/">Los Angeles</a>, evaluated two biomarkers in the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier. Involving more than 160 people, some participants exhibited signs of cognitive decline and others did not. Researchers measured the levels of a soluble form of a protein found in capillaries called platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRβ) in the cerebrospinal fluid. This is a soluble form of a protein that is present in cerebrospinal fluid and an indicator that the blood-brain barrier has been compromised.
Additionally, the research team used MRI-based imaging to examine the actual blood-brain barrier in 73 of the 160 participants.
<blockquote>They concluded that people who were cognitively impaired exhibited higher levels of PDGFRβ and an increasingly compromised breakdown of the blood-brain barrier. They did not see a <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/blood-protein-changes-predict-alzheimers-before-symptoms/">correlation between the presence of beta-amyloid plaques and tau proteins</a>, other biomarker of dementia, and these tests.</blockquote>
&#8220;This is a solid step towards an accurate and reliable test that could be the earliest sign of critical brain damage in some people with Alzheimer&#8217;s disease and related dementias,&#8221; says Dr. Roderick Corriveau, a program director at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
Researchers hope to continue examining the role of the blood-brain barrier for <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/12-3-14-blood-test-detects-alzheimers-early/">early dementia detection</a> by conducting a larger second trial.
Has your parent or senior loved one had an MRI for dementia? Would they be interested in a blood-brain barrier test? We&#8217;d like to hear your stories and thoughts in the comments below.
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Could a Blood-Brain Barrier Test Predict Dementia?

As the search for a dementia cure continues, many researchers are prioritizing early detection and prevention of the disease. One way dementia can be spotted early is through biomarkers like changes in the function and size of the brain, as well as changes in – or composition of – cerebrospinal fluid and protein levels. Learn […]

As researchers press for a cure for Alzheimer&#8217;s disease, many are focusing on early detection and prevention. Early detection of Alzheimer’s can not only mitigate symptoms but potentially slow the progression of the disease as well. It can also help families prepare for a future with Alzheimer’s, outlining future caregiving plans.<img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Blood-Protein-Changes-Could-Predict-Alzheimers-Years-Before-Symptoms-300x158.jpg" alt="Blood Protein Changes Could Predict Alzheimer&#039;s Years Before Symptoms" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68214" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Blood-Protein-Changes-Could-Predict-Alzheimers-Years-Before-Symptoms-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Blood-Protein-Changes-Could-Predict-Alzheimers-Years-Before-Symptoms-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Blood-Protein-Changes-Could-Predict-Alzheimers-Years-Before-Symptoms.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> 
One new study utilizes a blood test to detect evidence of protein changes and damage and can <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/better-alzheimers-prevention-with-early-detection/">predict Alzheimer&#8217;s</a> almost seven years before symptoms occur. Read more about this study.
<h2>A Blood Test to Predict Alzheimer&#8217;s</h2>
A team of researchers from Washington University in <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/resources/missouri/st-louis/">St. Louis</a> and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Tübingen found that a simple blood test that evaluates changes in <a href="https://qz.com/1529763/alzheimers-could-be-predicted-with-a-blood-test-before-symptoms-start/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="https://qz.com/1529763/alzheimers-could-be-predicted-with-a-blood-test-before-symptoms-start/">neurofilament light chain protein</a> levels can detect early signs of brain changes from Alzheimer’s before symptoms occur. The study was published in the January 21, 2019 edition of <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-018-0304-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-018-0304-3">Nature Medicine</a>. 
Participants in the study were chosen from the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer’s Network which is comprised of people with a genetic mutation that guarantees they will develop Alzheimer’s early. The study also included family members who do not have the mutation.
<a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/blood-test-for-alzheimers/">To conduct the study, researchers took blood samples</a> from 243 people who had the mutation and 162 who did not. Blood samples were taken once every three years for six to nine years. They examined levels of a protein known as “neurofilament light chain” which gives structural support to brain cells.
<blockquote>High levels of this blood protein are known to indicate brain changes or damage, showing in the blood of people with Alzheimer’s.</blockquote>
Every participant had some level of neurofilament light chain <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/moving-closer-to-a-blood-test-for-dementia/">protein present in his or her blood</a> that increased over time.
However, people who were genetically at risk for Alzheimer’s accumulated more of the protein at a faster rate than those without the gene.
<h2>Using Blood Tests in a Clinical Setting</h2>
Brian Gorden, Ph.D., an author of the study and assistant professor of radiology at Washington University&#8217;s Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology says that &#8220;This is something that would be easy to incorporate into a screening test in a neurology clinic. We validated it in people with Alzheimer&#8217;s because we know their brains undergo lots of neurodegeneration, but this marker isn&#8217;t specific for Alzheimer&#8217;s. High levels could be a sign of many different neurological diseases and injuries.&#8221;
Researchers hope future studies will reveal how much <a href="https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-01/wuso-btd011719.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-01/wuso-btd011719.php">neurofilament light chain present indicates Alzheimer’s</a>. While a commercial test similar to the one used by study authors is available, it has not been approved by the FDA to diagnose or predict an individual’s risk of Alzheimer’s.
<blockquote>&#8220;I could see this being used in the clinic in a few years to identify signs of brain damage in individual patients,&#8221; Dr. Gordon states. “We’re not at the point we can tell people, &#8216;In five years you&#8217;ll have dementia.&#8217; We are all working towards that.&#8221;</blockquote>
Do you think a simple blood test will be able to predict Alzheimer&#8217;s in the next decade? Why or why not? We&#8217;d like to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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Blood Protein Changes Could Predict Alzheimer's Years Before Symptoms

As researchers press for a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, many are focusing on early detection and prevention. Early detection of Alzheimer’s can not only mitigate symptoms but potentially slow the progression of the disease as well. It can also help families prepare for a future with Alzheimer’s, outlining future caregiving plans. One new study utilizes a […]

There are approximately 50 million people living with dementia worldwide. There is no cure or treatment for the disease, but early diagnosis can help mitigate symptoms, expand options and allow for financial and legal planning. Many researchers are focusing their efforts on early diagnosis and prevention. <img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/How-a-Neck-Scan-Could-Identify-Dementia-Before-Symptoms-Occur-300x158.jpg" alt="How a Neck Scan Could Identify Dementia Before Symptoms Occur" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68296" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/How-a-Neck-Scan-Could-Identify-Dementia-Before-Symptoms-Occur-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/How-a-Neck-Scan-Could-Identify-Dementia-Before-Symptoms-Occur-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/How-a-Neck-Scan-Could-Identify-Dementia-Before-Symptoms-Occur.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> 
A recent study has found that an ultrasound of the neck may be able to predict a person’s risk of dementia <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/better-alzheimers-prevention-with-early-detection/">nearly a decade before symptoms occur</a>. Learn more about the study and why researchers believe this non-invasive neck scan may identify those at a higher risk of the disease.
<h2>How a Neck Ultrasound Could Identify Dementia</h2>
A study from the University College London (UCL), recently presented at the American Heart Association’s annual scientific conference, found that an ultrasound of the neck could <a href="https://www.thisisinsider.com/neck-test-dementia-risk-2018-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">identify dementia before symptoms occur</a>. The study included 3,191 participants between the ages of 58-74. All participants had a scan of their neck in 2002 and then had cognitive functions monitored for 14 years.
<blockquote>The scans detected and monitored a pulse, which showed that intense pulses could cause damage to small vessels in the brain, leading to minor bleeding – or, mini-strokes. These mini-strokes can build up over time and lead to dementia symptoms.</blockquote>
The study found that people who had more intense pulses were up to 50% more likely to <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/7-27-15-detecting-alzheimers-decades-early/">experience reduced cognitive functions</a> than other participants. The study did not go on to evaluate which participants went on to develop dementia.
<h2>Lifestyle Changes Seniors Can Make to Reduce Their Dementia Risk</h2>
Researchers are hopeful that by identifying people who have a <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2018/11/12/health/dementia-blood-vessels-study-scli-intl/index.html" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="https://edition.cnn.com/2018/11/12/health/dementia-blood-vessels-study-scli-intl/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">higher risk for dementia</a> early on, lifestyle changes can be made that can help lower that risk. People can then actively control their blood pressure and cholesterol, eat healthy, exercise and choose to not smoke. &#8220;Dementia is not an inevitable cause of aging,&#8221; says Scott Chiesa, a post-doctoral researcher at UCL.&#8221;How you live your life has a real impact on how quickly your condition can decline.&#8221;
This study provides more evidence of a brain and heart-health relationship. Carol Routledge, Director of Research at Alzheimer&#8217;s Research UK, notes, “What we do know is that the blood supply in the brain is incredibly important and that maintaining healthy blood pressure and a healthy heart is associated with <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/4-04-16-area-of-brain-where-alzheimers-begins/">a lower risk of developing dementia.</a>”
She continues, saying, “While these findings are interesting, as the full data from this research is yet to be published it is difficult to assess how useful this kind of scan could be.”
Have you, a parent or senior loved one been diagnosed with dementia? How did you identify dementia in yourself or a loved one? We&#8217;d like to hear your stories in the comments below.
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How a Neck Scan Could Identify Dementia Before Symptoms Occur

There are approximately 50 million people living with dementia worldwide. There is no cure or treatment for the disease, but early diagnosis can help mitigate symptoms, expand options and allow for financial and legal planning. Many researchers are focusing their efforts on early diagnosis and prevention. A recent study has found that an ultrasound of […]

Last Updated: March 6, 2019
A new study has concluded that behavioral therapy may be more effective in treating symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease than commonly prescribed antipsychotic medications.<img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/The-Effects-of-Behavioral-Therapy-on-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg" alt="The Effects of Behavioral Therapy on Alzheimer&#039;s" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68422" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/The-Effects-of-Behavioral-Therapy-on-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/The-Effects-of-Behavioral-Therapy-on-Alzheimers-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/The-Effects-of-Behavioral-Therapy-on-Alzheimers.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Learn more about the study, the benefits of behavioral therapy and the risks of antipsychotic medication for people with Alzheimer’s.
<h2>Antipsychotic Medication vs. Behavioral Therapy</h2>
As most Alzheimer’s caregivers know, the disease is more than just losing memory. <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/1-6-15-new-approaches-difficult-behaviors/">Aggressive behaviors, agitation and anxiety</a> are a few of the symptoms that affect many people with the disease. These symptoms are most commonly treated with antipsychotic drugs. In fact, according to a recent report from the Government Accountability Office, 33% of <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2015/03/05/390903112/for-dementia-patients-behavioral-therapy-helps-more-than-drugs" data-cke-saved-href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2015/03/05/390903112/for-dementia-patients-behavioral-therapy-helps-more-than-drugs">people with Alzheimer&#8217;s in nursing homes are prescribed antipsychotic medication</a>.
A new study published in the <a href="http://www.bmj.com/content/350/bmj.h369" data-cke-saved-href="http://www.bmj.com/content/350/bmj.h369">British Medical Journal</a> challenged the widespread use of antipsychotic medication for Alzheimer&#8217;s by concluding that antipsychotics are less effective than non-drug treatments when it comes to managing symptoms of the disease.
<blockquote>Researchers observed over 20 years of studies and concluded that Alzheimer’s symptoms were best managed when caregivers were properly trained on how to communicate with and engage the person living with the disease.</blockquote>
While acknowledging that medication can be necessary for emergency situations, they found that antipsychotics were about half as effective as behavioral therapy techniques and that their use can have deadly side effects that increase over time.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agrees and has issued a warning cautioning that antipsychotics can increase the risk of mortality for people with Alzheimer’s.
<h2>Long-Term Use of Antipsychotics: More Common in People With Alzheimer&#8217;s</h2>
Recently, another study from the University of Eastern Finland has added to the growing body of evidence suggesting that <a href="http://www.scienceworldreport.com/articles/31288/20151014/alzheimers-disease-antipsychotic-treatment-more-harm-good-new-study-reveals.htm" data-cke-saved-href="http://www.scienceworldreport.com/articles/31288/20151014/alzheimers-disease-antipsychotic-treatment-more-harm-good-new-study-reveals.htm">antipsychotic medication may be harmful to people with Alzheimer&#8217;s</a>.
According to the Finnish Current Care Guidelines, use of antipsychotic medication for people with Alzheimer’s should be a short-term treatment option only for those with severe aggression, agitation or psychotic symptoms. Researchers found that <a href="http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-10/uoef-aif101415.php" data-cke-saved-href="http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-10/uoef-aif101415.php">antipsychotic drugs were being used 2-3 years prior to an Alzheimer&#8217;s diagnosis</a> and were most commonly prescribed six months following an official diagnosis.
<blockquote>The study&#8217;s results were published in the <a href="http://bjp.rcpsych.org/content/207/5/444" data-cke-saved-href="http://bjp.rcpsych.org/content/207/5/444">British Journal of Psychiatry</a> and concluded that 1/3 of people with Alzheimer’s were using antipsychotics, a rate five times higher than the control group, who did not have the disease. Researchers evaluated over 7,200 people with Alzheimer&#8217;s using antipsychotics and found that 57% of the participants were using the drugs long-term, for over a year.</blockquote>
The researchers also note that the risk of using antipsychotics could <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/understanding-the-challenging-behaviors-of-dementia/">do more harm than good in people with Alzheimer’s</a>.
Professor Sirpa Hartikainen cautions that “In Finland, the present incidence of antipsychotic use and the duration of antipsychotic treatment are not in line with the treatment guidelines. This is a cause of concern because the use of antipsychotics increases the risk of severe adverse incidents.”
<h2>Using Behavioral Therapy as a Long-Term Solution for Alzheimer’s Symptoms</h2>
Dr. Helen Kales, director of the <a href="http://www.programforpositiveaging.org/" data-cke-saved-href="http://www.programforpositiveaging.org/">University of Michigan’s Program for Positive Aging</a>, said of these study results:
“Why I think the caregiver interventions work is because they train caregivers to look for the triggers of the symptoms. When [caregivers] see the triggers of the symptoms, they train them to manage them… It’s inherently caregiver and patient-centered.”
She also spoke about the risk of mortality associated with antipsychotic drugs, stating that the risk is small over the short term but increases the longer the drug is used.
More research into the effects of behavioral therapy on Alzheimer&#8217;s is being carried out, specifically on <a href="https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/Care-and-cure-magazine/summer-18/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-cbt-dementia" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/Care-and-cure-magazine/summer-18/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-cbt-dementia">cognitive behavioral therapy</a> (CBT).
<blockquote>CBT is a talking therapy that helps people understand the often missing link between actions, feelings and thoughts, and then use that understanding to make positive changes in their life. Over time, it has become a popular way of helping people cope with mental health problems including anxiety and depression.</blockquote>
Dr. Josh Stott is a researcher from the University College London and is investigating whether this type of therapy could help people in the early stages of the disease, who often struggle with anxiety and depression.
He says that CBT would only be helpful for individuals who have <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/how-to-deal-with-aggression-and-dementia/">Alzheimer&#8217;s and anxiety or depression</a> and that it would be more helpful in the early stages of the disease when cognition is not as impaired.
While this study is still ongoing, researchers are hopeful that CBT will have positive outcomes for people with Alzheimer&#8217;s, helping them to better manage the symptoms that often accompany the disease.
Have you seen the positive effects of behavioral therapy on a loved one with Alzheimer’s? What was your experience like? We&#8217;d like to hear your stories in the comments below.
Related Articles:
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<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/how-to-deal-with-aggression-and-dementia/">How to Deal With Aggression and Dementia</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/1-6-15-new-approaches-difficult-behaviors">New Approaches for Dealing with Difficult Dementia Behaviors</a></li>
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The Effects of Behavioral Therapy on Alzheimer's

Last Updated: March 6, 2019 A new study has concluded that behavioral therapy may be more effective in treating symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease than commonly prescribed antipsychotic medications. Learn more about the study, the benefits of behavioral therapy and the risks of antipsychotic medication for people with Alzheimer’s. Antipsychotic Medication vs. Behavioral Therapy As most Alzheimer’s caregivers […]

Are you a caregiver for a parent or senior loved one with dementia? Have you noticed that your loved one exhibits various disease symptoms depending on the season? Recent research has found that the seasons do, in fact, have an influence on dementia symptoms.<img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/New-Study-Shows-That-Dementia-Symptoms-Worsen-in-the-Spring-300x158.jpg" alt="New Study Shows That Dementia Symptoms Worsen in the Spring" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68384" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/New-Study-Shows-That-Dementia-Symptoms-Worsen-in-the-Spring-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/New-Study-Shows-That-Dementia-Symptoms-Worsen-in-the-Spring-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/New-Study-Shows-That-Dementia-Symptoms-Worsen-in-the-Spring.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Learn more about the recent study and how dementia symptoms can worsen in the spring.
<h2>Dementia Symptoms Worsen in Certain Seasons</h2>
Experts have known that seasons can impact the brain for some time. Medical professionals have been aware that seasonal changes can result in a type of depression called <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/alzheimers-and-seasonal-affective-disorder/">seasonal affective disorder (SAD)</a>. Additionally, other mental disorders, like schizophrenia, are more likely to begin during the winter months. Recently, researchers aimed to find if there was a seasonal component to dementia as well.
<blockquote>What scientists discovered was that aging adults, both with and without dementia, were found to have worse cognitive skills in the spring and winter seasons, reports the study, published in <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1002647">PLOS Medicine</a>.</blockquote>
“We had previously discovered that the change in seasons causes large-scale alterations in the nucleus and function of brain cells in older individuals. We hypothesized that, if brain cell function was changing so much&#8230; it might also be affected by seasonal rhythms,” states the co-author of the study, Dr. Philip De Jager, professor of neurology at Columbia University.
<h2>Study Shows How Dementia Symptoms Worsen in the Spring</h2>
Researchers took a close look at the findings in other studies of aging adults in Canada, France and the United States. These studies included 3,353 participants, who researchers conducted neurological and psychological testing on.
The study findings showed that there was a strong <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/how-seasonal-sundowning-can-affect-alzheimers/">link between cognition and seasons</a>, including that:
<ul>
<li>Cognitive function was higher in the fall and summer months when compared with spring and winter</li>
<li>The chance of getting diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a condition that oftentimes precludes dementia, was 31% higher in the spring and winter months</li>
<li>There was nearly a 5-year difference in age-related decline in the spring and winter months</li>
</ul>
In conclusion, the studies indicate that there is a significant association between cognition and season of the year in aging adults —including those with dementia. Increasing the number of clinical resources for treating dementia in the spring and winter months may lend itself to improving the overall treatment of the disease in the future.
&#8220;There may be value in increasing dementia-related clinical resources in the early spring and winter when symptoms are likely to be more pronounced,&#8221; the <a href="https://www.chronobiology.com/the-seasonality-of-alzheimers-dementia-symptoms-worsen-in-winter/">study authors</a> explain.
Understanding that there is a scientific basis for the worsening of disease symptoms during the spring and winter seasons, may help caregivers to better prepare themselves for dementia symptoms and the overall needs of care recipients.
Are you a caregiver to a parent or senior loved one with dementia? Have you noticed dementia symptoms worsen in your loved one in the spring? We&#8217;d like to hear your stories in the comments below.
Related Articles:
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<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/alzheimers-and-seasonal-affective-disorder/">Alzheimer’s and Seasonal Affective Disorder</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/how-seasonal-sundowning-can-affect-alzheimers/">How Seasonal Sundowning Can Affect Seniors With Alzheimer’s</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/1-6-15-new-approaches-difficult-behaviors/">New Approaches for Dealing With Difficult Dementia Behaviors</a></li>
</ul>

New Study Shows That Dementia Symptoms Worsen in the Spring

Are you a caregiver for a parent or senior loved one with dementia? Have you noticed that your loved one exhibits various disease symptoms depending on the season? Recent research has found that the seasons do, in fact, have an influence on dementia symptoms. Learn more about the recent study and how dementia symptoms can […]

Last Updated: February 1, 2019
How diet affects Alzheimer’s disease has been proven time again. Now, a recent study conducted by Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences examines vitamin B and it&#8217;s role in slowing down the progression of the disease.<img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/How-Vitamin-B-Slows-Alzheimers-Progression-300x158.jpg" alt="How Vitamin B Slows Alzheimer’s Progression" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68359" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/How-Vitamin-B-Slows-Alzheimers-Progression-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/How-Vitamin-B-Slows-Alzheimers-Progression.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> 
Learn more about Vitamin B – found in foods like cereals, dairy and fish – and its impact on Alzheimer&#8217;s progression.
<h2>Can Vitamin B Slow Alzheimer&#8217;s Progression?</h2>
Vitamin B was once thought to be a single vitamin but we now know that it is actually <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/what-dementia-caregivers-should-know-about-vitamin-b12-and-folate/">a group of substances</a> that are not chemically related but are often found in the same foods.
This group of water-soluble vitamins plays an important role in cell metabolism and includes the vitamins:
<ul>
<li>Biotin</li>
<li>Cobalamins</li>
<li>Folic acid</li>
<li>Niacin</li>
<li>Pantothenic acid</li>
<li>Pyridoxine</li>
<li>Riboflavin</li>
<li>Thiamin</li>
</ul>
The main role of Vitamin B is to keep cells healthy and prevent anemia.
Recently, a study from <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23690582" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23690582">Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences</a> has found another benefit of vitamin B. The study included over 150 seniors who had mild cognitive impairment and were at high risk of developing Alzheimer’s or dementia. Some participants received a vitamin B supplement while others received a placebo pill. Researchers observed the amount of <a href="http://naturalsociety.com/upping-b-vitamins-slow-alzheimers-progression/" data-cke-saved-href="http://naturalsociety.com/upping-b-vitamins-slow-alzheimers-progression/">grey matter</a> in the brain over two years through MRI technology in both groups. Grey matter in the brain shrinks with the development of cognitive decline.
<blockquote>While both groups had grey matter shrink over the two-year span, those taking the vitamin B supplement had less grey matter shrinkage than the placebo group.</blockquote>
The study abstract concluded that the “results show that vitamin B supplementation can <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/superfoods-that-fight-alzheimers/">slow the atrophy of specific brain regions</a> that are a key component of the Alzheimer&#8217;s process and that are associated with cognitive decline.”
<h2>Ways to Include Vitamin B in Your Diet</h2>
New research points to two specific types of vitamin B that may play a role in slowing Alzheimer&#8217;s progression:
<ol>
<li>Vitamin B-3: An additional study found that <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320879.php" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320879.php">vitamin B-3</a>, also known as nicotinamide, reversed Alzheimer’s related memory loss in mice. The research team found that nicotinamide riboside (NR), a form of vitamin B-3, helped the brain to repair DNA, a function of the brain that is damaged by Alzheimer’s. Scientists added NR to water of mice that were genetically engineered to develop symptoms of Alzheimer’s. After three months, their brains and cognitive health were similar to the control mice.</li>
<li>Vitamin B-12: Another form of vitamin B that plays a role in cognitive health is <a href="https://www.verywellhealth.com/is-it-alzheimers-disease-or-vitamin-b12-deficiency-98738" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.verywellhealth.com/is-it-alzheimers-disease-or-vitamin-b12-deficiency-98738">vitamin B-12</a>. A deficiency in vitamin B-12 may mimic signs of Alzheimer’s like behavior changes, increased agitation and memory loss. Several studies have linked a vitamin B-12 deficiency with symptoms of Alzheimer’s and actual shrinkage of the brain.</li>
</ol>
Vitamin B is found in a variety of foods and not getting enough can have dangerous side effects.
You can try to <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/what-experts-say-are-the-best-supplements-for-your-brain/">incorporate more of these foods in your diet</a> to ensure you are getting the vitamin B you need to stay healthy (with the approval of a physician):
<ul>
<li>Beans</li>
<li>Dairy</li>
<li>Eggs</li>
<li>Fish</li>
<li>Leafy green vegetables</li>
<li>Meat</li>
<li>Peas</li>
<li>Poultry</li>
<li>Some bread and cereals also have added vitamin B</li>
</ul>
Has a B supplement helped to slow Alzheimer&#8217;s progression in your parent or senior loved one? What are your favorite foods to eat that are rich in vitamin B? We&#8217;d like to hear from you in the comments below.
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<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/what-dementia-caregivers-should-know-about-vitamin-b12-and-folate/">What Dementia Caregivers Should Know About Vitamin B12 and Folate</a></li>
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How Vitamin B Slows Alzheimer’s Progression

Last Updated: February 1, 2019 How diet affects Alzheimer’s disease has been proven time again. Now, a recent study conducted by Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences examines vitamin B and it’s role in slowing down the progression of the disease. Learn more about Vitamin B – found in foods like cereals, dairy and fish – […]

A recent report, published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, describes how caring for a person with dementia affects the caregiver, as well as the impact that supporting caregivers — through interventions like education and training — has on both caregivers and care recipients.<img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Study-Shows-the-Effectiveness-of-Supportive-Care-Approaches-for-Dementia-300x158.jpg" alt="Study Shows the Effectiveness of Supportive Care Approaches for Dementia" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68407" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Study-Shows-the-Effectiveness-of-Supportive-Care-Approaches-for-Dementia-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Study-Shows-the-Effectiveness-of-Supportive-Care-Approaches-for-Dementia-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Study-Shows-the-Effectiveness-of-Supportive-Care-Approaches-for-Dementia.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Read more about these supportive care approaches and the impact they have on dementia.
<h2>How Caregiving Affects Dementia Caregivers</h2>
According to a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15126224">study conducted by Schulz &amp; Martire</a>, over 50% of the care provided for people with dementia is done so by family members and friends. In fact, the <a href="https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures">Alzheimer’s Association</a> reports that unpaid caregivers provide 21-60 hours of care per week.
When it comes to the impact that caregiving has on caregivers, there are many variables, according to <a href="http://www.agingkingcounty.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/185/2016/09/FCSP_LiteratureReview.pdf">a 2009 study conducted by Montgomery and Kosloski</a>, including:
<ul>
<li>Coping skills</li>
<li>Cultural issues</li>
<li>Family relationships</li>
<li>Financial resources</li>
<li>Living arrangements</li>
</ul>
Although many aspects of caregiving are said to be positive, others can take an emotional and physical toll on caregivers. In fact, caring for a senior loved one with dementia has been found to be a heavier burden on caregivers than caring for people with other types of illnesses.
Dementia caregivers are found to have higher medical costs, visit health care providers more often and take more medicine than caregivers of those with other types of illnesses.
<h2>Supportive Care Approaches for Dementia</h2>
Of the multitude of interventions that have been studied to evaluate the impact on the needs of caregivers and people with dementia, 44 interventions were reported to have positive effects in randomized control trials according to <a href="https://aspe.hhs.gov/basic-report/research-supportive-approaches-family-and-other-caregivers">the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.</a>
Some of the most impactful interventions included these supportive care approaches:
<h3>1. Assessment and referral.</h3>
Assessment is an intervention that can be measured, which helps professionals discover the needs that can be addressed. Many caregivers have unmet needs for support such as:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/how-caregiver-education-days-could-help-families-address-alzheimers/">Caregiver education</a></li>
<li>Mental healthcare</li>
<li>Resource referrals</li>
</ul>
The referral aspect pertains to providing caregivers with resources — such as Adult Day Centers and support group meetings.
<h3>2. Counseling and support groups.</h3>
Individual and/or family group counseling is incorporated into many programs that address the needs of dementia caregivers who experience mental health challenges or relationship strain. Other types of support that were found to be effective include peer support groups — via either face to face or <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/internet-based-resources-and-support-for-dementia-caregivers/">online meetings</a>.
<h3>3. Dementia care coordination programs.</h3>
Care coordination involves the collaboration of various health care or community service advisors, working together to provide supportive care for those with dementia and their caregivers. It usually consists of a person who acts as the leader of the team, called the Care Manager. Dementia care coordination programs have a goal of improving the quality of care for the person with dementia. They also provide <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/balance-life-as-an-alzheimers-caregiver/">help for caregivers</a> in managing the complex maze of medical and social support that is available. Several dementia care coordination models exist, including:
<ul>
<li>Aging Brain Care Medical Home</li>
<li>Alzheimer&#8217;s Disease Coordinated Care for San Diego Seniors</li>
<li>Healthy Together Care Partnership</li>
<li>MIND at Home</li>
<li>Partners in Dementia Care</li>
</ul>
<h3>4. Education and skills training.</h3>
Not only do caregivers need to understand the basic educational information about caregiving and dementia, but they also need to be taught skills in <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/8-11-14-lessons-from-alzheimers-caregivers/">caregiving tasks</a> and managing behavioral symptoms — commonly occurring in people with dementia. Another skill caregivers need to learn is how to address the ever-changing symptoms over the course of the disease. Education and training can be provided by health care providers, psychologists or social workers and it can also be provided via online videos, or as part of a multicomponent intervention program. The most effective educational programs were found to be those that provide an opportunity for activities such a discussion and role-play.
<h3>5. Respite care.</h3>
<a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/guide-to-finding-the-right-memory-care-community/">Respite care</a> may be the single most effective supportive care intervention for caregivers. Respite care involves providing relief for caregivers either in the home or via facilities such as Adult Day Centers. Basically, respite care involves a family member or paid professional who takes over for a few hours or longer, to allow the caregiver some much needed time for self-care. Adult Day Centers provide services for people with dementia, such as meals and planned activities during the daytime hours. In-home respite care might be provided by a friend or a professional companion service. The goal of in-home care is to provide personal care with ADL’s (activities of daily living). Without respite care, caregivers may find it very challenging to find the time to implement other interventions, such as counseling, educational programs and more.
It’s important to note that regardless of what the medical studies show, not all caregivers can be expected to benefit equally from interventions.
<blockquote>As the number of caregivers increases, so too does the importance of understanding how to meet their needs for education, respite care, skills training and support — by connecting caregivers with the right resources.</blockquote>
Which supportive care approach for dementia would you find most helpful as a caregiver? We&#8217;d like to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/internet-based-resources-and-support-for-dementia-caregivers/">Internet-Based Resources and Support for Dementia Caregivers</a></li>
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Study Shows the Effectiveness of Supportive Care Approaches for Dementia

A recent report, published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, describes how caring for a person with dementia affects the caregiver, as well as the impact that supporting caregivers — through interventions like education and training — has on both caregivers and care recipients. Read more about these supportive care approaches and […]

A new study published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.rsna.org/doi/10.1148/radiol.2018180958" data-cke-saved-href="https://pubs.rsna.org/doi/10.1148/radiol.2018180958">Radiology</a> demonstrates how artificial intelligence (AI) can improve brain imaging to predict the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. The study found that using AI may help doctors detect Alzheimer’s six years before a medical diagnosis is made – opening the door for more lifestyle changes, preparation and treatment methods. <img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/How-AI-Could-Detect-Alzheimers-Years-Before-Medical-Diagnosis-300x158.jpg" alt="How AI Could Detect Alzheimer&#039;s Years Before Medical Diagnosis" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68297" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/How-AI-Could-Detect-Alzheimers-Years-Before-Medical-Diagnosis-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/How-AI-Could-Detect-Alzheimers-Years-Before-Medical-Diagnosis-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/How-AI-Could-Detect-Alzheimers-Years-Before-Medical-Diagnosis.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Learn more about how AI can help medical professionals detect Alzheimer&#8217;s.
<h2>Researchers Focus on an Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s</h2>
When it comes to diagnosing Alzheimer’s, earlier is better. With more interventions available in the early stages of the disease, an early diagnosis means more time to prepare financially, legally and personally, as well as more time for treatment. However, it is very hard to diagnose the disease early.
As more research is done, <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/new-diagnostic-and-treatment-options-for-alzheimers/">new ways to diagnose Alzheimer’s and related forms of dementia</a> continue to be tested. From blood tests to brain imaging, researchers are on the hunt for the most affordable and least invasive way to diagnose the disease – preferably before symptoms begin.
Jae Ho Sohn, M.D., from the Biomedical Imaging and Radiology Department at the University of California in San Francisco and co-author of the study, explains, &#8220;People are good at finding specific biomarkers of disease, but metabolic changes represent a more global and subtle process.”
He also notes the importance of early intervention:
<blockquote>“If we diagnose Alzheimer&#8217;s when all the symptoms have manifested, the brain volume loss is so significant that it&#8217;s too late to intervene. If we can <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/scientists-work-towards-better-cheaper-alzheimers-test/">detect it earlier</a>, that&#8217;s an opportunity for investigators to potentially find better ways to slow down&#8230; the disease process.&#8221;</blockquote>
<h2>What AI Can Do to Help Researchers Predict Alzheimer&#8217;s</h2>
<a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/robots-could-help-people-with-dementia/">Researchers have recently developed an algorithm</a> to find changes in brain metabolism that can be predictive of Alzheimer’s. The researchers used a deep learning algorithm, one that acts like a human brain and learns by example. They trained the deep learning algorithm on a special type of imaging called &#8220;FDG-PET&#8221; that shows metabolic activity.
Using data from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) that includes more than 2,000 FDG-PET brain scans from over 1,000 people, researchers found that the algorithm was able to teach itself the metabolic patterns that predicted Alzheimer’s.
Using that information, researchers then used 40 additional imaging exams from different people that the algorithm had never seen before. The algorithm was 100% accurate at detecting the disease an average of six years before an Alzheimer’s diagnosis was made.
Dr. Sohn says, “We were very pleased with the algorithm&#8217;s performance. It was able to predict every single case that advanced to Alzheimer&#8217;s disease.”
<blockquote>He is hopeful about the implications of the study, saying, “If FDG-PET with AI can predict Alzheimer&#8217;s disease this early, beta-amyloid plaque and tau protein PET imaging can possibly add another dimension of important predictive power.”</blockquote>
Do you think there is an advantage to using AI to detect Alzheimer&#8217;s? We&#8217;d like to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Related Articles:
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<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/robots-could-help-people-with-dementia/">How Robots Could Help People With Dementia</a></li>
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</ul>

How AI Could Detect Alzheimer's Years Before a Medical Diagnosis

How AI Could Detect Alzheimer's Years Before Medical Diagnosis

A new study published in the journal Radiology demonstrates how artificial intelligence (AI) can improve brain imaging to predict the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. The study found that using AI may help doctors detect Alzheimer’s six years before a medical diagnosis is made – opening the door for more lifestyle changes, preparation and treatment methods. […]

New research has found a positive association between air pollution and dementia, supporting the findings of previous studies. The latest research study used data from the Clinical Practice Research Database to compare dementia diagnoses by zip code, finding that those in higher polluted areas were more likely to eventually develop the disease.<img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Air-Pollution-and-Dementia-Study-Shows-More-Evidence-of-Link-Between-the-Two-300x158.jpg" alt="Air Pollution and Dementia: Study Shows More Evidence of Link Between the Two" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68029" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Air-Pollution-and-Dementia-Study-Shows-More-Evidence-of-Link-Between-the-Two-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Air-Pollution-and-Dementia-Study-Shows-More-Evidence-of-Link-Between-the-Two-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Air-Pollution-and-Dementia-Study-Shows-More-Evidence-of-Link-Between-the-Two.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> 
Learn more about the study and the insight it gives us into the relationship between air pollution and dementia.
<h2>Air Pollution and Dementia</h2>
A new study from the United Kingdom has found that <a href="https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/902715#vp_2" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/902715#vp_2">high levels of air pollution are associated with an increased risk of dementia</a>. Most studies evaluating the long-term effects of air pollution are focused on cardiovascular health, however, more recently, studies are finding associations between pollution and dementia. This study, published online in <a href="https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/8/9/e022404" data-cke-saved-href="https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/8/9/e022404">BMJ Open</a>, is the first of its kind from the U.K.
Researchers used data from the Clinical Practice Research Database (CPRD). The CPRD is a large primary care database that collects anonymous patient data and has been doing so since 1987. Using data from 130,978 adults between the ages of 50-79 with no recorded history of dementia, researchers linked air pollution measures with the anonymous data using the residential postcode. Adjustments were made for age, body mass index, ethnicity, sex and smoking.
<blockquote>Lead author of the study, Iain Carey, M.D., summarized the findings, saying, “We found that older patients across London who were living in areas with higher air pollution were more likely to be diagnosed with dementia in subsequent years.”</blockquote>
Researchers were able to relate the type of <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/11-07-16-alzheimers-linked-to-air-pollution/">air pollution to the risk of dementia</a>, finding that there was a positive exposure-response relationship between dementia risk and all measures of pollution, except for one. Taking the data further, researchers attempted to quantify how much air pollution can raise the risk of dementia. To do this, they assumed what would happen if all patients in the study have been exposed at the levels associated with the bottom 20%, finding the difference to be 7%.
Dr. Carey explains, “We calculated how much of the dementia was attributable to pollution (NO2), by assuming what would happen if all patients in the study had instead been estimated to have been exposed at the levels associated with the bottom 20%. The difference between this theoretical scenario and what we observed gave us an attributable risk of 7%.&#8221;
<h2>Minimizing Air Pollution for Better Brain Health</h2>
He cautioned “Since this is an observational study, it only tells us there may be a possible link between air pollution and dementia. There may be many factors involved, only some of which we were able to account for. We also have to consider our limitations, such as uncertainty around personal exposure, where we assume that traffic pollution levels at somebody&#8217;s address can adequately represent their long-term exposure,&#8221; he added. &#8220;There are also valid concerns about the under-diagnosing of dementia on electronic patient records.&#8221;
While study authors acknowledge that their findings only show a correlation and not causation, they do say that these, “findings are another reason to <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/what-the-experts-do-to-promote-brain-health/">minimize exposure to air pollution</a>.”
<blockquote>To minimize exposure to air pollution, try to avoid traveling during rush hour, refrain from burning candles and <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/preventing-dementia-through-lifestyle-choices/">have good ventilation</a> when cleaning and cooking.</blockquote>
Have you seen the impact of air pollution on brain health? Share your thoughts on the possible correlation between air pollution and dementia with us in the comments below.
Related Articles:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/11-07-16-alzheimers-linked-to-air-pollution/">Alzheimer’s Linked to Toxic Air Pollution</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/preventing-dementia-through-lifestyle-choices/">Preventing Dementia Through Lifestyle Choices</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/what-the-experts-do-to-promote-brain-health/">What the Experts Do to Promote Brain Health</a></li>
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Air Pollution and Dementia: Study Shows More Evidence of Link Between the Two

New research has found a positive association between air pollution and dementia, supporting the findings of previous studies. The latest research study used data from the Clinical Practice Research Database to compare dementia diagnoses by zip code, finding that those in higher polluted areas were more likely to eventually develop the disease. Learn more about the […]

As part of the &#8220;National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease,&#8221; the National Institute on Aging (NIA) is taking steps towards a comprehensive, unified national strategy to fight Alzheimer’s in the United States. One of the main goals of the plan is to expand research efforts, specifically clinical trials.<img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/NIA-Releases-National-Strategy-for-Participation-in-Alzheimers-Clinical-Trials-300x158.jpg" alt="NIA Releases National Strategy for Participation in Alzheimer&#039;s Clinical Trials" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68385" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/NIA-Releases-National-Strategy-for-Participation-in-Alzheimers-Clinical-Trials-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/NIA-Releases-National-Strategy-for-Participation-in-Alzheimers-Clinical-Trials-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/NIA-Releases-National-Strategy-for-Participation-in-Alzheimers-Clinical-Trials.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> 
The newly released strategy aims at diversifying and increasing participation in clinical trials. Read more about the national plan and how it will guide future Alzheimer’s clinical trials and <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2013-09-25/alzheimers-research-funding/">research efforts</a>.
<h2>NIA&#8217;s National Strategy to Fight Alzheimer’s and Increase Alzheimer&#8217;s Clinical Trials Participation</h2>
The NIA has been working for more than two years to gather practical and productive approaches to help Alzheimer&#8217;s clinical trials attract a higher number and more diverse participants.
The recently released, “<a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2018-10/alzheimers-disease-recruitment-strategy-final.pdf" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2018-10/alzheimers-disease-recruitment-strategy-final.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer">National Strategy for Recruitment and Participation in Alzheimer’s Clinical Research</a>” was a collaborative effort between multiple institutions, including the <a href="https://www.alz.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Alzheimer&#8217;s Association</a>, the <a href="https://globalalzplatform.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Global Alzheimer&#8217;s Platform (GAP) Foundation</a>, the NIA and study participants.
The overall strategy focuses on four themes:
<ol>
<li>Build and improve capacity and infrastructure at the study site level.</li>
<li>Develop an applied science of recruitment.</li>
<li>Engage local communities and support participants in Alzheimer&#8217;s clinical trials.</li>
<li>Increase awareness and engagement at a broad, national level.</li>
</ol>
The Director of the NIA, Dr. Richard J. Hodes, summarizes the strategy, saying:
“What’s needed, they conclude, is concerted national action to create awareness and to <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/ways-to-find-alzheimers-clinical-trials/">support [Alzheimer&#8217;s clinical trials] study participation</a>. The National Strategy offered here outlines concrete steps that each of us&#8230; can take to effect change. Some measures can be taken by individuals and organizations on their own and others through collaboration and coordination. This will require attention by both the public and private sectors.”
<blockquote>An integral part of developing the National Strategy, the GAP Foundation is focused on developing innovative strategies to better connect study participants to its network of Alzheimer’s research centers.</blockquote>
GAP Foundation President, John Dwyer, remarks,
“I would like to thank the National Institute on Aging for its thoughtful work on the national strategy. <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/how-to-contribute-to-alzheimers-research/">More effective recruitment</a> means faster trials and getting approved therapies to market years sooner. The GAP Foundation is pleased to join in this effort by building a better research infrastructure through GAP-NET, its network of leading academic and private research centers; forging partnerships with healthcare professionals to increase the participation of African Americans and Latinos; and breaking down barriers to faster, more efficient Alzheimer&#8217;s clinical trials.”
Do you think a cure for the disease will be found in Alzheimer&#8217;s clinical trials? Have you or a loved one participated in a clinical trial? We&#8217;d like to hear your stories and thoughts in the comments below.
Related Articles:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/personalized-treatments-could-be-the-key-to-alzheimers/">How Personalized Treatments Could Be the Key to Alzheimer’s</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/how-to-contribute-to-alzheimers-research/">How to Contribute to Alzheimer’s Research</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/ways-to-find-alzheimers-clinical-trials/">3 Ways to Find Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials</a></li>
</ul>

NIA Releases National Strategy for Alzheimer's Clinical Trials Participation

NIA Releases National Strategy for Participation in Alzheimer's Clinical Trials

As part of the “National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease,” the National Institute on Aging (NIA) is taking steps towards a comprehensive, unified national strategy to fight Alzheimer’s in the United States. One of the main goals of the plan is to expand research efforts, specifically clinical trials. The newly released strategy aims at diversifying and […]

The United States Congress has voted to approve a $425 million increase for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia research funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2019. <img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/U.S.-Congress-Approves-425-Million-Increase-for-Alzheimers-Research-300x158.jpg" alt="U.S. Congress Approves $425 Million Increase for Alzheimer’s Research" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68468" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/U.S.-Congress-Approves-425-Million-Increase-for-Alzheimers-Research-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/U.S.-Congress-Approves-425-Million-Increase-for-Alzheimers-Research-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/U.S.-Congress-Approves-425-Million-Increase-for-Alzheimers-Research.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> 
Learn more about the vote and how additional funding will impact Alzheimer&#8217;s.
<h2>U.S. Congress Approves $425 Million for Alzheimer’s Research</h2>
Both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate has passed a $425 million increase for Alzheimer’s research funding at the NIH in 2019, making the total annual budget $2.3 billion for the 2019 fiscal year.
This is the fourth consecutive year that the United States Congress has voted to <a href="https://www.alz.org/news/2018/$425_million_increase_in_alzheimer_s_research_fund" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.alz.org/news/2018/$425_million_increase_in_alzheimer_s_research_fund">increase Alzheimer’s funding</a>.
Harry John, CEO and President of the Alzheimer’s Association and Alzheimer’s Impact Movement said the action by the U.S. House and Senate, “reflect the broad, bipartisan commitment to decisively address one of our nation’s highest-impact public health issues through research.”
<blockquote>Furthermore, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America President and CEO, Charles J. Fuschilo Jr., expressed his gratitude for the vote and to government officials for, “recognizing the importance of <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/research-spending-vs-annual-care-costs/">putting Alzheimer’s front and center</a> and doing so at an unprecedented level.”</blockquote>
He continues, “The National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease calls for a cure or disease-modifying treatment by 2025 and this funding gets us on a viable path toward putting this goal within the realm of possibility. Maintaining the status quo when it comes to Alzheimer’s is not an option.”
This monumental funding increase marks the largest ever funding boost for Alzheimer’s and dementia research, more closely aligning the federal budget with the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s. What do you think about the funding increase? We&#8217;d like to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Related Articles:
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<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/11-30-2015-alzheimers-awareness-affects-families-finances/">Alzheimer’s Awareness Affects Families and Finances</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/research-spending-vs-annual-care-costs/">Alzheimer’s Research Spending vs. Annual Care Costs</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2013-09-25/alzheimers-research-funding/">The Urgent Need for Alzheimer’s Research Funding</a></li>
</ul>

U.S. Congress Approves $425 Million Increase for Alzheimer’s Research

The United States Congress has voted to approve a $425 million increase for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia research funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2019. Learn more about the vote and how additional funding will impact Alzheimer’s. U.S. Congress Approves $425 Million for Alzheimer’s Research Both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate […]

A study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the first of its kind to forecast the effects of Alzheimer’s disease by ethnicity and race. The report found that the burden of Alzheimer’s and related forms of dementia will double by 2060, with minority populations having the largest increase due to population growth. <img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/CDC-Reports-That-Alzheimers-Cases-Will-Double-by-2060-300x158.jpg" alt="CDC Reports That Alzheimer’s Cases Will Double by 2060" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68222" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/CDC-Reports-That-Alzheimers-Cases-Will-Double-by-2060-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/CDC-Reports-That-Alzheimers-Cases-Will-Double-by-2060-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/CDC-Reports-That-Alzheimers-Cases-Will-Double-by-2060.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Take a closer look at the <a href="https://secure.jbs.elsevierhealth.com/action/getSharedSiteSession?redirect=https://www.alzheimersanddementia.com/article/S1552-5260(18)33252-7/fulltext&amp;rc=0" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="https://secure.jbs.elsevierhealth.com/action/getSharedSiteSession?redirect=https://www.alzheimersanddementia.com/article/S1552-5260(18)33252-7/fulltext&amp;rc=0" rel="noopener noreferrer">CDC&#8217;s projections for Alzheimer&#8217;s cases in the U.S.</a> and how they demand more support for caregivers by 2060.
<h2>Alzheimer&#8217;s Cases Will Double by 2060, CDC Says</h2>
In 2014, the burden of Alzheimer’s was five million people, accounting for 1.6% of the U.S. population.
<blockquote>The CDC estimates that in 2060, <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/alzheimers-is-on-the-rise-in-these-states/">Alzheimer&#8217;s cases will double</a>, with the burden being 13.9 million people – almost 3.3% of the population.</blockquote>
CDC Director, Robert R. Redfield, M.D., states, “This study shows that as the U.S. population increases, the number of people affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementias will rise, especially among minority populations. Early diagnosis is key to helping people and their families cope with loss of memory, navigate the health care system and plan for care in their future.”
Because of population size, the CDC predicts that these populations will account for the <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/the-forecast-of-alzheimers-by-state/">largest increase in Alzheimer&#8217;s cases</a>:
<ul>
<li>African Americans (13.8%)</li>
<li>Hispanic Americans (12.2%)</li>
<li>Non-Hispanic Whites (10.3%)</li>
<li>American Indian and Alaska Natives (9.1%)</li>
<li>Asian and Pacific Islanders (8.4%)</li>
</ul>
<h2>The Focus on More Support for Alzheimer&#8217;s Caregivers</h2>
Because <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/better-alzheimers-prevention-with-early-detection/">an early diagnosis</a> can have a huge impact on the care of a loved one with Alzheimer&#8217;s, the report calls for more support for disease caregivers.
Health geographer and lead author of the study with the CDC’s Division of Population Health within the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Kevin Matthews, Ph.D., says:
<blockquote>“It is important for people who think their daily lives are impacted by memory loss to discuss these concerns with a health care provider. An early assessment and diagnosis is key to planning for their health care needs, including long-term services and supports, as the disease progresses.”</blockquote>
The CDC plans to continue to work to <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/balance-life-as-an-alzheimers-caregiver/">improve the lives of people with the disease and their caregivers</a> by:
<ol>
<li>Collecting and summarizing data on cognitive decline.</li>
<li>Promoting awareness of Alzheimer’s, especially the importance of an early diagnosis.</li>
<li>Working with other partners to better train healthcare workers on disease care, across cultural and racial lines.</li>
</ol>
Have you seen a rise in Alzheimer&#8217;s cases in your community? How can the U.S. better care for caregivers? We’d like to hear your stories in the comments below.
Related Articles:
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<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/alzheimers-is-on-the-rise-in-these-states/">Alzheimer’s Is on the Rise in These States</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/better-alzheimers-prevention-with-early-detection/">Better Alzheimer’s Prevention With Early Detection</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/the-forecast-of-alzheimers-by-state/">The Forecast of Alzheimer’s by State</a></li>
</ul>

CDC Reports That Alzheimer’s Cases Will Double by 2060

A study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the first of its kind to forecast the effects of Alzheimer’s disease by ethnicity and race. The report found that the burden of Alzheimer’s and related forms of dementia will double by 2060, with minority populations having the largest increase due to population […]

A new study from the <a href="https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/early/2018/08/26/jnnp-2018-318650" data-cke-saved-href="https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/early/2018/08/26/jnnp-2018-318650">Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry</a> has found that 1 out of every 2 women and 1 out of every 3 men will develop dementia, have Parkinson&#8217;s disease or experience a stroke during their lifetime.<img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Half-of-Women-Will-Develop-Dementia-Parkinsons-Disease-or-a-Stroke-Study-Says-300x158.jpg" alt="Half of Women Will Develop Dementia, Parkinson&#039;s Disease or a Stroke, Study Says" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68196" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Half-of-Women-Will-Develop-Dementia-Parkinsons-Disease-or-a-Stroke-Study-Says-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Half-of-Women-Will-Develop-Dementia-Parkinsons-Disease-or-a-Stroke-Study-Says-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Half-of-Women-Will-Develop-Dementia-Parkinsons-Disease-or-a-Stroke-Study-Says.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> 
Learn more <a href="https://www.neurologyadvisor.com/general-neurology/half-of-women-to-develop-stroke-dementia-or-parkinsonism/article/810123/">about the study</a> and the lifetime risk of these conditions.
<h2>Women Twice As Likely to Develop Dementia, Parkinson&#8217;s Disease or a Stroke, Study Says</h2>
The University Medical Center Rotterdam in the Netherlands conducted a study over 26 years, which involved 12,102 <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/womens-lifetime-risk-for-developing-dementia-is-higher-than-mens/">female and male participants</a>. Researchers state that the study participants were less than 45 years old and did not have dementia or Parkinson’s disease, nor had experienced a stroke when the study began.
Throughout the study:
<ul>
<li>1,489 participants were diagnosed with dementia</li>
<li>1,285 had a stroke</li>
<li>263 were diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>When compared with the male participants in the study, <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/a-greater-focus-on-gender-in-alzheimers/">women were nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed</a> with both dementia and a stroke in their lifetime.</blockquote>
Researchers were unable to conclude why <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/8-12-15-why-is-alzheimers-more-likely-in-women/">women had an increased risk for developing the conditions</a>, but study authors maintain that “Preventative strategies that delay the disease onset by one to three years could theoretically reduce the lifetime risk of developing any of these diseases by 20-30%.”
Why do you think these conditions are more prevalent in women than men? We&#8217;d like to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Related Articles:
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<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/a-greater-focus-on-gender-in-alzheimers/">A Greater Focus on Gender in Alzheimer’s Research</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/8-12-15-why-is-alzheimers-more-likely-in-women/">Why Is Alzheimer’s More Likely in Women?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/womens-lifetime-risk-for-developing-dementia-is-higher-than-mens/">Women’s Lifetime Risk for Developing Dementia Is Higher Than Men’s</a></li>
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Half of Women Will Develop Dementia, Parkinson's Disease or a Stroke, Study Says

A new study from the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry has found that 1 out of every 2 women and 1 out of every 3 men will develop dementia, have Parkinson’s disease or experience a stroke during their lifetime. Learn more about the study and the lifetime risk of these conditions. Women Twice As […]

There are currently more than 5.5 million Americans living with dementia and that number is expected to triple by 2050. We may never know the full economic and physical effects that the disease has on our nation. However, a new Alzheimer&#8217;s Association and Shriver Report is giving us greater insight into developing dementia, including how burdensome it can be, especially for women.<img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Womens-Lifetime-Risk-for-Developing-Dementia-Is-Higher-Than-Mens-300x158.jpg" alt="Women’s Lifetime Risk for Developing Dementia Is Higher Than Men’s" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68467" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Womens-Lifetime-Risk-for-Developing-Dementia-Is-Higher-Than-Mens-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Womens-Lifetime-Risk-for-Developing-Dementia-Is-Higher-Than-Mens-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Womens-Lifetime-Risk-for-Developing-Dementia-Is-Higher-Than-Mens.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Learn more from the recent report which shows that a woman&#8217;s lifetime risk for developing dementia is higher than a man&#8217;s.
<h2>A Woman&#8217;s Lifetime Risk for Developing Dementia</h2>
A new report from the <a href="http://www.alz.org/news_and_events_women_in_their_60s.asp" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="http://www.alz.org/news_and_events_women_in_their_60s.asp" rel="noopener noreferrer">Alzheimer’s Association</a> has found that women are at a higher risk of developing dementia than men. Angela Geiger, chief strategy officer for the Alzheimer’s Association, commented on the report saying,
“Through our role in the development of &#8220;The Shriver Report: A Woman’s Nation Takes on Alzheimer’s&#8221; in 2010, in conjunction with Maria Shriver, we know that women are the epicenter of dementia, representing a majority of both people with the disease and caregivers. Alzheimer’s Association Facts and Figures examines the impact of this unbalanced burden.”
The numbers are startling:
<ul>
<li> Out of the 5 million people living with dementia in the United States, 3.2 million are women</li>
<li>1 out of 6 women over the age of 60 will develop the disease compared to 1 out of 11 men</li>
<li>Women in their 60s are twice as likely to develop dementia than they are to develop breast cancer</li>
</ul>
The main reason that <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/a-greater-focus-on-gender-in-alzheimers/">women are more likely to develop dementia</a>, is simply that women live longer than men and that age is still the number one risk factor for developing the disease. From that perspective, we are all at risk. As Geiger says,
“Age is the greatest risk factor for dementia and America is aging. As a nation, we must band together to protect our greatest asset, our brains.”
<h2>Risk Factors for Women</h2>
<a href="https://www.alzdiscovery.org/cognitive-vitality/blog/how-does-alzheimers-affect-women-and-men-differently" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.alzdiscovery.org/cognitive-vitality/blog/how-does-alzheimers-affect-women-and-men-differently" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Society for Women’s Health Research Interdisciplinary Network</a> brought together a panel of experts to review what we know about the differences in dementia rates between genders. Because age is a leading cause of the disease and women live longer, longevity is thought to be a major factor in a woman’s dementia risk. However, longevity alone can not explain why 2/3 of people with the disease are women.
Other dementia risk factors specific to women include:
<ol>
<li>Decreased educational and occupational opportunities.</li>
<li>The dementia gene is thought to affect women differently than men.</li>
<li>Women are less likely to exercise than men.</li>
<li>Women are two times more likely to have depression than men.</li>
<li>Women have a higher caregiver burden than men, which could lead to a higher risk of cognitive impairment.</li>
<li>Women perform well on dementia diagnosis tests so that by the time the disease is caught, it is often progressed further than when detected in men.</li>
</ol>
<blockquote>Not only are women <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/gender-gaps-in-alzheimers-research/">facing the brunt of the disease</a>, but women are also bearing the burden of caregiving. There are 2.5 times as many women than men providing 24-hour care for a parent or senior loved one with dementia.</blockquote>
The burden is not just emotional. It is also financial:
<ul>
<li>60% of unpaid dementia caregivers are women.</li>
<li>20% of women exchanged their full-time job for a part-time job to act as a caregiver</li>
<li>18% of women took a leave of absence of work to provide caregiving</li>
<li>11% of women left work entirely</li>
<li>10% of women lost job benefits due to caregiving responsibilities</li>
</ul>
Given this information and knowing that dementia is still one of the most misunderstood and underreported diseases, we must take action. The Alzheimer’s Association has launched a national initiative that brings attention to the plight of women against the disease. Called “<a href="http://mybrain.alz.org/" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="http://mybrain.alz.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer">My Brain</a>,” the initiative strives to include one million women and serve as a resource for female caregivers and patients.
According to dementia experts, key areas that must be researched if we want to further understand the differences in <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/8-12-15-why-is-alzheimers-more-likely-in-women/">women developing dementia</a> include:
<ol>
<li>How and when the disease is detected and diagnosed in each gender.</li>
<li>How the dementia gene affects each gender.</li>
<li>Sex differences in how the brain ages and develops.</li>
<li>Sex differences in response to current dementia treatment methods.</li>
<li>The effects of factors that only affect one gender (i.e. pregnancy, menopause).</li>
<li>The impact of hormone therapy on brain function and dementia risk.</li>
<li>The influence of chronic illness on men and women.</li>
</ol>
Were you surprised to hear that more women are developing dementia than men? Why or why not? We&#8217;d like to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Related Articles:
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<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/a-greater-focus-on-gender-in-alzheimers/">A Greater Focus on Gender in Alzheimer’s Research</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/gender-gaps-in-alzheimers-research/">Gender Gaps in Alzheimer’s Research</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/8-12-15-why-is-alzheimers-more-likely-in-women/">Why Is Alzheimer’s More Likely in Women?</a></li>
</ul>

Women’s Lifetime Risk for Developing Dementia Is Higher Than Men’s

There are currently more than 5.5 million Americans living with dementia and that number is expected to triple by 2050. We may never know the full economic and physical effects that the disease has on our nation. However, a new Alzheimer’s Association and Shriver Report is giving us greater insight into developing dementia, including how […]

Last Updated: December 10, 2018
Vitamin D is essential for good health in aging adults and may play a role in the prevention of diabetes, hypertension and multiple sclerosis.<img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Link-Found-Between-Vitamin-D-Deficiency-and-Dementia-300x158.jpg" alt="Link Found Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Dementia" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68362" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Link-Found-Between-Vitamin-D-Deficiency-and-Dementia-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Link-Found-Between-Vitamin-D-Deficiency-and-Dementia-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Link-Found-Between-Vitamin-D-Deficiency-and-Dementia.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
A recent study has found that a vitamin D deficiency may also play a role in the <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/preventing-dementia-through-lifestyle-choices/">development of dementia</a>. Learn more about the link found between the deficiency and the disease.
<h2>How Vitamin D Impacts Your Health</h2>
<a style="line-height: 1.6" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_D">Vitamin D</a> does not refer to a single essential nutrient but, a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secosteroids">group of </a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secosteroid">secosteroids</a>. This group is primarily responsible for helping intestines absorb calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphate and zinc. 
Vitamin D primarily acts as a hormone, synthesized in one place while affecting another.
An estimated 40-75% of all adults are vitamin D deficient. This may be because <a href="https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/are-you-getting-enough-vitamin-d#1">vitamin D is only naturally present in a few foods</a>. It can be absorbed through sunlight, but because of concerns about skin cancer, doctors recommend getting vitamin D through certain food and supplements.
<h2>The Connection Between Vitamin D and Dementia</h2>
An international research team conducted a study that observed over 1,600 seniors for six years. They found that those who were severely deficient in vitamin D were <a href="https://news.yahoo.com/lack-vitamin-d-linked-higher-dementia-risk-204030324.html">more than twice as likely to develop Alzheimer&#8217;s and dementia</a> than those who had adequate levels.
Participants who were only mildly deficient had an increased risk of 53%, while those who were severely deficient had a 125% increased risk of developing dementia.
Lead author David Llewellyn, of the University of Exeter Medical School, said:
<blockquote>&#8220;We expected to find an association between low vitamin D levels and the risk of dementia and Alzheimer&#8217;s disease, but the results were surprising — we actually found that the association was twice as strong as we anticipated.&#8221;</blockquote>
The study showed a strong link between dementia and vitamin D deficiency, but researchers are not yet ready to say that a vitamin D deficiency causes dementia. Clinical trials and further research are needed to establish whether adequate levels of the vitamin can <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/healthier-lifestyle-may-prevent-dementia/">prevent or treat the disease.</a>
<h2>Study Bolsters Evidence of Link Between Vitamin D and Dementia</h2>
A more recent study published in <a style="color: #0782c1" href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/2436596" data-cke-saved-href="http://archneur.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2436596">JAMA Neurology</a> adds to the growing body of evidence linking low vitamin D levels to cognitive decline. The most recent study to demonstrate the importance of vitamin D to brain health involved 382 participants with an average age of 75.5 years. Some participants had dementia, others had mild cognitive decline and others were healthy.
Researchers took blood tests every year for five years to evaluate the vitamin D levels in each participant and found that participants who had been diagnosed with dementia had a lower vitamin D average than the other groups. Researchers also conducted cognitive tests that evaluated episodic memory, semantic memory, visual perception and executive function. Those tests showed that participants with <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/299435.php">lower levels of vitamin D demonstrated a greater decline</a> in both cognitive ability and episodic memory.
Authors of the study say that their findings demonstrate a link between vitamin D and cognitive decline:
<blockquote>&#8220;Vitamin D insufficiency was associated with significantly faster declines in both episodic memory and executive function performance, which may correspond to elevated risk for incident AD [Alzheimer&#8217;s disease] dementia.&#8221;</blockquote>
Researchers also note that the study does not prove how the two are related and that &#8220;it remains to be determined whether <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/what-experts-say-are-the-best-supplements-for-your-brain/">vitamin D supplementation</a> slows cognitive decline.&#8221;
<h2>Ways to Get More Vitamin D</h2>
It is recommended that adults under the age of 69 consume 600 IU/day and that adults over 70 increase their consumption to 800 IU/day.
Older adults require more vitamin D because they typically spend less time outside getting vitamin D from the sun and their skin does not produce vitamin D as efficiently as younger adults.
While the sun is one of the best sources of vitamin D, some doctors worry about skin cancer risks and recommend getting <a style="line-height: 1.6" href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/">vitamin D from these sources</a>:
<ul>
<li>Beef liver</li>
<li>Cod liver oil</li>
<li>Milk (fortified with vitamin D)</li>
<li>Orange juice (fortified with vitamin D)</li>
<li>Salmon</li>
<li>Sardines</li>
<li>Swordfish</li>
<li>Tuna</li>
<li>Yogurt (fortified with vitamin D)</li>
</ul>
Do you have a vitamin D deficiency? How do you consume enough vitamin D? Do you have any tips that you&#8217;d like to share with us? Let us know in the comments below.
Related Articles:
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<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/healthier-lifestyle-may-prevent-dementia/">Healthier Lifestyle May Prevent 1 in 3 Cases of Dementia</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/preventing-dementia-through-lifestyle-choices/">Preventing Dementia Through Lifestyle Choices</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/what-experts-say-are-the-best-supplements-for-your-brain/">What the Experts Say Are the Best Supplements for Your Brain</a></li>
</ul>

Link Found Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Dementia

Last Updated: December 10, 2018 Vitamin D is essential for good health in aging adults and may play a role in the prevention of diabetes, hypertension and multiple sclerosis. A recent study has found that a vitamin D deficiency may also play a role in the development of dementia. Learn more about the link found […]

Last Updated: November 7, 2018
Studies have shown a link between childhood post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease later in life. Until now, the studies have suggested a link between the two conditions, but a new study from the University Medical Center of Goettingen in Germany recently discovered a molecular link between the disease and PTSD.<img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Study-Shows-How-PTSD-Can-Lead-to-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg" alt="Study Shows How PTSD Can Lead to Alzheimer&#039;s" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68406" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Study-Shows-How-PTSD-Can-Lead-to-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Study-Shows-How-PTSD-Can-Lead-to-Alzheimers-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Study-Shows-How-PTSD-Can-Lead-to-Alzheimers.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Learn more about this study and how the condition can lead to Alzheimer’s later in life.
<h2>A Genetic Link Between Alzheimer’s and PTSD</h2>
The University Medical Center of Goettingen researchers hypothesized that various risk factors would eventually cause an aberrant activation of genes that ultimately contribute to Alzheimer’s. To test their hypothesis, scientists screened for animals that have <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318815.php" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318815.php">PTSD-like symptoms in early life and experienced memory impairment</a> later when exposed to other Alzheimer’s risk factors, like an increase of beta-amyloid.
<blockquote>It was through this screening that researchers identified the Formin 2 gene. Mutations of this gene have been linked to intellectual disability.</blockquote>
The research team then genetically modified mice to silence the Formin 2 gene and exposed those mice (and a control group) to fear-conditioning and gave the mice memory tests. In results published in <a href="http://emboj.embopress.org/content/early/2017/07/31/embj.201796821" data-cke-saved-href="http://emboj.embopress.org/content/early/2017/07/31/embj.201796821">The EMBO Journal</a>, they concluded that the genetically modified mice showed symptoms of PTSD and experienced “accelerated age-associated memory decline” over time. Additionally, the mice that had been exposed to amyloid pathology experienced an increase in deregulated genes as they aged, suggesting that the condition may lead to Alzheimer’s through “aberrant gene expression.”
<h2>New Hope for Alzheimer’s Treatment</h2>
Researchers also tested the effectiveness of Vorinostat – an <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3970420/" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3970420/">histone-deacetylases (HDAC) inhibitor</a> drug known to improve memory in mice – on the genetically mutated mice and a control group. Using a placebo, they found that the drug did significantly prevent cognitive decline in the genetically mutated mice.
<blockquote>Researchers hope that they can continue to test other genes and environmental factors linked to Alzheimer’s, like depression.</blockquote>
The authors of the study stated, “Our study now provides the first insight into these mechanisms and offers – via the use of HDAC inhibitors – therapeutic options that should help people with PTSD and AD.&#8221;
Have you seen a link between Alzheimer’s and PTSD in your life, a parent or senior loved one? Share your stories with us in the comments below. 
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Study Shows How PTSD Can Lead to Alzheimer's

Last Updated: November 7, 2018 Studies have shown a link between childhood post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease later in life. Until now, the studies have suggested a link between the two conditions, but a new study from the University Medical Center of Goettingen in Germany recently discovered a molecular link […]

“By the time I&#8217;m that age, I hope there&#8217;ll be a cure.” Most of us have heard someone say that in a conversation about Alzheimer&#8217;s disease, or we&#8217;ve said it ourselves.<img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/06/3-Ways-to-Find-Alzheimers-Clinical-Trials-300x158.jpg" alt="3 Ways to Find Alzheimer&#039;s Clinical Trials" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-67460" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/06/3-Ways-to-Find-Alzheimers-Clinical-Trials-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/06/3-Ways-to-Find-Alzheimers-Clinical-Trials-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/06/3-Ways-to-Find-Alzheimers-Clinical-Trials.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
We&#8217;re counting on researchers to untangle the causes and find more effective treatments, but right now many of those professionals are facing a serious roadblock. There&#8217;s a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/23/health/alzheimers-treatments-trials.html">shortage of people taking part in clinical trials for Alzheimer&#8217;s</a> research and according to the New York Times, it&#8217;s so bad it&#8217;s slowing down progress on new treatments.
<h2>How to Find Alzheimer&#8217;s Clinical Trials</h2>
Fortunately, technology has made it easier than ever to find clinical trials and <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/how-to-contribute-to-alzheimers-research/">participate in Alzheimer&#8217;s research</a>. Here are three comprehensive resources for finding trials by location, type of study and more.
<h3>1. Alzheimer&#8217;s Association: Trial Match</h3>
The Alzheimer&#8217;s Association keeps an up-to-date database of clinical trials that are open to new participants. Among the 250-plus studies are trials open to people who can make in-person visits and those who only need to take part online. Some, but not all, of the trials involve medications under study.
While some trials are seeking participants who have dementia, others need volunteers who are healthy or taking care of someone with Alzheimer&#8217;s.
<blockquote>To find trials you or a family member can participate in, call: 800-272-3900 or <a href="https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/research_progress/clinical-trials/about-clinical-trials">go to the Trial Match website</a>.</blockquote>
The Alzheimer&#8217;s Association will keep your information confidential and you&#8217;ll be asked a few questions to help Trial Match find suitable trials for you. You&#8217;ll get a list of options to choose from, but the decision to participate in any of the suggested trials is up to you. If you decide to volunteer for one of the trials on your customized list, you can use the contact information provided by the Alzheimer&#8217;s Association to get in touch and get started.
To see what options I&#8217;d find for myself, I took a few minutes to sign up. I was asked for my first name (the last name is optional), email address and zip code, a few <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/personalized-treatments-could-be-the-key-to-alzheimers/">health/family history</a> questions and veteran status. My results included five online study options and a handful of local-only trials. Trial Match allows you to bookmark the trials you&#8217;re interested in and then display only your bookmarked options if you prefer.
<h3>2. Global Alzheimer&#8217;s Platform (GAP) Foundation</h3>
Dozens of institutions across North America participate in the GAP Foundation, whose goal is to speed up the development of Alzheimer&#8217;s treatments. Medical centers and schools who are part of the GAP Foundation&#8217;s &#8220;Memory Strings&#8221; program include Baylor College of Medicine, the Cleveland Clinic, Howard University, Mayo Clinic Rochester, University of California Irvine&#8217;s Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders and Vanderbilt University.
The GAP Foundation&#8217;s Memory Strings Community is actively seeking more than 500,000 research volunteers to take part in studies and trials. To participate, you have to join <a href="https://memorystrings.org/">Memory Strings</a>, which is free and requires your birth year, name, email address and zip code.
If you have trouble, you can email Memory Strings at: <a href="mailto:info@memorystrings.org">info@memorystrings.org</a>.
<h3>3. National Institute on Aging: Clinical Trials Search</h3>
The NIA&#8217;s <a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/clinical-trials/search/*/3197/Texas,%20USA/20">searchable database includes clinical trials in North America for Alzheimer&#8217;s and other dementias</a>. You can search by what the trials are studying (such as cognitive training, diet, drugs, genetics and hormones), type of volunteer (including caregivers and health volunteers), by keyword and by location. You don&#8217;t have to share any personal information to see your search results.
If you&#8217;d rather browse the entire list of clinical trials and studies, just <a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/clinical-trials/search/*/*/*/*">click the &#8220;see all&#8221; link</a>. As of this writing, the NIA&#8217;s list includes 179 options, including several drug trials for early-stage dementia, non-drug therapies like light exposure and movement to treat dementia symptoms, and studies on the impact of other conditions like HIV and traumatic brain injury on the progress of dementia.
I got 14 local results when I searched for all trials near <a href="http://www.alzheimers.net/resources/texas/austin/">Austin, Texas</a>. Most were safety and efficacy trials for medications that researchers think might help people with early-stage dementia or mild cognitive impairment. A search for trials in the NIA&#8217;s “healthy volunteers” category returned 67 trials, mostly focused on cognitive training, diet, drugs and genetic risk factors. You can click on the links for contact information and details on each trial.
When you volunteer to take part in a trial, you&#8217;re not only helping scientists today, you&#8217;re helping the dementia patients of the future. Learn more about <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/new-diagnostic-and-treatment-options-for-alzheimers/">current treatments for Alzheimer&#8217;s</a> and how researchers are trying to <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/personalized-treatments-could-be-the-key-to-alzheimers/">personalize Alzheimer&#8217;s treatment plans</a>.
Have you, a parent or senior loved one participated in any Alzheimer&#8217;s clinical trials? What was your experience like? We&#8217;d like to hear your stories in the comments below.
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<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/how-to-contribute-to-alzheimers-research/">How to Contribute to Alzheimer’s Research</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/personalized-treatments-could-be-the-key-to-alzheimers/">How Personalized Treatments Could Be the Key to Alzheimer’s</a></li>
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3 Ways to Find Alzheimer's Clinical Trials

“By the time I’m that age, I hope there’ll be a cure.” Most of us have heard someone say that in a conversation about Alzheimer’s disease, or we’ve said it ourselves. We’re counting on researchers to untangle the causes and find more effective treatments, but right now many of those professionals are facing a serious […]

Last Updated: October 12, 2018
A study from the Journal of Clinical Investigation shows that a high blood pressure protein may prevent Alzheimer&#8217;s and cognitive decline by destroying beta-amyloid proteins that are highly associated with the disease. <img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/High-Blood-Pressure-Protein-May-Prevent-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg" alt="High Blood Pressure Protein May Prevent Alzheimer&#039;s" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68290" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/High-Blood-Pressure-Protein-May-Prevent-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/High-Blood-Pressure-Protein-May-Prevent-Alzheimers-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/High-Blood-Pressure-Protein-May-Prevent-Alzheimers.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Learn more about Alzheimer&#8217;s and its correlation to high blood pressure.
<h2>ACE – A High Blood Pressure Protein – and Alzheimer&#8217;s</h2>
ACE is an acronym for &#8220;angiotensin converting enzyme&#8221; and is a naturally occurring protein found in tissues throughout the body. ACE helps to control blood pressure by regulating the number of fluids in the body.
People with high blood pressure often take ACE inhibitors to treat congestive heart failure and hypertension. An <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/02/140203122541.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ACE inhibitor</a> will lower blood pressure by limiting ACE activity and widening blood vessels. While the high activity of the enzyme needs to be controlled for blood pressure, scientists now think that high amounts of ACE may prevent Alzheimer&#8217;s and cognitive decline.
A study from the <a href="http://www.jci.org/articles/view/66541?key=1d715a3c7a9b161c199c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Journal of Clinical Investigation</a> shows that ACE can induce an immune response in the brain and boost brain power in laboratory mice.
<blockquote>Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that by targeting certain immune blood cells, they could overproduce ACE which broke down beta-amyloid proteins associated with Alzheimer&#8217;s and slowed cognitive decline.</blockquote>
The results were so shocking that researcher Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui, PhD, assistant professor of neurosurgery in the <a href="https://www.cedars-sinai.edu/Research/Departments-and-Institutes/Biomedical-Sciences/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Department of Neurosurgery and the Department of Biomedical Sciences</a> at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center said:
&#8220;We were absolutely astonished by the lack of Alzheimer&#8217;s-associated pathology in the crossed mice at the age of 7 months and again at a 13-month follow-up. At first, we thought we had a genotyping error in identifying these mice as carriers of the aggressive familial Alzheimer&#8217;s mutations.&#8221;
Previous studies have shown that an increase of ACE elevates immunity against tumors and bacterial infections. Researchers say that while the future of <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/dementia-stages-symptoms-and-treatment-options/">Alzheimer&#8217;s treatment</a> could involve ACE overexpression, the most informative part of their study was proving the effectiveness of a combined approach that destroys beta-amyloid proteins, which are highly associated with the disease.
<h2>Studies Support Findings That Alzheimer&#8217;s and High Blood Pressure Medication Are Linked</h2>
To further support the findings, a new study from Brigham Young University (BYU) found that anti-hypertensive drugs can <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/7-22-15-lifestyle-changes-help-reduce-risk-of-dementia/">protect the brain from Alzheimer&#8217;s</a>.
Researchers analyzed the genetic data from over 17,000 people with Alzheimer&#8217;s and over 37,000 people without the disease. Their analysis found that there is a <a href="http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2015/06/26/Blood-pressure-medication-may-lower-Alzheimers-risk/3441435326100/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">correlation between high blood pressure and a decreased risk of Alzheimer&#8217;s</a>.
Researchers are careful to note that it is most likely not <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/higher-blood-pressure-increases-your-risk-for-dementia/">high blood pressure</a> leading to the protective benefits, but rather the anti-hypertensive drugs that people who have high blood pressure are exposed to.
<blockquote>Associate Professor of Biology at BYU and researcher, John Kauwe, said, &#8220;It&#8217;s likely that this protective effect is coming from anti-hypertensive drugs. These drugs are already FDA approved. We need to take a serious look at them for Alzheimer&#8217;s prevention.&#8221;</blockquote>
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A High Blood Pressure Protein May Prevent Alzheimer's

High Blood Pressure Protein May Prevent Alzheimer's

Last Updated: October 12, 2018 A study from the Journal of Clinical Investigation shows that a high blood pressure protein may prevent Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline by destroying beta-amyloid proteins that are highly associated with the disease. Learn more about Alzheimer’s and its correlation to high blood pressure. ACE – A High Blood Pressure Protein – […]

There has been some controversy over whether drinking alcohol has detrimental effects on brain health. Some studies indicate that drinking small amounts may be part of a brain-healthy diet, while other studies show that even small amounts of alcohol can increase the risk for Alzheimer’s disease. <img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Alcohol-and-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg" alt="Alcohol and Alzheimer&#039;s" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68032" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Alcohol-and-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Alcohol-and-Alzheimers-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Alcohol-and-Alzheimers.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
The latest <a href="https://jneuroinflammation.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12974-018-1184-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">alcohol and Alzheimer&#8217;s study</a> reveals that it may interrupt the body’s natural ability to clear amyloid plaques from the brain. Read more about the research and the link between alcohol and the disease.
<h2>Alcohol and Alzheimer&#8217;s</h2>
A hallmark symptom of Alzheimer&#8217;s, amyloid plaques accumulate in the brain and interfere with normal nerve cell transmission that affects how the brain stores memories.
The body has its own natural way of removing these amyloid plaques from the brain through the “glymphatic system” and cells called “activated microglial cells.” These structures perform a maneuver to remove the amyloid and dump it into the blood and lymphatic system <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/alzheimers-prevention-tools/">during sleep, in which two times the amount of amyloid is removed</a> compared to the waking hours.
Researchers at The University of Illinois at <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/resources/illinois/chicago/">Chicago</a> set out to examine alcohol and Alzheimer&#8217;s by studying the effects of consumption on these activated microglial cells. Microglial cells in the central nervous system act as the first line of defense against nerve cell damage or infections and scientists hypothesize that when a person ingests alcohol on a long-term basis, the microglial cells may become inflamed and cease to function.
To prove this theory, researchers exposed one group of rats to alcohol. The second group of rats was exposed to inflammatory cells called cytokines and a third group was exposed to alcohol and cytokines. After 24 hours, the researchers analyzed the cells to evaluate whether there was a change in their gene expression and whether the microglial cells could still engulf the unhealthy amyloid protein.
<blockquote>After analyzing the data, scientists discovered that the microglial cells that were exposed to alcohol had approximately 15% of their ability to engulf amyloid inhibited, after just one hour. The study&#8217;s findings were published in the <a href="https://jneuroinflammation.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12974-018-1184-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Journal of Neuroinflammation</a>.</blockquote>
<h2>The Link Between Alcohol and the Disease</h2>
<a href="https://chicago.medicine.uic.edu/departments/academic-departments/anesthesiology/research/research-division-organization/neurovascular-and-neuro-critical-care-research-laboratories/feinstein-laboratory/name/douglas-feinstein/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dr. Douglas Feinstein</a>, professor of anesthesiology at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine and lead study author, explained that the results of the study suggested that alcohol inhibits the ability of microglia to efficiently clear amyloid from the brain —which he believes may contribute to a higher risk for developing Alzheimer’s.
&#8220;There is a large literature supporting the idea that [even] <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/4-8-15-mind-diet-alzheimers-prevention/">low amounts of alcohol can be beneficial</a>; not only peripherally, but in the brain. However, it might be prudent that if someone is at risk to develop Alzheimer&#8217;s, they should consider reducing their intake and certainly avoid binge or heavy drinking,&#8221; said Feinstein.
<a href="https://www.newsweek.com/drinking-alcohol-could-disrupt-cells-help-prevent-alzheimers-study-959279" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dr. David Reynolds</a>, the chief scientific officer at Alzheimer’s Research UK, stated in an interview with Newsweek Magazine that “it is hard to determine what level of consumption begins to affect the long-term health of the brain, but &#8220;there is strong evidence that regular, heavy drinking increases the risk of dementia.&#8221;
The study has revealed some groundbreaking evidence about alcohol use and the risk of Alzheimer’s, but more studies are needed so that conclusive evidence about the effects of consumption on the brain can be gathered. <a href="https://www.alz.org/press/spokespeople/james_a_hendrix_ph_d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dr. James A. Hendrix</a>, the director of global science initiatives at the Alzheimer&#8217;s Association, commented that although the rat study results were interesting, the study involved &#8220;very preliminary work.”
<blockquote>&#8220;We&#8217;re still very far away from drawing any conclusions that would impact a person&#8217;s day-to-day life,&#8221; <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/drinking-alcohol-could-disrupt-cells-help-prevent-alzheimers-study-959279" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dr. Hendrix told Newsweek</a>, adding that &#8220;no one should start drinking as a means of lowering dementia risk.&#8221;</blockquote>
Have you, a parent or senior loved one seen the effects of alcohol and Alzheimer&#8217;s in your family? We&#8217;d like to hear your stories in the comments below.
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Alcohol and Alzheimer’s: New Study Shows Link Between Alcohol and the Disease

There has been some controversy over whether drinking alcohol has detrimental effects on brain health. Some studies indicate that drinking small amounts may be part of a brain-healthy diet, while other studies show that even small amounts of alcohol can increase the risk for Alzheimer’s disease. The latest alcohol and Alzheimer’s study reveals that it may interrupt […]

“Skinny fat,” also known as sarcopenic obesity, is a term for people who have a normal body mass index (BMI) but have a disproportionately high proportion of body fat. Mounting evidence suggests that being skinny fat could be just as damaging to your health as being obese or overweight.<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-67274" src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/06/Skinny-Fat-Body-Type-Linked-to-Dementia-300x158.jpg" alt="&quot;Skinny Fat&quot; Body Type Linked to Dementia" width="300" height="158" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/06/Skinny-Fat-Body-Type-Linked-to-Dementia-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/06/Skinny-Fat-Body-Type-Linked-to-Dementia-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/06/Skinny-Fat-Body-Type-Linked-to-Dementia.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> 
Learn more about the impact that body fat has on dementia and about the dangers of being skinny fat.
<h2>“Skinny Fat” Body Type Is Linked to Dementia and Other Risks</h2>
A recent study from Florida Atlantic University’s <a href="http://med.fau.edu/ccbh/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Comprehensive Center for Brain Health</a> found that sarcopenic obesity – also known as skinny fat – can lead to compromised brain function and even increase the risk of dementia. The study was published in <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5995418/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5995418/">Clinical Interventions in Aging</a>.
To further understand <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/healthier-lifestyle-may-prevent-dementia/">the relationship between brain health and body fat</a>, researchers used data from 353 participants to find a potential correlation between the two conditions. Testing for participants included animal naming, cognitive assessment, evaluation of BMI, body fat and muscle mass and functional tests of grip strength.
Researchers found that those participants with a high body fat and low muscle mass (i.e. skinny fat) displayed the lowest performance of cognition and overall health tests, followed by those who had only sarcopenia (low muscle tone) and then those who were obese.
<blockquote>While <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/if-youre-skinny-fat-you-might-be-at-increased-risk-of-dementia#2" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/if-youre-skinny-fat-you-might-be-at-increased-risk-of-dementia#2">obesity and sarcopenia</a> both had negative effects on memory, mental flexibility, orientation and self-control, it was when an individual had both conditions that the outcomes were more pronounced.</blockquote>
<h2>Ways to Protect Against Dementia and the Loss of Muscle Mass</h2>
Sarcopenia is the <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/10-07-15-midlife-weight-connected-to-alzheimers/">body’s natural loss of muscle mass</a> that occurs with age. Previous studies have linked sarcopenia to cognitive and motor impairments, also finding relationships between sarcopenia and a limited ability to resolve conflict. Researchers believe that while low muscle mass is the primary reason for the cognitive decline, obesity can worsen these effects.
“Understanding the mechanisms through which this syndrome may affect cognition is important, as it may inform efforts to prevent cognitive decline in later life by targeting at-risk groups with an imbalance between lean and fat mass,” said lead study author Dr. James Galvin, associate dean for clinical research and professor of integrated medical sciences at Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine.
<blockquote>“They may benefit from programs addressing loss of cognitive function by improving and maintaining strength and <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/calorie-restriction-diets-may-improve-risks-for-age-related-diseases/">preventing obesity</a>.”</blockquote>
While more studies need to be conducted to determine the exact <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/why-being-skinny-fat-could-be-just-dangerous-being-obese-1022856" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.newsweek.com/why-being-skinny-fat-could-be-just-dangerous-being-obese-1022856">relationship between low muscle mass and brain health</a>, some researchers believe that testing for sarcopenia may help medical professionals estimate the future risk of dementia in a patient.
Were you aware that the skinny fat body type has been linked to dementia? Would you undergo a test for sarcopenia to estimate your future risk? We&#8217;d like to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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"Skinny Fat" Body Type Linked to Dementia

“Skinny fat,” also known as sarcopenic obesity, is a term for people who have a normal body mass index (BMI) but have a disproportionately high proportion of body fat. Mounting evidence suggests that being skinny fat could be just as damaging to your health as being obese or overweight. Learn more about the impact that body […]

Last Updated: September 12, 2018
According to recent research, people who are obese or overweight at the age of 50 could be at an earlier, increased risk for Alzheimer&#8217;s disease.<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-67543" src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/midlife-weight-connected-to-an-earlier-risk-of-alzheimers-1024x538-1-300x217.png" alt="Midlife Weight Connected to an Earlier Risk of Alzheimer's" width="300" height="217" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/midlife-weight-connected-to-an-earlier-risk-of-alzheimers-1024x538-1-300x217.png 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/midlife-weight-connected-to-an-earlier-risk-of-alzheimers-1024x538-1.png 735w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> 
Learn more about the <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/calorie-restriction-diets-may-improve-risks-for-age-related-diseases/">connection between midlife weight and Alzheimer&#8217;s</a> and the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the disease.
<h2>Investigating the Connection Between Midlife Weight and an Earlier Risk of Alzheimer&#8217;s</h2>
While it is not known what specifically causes Alzheimer&#8217;s, previous studies have shown common risk factors include age and family history, in addition to the presence of the APOE-e4 gene. Studies have also shown a correlation between midlife obesity and the disease, but until now, researchers were not certain how weight was connected to an earlier risk of Alzheimer&#8217;s.
In a study recently published in <a href="http://www.nature.com/mp/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/mp2015129a.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Molecular Psychiatry</a>, researchers from the Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience at the National Institute on Aging (NIA) set out to learn more about the <a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/298936.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">link between midlife obesity and the onset of early-Alzheimer&#8217;s</a>.
The research team analyzed almost 1,400 adults with no signs of cognitive decline and assessed their BMI at the age of 50 years old. Then, researchers used cognitive assessments every 2 years for 14 years to find signs of Alzheimer&#8217;s. During the course of the study, over 140 participants went on to develop the disease.
<h2>Ways That Weight Can Impact Alzheimer&#8217;s Disease</h2>
Researchers found that participants who had a BMI of 25 or over at the age of 50 were likely to develop Alzheimer&#8217;s seven months sooner than participants who were at a <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/healthier-lifestyle-may-prevent-dementia/">healthy weight</a>. The study also showed that the disease appeared earlier as BMI in midlife increased.
<blockquote>Subjects who had a BMI of 30 at the age of 50 were more likely to develop Alzheimer&#8217;s an entire year earlier than those who had a BMI of 28.</blockquote>
In addition to the nearly 1,400 participants, the research team also analyzed 191 deceased subjects. They found that of the deceased, those who had a higher BMI in midlife also had a higher amount of beta-amyloid proteins in the brain. Beta-amyloid proteins are a hallmark characteristic of Alzheimer&#8217;s and commonly thought to be a cause of the disease.
The study adds to recent evidence that <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/10-7-14-reverse-memory-loss-program">lifestyle choices can make a difference</a> when it comes to decreasing the risk of Alzheimer&#8217;s and dementia.
The study authors state, &#8220;Our findings raise the possibility that inexpensive, noninvasive interventions targeting midlife obesity and overweight could substantially alter the trajectory of Alzheimer&#8217;s disease, reducing its global public health and economic impact.&#8221;
More research will need to be done to determine if <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/obesity-prime-brain-for-alzheimers/">a lower BMI in midlife delays the disease</a> and to see if there is a specific BMI where the risk of increases.
What do you think of the latest research to link weight to an earlier risk of Alzheimer&#8217;s? We&#8217;d like to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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Midlife Weight Connected to an Earlier Risk of Alzheimer's

Last Updated: September 12, 2018 According to recent research, people who are obese or overweight at the age of 50 could be at an earlier, increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Learn more about the connection between midlife weight and Alzheimer’s and the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the disease. Investigating the Connection Between […]

A <a href="https://brocku.ca/brock-news/2018/07/brock-research-shows-poor-diet-contributes-to-alzheimers-development/">recent Brock University study</a> in Ontario, Canada, discovered that there may be a direct link to being overweight and developing late-onset Alzheimer’s. The study discovered that the effects of aging, combined with a poor diet and obesity, adversely affected specific brain mechanisms and processes, increasing the risk of the disease.<img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Does-Obesity-Prime-a-Persons-Brain-for-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg" alt="Does Obesity Prime a Person’s Brain for Alzheimer’s?" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68379" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Does-Obesity-Prime-a-Persons-Brain-for-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Does-Obesity-Prime-a-Persons-Brain-for-Alzheimers-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Does-Obesity-Prime-a-Persons-Brain-for-Alzheimers.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Read on to learn more about how obesity can impact one&#8217;s risk for Alzheimer&#8217;s.
<h2>Obesity in the U.S and Worldwide</h2>
A person is considered obese at around 35 pounds overweight and obesity is considered a global health hazard, with its prevalence more than doubling since 1980, according to <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe1706095">The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study</a>, which reviewed 195 countries.
Across the country, obesity rates in adults and children continue to rise. There is no U.S. state that currently has a rate below 21%. In six states – Alaska, Delaware, Idaho, New Jersey, Tennessee and Wyoming – the rate has risen above that figure. In fact, statistics are high enough to warrant the disease being considered an epidemic, by experts.
Like Alzheimer&#8217;s and diabetes, obesity is a very costly health problem, because it increases the likeliness of <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/calorie-restriction-diets-may-improve-risks-for-age-related-diseases/">a person getting other diseases, such as cancer and heart disease</a>, which we&#8217;ll discuss more below.
<h2>Obesity&#8217;s Impact on Alzheimer&#8217;s and Other Health Conditions</h2>
Obesity increases the risk of several other health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure — all of which are known to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s.
It is uncertain as to exactly how obesity adversely impacts the brain and cognitive function, but its negative effects on the vascular system are thought to be one causal factor. Yet another causative issue may result from impairment in insulin metabolism (insulin resistance) leading to a limited amount of available glucose (blood sugar) in the brain — the primary source of energy for the brain.
Other known risk factors include:
<ul>
<li>Age</li>
<li>Genetics</li>
<li>Heart disease</li>
<li>High blood pressure (hypertension)</li>
<li>Metabolic conditions (including diabetes and obesity)</li>
<li>Smoking</li>
</ul>
Although researchers are well-aware of some of the origins that lead to the <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/interventions-may-slow-memory-loss-in-early-alzheimers/">progression of Alzheimer&#8217;s</a>, many of these mechanisms are currently unknown. Experts say that their understanding of predisposing risk factors is growing continually.
<h2>Obesity Research</h2>
The <a href="https://brocku.ca/brock-news/2018/07/brock-research-shows-poor-diet-contributes-to-alzheimers-development/">latest study</a>, conducted by Rebecca MacPherson, Bradley Baranowski and Kirsten Bott, revealed that when fed a very high fat, high-sugar (HFS) diet, the brains of mice were more susceptible to Alzheimer’s.
In the study, researchers gave one group of mice the HFS diet, while the other group received a regular diet, lower in fat and sugar. They then evaluated the effects of the obesity-inducing HFS diet on the aging mice.
When the effects of the HFS diet were examined in the brains of the older mice, scientists discovered high levels of brain inflammation, cellular stress and insulin resistance. These signs of disease were noted in an area of the brain that is impacted by Alzheimer’s — the hippocampus. The hippocampus is also the area of the brain involved in memory storage.
<blockquote>Although the mice in the study that were fed a normal diet also had inflammation of the brain as they aged, obesity was found to boost the risk of Alzheimer&#8217;s by impacting key processes in the brain.</blockquote>
&#8220;This study provides novel information in relation to the mechanistic link between obesity and the <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/healthier-lifestyle-may-prevent-dementia/">transition from adulthood to middle age</a> and signaling cascades that may be related to [Alzheimer&#8217;s] pathology later in life,&#8221; explained the study authors, MacPherson, Baranowski and Bott.
&#8220;These results add to our basic understanding of the pathways involved in the early progression of [Alzheimer&#8217;s disease] and demonstrate the negative effects of an HFS diet on both the prefrontal cortex and hippocampal regions [of the brain],&#8221; they concluded.
Did you know that obesity had an impact on Alzheimer&#8217;s and other health conditions? We&#8217;d like to hear from you in the comments below.
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Does Obesity Prime a Person’s Brain for Alzheimer’s?

A recent Brock University study in Ontario, Canada, discovered that there may be a direct link to being overweight and developing late-onset Alzheimer’s. The study discovered that the effects of aging, combined with a poor diet and obesity, adversely affected specific brain mechanisms and processes, increasing the risk of the disease. Read on to learn more […]

Many Alzheimer&#8217;s drug trials target beta-amyloid plaques commonly found in the brains of people with the disease. A recent study eyed a new target — a healthy immune system gone haywire in the brains of people with Alzheimer&#8217;s. <img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-67744" src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Early-Alzheimers-Could-Be-Caused-by-Haywire-Immune-System-300x158.jpg" alt="Early Alzheimer's Could Be Caused by Haywire Immune System" width="300" height="158" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Early-Alzheimers-Could-Be-Caused-by-Haywire-Immune-System-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Early-Alzheimers-Could-Be-Caused-by-Haywire-Immune-System-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Early-Alzheimers-Could-Be-Caused-by-Haywire-Immune-System.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Learn more about the role of the immune system in early Alzheimer&#8217;s and how it&#8217;s failure to operate properly could result in memory loss.
<h2>Connecting the Immune System to Early Alzheimer&#8217;s Disease</h2>
For the past few decades, researchers have focused Alzheimer&#8217;s research and drug trials on reducing or stopping the development of toxic beta-amyloid plaques in the brain. But, with more than 99% of clinical trials for experimental Alzheimer&#8217;s drugs failing, some researchers are wondering if they have the wrong target.
While beta-amyloid plaques are a hallmark characteristic of the disease, researchers have noticed there is no correlation between an increase in memory loss and an increase in plaques. This is why some researchers, including <a href="http://www.childrenshospital.org/research/researchers/s/beth-stevens">Beth Stevens</a>, Ph.D., of Boston Children&#8217;s Hospital, are looking for other targets in drug trials.
One such study, led by Dr. Stevens, took a closer look at another shared characteristic of Alzheimer&#8217;s — the <a href="http://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2016/03/30/science.aad8373">marked loss of synapses</a> in the brains of people with the disease. Synapses are connections between neurons and are key in the memory-making process. Stevens has spent most of her career studying a normal <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/alzheimers-and-herpes/">immune response that essentially destroys unnecessary synapses</a> as the brain matures through childhood and adolescence, making more important neuron connections stronger. In this normal process, a protein called C1q launches a series of reactions that eventually target a synapse for destruction. When the synapse has been labeled for destruction, immune cells dispose of it.
<h2>How Early Alzheimer&#8217;s Is Affected by a Haywire Immune System</h2>
Stevens believes that it is this same mechanism found in healthy brains that goes <a href="http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/03/over-pruning-synapses-may-drive-early-stage-alzheimer-s-disease" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">haywire in the brains of people with early Alzheimer&#8217;s</a>, leading to poor neural connections and memory loss.
<blockquote>Her hypothesis is that this process somehow is launched in adult brains. &#8220;Instead of nicely whittling away, microglia are eating when they&#8217;re not supposed to,&#8221; she says.</blockquote>
To test this theory, researchers used two mice with Alzheimer&#8217;s who were producing an increased amount of beta-amyloid proteins. Both mice also exhibited increased levels of C1q in brain tissue. When researchers gave the mice an antibody to stop the destruction of cells via microglia, synapse loss did not appear. Researchers are currently tracking the same mice to see if a drug that blocks C1q slows <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/alzheimers-progression-discovered/">cognitive decline</a>.
This study contradicts previous studies suggesting this reaction is actually an inflammatory reaction to existing beta-amyloid plaques. More research is being done to understand the relationship between the role of microglia and Alzheimer&#8217;s.
Edward Ruthazer, a neuroscientist at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital in Canada, says that a central role for microglia in the pathology of Alzheimer&#8217;s is &#8220;still on the controversial side&#8221; but also admits that &#8220;it&#8217;s difficult to argue with the strength of the study&#8217;s evidence.&#8221;
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Early Alzheimer's Could Be Caused by Haywire Immune System

Many Alzheimer’s drug trials target beta-amyloid plaques commonly found in the brains of people with the disease. A recent study eyed a new target — a healthy immune system gone haywire in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s. Learn more about the role of the immune system in early Alzheimer’s and how it’s failure to operate […]

A number of new Alzheimer&#8217;s studies have found that the disease could be linked to an especially common type of infection: herpes. <img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Alzheimers-and-Herpes-The-Role-the-Virus-Plays-in-the-Disease-300x158.jpg" alt="Alzheimer&#039;s and Herpes: The Role the Virus Plays in the Disease" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68047" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Alzheimers-and-Herpes-The-Role-the-Virus-Plays-in-the-Disease-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Alzheimers-and-Herpes-The-Role-the-Virus-Plays-in-the-Disease-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Alzheimers-and-Herpes-The-Role-the-Virus-Plays-in-the-Disease.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Read more about the research, the role the virus plays in the disease and its impact on Alzheimer&#8217;s prevention.
<h2>Alzheimer&#8217;s and Herpes: It Isn’t Just What You Think</h2>
A lot of people have come to associate the word “herpes” with the STI that’s just one of many versions of the infection. In fact, the medical community has identified a number of strains of the infection – many of which are extremely common.
Nearly two-thirds of all people have been infected with HSV-1, a herpes strain that causes cold sores for some, but lies dormant in the body for many. HHV-6, a version of herpes most commonly associated with the childhood skin rash roseola, infects nearly everyone. VZV or (HHV-3), the virus responsible for chicken pox and shingles, is yet another prevalent strain. Those are just three of the most common versions of herpes.
In short, most people have some version of herpes (or several) long before they reach their adult years and no one should view any of the strains as something shameful. They’re merely a part of life.
<h2>The Link Between Alzheimer&#8217;s and Herpes</h2>
A growing amount of research has found a clear link between Alzheimer&#8217;s and different strains of herpes. In fact, over <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/07/herpes-viruses-alzheimers/564887/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/07/herpes-viruses-alzheimers/564887/">100 research papers have described</a> a correlation between HSV-1 and Alzheimer’s risk.
<blockquote>Scientists are quick to note, however, that correlation doesn’t equal causation. Most of the researchers involved in these tests pose a number of theories about why the two illnesses may be linked.</blockquote>
One of the <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/06/21/621908340/researchers-find-herpes-viruses-in-brains-marked-by-alzheimers-disease" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/06/21/621908340/researchers-find-herpes-viruses-in-brains-marked-by-alzheimers-disease">most recent studies</a> on the subject at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai looked at brain tissue from healthy people and people who had died from the disease to see what differences and similarities they could find. They were surprised to find that the viruses HHV-6A and HHV-7 showed up twice as often in the <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/alzheimers-progression-discovered/">brain tissue of people with Alzheimer&#8217;s</a> as they did in normal brain tissue. These strains of herpes are extremely common but remain inactive in the brain for decades, so the research suggests their presence plays some role in increasing the risk of Alzheimer’s.
<h2>The Link Between Amyloid Beta and Herpes</h2>
Researchers have long known that people with Alzheimer’s have a buildup of protein clusters in the brain called amyloid beta. A team at <a href="https://www.mghmind.org/news/alzheimers-plaques-protect-brain-against-herpes-virus-%E2%80%93-iflsciencecom-covers-study-co-led-mgh" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease recently tested the theory</a> that amyloid beta, an element that had generally been seen as something entirely negative, may actually have a positive role to play by fighting off infection.
Starting with mice, they tried out their theory by injecting HSV-1 into brains of mice with normal brains, as well as mice that had a high amount of amyloid beta in their brains. As they expected, the ones with amyloid beta resisted the virus more successfully than the normal mice. They repeated the test with human cell tissue and the HHV-6 virus to similar results.
<blockquote>The research supports the idea that amyloid beta may start out in a helpful role to support your body in fighting against common infections. With age, the immune system weakens and more infections take hold, which creates a build up of amyloid beta – something that scientists believe then <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2014-04-10/how-alzheimers-evolves/">contributes to Alzheimer&#8217;s</a>.</blockquote>
<h2>What This Research Means for People With Alzheimer&#8217;s</h2>
<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/07/herpes-viruses-alzheimers/564887/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/07/herpes-viruses-alzheimers/564887/">Two Taiwanese studies</a> have already demonstrated ways the link between Alzheimer’s and herpes can contribute to better treatments. The studies tracked the health of people who had been diagnosed with a version of herpes (one focused on HSV-1, the other VZV) and found that people who had the virus were more likely to develop Alzheimer&#8217;s – in the case of the HSV-1 study, they were 2.5 times more likely.
<blockquote>Notably, in both cases, the people who received treatment for herpes saw their risk drastically decrease. In one study, the decrease was 45%; in the other it was an even more impressive 80%.</blockquote>
This initial research shows that <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/7-11-16-connection-between-dementia-and-infections/">anti-herpes and infection drugs</a> appear to have real promise in helping prevent Alzheimer’s.
Were you aware of the link between Alzheimer&#8217;s and herpes? What about the research were you most surprised to find? We&#8217;d like to hear from you in the comments below.
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<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2014-04-10/how-alzheimers-evolves/">How Alzheimer’s Evolves From Early to Late Stages</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/alzheimers-progression-discovered/">How Does Alzheimer’s Spread in the Brain? New Progression Discovered</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/7-11-16-connection-between-dementia-and-infections/">The Connection Between Dementia and Infections</a></li>
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Alzheimer's and Herpes: The Role the Virus Plays in the Disease

A number of new Alzheimer’s studies have found that the disease could be linked to an especially common type of infection: herpes. Read more about the research, the role the virus plays in the disease and its impact on Alzheimer’s prevention. Alzheimer’s and Herpes: It Isn’t Just What You Think A lot of people have come […]

Alzheimer’s is a perplexing disease. Scientists have not been able to find the underlying cause of the condition but are beginning to understand many aspects of Alzheimer’s, such as how the disease may spread in the brain.<img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/How-Does-Alzheimers-Spread-in-the-Brain-New-Progression-Discovered-300x158.jpg" alt="How Does Alzheimer’s Spread in the Brain? New Progression Discovered" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68318" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/How-Does-Alzheimers-Spread-in-the-Brain-New-Progression-Discovered-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/How-Does-Alzheimers-Spread-in-the-Brain-New-Progression-Discovered-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/How-Does-Alzheimers-Spread-in-the-Brain-New-Progression-Discovered.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
A <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00401-018-1868-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">recent clinical research study</a> discovered that the “waste-disposal system” in a brain cell may be responsible for spreading harmful protein aggregates between cells in Alzheimer&#8217;s. Learn more about the research, which could lead to the development of new drugs to <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/8-17-15-licensed-drugs-may-delay-alzheimers/">stop the progression of the disease</a>.
<h2>How Alzheimer’s Affects the Brain</h2>
Alzheimer’s eventually robs senior loved ones of their ability to perform necessary activities of daily living (ADLs), their ability to recognize familiar people and places, as well as their memory. Scientists are making advancements in Alzheimer&#8217;s research every day, but are still unfortunately unable to pinpoint what causes this assault on the brain.
The most widespread theory is that <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2014-04-10/how-alzheimers-evolves/">Alzheimer’s can be attributed to several underlying causes</a>, including:
<h3>Beta-Amyloid</h3>
Amyloid plaques are clumps of abnormal protein fragments. The medical term for the abnormal protein accumulation is “beta-amyloid.” Beta-amyloid is toxic to brain cells and its synapses, as it binds itself to the nerve receptors and subsequently causes the nerve cells in the brain to die. The brain eventually shrinks from the loss of neurons and ceases to function properly.
<h3>Tau Proteins</h3>
Most people accumulate some amyloid in their brain as they age. However, those with Alzheimer’s have more amyloid, particularly in areas of the brain involving memory (such as the hippocampus). Other abnormal structures found in the brains of people with the disease include tau tangles, also called neurofibrillary tangles. Tau is a protein that supports the structure of nerve cells and it can become twisted, leading to a collapse of part of the neuron structure. As Alzheimer&#8217;s progresses in the brain, amyloid plaques and tau tangles cause more neurons to be destroyed.
<h2>Scientists Discover New Alzheimer&#8217;s Progression</h2>
When old, worn-out parts are in the cell, the lysosome (the part of the cell that can engulf substances) forms a membrane bubble around them. The lysosome then breaks these large parts down into small molecules that are small enough to be transported through the cell’s membrane — to be recycled.
Scientists at Linköping University, in Sweden, have discovered that this recycling does, in fact, have an impact on the symptoms of Alzheimer’s in the brain. <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00401-018-1868-1">A recent study</a> showed that exosomes are a part of this recycling and removal system and that they both carry beta-amyloid and spread toxic proteins to brain cells.
<blockquote>&#8220;The spread of the disease follows the way in which parts of the brain are anatomically connected. It seems reasonable to assume that the disease is spread through the connections in the brain and there has long been speculation about how this spread takes place at the cellular level,&#8221; states Associate Professor, Martin Hallbeck, in the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine at Linköping University.</blockquote>
Scientists in the study examined the exosomes collected from the brain tissue of deceased persons. The research team found a much higher level of beta-amyloid in the exposomes from brains with Alzheimer’s than from the brain tissue of the control group — the group without the disease.
Perhaps one of the most intriguing aspects of the study was that the researchers were able to prevent exosomes from being formed, released and then absorbed by other cells — reducing the spread of beta-amyloid between the nerve cells.
More research is needed before the study findings can be put to practical use in developing <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/dementia-stages-symptoms-and-treatment-options/">new drugs or treatment</a> modalities for people with Alzheimer&#8217;s, but it certainly opens the door to new possibilities.
<blockquote>&#8220;Our study demonstrates that it is possible to influence this pathway and possibly develop drugs that could prevent the spreading. The findings also open up the possibility of diagnosing Alzheimer&#8217;s in new ways, by measuring the exosomes,&#8221; says Hallbeck.</blockquote>
Were you aware of Alzheimer&#8217;s impact on — or progression in — the brain? We&#8217;d like to hear from you in the comments below.
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How Does Alzheimer’s Spread in the Brain? New Progression Discovered

Alzheimer’s is a perplexing disease. Scientists have not been able to find the underlying cause of the condition but are beginning to understand many aspects of Alzheimer’s, such as how the disease may spread in the brain. A recent clinical research study discovered that the “waste-disposal system” in a brain cell may be responsible for spreading harmful […]

Nearly two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease are women. Of the 5.5 million people over the age of 65 with Alzheimer’s in the United States, 2 million are men and 3.3 million are women. There’s no question that women bear the burden of Alzheimer’s and now experts believe that there is a missing link when it comes to how the disease impacts women differently than men. <img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/A-Greater-Focus-on-Gender-in-Alzheimers-Research-300x158.jpg" alt="A Guide to Finding the Right Memory Care Community for a Loved One" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68007" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/A-Greater-Focus-on-Gender-in-Alzheimers-Research-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/A-Greater-Focus-on-Gender-in-Alzheimers-Research-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/A-Greater-Focus-on-Gender-in-Alzheimers-Research.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Learn more about the <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/gender-gaps-in-alzheimers-research/" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.alzheimers.net/gender-gaps-in-alzheimers-research/">gender gap </a>and why researchers are putting a greater focus on gender in Alzheimer&#8217;s research.
<h2>The Importance of Gender in Alzheimer&#8217;s Research</h2>
The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the European Commission both mandate that sex must be included as a variable in research design, but a recent paper from the Society for Women’s Health Research suggests that:
<blockquote><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2014-04-10/how-alzheimers-evolves/">Research is behind the curve</a> when it comes to understanding the role of gender in Alzheimer&#8217;s.</blockquote>
The paper, published in the journal <a href="https://www.alzheimersanddementia.com/article/S1552-5260(18)30130-4/fulltext" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.alzheimersanddementia.com/article/S1552-5260(18)30130-4/fulltext" rel="noopener noreferrer">Alzheimer’s and Dementia</a>, found that the “exclusion of&#8230; gender has impeded faster advancement in the detection, treatment and care of the disease across the clinical spectrum.”
<h2>Researchers Push for Gender-Specific Screening Tests</h2>
The authors of the paper believe that the development of <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/biology/call-to-factor-gender-into-alzheimer-s-research" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/biology/call-to-factor-gender-into-alzheimer-s-research" rel="noopener noreferrer">sex-specific screening tests</a> should be a priority. While women do live longer than men and age is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s, longevity cannot fully explain the gender difference and researchers say now is the time to fill the gender gap.
Among other recommendations, researchers are calling for gender to be included in the development of new precision treatment methods and are also calling for scientists to re-examine past dementia studies for <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/8-12-15-why-is-alzheimers-more-likely-in-women/">gender differences</a>.
<a href="https://crwg.uic.edu/crwg-home/crwg-staff/pauline-maki-phd/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pauline Maki</a>, Ph.D., of the Center for Research on Women and Gender at the University of Illinois at Chicago and co-author on the paper says, “A growing body of research shows us that Alzheimer’s disease differs between women and men.” She goes on to say:
<blockquote>“To improve the diagnosis of the disease and to speed the development of new treatments and interventions we must better understand how the biological and sociocultural differences between women and men are influencing the development, progression and treatment of Alzheimer’s.”</blockquote>
Have you seen Alzheimer&#8217;s affect men and women differently and do you think there needs to be a greater focus on gender in Alzheimer&#8217;s research? We&#8217;d like to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Related Articles:
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<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/gender-gaps-in-alzheimers-research/">Gender Gaps in Alzheimer’s Research</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2014-04-10/how-alzheimers-evolves/">How Alzheimer’s Evolves From Early to Late Stages</a></li>
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A Greater Focus on Gender in Alzheimer's Research

A Guide to Finding the Right Memory Care Community for a Loved One

Nearly two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease are women. Of the 5.5 million people over the age of 65 with Alzheimer’s in the United States, 2 million are men and 3.3 million are women. There’s no question that women bear the burden of Alzheimer’s and now experts believe that there is a missing link when […]

For years, researchers have pushed regular exercise as a means to prevent Alzheimer&#8217;s disease, even in people genetically predisposed to develop dementia. However, a new study from the UK suggests that vigorous exercise may not reduce the risk of Alzheimer&#8217;s and that it may even cause the disease to progress further.<img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Study-Suggests-Exercise-May-Not-Reduce-the-Risk-of-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg" alt="Study Suggests Exercise May Not Reduce the Risk of Alzheimer&#039;s" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68400" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Study-Suggests-Exercise-May-Not-Reduce-the-Risk-of-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Study-Suggests-Exercise-May-Not-Reduce-the-Risk-of-Alzheimers-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Study-Suggests-Exercise-May-Not-Reduce-the-Risk-of-Alzheimers.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Learn more about this study, the <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/7-22-15-lifestyle-changes-help-reduce-risk-of-dementia/">effects of exercise on brain health</a> and the risk of Alzheimer&#8217;s.
<h2>New Study Suggests That Exercise May Not Reduce the Risk of Alzheimer&#8217;s</h2>
While previous studies have shown that regular exercise can slow the progression of Alzheimer&#8217;s, human trials have been too small or too short to understand the implications of exercise on brain health.
A new study from the UK involving nearly 500 participants examined the <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-dementia-fitness/vigorous-exercise-may-not-keep-dementia-from-worsening-idUSKBN1JA368" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-dementia-fitness/vigorous-exercise-may-not-keep-dementia-from-worsening-idUSKBN1JA368" rel="noopener noreferrer">effects of exercise on dementia</a>. The average age of participants was 77 years old and all participants had mild to moderate dementia symptoms. The researchers randomly assigned 329 people with dementia to complete four months of supervised aerobic and strength training workouts. The group attended group workouts in a gym for an hour or an hour and a half two times a week. They also completed exercises at home for an additional hour each week. Researchers also had a control group of 165 people with dementia to continue usual care with no additional physical activity.
<blockquote>One year later, the exercise group showed slightly worse cognitive function than the control group. Researchers caution that the difference may be too small to be significant but there was no improvement in the exercise group – even if it wasn’t made worse by a statistically significant margin.</blockquote>
Lead Study Author, Sarah Lamb, of the University of Oxford, says, “<a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/healthier-lifestyle-may-prevent-dementia/">High-intensity exercise</a> is unlikely to cure or reduce the symptoms of dementia.”
<h2>The Benefits of Exercise in Seniors</h2>
Sandra Bond Chapman, Director of the <a href="https://brainhealth.utdallas.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Center for BrainHealth at the University of Texas at Dallas</a>, says the findings are surprising. “The most surprising finding is that physical exercise could potentially be a detriment since the dementias progressed a little more rapidly with exercise.”
She goes on to say, “I suspect this is because the limited cognitive resources of people with dementia might be further depleted with the added burden of having to do exercise. This finding adds to our caution in overstating the benefits of exercise on cognitive function for those with dementia.”
<blockquote>However, other researchers caution that while <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/what-the-experts-do-to-promote-brain-health/">exercise may not slow dementia, it still has benefits</a> for older adults and other studies have also shown evidence that exercise of moderate intensity can protect against cognitive decline.</blockquote>
Joe Northey of the <a href="https://www.canberra.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">University of Canberra in Australia</a> cautions, “Although the current study didn’t show benefits to cognition, physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle is still likely to reduce the risk of other chronic diseases which can also negatively impact a dementia patients’ quality of life.”
How has exercise impacted you or a senior loved one&#8217;s risk of Alzheimer&#8217;s? Share your stories with us in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you.
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Study Suggests Exercise May Not Reduce the Risk of Alzheimer's

For years, researchers have pushed regular exercise as a means to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, even in people genetically predisposed to develop dementia. However, a new study from the UK suggests that vigorous exercise may not reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and that it may even cause the disease to progress further. Learn more about this […]

Over <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/alzheimers-is-on-the-rise-in-these-states/" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.alzheimers.net/alzheimers-is-on-the-rise-in-these-states/">10% of adults in the U.S. age 65 and older have Alzheimer’s</a> and experts believe the number of people with the disease will continue to grow in the coming years. Millions of people hope that Alzheimer&#8217;s research will provide a cure, but medical research is expensive and funding for it can often be elusive.<img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/How-to-Contribute-to-Alzheimers-Research-300x158.jpg" alt="How to Contribute to Alzheimer&#039;s Research" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68332" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/How-to-Contribute-to-Alzheimers-Research-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/How-to-Contribute-to-Alzheimers-Research-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/How-to-Contribute-to-Alzheimers-Research.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Learn more about how you can contribute to Alzheimer&#8217;s research and make a difference in the fight against the disease today.
<h2>An Easy Way to Contribute to Alzheimer&#8217;s Research</h2>
Did you know that you can easily contribute to <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/alzheimers-research/" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.alzheimers.net/alzheimers-research/">Alzheimer’s research</a> by investing your spare change?
<a href="https://www.investacure.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">InvestAcure</a> is an online investment platform designed to automatically donate the spare change off of your purchases and put it toward Alzheimer’s research trials.
The idea is that every time you make a purchase online, InvestAcure will automatically round the purchase up to the next dollar and apply the extra amount to your investment portfolio. The amount invested will then go directly to clinical trials for potential Alzheimer&#8217;s treatments.
The company was founded in 2017 by <a href="https://medium.com/@mtokarsky/stopping-the-alzheimers-death-clock-850331468783" data-cke-saved-href="https://medium.com/@mtokarsky/stopping-the-alzheimers-death-clock-850331468783">Max Tokarsky</a>, an entrepreneur who recognized a serious problem facing Alzheimer’s researchers and borrowed a solution from popular investment apps. Tokarsky has since brought on a <a href="https://www.investacure.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">board of Alzheimer&#8217;s scientists</a> who will weigh in on the most promising trials to fund.
<iframe title="InvestAcure - a community of spare change investors powering the search for a cure!" width="580" height="326" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7w8O8ojEQPk?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
While InvestAcure isn’t your best option if you want your investment to pay off in a profit, it does provide the added benefit of promising that if the trials end up resulting in a treatment for Alzheimer’s, you will get a share of the profits.
If you&#8217;re interested in learning more about how to contribute to Alzheimer&#8217;s with the company, visit InvestAcure&#8217;s <a href="https://www.investacure.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">website</a>.
Do you have any other ideas on how to contribute to Alzheimer&#8217;s research? We&#8217;d like to hear your suggestions in the comments below.
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How to Contribute to Alzheimer's Research

Over 10% of adults in the U.S. age 65 and older have Alzheimer’s and experts believe the number of people with the disease will continue to grow in the coming years. Millions of people hope that Alzheimer’s research will provide a cure, but medical research is expensive and funding for it can often be elusive. Learn more about how you can contribute […]

An international team of scientists is coming together to seek a better way to define Alzheimer&#8217;s and identify its presence in those who are in the earliest stages of the disease before symptoms occur. The <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/updating-guidelines-for-alzheimers/">proposed new framework</a> uses biomarkers instead of symptoms to identify the presence of Alzheimer’s, which could allow researchers to more accurately understand the pathology of the disease. 
<h2>Scientists Urge Use of Biomarkers to Define Alzheimer’s</h2>
An international team of scientists is urging the research community to look at Alzheimer’s in a different way. Until now, Alzheimer’s has been largely defined through symptoms like confusion or memory lapses. Now, scientists want to include biological changes, like beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles, that can occur when Alzheimer’s begins.
Changing the way <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/04/10/600944750/scientists-push-plan-to-change-how-researchers-define-alzheimers" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/04/10/600944750/scientists-push-plan-to-change-how-researchers-define-alzheimers" rel="noopener noreferrer">Alzheimer’s is viewed from a research perspective</a> would help scientists understand what is happening in the brains of people who still have normal brain function but are likely to develop the disease. Eliezer Masliah, director of the Division of Neuroscience at the National Institute on Aging says, “There is a stage of the disease where there are no symptoms and we need to have some sort of a marker.”
Clifford Jack is an Alzheimer’s researcher at Mayo Clinic Rochester and is the first author of the paper describing the new proposal. He says that in the past, “a person displayed a <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/better-alzheimers-prevention-with-early-detection/">certain set of signs and symptoms</a> and it was expected that they had Alzheimer’s pathology. About 30% of people who met all the appropriate clinical criteria did not have Alzheimer’s disease.” Essentially, their cognitive issues were caused by something else.
<blockquote>The new framework would help scientists understand if the person in the study truly has Alzheimer’s. Jack continues, saying, “What we’re seeing now is that Alzheimer’s disease is defined by the presence of plaques and tangles in your brain.”</blockquote>
<h2>The Use of Biomarkers as a Tool for Researchers, Not Physicians</h2>
Scientists advocating for the use of biomarkers in Alzheimer’s diagnosis caution that the new approach is intended to be used by researchers, not doctors who treat people with Alzheimer’s or related forms of dementia.
Critics of the proposed <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/fda-modernizes-approach-to-alzheimers-research/">new framework</a> argue that biomarkers are not yet a reliable replacement for clinical symptoms. Proponents acknowledge that the use of biomarkers is still in early development.
Chief Scientific Officer of the Alzheimer’s Association, Maria Carrillo says,” It’s a research framework meant to be tested, a tool for researchers, not for the doctor’s office.”
What do you think about using biomarkers to define Alzheimer’s? We&#8217;d like to hear your thoughts in the comments below. 
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Scientists Push Plan to Change How Researchers Define Alzheimer's

An international team of scientists is coming together to seek a better way to define Alzheimer’s and identify its presence in those who are in the earliest stages of the disease before symptoms occur. The proposed new framework uses biomarkers instead of symptoms to identify the presence of Alzheimer’s, which could allow researchers to more accurately […]

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness month, a time for people of all ages to get involved in the fight against the disease. Whether you are 5 or 95, there’s a way to pledge your support for the nearly 47 million people who have been diagnosed.<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68038" src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Alzheimers-and-Brain-Awareness-Month-How-to-Get-Involved-300x158.jpg" alt="Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month: How to Get Involved" width="300" height="158" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Alzheimers-and-Brain-Awareness-Month-How-to-Get-Involved-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Alzheimers-and-Brain-Awareness-Month-How-to-Get-Involved-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Alzheimers-and-Brain-Awareness-Month-How-to-Get-Involved.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Changing your Facebook page to purple, ordering a coloring book for the children to increase Alzheimer’s awareness or simply wearing purple, are just a few of the ways for the family to get involved.
<h2>Alzheimer&#8217;s and Brain Awareness: How to Get Involved on the Longest Day</h2>
On June 21, the longest day of the year and the summer solstice, thousands of people will get together to celebrate Alzheimer&#8217;s and Brain Awareness Month by honoring a person they love with the disease. <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/5-31-17-longest-day/">&#8220;The Longest Day&#8221;</a> is a sunrise to sunset event signifying the <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2013-09-18/stop-alzheimers-infographic/">challenging journey for those with Alzheimer&#8217;s</a> and their caregivers, family members and friends. Consider <a href="http://act.alz.org/site/TR?sid=24708&amp;type=fr_informational&amp;pg=informational&amp;fr_id=10935" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">hosting a fundraising event or joining an existing event</a> on the day.
To learn more about The Longest Day, or how to start a fundraising team, contact: 800-272-3900.
<h3>Ideas for Getting Involved: All Ages</h3>
<ol>
<li>Maintain 67 seconds of silence, recognizing the fact that every 67 seconds someone is newly diagnosed with Alzheimer&#8217;s.</li>
<li>Wear purple! You can <a href="https://alz.org/abam/?gclid=CjwKEAjwse7JBRCJ576SqoD7lCkSJABF-bKugCeJNC-pIgPmJexjwr29TdFH_ppPAcxy9zdj8qO6CBoCX-zw_wcBGo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">purchase purple gear here</a> as part of the proceeds go to the Alzheimer’s Association to help find a cure.</li>
</ol>
<h3>Ideas for Getting Involved: Children</h3>
<ol>
<li>Explore the <a href="https://www.irenemackay.com/ellie-resources/ellie-memory-helper/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ellie Memory Helper Elephant pack</a>, which includes a book and other guides to help children understand more about Alzheimer&#8217;s.</li>
<li>Order the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Color-Your-Mind-Coloring-Alzheimers/dp/1944515488/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1521507158&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=color+your+mind">“Color Your Mind” coloring book</a> and encourage the kids to spend time coloring with their loved one with the disease. The book was designed by award-winning journalist and Alzheimer’s prevention advocate, Maria Shriver.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Beatrice-Tauber-Prior-Psy.D./e/B075FWJ6WK/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read a 5-star rated book</a> explaining to children what it means to have Alzheimer’s. The book is titled, “Grandma and Me: a Kid’s Guide to Alzheimer’s and Dementia,” by Beatrice Tauber Prior Psy.D., a specialist in child development and neuropsychology.</li>
</ol>
<h3>Ideas for Getting Involved: Students and Teens</h3>
<ol>
<li>College students can throw their own “Hilarity for Charity” event (the non-profit movement led by Seth Rogen and his wife, Laura Miller) at their local campus, to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s. The institution that raises the most money gets a personal visit from Seth Rogen! <a href="https://hilarityforcharity.org/programs/hfc-u/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">More info here</a>.</li>
<li>Donate to the Alzheimer’s Association or to another organization that supports the cause.</li>
<li><a href="https://alz.org/abam/?gclid=CjwKEAjwse7JBRCJ576SqoD7lCkSJABF-bKugCeJNC-pIgPmJexjwr29TdFH_ppPAcxy9zdj8qO6CBoCX-zw_wcBGo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Post your purple here</a>, using the hashtags #ENDALZ and #GOPURPLE and tag @fightalzwv in your posts.</li>
<li>Turn your <a href="https://alz.org/abam/?gclid=CjwKEAjwse7JBRCJ576SqoD7lCkSJABF-bKugCeJNC-pIgPmJexjwr29TdFH_ppPAcxy9zdj8qO6CBoCX-zw_wcBGo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook page purple</a>, in honor of the Longest Day.</li>
<li>Volunteer to help out at a local Alzheimer’s Association office, join a team for the Longest Day or sign up for the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Find out about more <a href="https://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_volunteer.asp" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">local volunteer opportunities here</a>.</li>
</ol>
<h3>Ideas for Getting Involved: Adults</h3>
<ol>
<li>Go “Casual for a Cause” at work, order Casual for the Cause stickers and sell them for donation contributions. Call: 800-272-3900 to purchase your stickers.</li>
<li>Host your own event, hold a dinner party and ask the guests to donate to the Alzheimer’s Association (the amount they would usually pay for a dinner out). Make sure you serve your guests a brain-healthy meal.</li>
<li>Host your own sports event fundraiser. Challenge others with a bowling tournament, golf scramble, kickball game or more. <a href="http://act.alz.org/site/TR?pg=informational&amp;fr_id=10935&amp;type=fr_informational&amp;sid=24713&amp;s_fr_division_bucket=Sports" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Start planning your fundraising event here.</a></li>
<li>Schedule a workshop at your local community center: call 800-272-3900 for information.</li>
<li>Volunteer to share your story with others online or join the movement to advocate for public policy to fund more research to end Alzheimer’s. <a href="https://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_volunteer.asp" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find out how to sign up here.</a></li>
</ol>
What other ideas do you have for <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2014-06-19/raise-awareness-for-alzheimers-on-the-longest-day/">getting involved </a>during Alzheimer&#8217;s and Brain Awareness Month? We&#8217;d like to hear your suggestions in the comments below.
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Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month: How to Get Involved

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness month, a time for people of all ages to get involved in the fight against the disease. Whether you are 5 or 95, there’s a way to pledge your support for the nearly 47 million people who have been diagnosed. Changing your Facebook page to purple, ordering a coloring […]

The Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center is a unique facility, the first of its kind in the United States. Its partner organization, Alzheimer’s Universe at AlzU.org, offers free, online educational lessons for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers and family members.<img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/The-Alzheimers-Prevention-Clinic-Begins-New-Project-to-Educate-Students-on-the-Disease-300x158.jpg" alt="The Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic Begins New Project to Educate Students on the Disease" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68417" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/The-Alzheimers-Prevention-Clinic-Begins-New-Project-to-Educate-Students-on-the-Disease-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/The-Alzheimers-Prevention-Clinic-Begins-New-Project-to-Educate-Students-on-the-Disease-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/The-Alzheimers-Prevention-Clinic-Begins-New-Project-to-Educate-Students-on-the-Disease.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Read more about the new <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/alzheimers-foundations-national-educating-america-tour/">project educating young students</a> about the disease.
<h2>The Alzheimer&#8217;s Prevention Clinic</h2>
The Alzheimer&#8217;s Prevention Clinic provides an innovative treatment and prevention approach for <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/things-caregivers-should-know-about-alzheimers-risks/">people who want to lower their risk</a> of getting Alzheimer’s. It’s the first clinic ever to be involved in the prevention aspect of the disease.
Dr. Richard Isaacson, Director of Weill Cornell Medicine’s Alzheimer&#8217;s Prevention Clinic, was motivated to start the clinic with a goal of helping people reduce their risks of getting the disease. &#8220;My perfect patient is someone like me,&#8221; he told <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2015/06/23/health/alzheimers-early-intervention/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CNN News</a> in a recent interview. What he was describing is a person with a family history, with no symptoms of the disease.
<blockquote>At the Alzheimer&#8217;s Prevention Clinic, Dr. Isaacson sees patients of all ages. The youngest patient is 27 (with parents who both have Alzheimer&#8217;s). The oldest patient is 91, with siblings who also have the disease. Most of the patients Dr. Isaacson sees at the clinic are adult children with parents who have been diagnosed.</blockquote>
<h2>What’s New at AlzU.org</h2>
Recently, Dr. Isaacson’s team launched a new program with the potential to impact teenagers and younger generations looking to learn about Alzheimer&#8217;s: <a href="https://www.alzu.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AlzU.org</a>.
<a href="https://www.alzu.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AlzU.org</a> is an educational website featuring the latest information on the disease. The website features a free course that includes 10 lessons, several brain healthy activities and other resources like the <a href="https://www.doctoroz.com/episode/alzheimer-s-summit-new-prevention-breakthroughs-and-judge-hatchett-s-family-heartbreak?video_id=5578900458001" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Face Name Memory Game, featured on a recent episode of Dr. Oz</a>.
Dr. Isaacson and the staff at AlzU.org hope that by getting information about the disease out to younger generations, earlier diet and lifestyle interventions will be implemented, <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/finding-alzheimers-hope-and-inspiration/">reducing risks and staving off the symptoms of Alzheimer’s</a>.
Three new courses will be added to the Alzheimer&#8217;s Prevention Clinic program, including:
<ol>
<li>A College Course: Short lessons for college students on Alzheimer’s prevention. Topics will include an overview of Alzheimer’s, how to protect the brain as a person ages and an overview of prevention.</li>
<li>A Course for Medical Students: Which features longer lessons, including why Alzheimer&#8217;s is a younger person’s disease, how doctors can help patients lower their risk and the science behind Alzheimer’s prevention.</li>
<li>A High School Course: Brief lessons for high school students. The course will include interactive games as well as lessons about the definition of Alzheimer&#8217;s, the stages of the disease and an overview of Alzheimer’s prevention.</li>
</ol>
Overall, the recent Alzheimer&#8217;s Prevention Clinic program at AlzU.org is aimed at helping to educate young people in the fight against the disease. Online education has the potential to help millions of people currently diagnosed, as well as their family members and others who are at risk.
To sign up for 10 free lessons, visit the <a href="https://www.alzu.org/auth/register/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AlzU.org website</a>.
Would you take an Alzheimer&#8217;s lesson sponsored by the Alzheimer&#8217;s Prevention Clinic? Why or why not? We&#8217;d like to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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The Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic Begins New Project to Educate Students on the Disease

The Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center is a unique facility, the first of its kind in the United States. Its partner organization, Alzheimer’s Universe at AlzU.org, offers free, online educational lessons for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers and family members. Read more about the new project educating young students […]

The strongest genetic predictor of Alzheimer’s disease is the AP0E4 gene. Recent studies published in <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/article-abstract/2670443?redirect=true" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">JAMA Neurology</a> show that healthy lifestyle changes can improve cognition and protect against cognitive decline in seniors who carry this gene.<img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Healthy-Lifestyle-Changes-Improve-Cognition-for-People-With-the-AP0E4-Gene-300x158.jpg" alt="Healthy Lifestyle Changes Improve Cognition for People With the AP0E4 Gene" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68288" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Healthy-Lifestyle-Changes-Improve-Cognition-for-People-With-the-AP0E4-Gene-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Healthy-Lifestyle-Changes-Improve-Cognition-for-People-With-the-AP0E4-Gene-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Healthy-Lifestyle-Changes-Improve-Cognition-for-People-With-the-AP0E4-Gene.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> 
Read more about these <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/preventing-dementia-through-lifestyle-choices/">lifestyle changes</a> and the impact they have on AP0E4 gene carriers.
<h2>The APOE4 Gene</h2>
To get a clear understanding of the genetic predisposition for Alzheimer’s, one must understand that the AP0E4 gene is responsible for the genetic risk for the disease. It is estimated that 1 in 4 people have the AP0E4 gene. However, having the AP0E4 gene does not necessarily mean a person will get Alzheimer’s.
<blockquote>Having just one copy of the gene (from one parent) results in twice the likeliness of a person getting Alzheimer’s. Having two copies of the gene (from each parent) increases the risk of Alzheimer’s 12-fold.</blockquote>
The AP0E4 gene creates a protein in the body called the AP0E4 protein, which does not function properly. It is broken down into disease-causing fragments that result in the build-up of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary (tau) tangles — hallmark symptoms of Alzheimer’s. These plaques and tangles interfere with normal nerve transmission in the brain and lead to premature death of neurons (brain cells).
<h2>Ways to Improve Cognition</h2>
The <a href="https://www.alzheimersanddementia.com/article/S1552-5260(10)00570-4/abstract" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability</a> (FINGER), a randomized control study, conducted research on over 1,100 older adults, 362 of which had at least one copy of the APOE4 allele. The study focused on comparing those who carried the AP0E4 gene to those who did not carry the gene.
Participants were randomly assigned to engage regularly in one of the following lifestyle activities:
<h3>Cognitive Training</h3>
Cognitive training involved group sessions (lasting 60-90 minutes), facilitated by psychologists. Computer-based training (involving memory activities) program was implemented three times per week for 10-15-minute sessions. Social activities were encouraged for all group sessions.
<h3>Dietary Changes or Nutritional Intervention</h3>
The nutritional intervention component of the study included nutritional counseling, with a diet involving 10-20% of daily calories from proteins, 25-35% from fat (less than 10% from saturated or trans-fat), and 45-55% from carbohydrates (less than 10% from refined sugars). The study participants were instructed to eat 25-35 grams of dietary fiber daily. Foods that were recommended were fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy and whole grains, as well as vegetable sources of oil (or grapeseed oil) instead of butter and at least two servings of fish each week.
<h3>Exercise</h3>
In the study, aerobics, balance and strength training exercises were taught by physiotherapists. Each study participant selected their preferred method of aerobic exercise from a list, including gymnastics, jogging, Nordic walking, swimming and more. Hour-long balance and strength-training sessions were performed by the participants 2-3 times per week and 45-60 minutes of aerobics were implemented 3-5 times per week during the entire study period.
<h3>Vascular Risk Management</h3>
Metabolic (body and weight disposition) and vascular (blood pressure and cholesterol level) management involved an initial risk factor assessment by a nurse, who assessed blood pressure, body and weight measurements of each participant. A physician ran lab tests to evaluate for the presence of diabetes or high cholesterol. Any participant with positive screening assessment results (such as diabetes, high blood pressure or obesity) was referred to their primary care physician for treatment (management).
In the beginning of the study, there was no difference noted between those who carried the AP0E 4 gene and non-carriers.
<blockquote>After two years, the APOE4 carriers who made <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/healthier-lifestyle-may-prevent-dementia/">healthy lifestyle changes</a> were found to improve in cognitive function when compared to APOE4 carriers in the control group — the group that did not implement lifestyle changes.</blockquote>
Cognitive function also improved for non-carriers who made lifestyle changes.
Findings from the FINGER study were considered groundbreaking evidence that specific diet and lifestyle changes could impact cognitive decline in people at risk for Alzheimer’s. The findings were consistent with the seven steps <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/what-experts-say-are-the-best-supplements-for-your-brain/">recommended for brain health</a> by <a href="https://www.alzdiscovery.org/cognitive-vitality/first-steps" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the Alzheimer’s Drug Discover Foundation</a>.
“Whether such benefits are more pronounced in APOE4carriers, compared with non-carriers, should be further investigated,” wrote Dr. Solomon of the Institute of Clinical Medicine/Neurology at the University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, and her associates.
Future studies will be conducted during a follow up on the FINGER clinical research trial. This new data will be used to help researchers gather even more information on how effective lifestyle changes are in preventing dementia. In addition, scientists will investigate whether the benefits of diet and lifestyle changes have a bigger impact on individuals who carry the AP0E4 gene, compared to non-carriers.
Have you found healthy lifestyle changes to improve cognition in yourself or a senior loved one? We&#8217;d like to hear your stories in the comments below.
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Healthy Lifestyle Changes Improve Cognition for People With the AP0E4 Gene

The strongest genetic predictor of Alzheimer’s disease is the AP0E4 gene. Recent studies published in JAMA Neurology show that healthy lifestyle changes can improve cognition and protect against cognitive decline in seniors who carry this gene. Read more about these lifestyle changes and the impact they have on AP0E4 gene carriers. The APOE4 Gene To […]

Last Updated: May 14, 2018
Researchers from King&#8217;s College London believe a blood test would allow Alzheimer&#8217;s disease to be diagnosed and treated before symptoms occur. <img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Blood-Test-Could-Help-Identify-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg" alt="Blood Test Could Help Identify Alzheimer&#039;s" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68215" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Blood-Test-Could-Help-Identify-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Blood-Test-Could-Help-Identify-Alzheimers-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Blood-Test-Could-Help-Identify-Alzheimers.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Learn more about the research on using a blood test for Alzheimer&#8217;s and what it means for the future of dementia treatment.
<h2>Researchers Use a Blood Test to Predict the Onset of Alzheimer&#8217;s</h2>
In a study published in <a href="https://www.kcl.ac.uk/ioppn/news/records/2014/July/Significant-step-towards-blood-test-for-Alzheimers.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Alzheimer&#8217;s &amp; Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer&#8217;s Association</a>, researchers from King&#8217;s College London revealed that they were able to predict the onset of Alzheimer&#8217;s with 87% accuracy.
The study involved 1,100 participants and found that 10 of the 26 proteins associated with Alzheimer&#8217;s indicated the progression of mild cognitive impairment to the onset of the disease. Previous studies have shown that one in ten people who have mild cognitive impairment eventually go on to develop Alzheimer&#8217;s.
<blockquote>Using this information, <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2014-03-24/spinal-fluid-protein-test/">researchers analyzed protein levels</a> and accurately <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/blood-test-could-help-with-early-alzheimers-diagnosis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">predicted the onset of Alzheimer&#8217;s in 87% of cases</a>.</blockquote>
More than five million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer&#8217;s and the disease is expected to triple by 2050, with no cure in sight. Finding a way to <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2014-01-08/prevention-with-early-detection/">diagnose Alzheimer&#8217;s early and maximize treatment options</a> is vitally important to fighting this epidemic.
This groundbreaking study means that a blood test could predict the onset of Alzheimer&#8217;s before clinical symptoms are present; <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2014-03-12/alzheimers-blood-test/">though more research may be needed</a>. This type of test could also help physicians diagnose <a href="http://blink.htcsense.com/web/articleweb.aspx?regionid=1&amp;articleid=25616861" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the disease before symptoms occur </a>and medication could be started before Alzheimer&#8217;s progresses, which would optimize treatment options and expand research opportunities.
Oxford University neuroscience professor and senior author of the study, Simon Lovestone, said, &#8220;Many of our drug trials fail because by the time patients are given the drugs, the brain has already been too severely affected.&#8221; Lovestone adds:
<blockquote>&#8220;A simple blood test could help us identify patients at a much earlier stage to take part in new trials and hopefully develop treatments which could prevent the progression of the disease. The next step will be to validate our findings in further sample sets.&#8221; </blockquote>
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Blood Test Could Help Identify Alzheimer's

Last Updated: May 14, 2018 Researchers from King’s College London believe a blood test would allow Alzheimer’s disease to be diagnosed and treated before symptoms occur. Learn more about the research on using a blood test for Alzheimer’s and what it means for the future of dementia treatment. Researchers Use a Blood Test to Predict the Onset […]

The FDA has drafted new guidelines for its Alzheimer&#8217;s research drug approval process. In response to the insights learned through decades of research, the FDA is placing a higher importance on early detection and the role of biomarkers in Alzheimer&#8217;s.<img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/FDA-Modernizes-Approach-to-Alzheimers-Research-300x158.jpg" alt="FDA Modernizes Approach to Alzheimer&#039;s Research" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68238" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/FDA-Modernizes-Approach-to-Alzheimers-Research-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/FDA-Modernizes-Approach-to-Alzheimers-Research-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/FDA-Modernizes-Approach-to-Alzheimers-Research.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> 
Learn more about what prompted the FDA to draft new guidelines and how it may affect future clinical trials.
<h2>FDA Redefining Success for Alzheimer&#8217;s Research</h2>
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is <a href="https://www.statnews.com/2018/03/05/alzheimers-disease-drugs-fda/" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.statnews.com/2018/03/05/alzheimers-disease-drugs-fda/" rel="noopener noreferrer">changing its approach to evaluating drugs for Alzheimer’s</a> disease and other neurological conditions. Since the 1990s, the FDA has required clinical trials to prove that a new drug can improve the cognition and function of a person with the disease. However, as researchers understand more about the nature of Alzheimer&#8217;s, it has become clear that this standard will not work if we are to stop Alzheimer’s before it starts.
In the <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2014-07-16/10-early-alzheimers-warning-signs/">earlier stages of Alzheimer’s</a> and sometimes even into the mid-stages of the disease, there is often no issue with daily function. In fact, researchers agree that functional impairment is often not recognized until Alzheimer’s has progressed into the third stage.
Thus, Alzheimer’s drugs were failing to meet FDA standards because they could not show an improvement in functional impairment since there was no functional impairment present in <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/earliest-indicators-of-alzheimers/">early Alzheimer&#8217;s</a>.
<h2>New Approach Applied to Different Stages of Alzheimer’s</h2>
In most other cases, the FDA requires only one endpoint. This is now the suggestion being made for Alzheimer’s.
<blockquote>The FDA is striving to modernize its approach, taking into account what we now know about the disease to <a href="https://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/UCM596728.pdf" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/UCM596728.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer">draft guidelines for three stages of early Alzheimer’s</a> and the drug development for each stage.</blockquote>
According to newly drafted FDA guidelines:
<ol>
<li>Individuals with Stage 1 Alzheimer’s show no clinical symptoms of the disease, but do have biomarker evidence of it. Biomarker evidence includes positive PET scans showing beta-amyloid or tau proteins. For this stage, improvements in biomarkers would serve as the basis for drug approval.</li>
<li>People in Stage 2 of Alzheimer’s show biomarker evidence of the disease and signs of cognitive impairment but are not showing signs of functional impairment. For drug approval in this stage, the FDA will consider “strongly justified arguments” for using only improvements in cognition as a benchmark.</li>
<li>Individuals in Stage 3 Alzheimer&#8217;s have biomarker evidence of the disease and show cognitive and functional impairment. For these trials, approval would be based on improvement in cognition and function.</li>
</ol>
The revised FDA guidelines reflect decades of research and studies, showing <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/better-alzheimers-prevention-with-early-detection/">the importance of early identification</a> and the role of biomarkers in diagnosis.
Researchers conducting clinical trials must now specify and identify the stage of Alzheimer’s in each participant at the time of enrollment and use biomarkers for participant selection and to monitor disease progression as well as the effectiveness of the drug.
How do you think the new FDA standards will affect Alzheimer’s research and the search for a cure?  We&#8217;d like to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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FDA Modernizes Approach to Alzheimer's Research

The FDA has drafted new guidelines for its Alzheimer’s research drug approval process. In response to the insights learned through decades of research, the FDA is placing a higher importance on early detection and the role of biomarkers in Alzheimer’s. Learn more about what prompted the FDA to draft new guidelines and how it may […]

University of Texas Southwestern’s Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute has found that suffering from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease earlier in life.<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68517" src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Brain-Injury-May-Increase-Risk-of-Early-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg" alt="Brain Injury May Increase the Risk of Early Alzheimer’s" width="300" height="158" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Brain-Injury-May-Increase-Risk-of-Early-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Brain-Injury-May-Increase-Risk-of-Early-Alzheimers-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Brain-Injury-May-Increase-Risk-of-Early-Alzheimers.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> 
Learn more about the correlation between early Alzheimer&#8217;s and TBI, and why researchers need more evidence before establishing a causal relationship between the two.
<h2>Brain Injury Likely Increases the Risk of Alzheimer&#8217;s and Impacts Long-Term Health</h2>
A <a href="http://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037/neu0000423" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="http://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037/neu0000423">study from UT Southwestern’s Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute</a> was the first study to use autopsy-confirmed cases of Alzheimer’s to examine the <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180301094832.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180301094832.htm">long-term effects of TBIs</a>. Previous studies have speculated about a relationship between the two, but none have used definitive diagnostic methods and some of the cases studies may not have actually had Alzheimer’s.
<blockquote>The study analyzed more than 2,100 cases and found that people who had TBI and a loss of consciousness of more than 5 minutes were diagnosed with Alzheimer&#8217;s 2.5 years earlier than those who had not experienced a TBI.</blockquote>
Study authors caution that while their findings do suggest a link between Alzheimer&#8217;s and TBI, they still do not know the exact <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/dementias-impact-on-age-brain/">relationship between the two</a> and they can not predict who is likely to develop dementia on a case by case basis.
Neuropsychologist Dr. Munro Cullum, overseer of the study and leader of the nation’s effort to track concussions in youth sports cautions, &#8220;We need to be aware that brain injury is a risk factor, but parents shouldn&#8217;t keep their kids out of sports because they fear a concussion will lead to dementia.”
Researchers still need to learn what it is about TBI that <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/4-04-16-area-of-brain-where-alzheimers-begins/">contributes to Alzheimer&#8217;s</a> and what other factors and triggers could be involved. However, scientists believe getting the answers to these questions may take decades because there is not a lot of records about TBI. While some organizations, like the NCAA, are starting to collect detailed concussion histories it will still be a while before researchers can see the impact those concussions have on long-term brain health.
<blockquote>Dr. Collum explains, ”&#8230;We have to wait 40 to 50 years until those college athletes are in their 60s and 70s to study them and know the outcome. That&#8217;s going to be a long wait. We need researchers now to start collecting this information as part of their routine studies. Until we have more detail, all we can look at are correlations.”</blockquote>
Have you seen a correlation between Alzheimer&#8217;s and brain injury in your family? We&#8217;d like to hear more about your experiences in the comments below.
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Brain Injury May Increase the Risk of Early Alzheimer's

Brain Injury May Increase the Risk of Early Alzheimer’s

University of Texas Southwestern’s Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute has found that suffering from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease earlier in life. Learn more about the correlation between early Alzheimer’s and TBI, and why researchers need more evidence before establishing a causal relationship between the two. Brain […]

The role of a spousal caregiver brings with it many ups and downs, along with a sense of meaning and purpose. Though, in addition to the sense of fulfillment that caregiving can bring, it’s also known to be one of the most challenging endeavors in life.<img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Study-Reveals-That-Appreciation-Lowers-Level-of-Burden-for-Spousal-Caregivers-300x158.jpg" alt="Study Reveals That Appreciation Lowers Level of Burden for Spousal Caregivers" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68405" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Study-Reveals-That-Appreciation-Lowers-Level-of-Burden-for-Spousal-Caregivers-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Study-Reveals-That-Appreciation-Lowers-Level-of-Burden-for-Spousal-Caregivers-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Study-Reveals-That-Appreciation-Lowers-Level-of-Burden-for-Spousal-Caregivers.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> 
In fact, over 30 years of research has revealed that caregiving is one of the most emotionally and physically demanding roles a person can take on. Read more about how caregiver appreciation can alleviate some of the burden placed on spousal caregivers.
<h2>Burden Experienced by Spousal Caregivers</h2>
As a caregiver, you have more than likely heard about “<a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/caregiver-stress/art-20044784" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">caregiver stress</a>.” It’s a common condition brought on when caregivers spend too many hours caring for a loved one, while not paying ample attention to one’s own emotional, physical or social needs.
According to <a href="http://www.buffalo.edu/news/releases/2017/08/033.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Michael Poulin</a>, Associate Professor at the University at Buffalo, Department of Psychology, &#8220;Spousal caregiving is an enormous burden, emotionally, physically and economically,&#8221; he says. &#8220;If we can find ways for community <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/finding-alzheimers-hope-and-inspiration/">resources to help</a>&#8230; those conditions we might be able to make a difference in the lives of millions of people.&#8221;
Poulin&#8217;s <a href="http://www.buffalo.edu/news/releases/2017/08/033.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">latest research</a> found that specific circumstances could have a very beneficial impact on caregiver stress:
<blockquote>“Believe it or not, the helping behaviors involved in spousal caregiving were found (under certain circumstances) to relieve stress in the caregivers,” says Poulin.</blockquote>
He continues, “Spending time attempting to provide help can be <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/balance-life-as-an-alzheimers-caregiver/">beneficial for a caregivers’ mental and physical well-being</a>, but only during those times when the caregiver sees that their help has made a difference and that difference is noticed and recognized by their partner,” stated Poulin.
<h2>Study Shows That Appreciation Lowers Burden for Spousal Caregivers</h2>
A <a href="https://publichealth.yale.edu/article.aspx?id=15439" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Yale School of Public Health</a> study published in the American Psychology Association’s journal, Health Psychology, revealed that appreciation does lower the caregiving burden for spousal caregivers.
Researchers conducted two studies with spouses caring for their partners; the first involved 73 participants who reported their emotional reactions to activities performed during caregiving — every three hours. Researchers were able to evaluate specific activities linked to emotions at various intervals throughout the day. The second study involved 43 caregivers who kept a detailed account (in a written diary) at the end of each day spent providing caregiving tasks. They noted the care they provided, as well as the appreciation they received.
Researchers examined the results and found that when a spouse cares for a loved one and feels appreciated in return, they have <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/11-28-14-retaining-sanity-as-caregiver/">fewer physical ailments and a higher level of happiness</a> — compared to those who did not feel appreciated. The study authors say of the research:
<blockquote>“This study adds to a growing body of evidence showing that it is important to target emotional communication between spouses in daily support interactions to improve psychological well-being in the context of chronic conditions and disability.”</blockquote>
Have you experienced the positive effects documented in this study by spousal caregivers? We&#8217;d like to hear more about your caregiving experiences in the comments below.
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Study Reveals That Appreciation Lowers Level of Burden for Spousal Caregivers

The role of a spousal caregiver brings with it many ups and downs, along with a sense of meaning and purpose. Though, in addition to the sense of fulfillment that caregiving can bring, it’s also known to be one of the most challenging endeavors in life. In fact, over 30 years of research has revealed […]

Every family touched by Alzheimer’s disease knows how much it can take over the lives of the people that have it. Knowing how many people it affects and how much an influence it has on people’s lives, many researchers have devoted years trying to better understand the disease. While a cure is still out of our reach, every new study can bring us closer to piecing together what causes the worst symptoms of the disease and what people may be able to do to reduce their risk or slow the onset.<img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/The-Connection-Between-Alzheimers-and-Hearing-Loss-300x158.jpg" alt="The Connection Between Alzheimer&#039;s and Hearing Loss" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68419" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/The-Connection-Between-Alzheimers-and-Hearing-Loss-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/The-Connection-Between-Alzheimers-and-Hearing-Loss-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/The-Connection-Between-Alzheimers-and-Hearing-Loss.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> 
One such recent study found a potentially important link between Alzheimer&#8217;s and hearing loss.
<h2>New Research Links Alzheimer’s and Hearing Loss</h2>
Over the past few years, <a href="https://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-07-2013/hearing-loss-linked-to-dementia.html" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-07-2013/hearing-loss-linked-to-dementia.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">researchers at Johns Hopkins</a> have done studies looking at how hearing loss may influence cognitive decline. In each case, they met with a number of seniors over several years and tracked which ones <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/have-alzheimers-now-what/">developed Alzheimer&#8217;s</a> and how quickly the disease progressed. In each study, the people with hearing loss had higher rates of dementia.
<blockquote>In one study, people with hearing loss were 24% more likely to have Alzheimer&#8217;s. In another, they found that the worse the hearing loss was, the more likely the person was to develop dementia.</blockquote>
These studies don’t suggest that hearing loss itself causes dementia, but it does show that there’s a link between the two. The researchers have a few theories on why that might be:
<ol>
<li>Change in brain function: The particular part of your brain in charge of hearing and processing auditory information may simply start to work differently when the hearing part of that equation goes away (or becomes strained), causing a change to how your brain is structured, which could be related to the effects of Alzheimer’s.</li>
<li>Cognitive load: When you can’t hear well, you have to work a lot harder to make sense of what people are saying. Every conversation you participate in requires more mental energy and work. If your everyday conversations are taking up most of the mental energy you have, then there’s less left for you to put toward memory or other cognitive functions.</li>
<li>Social isolation: We know that <a href="https://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/10-17-14-facts-about-senior-isolation/" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/10-17-14-facts-about-senior-isolation/" rel="noopener noreferrer">social isolation</a> can have some very serious effects on both physical and mental health. When it’s hard to hear, it becomes harder to maintain social connections, which can lead to feeling alienated and experiencing all the negative effects of social isolation and loneliness.</li>
<li>They share a cause: The researchers behind the study are confident they managed to control this, but concede there is some possibility Alzheimer&#8217;s and hearing loss may both be caused by some third health issue that people who experienced both in the study shared.</li>
</ol>
Though we don’t know if the relationship between Alzheimer’s and hearing loss is due to one of these things or some combination of them, but simply knowing the relationship exists is a step toward being able to do something about it.
<h2>What This Means for People With Alzheimer&#8217;s</h2>
First off, it’s important to note that having hearing loss doesn’t mean your loved one is going to <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/stages-of-alzheimers-disease/">develop Alzheimer&#8217;s</a>. Many people begin to have trouble hearing in their senior years and manage to live out those years without experiencing dementia. But the link does suggest to us that if we can do something to minimize hearing loss, there’s a decent chance that we can also minimize the likelihood of getting Alzheimer’s or the severity of it if someone does get it.
In fact, there’s an additional study that bears this theory out. Researchers at a hospital in Paris provided a number of people with deafness in at least one ear with a <a href="https://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/elderly-hearing-loss-hearing-aids/" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/elderly-hearing-loss-hearing-aids/" rel="noopener noreferrer">cochlear implant</a> and tracked their cognitive performance before and after receiving the implant along with auditory rehabilitation. 80% of the people studied showed cognitive improvement within a year. For comparison, those are better results by nearly double than any FDA-approved drugs for treating dementia.
Any senior experiencing hearing loss should make a point to seek out treatments for it. Not only will it make it much easier to communicate with friends and loved ones and continue to participate in the many everyday activities that require hearing, but it could help them avoid or stave off Alzheimer’s for longer.
That’s <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/8-21-14-dementia-financial-and-legal-planning/">well worth the cost of treatment</a> in and of itself.
Were you aware of the connection between Alzheimer&#8217;s and hearing loss? Will you seek treatment for the two? We&#8217;d like to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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The Connection Between Alzheimer's and Hearing Loss

Every family touched by Alzheimer’s disease knows how much it can take over the lives of the people that have it. Knowing how many people it affects and how much an influence it has on people’s lives, many researchers have devoted years trying to better understand the disease. While a cure is still out of our […]

It’s no secret that the Western diet is loaded with salt. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends 3/4 teaspoon of salt each day, but most Americans eat 50% more than that on a daily basis. We know that too much salt is bad for your heart, but now, a study on human and mice cells has found that consuming too much salt can have negative effects on the brain and harm neurons.<img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/High-Salt-Diet-Increases-Risk-of-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg" alt="High Salt Diet Increases Risk of Alzheimer&#039;s" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68291" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/High-Salt-Diet-Increases-Risk-of-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/High-Salt-Diet-Increases-Risk-of-Alzheimers-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/High-Salt-Diet-Increases-Risk-of-Alzheimers.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Learn more about this study and the effects of a high salt diet on the brain and body.
<h2>High Salt Diet Increases Risks for Head and Heart Health</h2>
A new study has found that a <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-5271165/Salt-heavy-diet-increases-risk-Alzheimers.html" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-5271165/Salt-heavy-diet-increases-risk-Alzheimers.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">high salt diet can lead to inflammation</a>, which is linked to all major diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The study from Weill Cornell University, published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-017-0059-z" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-017-0059-z">Nature Neuroscience</a>, found that when mice were fed a salty diet, they experienced a reduction in blood flow to the brain and an increase in a pro-inflammatory chemical that damages the lining of blood vessels.
There is an immune response to salt that increases the number of immune cells called TH17. TH17 releases a pro-inflammatory chemical called IL-17. IL-17 damages blood vessels and suppresses nitric oxide, which helps blood vessels relax and is necessary to make new memories. In the absence of nitric oxide, neurons struggle to function, leading to behavioral difficulties.
Dr Iadecola, a leading expert on dementia at Weill Cornell University, said, “Normal cognition function requires an adequate, well-regulated delivery of blood flow. Neurons are very finicky, like little children, they only want one kind of food: only glucose and oxygen.” Without enough of those two “foods,” neurons will not function as they should.
Dr Iadecola added that “In aged mice fed a high salt diet, performance at the novel object task was impaired earlier, eight weeks, than in young mice, 12 weeks.” The mice that were fed a high salt diet struggled through spatial memory tests and normal cognitive functioning &#8211; including how to build a nest. Dr. Iadecola noted, “Nest building and burrowing are spontaneous rodent behaviors akin to activities of daily living typically altered in patients with cognitive impairment.” He also adds that while this study was conducted on mice, there is evidence that salt affects human cells in the same way.
<h2>How Diet and Lifestyle Change Impact Brain Health</h2>
As researchers push for <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/alzheimers-prevention-tools/">a cure for Alzheimer’s</a> and related forms of dementia, <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/healthier-lifestyle-may-prevent-dementia/">the importance of lifestyle choices</a> becomes paramount for prevention. In this case, researchers resumed a normal diet for the mice and after four weeks, brain scans showed healthy blood flow to the brain.
<blockquote>Dr. Sara Imarisio, head of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK says, “This research not only highlights the importance of the immune system for brain health but also suggests that changes in the gut can play a role.”</blockquote>
She continues, “The findings highlight the importance of <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/4-8-15-mind-diet-alzheimers-prevention/">cutting out the excess salt in our diets</a>, as well as identifying possible new avenues in the search for treatments to help those with memory problems or dementia.”
Have you seen a correlation between a high salt diet and memory loss? Has reducing salt intake helped improve memory in yourself or a loved one? We&#8217;d like to hear your experiences in the comments below.
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<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/healthier-lifestyle-may-prevent-dementia/">Healthier Lifestyle May Prevent 1 in 3 Cases of Dementia</a></li>
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High Salt Diet Increases Risk of Alzheimer's

It’s no secret that the Western diet is loaded with salt. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends 3/4 teaspoon of salt each day, but most Americans eat 50% more than that on a daily basis. We know that too much salt is bad for your heart, but now, a study on human and mice cells […]

Canola oil is a common substitute oil when cooking, with many thinking it is a healthier alternative to other types of oils. While marketed as a healthier oil, very little research has been done to show its health benefits until now.<img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Alzheimers-Symptoms-Worsened-by-Canola-Oil-300x158.jpg" alt="Alzheimer&#039;s Symptoms Worsened by Canola Oil" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68208" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Alzheimers-Symptoms-Worsened-by-Canola-Oil-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Alzheimers-Symptoms-Worsened-by-Canola-Oil-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Alzheimers-Symptoms-Worsened-by-Canola-Oil.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> 
A new study evaluating the health benefits of canola oil found that it actually has detrimental effects on health and memory in mice who had Alzheimer’s disease. Learn more about the study, its findings and how you can <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2013-10-15/superfoods-that-fight-alzheimers/">substitute other oil</a> for canola oil in cooking.
<h2>Canola Oil Leads to Alzheimer&#8217;s Symptoms, Weight Gain in Mice</h2>
In a study from Temple University, researchers found that <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/alzheimers-symptoms-worsened-canola-oil-and-it-could-cause-onset-dementia-741233" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="http://www.newsweek.com/alzheimers-symptoms-worsened-canola-oil-and-it-could-cause-onset-dementia-741233">canola oil inhibited memory, learning ability and led to weight gain</a> for mice who had Alzheimer’s. The study was published in December 2017 in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-17373-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-17373-3">Scientific Reports</a>. Researchers used genetically engineered mice with Alzheimer’s disease and split them into two groups at six months old before signs and symptoms of the disease began. The control group was fed a standard diet and the experimental group received a supplement of two tablespoons of canola oil daily.
<blockquote>After six months of the study, the research team noticed that the experimental group that received canola oil daily weighed more than the control group. Additionally, cognitive tests found that learning ability, short-term memory and working memory were all negatively affected in the <a href="https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-12-canola-oil-linked-worsened-memory.html" data-cke-saved-href="https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-12-canola-oil-linked-worsened-memory.html">mice that received canola oil</a>.</blockquote>
Further testing also found that the mice who received the canola oil supplement had less amyloid beta 1-40, a protein that protects from other, harmful beta-amyloid associated with Alzheimer’s. Study co-author Dr. Domenico Praticò from the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University explains, “Amyloid beta 1-40 neutralizes the actions of amyloid 1-42, which means that a decrease in 1-40, like the one observed in our study, leaves 1-42 unchecked. In our model, this change in ratio resulted in considerable neuronal damage, decreased neural contacts, and memory impairment.”
<h2>Finding Healthier Alternatives to Canola Oil</h2>
Canola oil is one of the most widely consumed vegetable oils in the world and has been marketed as the healthier alternative to other kinds of oils yet little research has been done to actually determine its health benefits. The oil is low in saturated fat and even been shown to <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/the-mediterranean-diet/">reduce cholesterol levels</a>.
<blockquote>Praticò explains, “Canola oil is very appealing because it is less expensive than other vegetable oils, and it is advertised as being healthy. Very few studies, however, have examined that claim, especially in terms of the brain.”</blockquote>
Scientists plan on doing more research to determine how canola oil affects the brain and test if the negative effects of canola oil are specific for Alzheimer’s disease. Praticò believes there could be a chance that consuming canola oil could affect the onset and pathology of other neurodegenerative diseases and dementia.
<a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/4-8-15-mind-diet-alzheimers-prevention/">Healthy alternatives to canola oil</a> for cooking include:
<ul>
<li>Avocado oil</li>
<li>Grapeseed oil</li>
<li>Sunflower oil</li>
</ul>
All of those oils have higher smoke points. Be wary of olive oil, however, which is not meant for high-temperature cooking.
Have you seen a correlation between Alzheimer&#8217;s symptoms and canola oil? Will you stop using canola oil in your cooking? We&#8217;d like to hear your stories and thoughts in the comments below.
Related Articles:
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<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2013-10-15/superfoods-that-fight-alzheimers/">Memory Boosting Superfoods That Fight Alzheimer’s</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/4-8-15-mind-diet-alzheimers-prevention/">MIND Diet Could Reduce Risk of Alzheimer’s</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/the-mediterranean-diet/">What Is the Mediterranean Diet?</a></li>
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Alzheimer's Symptoms Worsened by Canola Oil

Canola oil is a common substitute oil when cooking, with many thinking it is a healthier alternative to other types of oils. While marketed as a healthier oil, very little research has been done to show its health benefits until now. A new study evaluating the health benefits of canola oil found that it actually […]

When a person has Alzheimer’s disease, they lose a large number of brain cells – or neurons – in specific regions of the brain. The process starts in the area called the hippocampus, where memories are processed for long-term storage.<img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Neurosteroid-A-New-Treatment-for-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg" alt="Neurosteroid: A New Treatment for Alzheimer&#039;s" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68383" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Neurosteroid-A-New-Treatment-for-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Neurosteroid-A-New-Treatment-for-Alzheimers-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Neurosteroid-A-New-Treatment-for-Alzheimers.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Scientists have been trying to figure out just how to restore these lost brain cells for some time, through a process called neurogenesis.
<h2>Neurogenesis</h2>
Neurogenesis is the process by which brain cells, known as neurons, are produced by neural stem cells. The assumption is that if the neurons are replaced, <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/new-diagnostic-and-treatment-options-for-alzheimers/">cognitive function will be restored</a>. But in the past, neurogenesis involving stem cell therapy has failed.
Stem cells reside within the body waiting to be used to regenerate tissues and cells in a continuous process, which occurs throughout the lifespan. Without stem cells, people wouldn’t be able to live very long, because as old cells die, there would be no way of replacing them.
In addition to replacing old cells and tissue that have lived out their lifespan, the inflammatory process stimulates cells to flood into an area that has been damaged or injured, to repair the wreckage.
<h2>Neurosteroid: A New Treatment for Alzheimer’s</h2>
Most recently, through funding from the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF), Dr. Roberta Diaz Brinton, Professor of Pharmacology and Neurology at the University of Arizona, in <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/resources/arizona/tucson/">Tucson</a>, has discovered that a neurosteroid, called allopregnanolone, helps to multiply and stimulate stem cells.
Dr. Brinton specializes in bioenergetics and regenerative systems in the brain, a part of biochemistry concerned with the energy required to create (and break) chemical bonds in the molecules found in organisms. Regenerative systems involve the scientific discovery that many of the organs of the body (including the brain) harbor stem cells which can regenerate dead cells.  
Neurosteroids are molecules synthesized in the brain, that modulate brain excitability. In a recent phase 1 clinical research trial, Dr. Brinton demonstrated that:
<blockquote>The allopregnanolone promoted neurogenesis, restoring cognition while reducing symptoms of Alzheimer&#8217;s in the brain.</blockquote>
This is very inspiring news for the <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/alzheimers-affects-twice-as-many-people-as-estimated/">hope of a future cure for the disease</a>. An all-new, larger, phase 2 clinical trial is now being planned to support the manufacture of allopregnanolone, funded by the ADDF.
“Dr. Brinton is among the most prominent researchers working on Alzheimer’s today,” said Howard Fillit, MD, Founding Executive Director and Chief Scientific Officer of the ADDF. “Her research output, including her development of what could become the first regenerative therapy for Alzheimer’s, is impressive. I have known Robbie for many years and am pleased that the Committee chose to honor her immense contribution to our field with the third annual Goodes Prize.”
<h2>The Goodes Prize Awarded to Neurosteroid Researchers</h2>
ADDF researchers make important contributions toward the availability of effective treatment for Alzheimer’s. The Goodes Prize was awarded to Dr. Brinton this year, for her groundbreaking work with neurosteroids, as an innovative new treatment approach for the disease. According to the panel of experts, “Dr. Brinton’s “integrative research strategies span discovery to translation to clinical science. She is one of the few investigators in Alzheimer’s disease applying systems approaches to drug development to enable precision medicine in the field.”
“The recognition of our innovative therapeutic approach by the ADDF’s Goodes Prize is deeply gratifying. I am honored to be among those who continue the legacy of Melvin and Nancy Goodes to <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2014-03-13/alzheimers-brain-stages/">cure Alzheimer’s disease</a> and am confident that together we will achieve the goal” said Dr. Brinton.
Dr. Brinton’s goal is said to be an example of “precision therapeutics to delay, treat, and cure Alzheimer&#8217;s disease.” Dr. Brinton is also involved in a second clinical trial involving a ground-breaking treatment for age-related cognitive decline and menopausal symptoms in women at risk for Alzheimer’s.
Are you hopeful that neurosteroid research may result in a treatment for Alzheimer&#8217;s? We&#8217;d like to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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Neurosteroid: A New Treatment for Alzheimer's

When a person has Alzheimer’s disease, they lose a large number of brain cells – or neurons – in specific regions of the brain. The process starts in the area called the hippocampus, where memories are processed for long-term storage. Scientists have been trying to figure out just how to restore these lost brain cells […]

A new study presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in London has found that a significant amount of people with dementia or mild cognitive impairment who are being treated for Alzheimer’s may not actually have the disease.<img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/PET-Scans-Show-Many-Being-Treated-for-Alzheimers-May-Not-Have-Disease-300x158.jpg" alt="PET Scans Show Many Being Treated for Alzheimer&#039;s May Not Have Disease" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68386" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/PET-Scans-Show-Many-Being-Treated-for-Alzheimers-May-Not-Have-Disease-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/PET-Scans-Show-Many-Being-Treated-for-Alzheimers-May-Not-Have-Disease-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/PET-Scans-Show-Many-Being-Treated-for-Alzheimers-May-Not-Have-Disease.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> 
Learn more about this study, its results and how it may encourage more insurance coverage for PET scans.
<h2>PET Scans Show Many Treated for Alzheimer&#8217;s</h2>
At the Alzheimer’s Association International Convention, researchers presented the results from a four-year study launched in 2016 that will evaluate <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/researchers-use-algorithm-to-predict-alzheimers-years-before-symptoms/">the presence of beta-amyloid</a> in over 18,000 Medicare beneficiaries. The study has yielded staggering results with the brain scans of 4,000 participants showing that many being treated for Alzheimer’s have no beta-amyloid present in their brain.
Researchers used PET imaging to scan the brains of people with dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to see if they had beta-amyloid plaques in their brains. Beta-amyloid plaques are a hallmark characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. While the presence of amyloid does not mean a person has Alzheimer’s, it often precedes a diagnosis and can increase the likelihood of a diagnosis. A negative test for amyloid means that Alzheimer’s is not present.
<blockquote>The &#8220;<a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/clinical-trials/imaging-dementia-evidence-amyloid-scanning-ideas-study" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/clinical-trials/imaging-dementia-evidence-amyloid-scanning-ideas-study">Imaging Dementia-Evidence for Amyloid Scanning (IDEAS)</a>&#8221; study found that of the 4,000 participants tested so far, only 54.3% of people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and only 70.5% of people with dementia had beta-amyloid plaques. Alzheimer&#8217;s was the suspected culprit of cognitive impairment in over 76% of participants.</blockquote>
Until recently, Alzheimer’s was only able to be diagnosed after death through an autopsy. Today, the disease can be diagnosed through PET imaging or a spinal tap. Additionally, researchers are working on a non-invasive blood test that can <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/scientists-work-towards-better-cheaper-alzheimers-test/">diagnose the disease</a>. Because  PET scans are expensive and spinal taps are invasive, most people do not undergo these tests to determine if they actually have the disease. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services agreed to cover the tests for the IDEAS study and researchers are hopeful their staggering results will convince insurance companies to cover future tests.
<h2>Study Results in Changed Care Plans, New Treatments</h2>
Finding that so many being treated for Alzheimer’s without the presence of beta-amyloid plaques is changing the way they are being <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/brain-scans-show-many-alzheimers-patients-may-not-actually-have-the-disease/2017/07/18/52013620-6bf2-11e7-9c15-177740635e83_story.html" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/brain-scans-show-many-alzheimers-patients-may-not-actually-have-the-disease/2017/07/18/52013620-6bf2-11e7-9c15-177740635e83_story.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">treated for cognitive issues</a>. Over 400 doctors enrolled patients in the study and wrote care plans stating how each patient would be treated based on clinical issues. However, after seeing the PET imaging results, doctors changed the care plans for 66% of their patients.
James Hendrix, the Alzheimer’s Association’s director of global science initiatives explained, “If someone had a putative diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, they might be on an Alzheimer’s drug like Aricept or Namenda. What if they had a PET scan and it showed that they didn’t have <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/4-04-16-area-of-brain-where-alzheimers-begins/">amyloid in their brain</a>? Their physician would take them off that drug and look for something else.” He admits the results of the study are surprising, saying:
<blockquote>“We thought we would be able to see about a 30% change, but we’re getting a 66% change, so it’s huge. We see high percentages of people who are on a drug and didn’t need to be on those drugs.”</blockquote>
Have you had a PET scan done? How are you or a senior loved one being treated for Alzheimer&#8217;s? We’d like to hear more about your experiences in the comments below.
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PET Scans Show Many Being Treated for Alzheimer's May Not Have Disease

A new study presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in London has found that a significant amount of people with dementia or mild cognitive impairment who are being treated for Alzheimer’s may not actually have the disease. Learn more about this study, its results and how it may encourage more insurance coverage for PET […]

A new study has found that increasing symptoms of anxiety and depression may be linked to an increase in beta-amyloid proteins, a hallmark characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. <img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Anxiety-Disorders-Could-Lead-to-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg" alt="Anxiety Disorders Could Lead to Alzheimer&#039;s" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68210" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Anxiety-Disorders-Could-Lead-to-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Anxiety-Disorders-Could-Lead-to-Alzheimers-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Anxiety-Disorders-Could-Lead-to-Alzheimers.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Learn more about anxiety disorders, their signs and symptoms, and why researchers believe there is <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/11-24-14-anxiety-increase-cognitive-decline/">a link between the two conditions</a>.
<h2>Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders</h2>
Anxiety disorders affect nearly 40 million adults every year in the United States. Differing from normal feelings of anxiety and nervousness, <a href="https://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/anxiety-disorders#1" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/anxiety-disorders#1" rel="noopener noreferrer">anxiety disorders</a> are a group of mental illnesses and their effects can be debilitating and disabling.
They include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and specific fears or phobias.
<a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/generalized-anxiety-disorder#outlook" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/generalized-anxiety-disorder#outlook" rel="noopener noreferrer">Symptoms of anxiety disorders</a> can include:
<ul>
<li>Chest pain</li>
<li>Excessive tension</li>
<li>Exhaustion or fatigue</li>
<li>Heart palpitations</li>
<li>Insomnia</li>
<li>Irritability</li>
<li>Lack of concentration</li>
<li>Muscle tension</li>
<li>Overwhelming anxiety and fear</li>
<li>Rapid heartbeat</li>
<li>Shaking</li>
<li>Sweaty palms</li>
<li>Unrealistic worry</li>
</ul>
While the exact cause of these disorders is unknown, it is thought that <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/the-stressful-life-events-that-can-lead-to-alzheimers/">childhood abuse</a>, excessive use of caffeine or tobacco, a family history of anxiety and <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/disadvantages-raise-the-risk-of-dementia-for-african-americans/">prolonged exposure to stressful situations</a> can play a role in the development of anxiety disorders.
If detected, anxiety disorders can often be managed through cognitive behavioral therapy, lifestyle changes, medication and therapies.
<h2>Symptoms of Anxiety Linked to Alzheimer’s Disease</h2>
A study published in the <a href="https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/abs/10.1176/appi.ajp.2017.17040442?journalCode=ajp" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/abs/10.1176/appi.ajp.2017.17040442?journalCode=ajp" rel="noopener noreferrer">The American Journal of Psychiatry</a> has found that increasing symptoms of anxiety may, in fact, be an early symptom of Alzheimer’s disease.
The study found that as symptoms increased, so did levels of beta-amyloid proteins, a hallmark characteristic of Alzheimer’s. Geriatric psychiatrist and study author Nancy Donovan from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/resources/massachusetts/boston/">Boston, Massachusetts</a>, says, &#8220;Rather than just looking at depression as a total score, we looked at specific symptoms such as anxiety. When compared to other <a href="https://www.sciencealert.com/anxiety-early-manifestation-alzheimer-s-amyloid-beta" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.sciencealert.com/anxiety-early-manifestation-alzheimer-s-amyloid-beta" rel="noopener noreferrer">symptoms of depression</a> such as loss of interest or sadness, anxiety symptoms increased over time in those with higher amyloid beta levels in the brain.&#8221;
The study evaluated the anxiety levels and cognitive health of 270 cognitively healthy seniors over a period of 1-5 years, an average of 3.8 years. Individuals underwent PET imaging and yearly assessments using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). The study concluded that higher beta-amyloid amounts were associated with increasing anxious-depressive symptoms over time in cognitively healthy seniors.
Researchers know there is still much work to be done in understanding the link between anxiety and Alzheimer&#8217;s. In the absence of one widely used biomarker for early Alzheimer’s detection, they hope anxiety testing can be useful in identifying those at risk for the disease. Donovan admits, “This is not a definitive result, but it does strengthen the argument that neuropsychiatric changes might be associated with this amyloid.”
Have you seen a link between anxiety disorders and Alzheimer&#8217;s in a loved one? We would like to hear more about your experience in the comments below.
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<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/11-24-14-anxiety-increase-cognitive-decline/">Anxiety May Increase Cognitive Decline</a></li>
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Anxiety Disorders Could Lead to Alzheimer's

A new study has found that increasing symptoms of anxiety and depression may be linked to an increase in beta-amyloid proteins, a hallmark characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. Learn more about anxiety disorders, their signs and symptoms, and why researchers believe there is a link between the two conditions. Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders Anxiety […]

Many people are aware that Alzheimer’s disease is predominately a &#8220;women’s disease.&#8221; According to a recent <a href="https://www.alz.org/documents_custom/2017-facts-and-figures.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Alzheimer’s Association report</a>, nearly two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are women. Of the 5.3 million people age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s in the United States, 3.3 million are women and 2.0 million are men. <img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Gender-Gaps-in-Alzheimers-Research-300x158.jpg" alt="Gender Gaps in Alzheimer&#039;s Research" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68236" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Gender-Gaps-in-Alzheimers-Research-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Gender-Gaps-in-Alzheimers-Research-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Gender-Gaps-in-Alzheimers-Research.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Medical experts and scientists believe other factors (such as hormone changes during menopause) may be involved when it comes to the reason more women have the disease than men, but, much more data is needed before contributing factors can be definitively identified.
<h2>Gaps in Alzheimer&#8217;s Research</h2>
There is a missing link when it comes to Alzheimer&#8217;s research for women today. Although many organizations (such as the Alzheimer’s Association) are pushing for more research involving women and the disease, there has been very little scientific research on the impact of <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2014-03-19/women-at-higher-risk-for-alzheimers/">dementia on women</a> – particularly those in poorer countries.
Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Latin America are all experiencing a larger senior population than ever before and <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/resources/alzheimers-statistics/">the global prevalence of Alzheimer’s continues to rise</a>, with an estimated 70% of people with dementia living in low to middle-income countries.
A database search of academic research papers was performed to discover just how much of a gap there really was when it comes to women and Alzheimer&#8217;s studies worldwide.
The <a href="https://www.alz.co.uk/sites/default/files/pdfs/Women-and-Dementia.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">research discovered</a>:
<ul>
<li>A total 1689 studies initially screened</li>
<li>133 studies selected to review</li>
<li>22 studies focused on women and dementia</li>
<li>17 out of 133 papers related to lower-income countries, with most of the research taking place in North America and Europe</li>
<li>Very few studies focused on women’s first-hand perspective on dealing with dementia</li>
</ul>
<h2>The Difference in How Men and Women Relate to Dementia Care</h2>
An additional factor to consider in studies on dementia is how women respond to having Alzheimer&#8217;s. With most women, adjusting to the role of the care recipient (asking for and receiving help) is different for women than it is for men. One study described a reaction of a mother with dementia who was being cared for by her daughters; her feeling was defined as one of “grateful guilt.”
<blockquote>When caring for <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/8-12-15-why-is-alzheimers-more-likely-in-women/">a woman with dementia</a>, conflicting emotions and family interactions are important factors that need to be addressed to help alleviate negative emotions, such as guilt.</blockquote>
No matter what the cause is, it’s clear that women have some special considerations when it comes to giving (and receiving care). When it comes to medical research, the ball has, without a doubt, been dropped. Scientists have a long way to go, to get a better glimpse of the big picture when it comes to worldwide research on women and Alzheimer’s.
Were you aware of the gender gaps in Alzheimer&#8217;s research? Why do you think women have an increased risk for the disease? We&#8217;d like to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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Gender Gaps in Alzheimer's Research

Many people are aware that Alzheimer’s disease is predominately a “women’s disease.” According to a recent Alzheimer’s Association report, nearly two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are women. Of the 5.3 million people age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s in the United States, 3.3 million are women and 2.0 million are men. Medical experts and scientists […]

Last year, an estimated $1.4 billion poured into Alzheimer’s disease research but who is it going to and what are they doing with it? Take a closer look at the life work of one of the leading doctors on the front lines in the fight against Alzheimer’s – Neuroscientist Li-Huei Tsai.<figure id="attachment_67828" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-67828" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Li-Huei-Tsais-Fight-Against-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg" alt="Li-Huei Tsai&#039;s Fight Against Alzheimer&#039;s" width="300" height="158" class="size-medium wp-image-67828" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Li-Huei-Tsais-Fight-Against-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Li-Huei-Tsais-Fight-Against-Alzheimers-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Li-Huei-Tsais-Fight-Against-Alzheimers.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-67828" class="wp-caption-text">Photo: Li-Huei Tsai/Tsai Laboratory</figcaption></figure>
Her work is proving to be a game-changer in the understanding of Alzheimer’s, hopefully leading to a cure or successful treatment of the disease. Learn more about this inspiring scientist, her personal call to <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2013-09-25/alzheimers-research-funding/">Alzheimer’s research</a>, and her work on LED <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2014-02-24/blue-light-helps-alzheimers/">light therapy</a> and the brain.
<h2>A Lightbulb Moment for Neuroscientist Li-Huei Tsai</h2>
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Li-Huei_Tsai" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Li-Huei Tsai</a> is a 57-year-old neuroscientist who has spent much of her life in search of a cure or treatment for Alzheimer’s. Moved by her grandmother’s diagnosis at a young age, Tsai is a neuroscientist from Taiwan who started her scientific career as an animal veterinarian. It wasn’t until she joined her schoolmates moving to the United States for grad school that she was exposed to laboratory research. There, she partnered with Howard Temin, the late Nobel Prize-winning cancer researcher and ultimately quit veterinary medicine for medical research. She went on to earn her PhD in Texas and join the pathology faculty at Harvard Medical School in 1994.
One of her <a href="http://www.bostonmagazine.com/health/2017/11/27/li-huei-tsai-alzheimers-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="http://www.bostonmagazine.com/health/2017/11/27/li-huei-tsai-alzheimers-treatment/">early breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s</a> research used light to change brain activity, but her method was incredibly invasive – requiring scientists to genetically modify specific neurons. In search of a simpler solution, Tsai and her colleagues found the inspiration they were looking for in a 1989 issue of Nature. The journal had published a study from a team of German scientists who were manipulating brain waves in cats using visual stimulation only. She says, “The concept was so straightforward. The approach is so noninvasive.”
Within months, her team began testing the effects of LED light on the brains of mice with Alzheimer’s. The new study brought together her prior research and the research from the Germans into a comprehensive study on light and the human brain.
<h2>Using LED Light in the Fight Against Alzheimer&#8217;s</h2>
The results of the study were published in Nature December 2017. They found that repeated exposure to pulsating light could reduce the amyloid plaques and tau tangles thought to lead to cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer’s.
Tsai is continuing to pour time and energy into research around <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/1-25-17-flashing-light-therapy-for-alzheimers/">LED light therapy</a>. She hopes to expand her testing from rodents to human subjects.
She says, “Whether it will have an impact or not on people, we’ll find out sooner rather than later.”
What do you think about Dr. Tsai’s research on LED light in the fight against Alzheimer&#8217;s? Would you use light therapy against the disease? We&#8217;d like to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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Li-Huei Tsai's Fight Against Alzheimer's

Last year, an estimated $1.4 billion poured into Alzheimer’s disease research but who is it going to and what are they doing with it? Take a closer look at the life work of one of the leading doctors on the front lines in the fight against Alzheimer’s – Neuroscientist Li-Huei Tsai. Her work is proving […]

Past studies have noted that people with Alzheimer’s disease have less serotonin in their brains than other adults. The chemical monitors and regulates appetite, mood, sexual function, sleep and more in the body. Recent studies now suggest that low serotonin levels may be more than a side effect of Alzheimer’s – it may actually drive the disease.<img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Could-Low-Serotonin-Levels-Drive-Alzheimers-Disease-300x158.jpg" alt="Could Low Serotonin Levels Drive Alzheimer&#039;s Disease?" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68223" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Could-Low-Serotonin-Levels-Drive-Alzheimers-Disease-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Could-Low-Serotonin-Levels-Drive-Alzheimers-Disease-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Could-Low-Serotonin-Levels-Drive-Alzheimers-Disease.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> 
Learn more about the most recent study and how it may affect Alzheimer’s drug research.
<h2>The Relationship Between Alzheimer’s and Serotonin Levels</h2>
While the cause of Alzheimer’s is still unknown, researchers are dedicated to understanding the pathology of the disease and how genetic, molecular and neurological components contribute to its development and progression. Past studies have shown that <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21870888" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21870888">people with Alzheimer’s have less serotonin</a> in their brains – a neurotransmitter which regulates appetite, mood, <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/one-night-of-poor-sleep-can-affect-alzheimers-risk/">sleep</a> and sexual function. Other past studies have shown that a decrease in monoaminergic neurons (the neurons that regulate serotonin and other neurotransmitters) are linked to an increase in beta-amyloid plaque in the brain. Researchers are not sure if the lack of serotonin and its regulators are a cause or effect of Alzheimer’s.
<blockquote>Now, a new study from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore confirms that serotonin levels play a crucial role in the pathology of Alzheimer’s, even suggesting the chemical may drive the disease and not just be a side effect of living with it.</blockquote>
The study used positron emission tomography (PET) scans to evaluate the brains of 56 participants. Researchers divided the participants into two groups – one group with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and one group with healthy adults (the control group). Using radioactive carbon, researchers were able to trace the <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/12-17-14-sleep-protein-prevent-alzheimers/">activity of serotonin</a> and its transmitters during the scans, finding that those with MCI had 38% less than their healthy counterparts.
Furthermore, researchers compared the results of cognitive testing with PET scan results and found that those with MCI performed 37% worse in verbal memory and had 18% less serotonin than the control group.
<h2>Targeting Serotonin Transmitters</h2>
Gwenn Smith, Ph.D., first and corresponding author of the study, and a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine says:
“Now that we have more evidence that serotonin is a chemical that appears [to be] affected early in cognitive decline, we suspect that increasing serotonin function in the brain could <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2016-03-09/connection-between-sleep-and-alzheimers/">prevent memory loss</a> from getting worse and slow disease progression.”
While more research needs to be done to understand <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318968.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318968.php">how serotonin behaves in a brain with Alzheimer’s</a>, this study suggests that serotonin levels may be a therapeutic target for future drug trials.
Were you surprised to hear a loss of serotonin could affect Alzheimer&#8217;s? We&#8217;d like to hear your thoughts on the study in the comments below.
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Could Low Serotonin Levels Drive Alzheimer's Disease?

Past studies have noted that people with Alzheimer’s disease have less serotonin in their brains than other adults. The chemical monitors and regulates appetite, mood, sexual function, sleep and more in the body. Recent studies now suggest that low serotonin levels may be more than a side effect of Alzheimer’s – it may actually drive the disease. […]

A new study from Chung Shan Medical University in Taichung City has determined that people who have had periodontitis for more than 10 years are 70% more likely than people without periodontitis to develop Alzheimer’s disease. <img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/How-Gum-Disease-Could-Lead-to-the-Development-of-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg" alt="How Gum Disease Could Lead to the Development of Alzheimer’s" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68320" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/How-Gum-Disease-Could-Lead-to-the-Development-of-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/How-Gum-Disease-Could-Lead-to-the-Development-of-Alzheimers-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/How-Gum-Disease-Could-Lead-to-the-Development-of-Alzheimers.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Learn more about the study, the potential link between this gum disease and the development of Alzheimer’s and the importance of senior dental health.
<h2>Inflammation, Periodontitis and the Development of Alzheimer’s</h2>
Periodontitis is chronic gum inflammation, a leading cause of tooth loss. Previous studies have associated it with an increase in markers of inflammation throughout the body. Recently, studies have linked gum disease to a decline in cognitive ability.
The Chung Shan Medical University team used data provided by Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database to determine if there was a link between people over the age of 50 with <a href="https://alzres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13195-017-0282-6" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="https://alzres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13195-017-0282-6" rel="noopener noreferrer">chronic periodontitis and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s.</a>
<blockquote>While they found no overall link, they did find that people with gum diesease who were over the age of 70 and had been living with it for a decade or more, were 70% more likely than people without periodontitis to develop Alzheimer’s.</blockquote>
The study accounted for other factors that may influence the risk of Alzheimer’s, including the environment, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
The study team concluded saying, “Our findings support the notion that infectious diseases associated with low-grade inflammation, such as chronic periodontitis, may play a substantial role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. These findings highlight the need to prevent progression of periodontal disease and promote healthcare services at the national level.”
<h2>The Association Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Periodontitis</h2>
In a “chicken or the egg” type scenario, the study did not determine if Alzheimer’s caused periodontitis or if periodontitis caused the disease.
Dr. Yago Leira Feijoo from Universidad de Santiago de Compostela in Spain who wasn’t involved in the study commented saying, “In fact, it is believed that the association between periodontitis and Alzheimer´s disease may be bi-directional. Currently, with the scientific evidence that is available, we cannot be sure if the risk factor is either periodontal disease or Alzheimer´s disease.”
No matter which it is, it is clear that brain and dental health are closely connected and seniors should brush their teeth carefully to prevent the development of periodontitis.
Did you know about the correlation between Alzheimer&#8217;s and gum disease? Share your comments and personal experiences with us in the comments below. 
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How Gum Disease Could Lead to the Development of Alzheimer’s

A new study from Chung Shan Medical University in Taichung City has determined that people who have had periodontitis for more than 10 years are 70% more likely than people without periodontitis to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Learn more about the study, the potential link between this gum disease and the development of Alzheimer’s and the importance […]

Previous studies have shown the brain loses its ability to use glucose to produce energy in Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers are now conducting studies to determine if ketones could replace glucose as an energy source for the brain and ultimately restore cognitive ability. <img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/How-Ketones-Can-Combat-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg" alt="How Ketones Can Combat Alzheimer’s" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68321" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/How-Ketones-Can-Combat-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/How-Ketones-Can-Combat-Alzheimers.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Learn more about ketones and their role in brain health and combating Alzheimer&#8217;s.
<h2>Replacing Glucose with Ketones to Combat Alzheimer’s</h2>
The Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) 2017 featured a session focused on the impact of <a href="https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/883743#vp_3" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/883743#vp_3" rel="noopener noreferrer">brain ketone metabolism and ketogenic interventions in Alzheimer’s</a>. Ketones are molecules produced by the liver from fatty acids, usually during periods of low food intake or carbohydrate restrictive diets and an energy source for the body.
Stephen Cunnane, Ph.D., from the University of Sherbrooke in Quebec, explains, “We know that in Alzheimer’s disease, the brain loses its ability to use glucose to produce energy. Some areas of the brain are down by 40% in terms of glucose metabolism. We believe that this energy gap increases the risk of neuronal dysfunction and cognitive decline.”
Dr. Cunnane also notes that glucose uptake into the brain frontal cortex has shown to be 14% lower in healthy seniors than in healthy young adults. Additionally, people with early Alzheimer’s have 20-30% less glucose uptake than cognitively healthy seniors. &#8220;Anybody trying to function with 20% less brain glucose long term will suffer from brain exhaustion,&#8221; he said.
<blockquote>Early studies show that the brain is able to use ketones instead of glucose and is prompting researchers to delve further into the relationship between ketones and the brain to see if ketones can <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/preventing-dementia-through-lifestyle-choices/">delay cognitive decline in seniors</a>.</blockquote>
<h2>Studies Show Increasing Ketones Impacts Brain Health</h2>
Two preliminary studies have shown that increasing the uptake of ketones in the brain can have a positive <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/alzheimers-prevention-tools/">impact on cognitive health</a>.
There are two major ways of increasing ketones in the blood, thus increasing the uptake of ketones to the brain:
<h3>Ketogenic Diet</h3>
The first way of increasing ketone concentration in the blood is through a ketogenic diet. A ketogenic diet requires extremely low carbohydrate intake, nearly bringing the body to starvation conditions. Dr. Russell H. Swerdlow from the University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Center explains:
“The ketogenic diet has been used in epilepsy for almost 100 years and has been shown to reduce intractable seizures. Our results suggest it could also be useful in other forms of neurological disease like Alzheimer&#8217;s, but it is not an easy <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/healthier-lifestyle-may-prevent-dementia/">diet to follow</a>,&#8221; he added. &#8220;The point of our study is that it helps to establish a principle that brain metabolism can be rescued by a fuel other than glucose.”
His small study involved 15 people diagnosed with mild Alzheimer’s disease. They were placed on a ketogenic diet and given a triglyceride supplement for 3 months. Daily urine tests and monthly measurements of plasma betahydroxybutyrate levels showed the degree of ketosis for each participant. Cognitive function was assessed at the beginning, at the end of the three-month study, and then a month after the study when participants were eating normally again.
Of the 15 participants, 10 stuck to the diet and all 10 showed a significant improvement on the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cog. All scores returned to normal when the participants returned to their normal diets. Dr. Swerdlow says, “This is just a pilot study – I wouldn&#8217;t go so far as to say it worked. But we can say we saw a potential therapeutic signal that warrants further studies to confirm whether there is a real effect. That is definitely exciting.”
Because the diet has such a low carbohydrate intake, it is not recommended for routine use, treatment or prevention of Alzheimer’s. &#8220;This is not a diet that people will enjoy being on,&#8221; Dr Swerdlow said. &#8220;The ultimate goal is not to recommend a ketogenic diet in their daily lives – it will be too difficult. We are just trying to show proof of principle that manipulating brain energy metabolism can impact the symptoms of Alzheimer&#8217;s. If we can establish that then we can try and develop other ways to simulate the effects of a ketogenic diet that would hopefully be more palatable.
<h3>Triglyceride Supplement</h3>
Because of the difficulty in keeping with a ketogenic diet, triglyceride supplements may be an easier way to increase ketone concentration in the blood without sending the body into starvation mode.
While this study is still ongoing, early results are promising. The 50 participants in the study take a triglyceride supplement twice a day and will for a six month period. There are 12 participants who have completed the supplements and preliminary results showed a direct correlation between ketone levels and cognitive function.
Results are still being analyzed and released, but Dr. Cunnane is encouraged by the results thus far. &#8220;We are evaluating whether the brain can use the ketones in the supplement, and the answer is definitely yes. That was a critical step. We also saw some signs of cognitive benefits, but it is too small a study to say anything definitive.”
Final results will be available next spring.
What do you think about the relationship between brain health and ketones? Would you put your loved one on a ketogenic diet to improve cognitive health? We&#8217;d like to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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How Ketones Can Combat Alzheimer’s

Previous studies have shown the brain loses its ability to use glucose to produce energy in Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers are now conducting studies to determine if ketones could replace glucose as an energy source for the brain and ultimately restore cognitive ability. Learn more about ketones and their role in brain health and combating Alzheimer’s. Replacing […]

From losing weight to quitting smoking, your New Year&#8217;s resolutions may have a larger impact on your brain health than you ever imagined. A recent study found that 35% cases of dementia are preventable through lifestyle changes starting in childhood.<img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Healthier-Lifestyle-May-Prevent-1-in-3-Cases-of-Dementia-300x158.jpg" alt="Healthier Lifestyle May Prevent 1 in 3 Cases of Dementia" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68287" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Healthier-Lifestyle-May-Prevent-1-in-3-Cases-of-Dementia-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Healthier-Lifestyle-May-Prevent-1-in-3-Cases-of-Dementia-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Healthier-Lifestyle-May-Prevent-1-in-3-Cases-of-Dementia.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> 
Learn more about this study and the power of lifestyle choices in dementia prevention.
<h2>Lifestyle Choices and Their Impact on Dementia Risk</h2>
Over <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/1-in-3-cases-of-dementia-could-be-prevented-by-healthier-lifestyles_us_597779cde4b0c95f375f158b?section=us_fifty" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/1-in-3-cases-of-dementia-could-be-prevented-by-healthier-lifestyles_us_597779cde4b0c95f375f158b?section=us_fifty" rel="noopener noreferrer">one-third of all dementia cases may be preventable</a> if people would make positive lifestyle choices that positively affect brain health, according to a recent report. Researchers believe that encouraging public health strategies encouraging people to be healthy, like <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/preventing-dementia-through-lifestyle-choices/">regular exercise</a>, protecting hearing and staying in school, can have a significant impact on the global numbers of dementia.
The study, published in <a href="http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(17)31363-6/fulltext" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(17)31363-6/fulltext" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Lancet</a>, examined previous research linking risk factors for dementia throughout the lives of participants. Taking existing data, researchers calculated the potential impact that reducing risk factors could have on the global dementia epidemic.
Co-author of the study, Dr. Lon Schneider, a professor of psychiatry, neurology, and gerontology at the University of Southern California said, “Society must engage in ways to reduce dementia risk throughout life and improve the care and treatment for those with the disease. This includes providing safe and effective social and health-care interventions in order to integrate people with dementia within their communities. Hopefully, this will also ensure that people with dementia, their families and caregivers, encounter a society that accepts and supports them.”
<h2>9 Risk Factors for Dementia</h2>
The researchers found that avoiding nine targeted <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2013-09-20/high-cholesterol-and-alzheimers/">risk factors</a> would cut the worldwide prevalence of dementia by 35%.
The nine risk factors for dementia are:
<ol>
<li>Discontinuing education before the age of 15</li>
<li>Untreated hearing loss in middle age</li>
<li>Smoking after the age of 65</li>
<li>High blood pressure</li>
<li>Obesity</li>
<li>Depression</li>
<li>Physical inactivity</li>
<li>Social isolation</li>
<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/6-1-15-sweet-tooth-risk-for-alzheimers/">Diabetes in adults</a> over 65</li>
</ol>
Specifically, the report found that if all young people stayed in school past the age of 15, the global number of dementia cases would be reduced by 8%. If all middle-aged people with hearing loss were treated, dementia would decrease by 9%. Finally, if all smokers older than 65 quit smoking, dementia would decrease by 5%.
<blockquote>While more research is needed to understand how and why each of these factors contributes to dementia, studies have shown a clear link between these conditions and dementia risk.</blockquote>
Researchers acknowledge the limitations of the study, including that the study did not consider diet and alcohol use in their data, two factors that could also be a risk factor for dementia.
Have you seen a link between dementia and these risk factors? Do you think lifestyle choices could play such a large role in the prevalence of dementia on a global scale? We&#8217;d like to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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Healthier Lifestyle May Prevent 1 in 3 Cases of Dementia

From losing weight to quitting smoking, your New Year’s resolutions may have a larger impact on your brain health than you ever imagined. A recent study found that 35% cases of dementia are preventable through lifestyle changes starting in childhood. Learn more about this study and the power of lifestyle choices in dementia prevention. Lifestyle […]

There are an estimated 5.2 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s and research shows that twice as many may be living with the disease but showing no symptoms. Alzheimer’s is the third leading cause of death among seniors and is the only disease in the top 10 causes of death with no treatment or cure.<img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Updating-US-Guidelines-for-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg" alt="Updating U.S. Guidelines for Alzheimer’s" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-68470" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Updating-US-Guidelines-for-Alzheimers-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Updating-US-Guidelines-for-Alzheimers-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Updating-US-Guidelines-for-Alzheimers.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Even more shocking than the statistics above, is that obtaining an accurate Alzheimer’s diagnosis is still problematic. Learn more about why Alzheimer’s often goes undetected and why the National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association have <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-importance-of-revamping-the-guidelines-for-alzheimers_us_5981deede4b0b35d274c5ef6" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-importance-of-revamping-the-guidelines-for-alzheimers_us_5981deede4b0b35d274c5ef6" rel="noopener noreferrer">proposed new diagnostic criteria and guidelines for Alzheimer’s.</a>
<h2>Diagnosing Alzheimer’s is Problematic</h2>
Many cases of Alzheimer&#8217;s and dementia go undetected and undiagnosed each year. This trend, along with the shocking number of projected dementia cases in the future, has led the National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association (NIA-AA) to propose a new set of guidelines for Alzheimer’s.
Until now, doctors have diagnosed dementia based on data from a clinical evaluation including cognitive tests, blood work, a neurological exam, PET scans and reports of an individual’s symptoms.
<blockquote>However, the outcome of these tests could lead to more than one diagnosis, confusing treatment options and care for the patient.</blockquote>
<h2>The New Year Calls for New Guidelines for Alzheimer&#8217;s</h2>
The new guidelines for Alzheimer&#8217;s proposed by the NIA-AA have three separate stages defined by the presence of biomarkers: preclinical Alzheimer’s, mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s and dementia due to Alzheimer’s.
<blockquote>Research shows that biomarkers of Alzheimer’s are often present before symptoms and this is the first time that a staging system for Alzheimer’s has been proposed using such biomarkers.</blockquote>
<h3>1. Preclinical Alzheimer’s</h3>
People with preclinical Alzheimer’s have not yet developed symptoms of the disease, like memory loss, but may exhibit significant changes in the brain, cerebrospinal fluid and/or blood biomarkers. Researchers believe that Alzheimer’s can begin in the brain 20 years before symptoms occur.
<h3>2. MCI Due to Alzheimer’s</h3>
People with mild cognitive impairment usually exhibit small but noticeable changes in cognitive ability that are apparent to others. Their symptoms are not severe enough to impact daily life.
<h3>3. Dementia Due to Alzheimer’s</h3>
This is the third and final stage in the disease classification. People with dementia due to Alzheimer’s have significant behavioral, cognitive and memory changes that affect daily life.
There is, however, still more work to be done in understanding risk factors for Alzheimer’s and how biomarkers may help identify individuals at risk of the disease.
What do you think about the proposed changes to guidelines for Alzheimer&#8217;s in the U.S.? Would this help detect the disease earlier in some individuals? We&#8217;d like to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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Updating U.S. Guidelines for Alzheimer’s

There are an estimated 5.2 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s and research shows that twice as many may be living with the disease but showing no symptoms. Alzheimer’s is the third leading cause of death among seniors and is the only disease in the top 10 causes of death with no treatment or cure. Even […]

The latest study to look at the effects of blood sugar levels on the brain has found that high glucose concentrations can lead to an increase of beta amyloid plaques and tau tangles, suggesting that Alzheimer’s disease may actually be a third form of diabetes. <img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Diabetes-of-the-Brain-300x158.jpg" alt="Diabetes of the Brain" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-67736" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Diabetes-of-the-Brain-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Diabetes-of-the-Brain-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Diabetes-of-the-Brain.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Learn more about this study and the relationship between diabetes and brain health.
<h2>The Link Between Alzheimer’s and Diabetes</h2>
It’s no secret that there is a strong link between Alzheimer’s and diabetes, but now a new study suggests that <a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2017/11/10/Study-describes-diabetes-of-the-brain/stories/201711080019" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="http://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2017/11/10/Study-describes-diabetes-of-the-brain/stories/201711080019">Alzheimer’s may actually be a form of diabetes</a> known as type 3 diabetes.
The study, published in <a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/higher-brain-glucose-levels-may-mean-more-severe-alzheimers" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/higher-brain-glucose-levels-may-mean-more-severe-alzheimers">Alzheimer’s &amp; Dementia</a>, a journal of the Alzheimer’s Association and conducted by the National Institute of Aging, shows that high glucose concentrations in brain tissue can stem from abnormal glucose metabolism and even lead to amyloid plaques and tau tangles associated with the disease.
The study claims that glucose levels in the brain are metabolized by a key protein (GLUT3), not insulin, like the rest of the body. GLUT3 transports glucose through the metabolism process into nerve cells, providing energy for neurons in a process called glycolysis. When blood sugar levels are high, there are high concentrations of glucose levels in brain tissue. Additionally, the study found that a reduction in glycolysis were related to a more severe manifestation of Alzheimer’s.
<blockquote>The study says, “To the best of our knowledge, this report is the first to measure brain-tissue glucose concentrations and&#8230; demonstrate their relationships with both severity of Alzheimer’s disease pathology and the expression of Alzheimer’s disease symptoms.”</blockquote>
Madhav Thambisetty of the NIA’s Laboratory for Behavioral Neuroscience and lead on the study, says the study confirms the advice he gives patients with memory issues: “What is good for the heart is good for the brain.”
<h2>Study Suggests That Diabetes Raises the Risk of Alzheimer’s</h2>
While studies have noted <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2013-10-28/alzheimers-newest-form-of-diabetes/">the link between Alzheimer&#8217;s and diabetes</a>, it’s been difficult to test because insulin isn’t needed to transport glucose to neurons in the brain.
Co-director of the University of Pittsburgh’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, William Klunk, says the study “is a promising extension of existing thinking in the field that will need to be verified by other groups and more fully understood before it can be translated into practical therapeutic advances.”
Carol Schramke, director of behavioral neurology at Allegheny General Hospital, says, “The same <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2013-09-20/high-cholesterol-and-alzheimers/">things that are bad for the heart are bad for the brain</a> — I say that five times a day. “We need to prevent it because it is hard to give back brain function once there’s damage. [The study] is not a new drug coming out next week. Research is slow but this is going in the right direction — the kind of basis science that needs to be funded and supported to get better treatments and <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/6-1-15-sweet-tooth-risk-for-alzheimers/">prevent these disorders</a>.”
Could Alzheimer’s be a form of diabetes manifested in the brain? Share your experiences with Alzheimer’s and diabetes in the comments below. 
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Diabetes of the Brain

The latest study to look at the effects of blood sugar levels on the brain has found that high glucose concentrations can lead to an increase of beta amyloid plaques and tau tangles, suggesting that Alzheimer’s disease may actually be a third form of diabetes. Learn more about this study and the relationship between diabetes […]

Bill Gates is no stranger to charitable donations and philanthropy. The co-founder of Microsoft has used his wealth to focus on finding cures for infectious disease, promoting education and reducing global poverty. Gates is now focusing his efforts on Alzheimer’s disease through a $50 million donation to the <a href="http://theddfund.com" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="http://theddfund.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dementia Discovery Fund</a>.
<figure id="attachment_62847" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-62847" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img class="size-medium wp-image-62847" src="http://admin.alzheimers.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/bill-gates-invests-alzheimers-research-300x158.jpg" alt="Bill Gates Invests $50 Million to Alzheimer's Research" width="300" height="158" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-62847" class="wp-caption-text">Bill Gates/Huffington Post</figcaption></figure>
Learn more about why he is passionate about Alzheimer’s research and how he plans to use his investment to find a cure for the disease.
<h2>Bill Gates Invests $50 Million to Alzheimer&#8217;s</h2>
Bill Gates is continuing his pursuit of philanthropy, this time targeting Alzheimer’s research. He has <a href="https://www.marketplace.org/2017/11/13/life/bill-gates-alzheimers-investment-dementia" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.marketplace.org/2017/11/13/life/bill-gates-alzheimers-investment-dementia" rel="noopener noreferrer">personally invested $50 million to dementia</a> through the Dementia Discovery Fund.
Bill Gates states that he is personally invested in the fight against Alzheimer’s, drawn by the mystery of the disease and a desire to understand why various drugs have not worked thus far. He says that some of the men in his family have had the disease and he has seen the “human tragedy” of it first hand. In a recent interview he states that he hopes to “get some of the data organized so it’s easier to see what’s going on.”
<blockquote>Gates will use his background in technology to organize data, saying, “With Alzheimer’s we have a lot of trial data including the failed trials, we have long-term studies, really understanding the different factors that contribute, you know how cognition goes along with various biological markers, a great data set will help the researchers.”</blockquote>
He is optimistic about finding a cure for dementia in the next 10-15 years, acknowledging that the tools we have to examine the brain are better and better as is our understanding of genetics and early intervention.
He also acknowledges that there will be a payback for the company that finds a cure saying, “that’s not my primary motivation, but&#8230; that’s why we expect the level of investment to go up.”
What do you think about Bill Gates’ donation to Alzheimer’s research? Will his research impact the search for a cure? We&#8217;d like to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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Bill Gates Invests $50 Million to Alzheimer's Research

Bill Gates is no stranger to charitable donations and philanthropy. The co-founder of Microsoft has used his wealth to focus on finding cures for infectious disease, promoting education and reducing global poverty. Gates is now focusing his efforts on Alzheimer’s disease through a $50 million donation to the Dementia Discovery Fund. Learn more about why […]

A new drug may succeed where others have failed in the fight against Alzheimer&#8217;s disease. A drug from Biogen Inc. may be the next best hope in the often hopeless and frustrating search for an Alzheimer&#8217;s treatment. <img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Biogen-Drug-Shows-Promise-for-Alzheimers-Treatment-300x158.jpg" alt="Biogen Drug Shows Promise for Alzheimer&#039;s Treatment" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-67688" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Biogen-Drug-Shows-Promise-for-Alzheimers-Treatment-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Biogen-Drug-Shows-Promise-for-Alzheimers-Treatment-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Biogen-Drug-Shows-Promise-for-Alzheimers-Treatment.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Learn more about the drug and its potential impact in the search for a cure for Alzheimer’s.
<h2>Success of Biogen Drug Brings New Hope for Alzheimer’s Treatment</h2>
Biogen stock has jumped and even neared a buy point after its latest Alzheimer’s drug showed promising results at two-year and three-year checkpoints. The drug, named &#8220;aducanumab,&#8221; is an injected antibody that works to reduce beta amyloid deposits in the brain, similar to the drug from Eli Lilly that failed earlier this year, disappointing many.
<a href="http://media.biogen.com/news-releases/news-release-details/biogen-present-2018-advances-alzheimers-and-parkinsons-therapies" data-cke-saved-href="http://media.biogen.com/press-release/neurodegenerative-diseases/biogen-reports-new-data-phase-1b-study-investigational-alzh">Biogen</a> says that, “Aducanumab (BIIB037) is an investigational drug being developed for the treatment of early Alzheimer&#8217;s disease (AD). Aducanumab is a human recombinant monoclonal antibody (mAb) derived from a de-identified library of B cells collected from healthy elderly subjects with no signs of cognitive impairment or cognitively impaired elderly subjects with unusually slow cognitive decline using Neurimmune’s technology platform called Reverse Translational Medicine (RTM). Biogen licensed aducanumab from Neurimmune under a collaborative development and license agreement.”
They go on to say that, “Aducanumab is thought to target aggregated forms of beta amyloid including soluble oligomers and insoluble fibrils which can form into amyloid plaque in the brain of AD patients. Based on pre-clinical and Phase 1b data to date, treatment with aducanumab has been shown to reduce amyloid plaque levels.”
The drug was accepted into the FDA’s Fast Track program in September 2016 and in April 2017 the drug was accepted into the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare’s (MHLW) Sakigake Designation System.
<blockquote>The most recent scans show that amyloid is consistently declining among those using the Alzheimer&#8217;s treatment drugs over the course of two and three years. Results from three large, late-stage Alzheimer’s trials are expected in 2019, including the drug from Biogen.</blockquote>
Are you hopeful that this drug could potentially become an Alzheimer’s treatment? Why or why not? We&#8217;d like to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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Biogen Drug Shows Promise for Alzheimer's Treatment

A new drug may succeed where others have failed in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. A drug from Biogen Inc. may be the next best hope in the often hopeless and frustrating search for an Alzheimer’s treatment. Learn more about the drug and its potential impact in the search for a cure for Alzheimer’s. Success […]

Last Updated: November 15, 2017
A Washington University study found that doubling the glucose levels in the blood of mice increased toxic beta amyloid in the brain by as much as 20%.<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-67697" src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Can-a-Sweet-Tooth-Increase-Your-Risk-for-Alzheimers-300x200.jpg" alt="Can a Sweet Tooth Increase Your Risk for Alzheimer's?" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Can-a-Sweet-Tooth-Increase-Your-Risk-for-Alzheimers-300x200.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Can-a-Sweet-Tooth-Increase-Your-Risk-for-Alzheimers-768x512.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Can-a-Sweet-Tooth-Increase-Your-Risk-for-Alzheimers.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Can a sweet tooth increase your risk for Alzheimer&#8217;s? Learn more about the study and why some researchers are cautioning against taking a simplistic approach to its conclusion.
<h2>High Blood Sugar Could Lead to Greater Risk for Alzheimer&#8217;s</h2>
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found that as <a style="color: #0782c1" href="http://www.jci.org/articles/view/79742" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="http://www.jci.org/articles/view/79742">glucose levels in the blood were elevated</a>, so were levels of toxic beta amyloid in the brain.
The research team, led by Dr. Shannon Macauley, evaluated the effects of elevated blood sugar on the amyloid levels of mice. They found that as they doubled the levels of glucose in the bloodstream of the mice, <a style="color: #0782c1" href="http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/575161/sweet-tooth-at-risk-Alzheimer-s" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/575161/sweet-tooth-at-risk-Alzheimer-s">beta amyloid proteins in the brain increased by 20%</a>. Dr. McCauley said:
<blockquote>&#8220;Our results suggest diabetes, or other conditions that make it hard to control blood sugar levels can have harmful effects on brain function and exacerbate neurological conditions such as Alzheimer&#8217;s disease.&#8221;</blockquote>
He continues: &#8220;The link we have discovered could lead us to future treatment targets that reduce these effects.&#8221;
This latest study follows previous research connecting Alzheimer&#8217;s to diabetes. One study found that <a style="color: #0782c1" href="https://www.alzheimers.net/11-17-14-diabetes-medication-alzheimers" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.alzheimers.net/11-17-14-diabetes-medication-alzheimers">70% of people with type 2 diabetes will go on to develop Alzheimer&#8217;s</a> at some point.  Others believe that Alzheimer&#8217;s may even be a third type of diabetes, or a very advanced stage of type 2 diabetes.
<h2>Simplicity of Study Raises Doubts</h2>
While researchers are hopeful that their findings will lead to future treatment methods, other researchers caution against the connection between a sweet tooth and an increased risk for Alzheimer&#8217;s.
An <a style="color: #0782c1" href="https://www.nhs.uk/news/neurology/claims-a-sweet-tooth-increases-your-alzheimers-risk-too-simplistic/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/behindtheheadlines/news/2015-05-15-claims-a-sweet-tooth-increases-your-alzheimers-risk-too-simplistic/">U.S. National Library of Medicine</a> points out that the study only looked at the short term effects of elevated glucose levels, and not if those levels affected longer term beta amyloid levels.
<blockquote>The article also notes that it has not been conclusively proven that diabetes is a risk factor for Alzheimer&#8217;s while also admitting the study does support the existing theory that blood sugar levels can affect beta amyloid levels.</blockquote>
Another interesting point brought up by scientists is that brain cells require glucose to function properly, therefore, we can not entirely avoid glucose in the brain.
Overall, all researchers agree that <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/preventing-dementia-through-lifestyle-choices/">healthy eating and regular exercise</a> are the best way to prevent disease and stay healthy.
What do you think about the latest study connecting a sweet tooth to an increased risk for Alzheimer&#8217;s? We&#8217;d like to hear your thoughts with us in the comments below.
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Can a Sweet Tooth Increase Your Risk for Alzheimer's?

Last Updated: November 15, 2017 A Washington University study found that doubling the glucose levels in the blood of mice increased toxic beta amyloid in the brain by as much as 20%. Can a sweet tooth increase your risk for Alzheimer’s? Learn more about the study and why some researchers are cautioning against taking a simplistic […]

Alzheimer’s disease is wreaking havoc on public health, costing Americans an estimated $259 billion in debt along with untold personal trauma. Researchers are still working to understand what triggers the disease and, ultimately, how to stop it, but their focus is on early prevention and detection. <img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Scientists-Work-Towards-Better-Cheaper-Alzheimers-Test-300x158.jpg" alt="Scientists Work Towards Better, Cheaper Alzheimer&#039;s Test" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-67907" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Scientists-Work-Towards-Better-Cheaper-Alzheimers-Test-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Scientists-Work-Towards-Better-Cheaper-Alzheimers-Test-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Scientists-Work-Towards-Better-Cheaper-Alzheimers-Test.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Learn more about the scientists who are working towards a better, cheaper Alzheimer&#8217;s test and how it can impact society today.
<h2>Early Detection and Prevention: The Focus of a New Alzheimer&#8217;s Test</h2>
Alzheimer’s is a leading cause of death in the U.S., affecting an estimated 5.3 million people. There is currently no cure or treatment for the disease, but scientists are making strides against it – opening up more opportunities for research and expanding treatment options.
<blockquote>Their goal is to develop more accurate, less expensive and less invasive tests to <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/08/04/541393576/scientists-aim-for-better-cheaper-tests-for-alzheimers" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/08/04/541393576/scientists-aim-for-better-cheaper-tests-for-alzheimers" rel="noopener noreferrer">detect the changes in the brain that Alzheimer’s</a> brings.</blockquote>
At the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) in London, researchers presented data on a new blood test and brain imaging technique that would allow people in the <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2014-07-16/10-early-alzheimers-warning-signs/">early stages of the disease</a> to be identified. Dr. Gil Rabinovici, neurologist from the University of California, San Francisco Memory and Aging Center, says: “We can develop a much more rational care plan with this biological information.”
He went on to say, “The value of receiving a diagnosis… leads to a clear plan. A lot of times the uncertainty is worse than the certainty.”
<h2>Searching for Ways to Provide a Non-Invasive Test</h2>
Researchers know that Alzheimer’s brings <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/4-04-16-area-of-brain-where-alzheimers-begins/">changes to the brain that involve plaques and tangles</a> of proteins called amyloid and tau. Until recently, this phenomenon could only be seen after a person’s death. Now, <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/researchers-use-algorithm-to-predict-alzheimers-years-before-symptoms/">biomarker tests</a> can detect amyloid but these tests are generally used only for research because they are expensive and often call for special technology.
Providing a way to detect beta amyloid that is cheaper, easier and less invasive may mean that more people have access to these tests and could also mean more data into the pathology of Alzheimer’s, ultimately leading to a cure.
<blockquote>For people with the disease, early detection could mean more options and more time to prepare for a future with dementia.</blockquote>
One of these tests is a simple blood test, cheaper than PET scans and significantly less invasive than a test of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Researchers believe that they may be able to tell if amyloid is in the brain through a blood test that shows decreased levels of soluble amyloid in the blood – potentially meaning that the amyloid is clumping in the brain and forming plaques.
Dr. Randall Bateman, neurologist at Washington University School of Medicine says, “It’s not a perfect test compared to PET and CSF.” Though, he does acknowledges that it could be used to screen a large population to see who should receive further testing.
Would you participate in a test that would show the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s? Why or why not? We&#8217;d like to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/researchers-use-algorithm-to-predict-alzheimers-years-before-symptoms/">Researchers Use Algorithm to Predict Alzheimer’s Years Before Symptoms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/4-04-16-area-of-brain-where-alzheimers-begins/" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.alzheimers.net/4-04-16-area-of-brain-where-alzheimers-begins/">Scientists Identify Area of Brain Where Alzheimer’s Begins</a></li>
</ul>

Scientists Work Towards Better, Cheaper Alzheimer's Test

Alzheimer’s disease is wreaking havoc on public health, costing Americans an estimated $259 billion in debt along with untold personal trauma. Researchers are still working to understand what triggers the disease and, ultimately, how to stop it, but their focus is on early prevention and detection. Learn more about the scientists who are working towards a better, cheaper Alzheimer’s […]

Researchers know that people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are at an increased risk for Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately, there is no way to tell which people with MCI will go on to develop the disease. <img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-67880" src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Researchers-Use-Algorithm-to-Predict-Alzheimers-Years-Before-Symptoms-300x158.jpg" alt="Researchers Use Algorithm to Predict Alzheimer's Years Before Symptoms" width="300" height="158" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Researchers-Use-Algorithm-to-Predict-Alzheimers-Years-Before-Symptoms-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Researchers-Use-Algorithm-to-Predict-Alzheimers-Years-Before-Symptoms-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Researchers-Use-Algorithm-to-Predict-Alzheimers-Years-Before-Symptoms.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
However, a research team from McGill University recently developed an algorithm that can predict Alzheimer’s in people with MCI two <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2014-07-16/10-early-alzheimers-warning-signs/">years before symptoms occur</a>, with 84% accuracy. Learn more about the algorithm and how it could impact the development of the disease.
<h2>The Link Between Alzheimer&#8217;s and Mild Cognitive Impairment</h2>
A new study published in the <a href="http://www.neurobiologyofaging.org/article/S0197-4580(17)30229-4/fulltext" data-cke-saved-href="http://www.neurobiologyofaging.org/article/S0197-4580(17)30229-4/fulltext">Neurobiology of Aging</a> journal reveals how researchers from McGill University in Canada used imaging and machine-learning techniques to develop an algorithm to predict Alzheimer’s in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
MCI affects 15-20% of adults over the age of 65 and is largely characterized by a decline in cognitive skills and memory. In people with MCI, the memory loss is noticeable but does not affect their ability to complete activities of daily living. However, people with <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319128.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319128.php">MCI are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s</a> than people who do not have the condition.
There is no way to predict which people with mild cognitive impairment will go on to develop Alzheimer’s, but researchers hope their algorithm will be able to help identify those individuals.
<h2>Researchers Use Algorithm to Predict Alzheimer’s with 84% Accuracy</h2>
The study used data from over 270 people with mild cognitive impairment who were part of the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. Researchers looked at two years of PET brain scan data, noting beta-amyloid accumulation, if the individual had any Alzheimer’s risk genes and if that person ever received an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
Then, the team programmed a computer to calculate each person’s risk of Alzheimer’s based on the first PET brain scan. The algorithm was successfully able to predict which participants with MCI went on to <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/3-07-16-dementia-treatment-available-by-2025/">develop Alzheimer’s</a> with 84% accuracy and up to <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/5-18-15-normal-aging-vs-dementia/">two years before symptoms occurred</a>.
Researchers hope that by identifying other biomarkers for Alzheimer’s, the algorithm can become even more accurate.
Have you seen a loved one progress from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s? We&#8217;d like to hear your stories in the comments below. 
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<li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/5-18-15-normal-aging-vs-dementia/">New Risk Scale Identifies Normal Aging vs. Dementia</a></li>
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Researchers Use Algorithm to Predict Alzheimer's Years Before Symptoms

Researchers know that people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are at an increased risk for Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately, there is no way to tell which people with MCI will go on to develop the disease. However, a research team from McGill University recently developed an algorithm that can predict Alzheimer’s in people with MCI two years […]

As Alzheimer’s progresses, it can bring an onslaught of different symptoms including memory loss and personality changes. Until now, the <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/earliest-indicators-of-alzheimers/">manifestation of these symptoms</a> has only been observed through the actions and behavior of people with the disease. Now, researchers at Lund University in Sweden are using PET imaging to show changes in the brain associated with these symptoms. <img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Dementias-Impact-on-Age-Brain-300x158.jpg" alt="Dementia&#039;s Impact on Age, Brain" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-67733" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Dementias-Impact-on-Age-Brain-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Dementias-Impact-on-Age-Brain-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Dementias-Impact-on-Age-Brain.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Learn more about this development and how it could help Alzheimer’s disease or dementia be detected and treated in the future.
<h2>Identifying Dementia&#8217;s Impact Through Imaging</h2>
As Alzheimer’s progresses, individuals experience different signs and symptoms including diminished spatial perception, impaired orientation and perhaps, above all, memory impairment.
Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have found that <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170831093344.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170831093344.htm">using PET imaging</a> can help detect these symptoms in a non-invasive way. Michael Schöll, researcher at Lund University and the University of Gothenburg says:
<blockquote>&#8220;Now we have a tool which helps us to identify and detect various sub-groups of Alzheimer&#8217;s disease. This facilitates the development of drugs and treatments adapted to various forms of Alzheimer’s.”</blockquote>
Additionally, researchers hope that the diagnostics from these images could help people with early-onset Alzheimer’s receive a correct diagnosis earlier in the <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/4-04-16-area-of-brain-where-alzheimers-begins/">progression of the disease</a>.
<h2>Using Imaging for Clinical Use</h2>
The findings, recently published in <a href="https://academic.oup.com/brain/article/140/9/2286/3976055/Distinct-18-F-AV-1451-tau-PET-retention-patterns?searchresult=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="https://academic.oup.com/brain/article/140/9/2286/3976055/Distinct-18-F-AV-1451-tau-PET-retention-patterns?searchresult=1">Brain, a Journal of Neurology</a>, are based on studies evaluating 60 people with Alzheimer’s and included a control group of 30 people with no cognitive impairment. Researchers used PET imaging to see that once Alzheimer’s has been established, there are tau protein lumps in the brain which interrupt the transport routes of neurons.
Oskar Hansson, professor of neurology at Lund University and consultant at Skåne University Hospital, says, “The changes in the various parts of the brain that we can see in the images correspond logically to the symptoms in early onset and late onset Alzheimer&#8217;s patients respectively.”
This imaging method is currently only used in research but researchers hope that PET imaging will be available for clinical use in a few years.
Do you think PET imaging can help identify Alzheimer’s or dementia&#8217;s impact earlier? Do you have any experience using PET imaging? We&#8217;d like to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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Dementia's Impact on Age, Brain

As Alzheimer’s progresses, it can bring an onslaught of different symptoms including memory loss and personality changes. Until now, the manifestation of these symptoms has only been observed through the actions and behavior of people with the disease. Now, researchers at Lund University in Sweden are using PET imaging to show changes in the brain […]

Researchers know that Alzheimer’s disease creates abnormal levels of certain proteins and causes increased inflammation in the brain. What is still largely unknown, however, is how it works together to trigger Alzheimer’s. Scientists recently conducted a study and discovered a link between the three – essentially a cascading effect. <img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Scientists-Discover-Alzheimers-Sequence-300x158.jpg" alt="Scientists Discover Alzheimer&#039;s Sequence" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-67902" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Scientists-Discover-Alzheimers-Sequence-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Scientists-Discover-Alzheimers-Sequence-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Scientists-Discover-Alzheimers-Sequence.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Learn more about this study and the sequence of events that lead to the disease.
<h2>The Alzheimer’s Sequence</h2>
Researchers have known that people with Alzheimer’s have a high amount of activated immune cells in their brain along with <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319224.php" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319224.php" rel="noopener noreferrer">abnormal deposits of the amyloid beta</a> and tau proteins.
<blockquote>Until now, researchers have not been able to see how this all comes together to set the disease in motion and keep it progressing.</blockquote>
A new study published in the journal <a href="http://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(17)31103-8" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="http://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(17)31103-8" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cell Reports</a> – and completed by researchers at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (UNC) – found that amyloid beta proteins trigger immune cells and cause inflammation that damages neurons, ultimately leading to “bead-like formations” filled with abnormal tau proteins.
Todd Cohen, Ph.D., assistant professor of neurology at UNC says, “It’s exciting that we were able to observe tau – the major Alzheimer’s protein – inside these beaded structures,” adding that stopping the formation of these beaded structures could help people develop “healthier neurons that are more resistant to Alzheimer’s.” Two additional proteins, MMP-9 and HDCA6, appear to encourage the sequence of events that lead to the formation of these bead structures.
<h2>The Clue for a Cure</h2>
While the Alzheimer’s epidemic continues, researchers look for a cure or preventative measures to stop the disease before it starts. The study found that a key protein (MMP-9) could trigger the bead formation and lead to a sequence of events that then ultimately lead to Alzheimer’s.
Cohen says that “MMP-9 is an inflammatory protein shown to be elevated in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.”
The team also identified a second protein, HDCA6, which, when blocked by the team, completely prevented the formation of the beads. Drug developers and testers are currently working on HDAC6 inhibitors and looking into how targeting this protein could disrupt and maybe even treat Alzheimer’s.
The groundbreaking study has sparked more research involving mice to confirm and further understand how amyloid turns to inflammation and then to tau protein.
Cohen says of the new study, “If we can demonstrate this cascade in a wild-type mouse, then we’ll be able to study Alzheimer’s and test therapies in ordinary lab mice without the need for artificial genetic engineering used in traditional Alzheimer’s mouse models.”
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Scientists Discover Alzheimer's Sequence

Researchers know that Alzheimer’s disease creates abnormal levels of certain proteins and causes increased inflammation in the brain. What is still largely unknown, however, is how it works together to trigger Alzheimer’s. Scientists recently conducted a study and discovered a link between the three – essentially a cascading effect. Learn more about this study and the sequence of […]

A recent study has found that one in three cases of dementia could be prevented through lifestyle choices. The study comes at a time when the disease is reaching epidemic proportions across the globe, with 47 million people now living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. <img src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Preventing-Dementia-Through-Lifestyle-Choices-300x158.jpg" alt="Preventing Dementia Through Lifestyle Choices" width="300" height="158" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-67873" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Preventing-Dementia-Through-Lifestyle-Choices-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Preventing-Dementia-Through-Lifestyle-Choices-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Preventing-Dementia-Through-Lifestyle-Choices.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Learn more about the study – focused on preventing dementia through lifestyle changes – and the impact that our choices have on brain health and dementia risk.
<h2>Identifying Dementia Risk Factors</h2>
The new study conducted by the first Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention and Care and published in <a href="http://www.thelancet.com/commissions/dementia2017" data-cke-saved-href="http://www.thelancet.com/commissions/dementia2017">The Lancet</a>, asked 24 international experts to review existing data from dementia research.
Professor Gill Livingston of University College London said, “Dementia is the greatest global challenge for health and social care in the 21st century&#8230; The purpose of the commission was therefore to address it [the dementia epidemic] by consolidating the huge strides and emerging knowledge as to what we should do to prevent dementia and intervene and care for people with dementia.”
Researchers found that the factors that impacted dementia risk were:
<ul>
<li>Avoiding or treating hearing loss in mid-life</li>
<li>Diabetes and obesity</li>
<li>Getting an education (remaining in school after the age of 15)</li>
<li>Getting <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2013-05-10/exercise-and-dementia/">physical exercise</a></li>
<li>Not smoking</li>
<li>Reducing depression and social isolation</li>
<li>Reducing high blood pressure</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>With nearly 35% of dementia cases being attributable to these factors, removing them could theoretically <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/one-third-of-dementia-cases-could-be-prevented-alzheimers-report/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/one-third-of-dementia-cases-could-be-prevented-alzheimers-report/">prevent 1 in 3 cases</a> of the disease.</blockquote>
<h2>Improving Care and Preventing Dementia</h2>
The authors of the study hope that their report will offer guidance for people looking to <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/7-22-15-lifestyle-changes-help-reduce-risk-of-dementia/">reduce the risk of dementia</a> and improve care for people who are already living with the disease.
Lon Schneider, M.D., a professor of psychiatry and the behavioral sciences at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, presented the findings at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC).
<blockquote>He says their report includes “safe and effective social and health care interventions in order to integrate people with dementia within their communities.”</blockquote>
The study authors are careful to caution that changes in lifestyle may not delay or prevent dementia in all cases but that it may help some take <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/10-7-14-reverse-memory-loss-program/">practical steps to prevention</a>.
“We hope that this report will feed into individual nations’ dementia policies and public health strategies, be used by individual clinicians to inform and improve their practice, and through media publicity inform the general public of what they can do to help avoid dementia, which is the most feared illness in old age.”
Do you think lifestyle changes can play a role in preventing dementia? Why or why not? We&#8217;d like to hear your stories in the comments below.
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Preventing Dementia Through Lifestyle Choices

A recent study has found that one in three cases of dementia could be prevented through lifestyle choices. The study comes at a time when the disease is reaching epidemic proportions across the globe, with 47 million people now living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Learn more about the study – focused on preventing dementia through […]

A study presented at the <a href="http://www.infoinc.com/Argentum/071717.html#940447" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-cke-saved-href="http://www.infoinc.com/Argentum/071717.html#940447">Alzheimer&#8217;s Association International Conference (AAIC)</a> in July 2017 found that just one hour per week of social interaction can reduce agitation and improve the quality of life for people living with dementia in memory care. <img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-67867" src="https://img.prod.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Person-Centered-Care-Championed-at-Alzheimer%E2%80%99s-International-Conference-300x158.jpg" alt="Person-Centered Care Championed at Alzheimer’s International Conference" width="300" height="158" srcset="https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Person-Centered-Care-Championed-at-Alzheimer%E2%80%99s-International-Conference-300x158.jpg 300w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Person-Centered-Care-Championed-at-Alzheimer%E2%80%99s-International-Conference-768x404.jpg 768w, https://img.dev.aplaceformom.com/main/uploads/alz/2019/07/Person-Centered-Care-Championed-at-Alzheimer%E2%80%99s-International-Conference.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
The large-scale trial involved more than 800 people with dementia in nearly 70 care homes, concluding that when it comes to caring for people with dementia, a person-centered approach is best. Read more about this study and why a person-centered approach to dementia care is vital to quality of life.
<h2>How One Social Hour a Week Can Improve Quality of Life in Memory Care</h2>
A large study led by the University of Exeter, King’s College London and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, funded by the National Institute for Health Research and <a href="http://www.infoinc.com/Argentum/071717.html#940447" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">presented at AAIC</a> found that just one hour of social interaction per week can improve the lives of people with dementia.
The study had over 800 participants, all with dementia, living in 69 care homes across Buckinghamshire, North and South London. Two “care staff champions” were trained over four one-day sessions to incorporate person-centered care techniques in the lives of people with dementia in their communities. The care staff champions were encouraged to <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/9-8-14-dementia-communication-tips/">talk to residents</a> about their decision to move to memory care, their interests and to really get to know each resident on a personal level.
<blockquote>The study found that when these techniques were combined with one hour per week of social interaction, agitation was reduced and the lives of participants were improved.</blockquote>
Dr. Jane Fossey from the Oxford NHS Foundation Trust says, “Taking a person-centered approach is about really getting to know the resident as an individual – knowing their interests and talking with them while you provide all aspects of care. It can make a massive difference to the person themselves and their carers. We&#8217;ve shown that <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2014-01-30/how-positive-environments-affect-patients/">this approach significantly improves lives</a>, reduces agitation and actually saves money too. This training must now be rolled out nationwide so other people can benefit.&#8221;
<h2>Improving the Lives of People with Dementia Through Person-Centered Care</h2>
In addition to improving lives and reducing agitation, the study also found this approach to care saved money when compared to standard care. Researchers hope to roll out their program to 28,000 <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2014-04-24/questions-to-ask-about-memory-care/">memory care homes</a> in the UK to help the nearly 300,000 people with dementia living in these communities.
Director of Research for Alzheimer’s Society, Doug Brown, touts the benefits of person-centered care and staff training, saying:
<blockquote>“We know that a person-centered approach that takes each individual&#8217;s unique qualities, abilities, interests, preferences and needs into account can improve care. This study shows that training to provide this type of individualized care, along with activities and social interactions, has a significant impact on the well-being of people living with dementia in care homes.&#8221;</blockquote>
Brown continues, “It also shows that effective care can reduce costs, which the stretched social care system desperately needs. Alzheimer&#8217;s Society is committed to improving dementia care through research. We want to see interventions like this put into practice, and will continue to fund further research to improve the quality of life for people with dementia in their own homes, care homes and hospitals. But investment in research alone cannot rescue the broken system. The government must use the consultation on social care reform to deliver a long-term solution that addresses the desperate funding crisis in our current system and shares the cost of care across society.&#8221;
Do you think this approach to dementia care is best? Why or why not? We&#8217;d like to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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Person-Centered Care Championed at Alzheimer’s International Conference

A study presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) in July 2017 found that just one hour per week of social interaction can reduce agitation and improve the quality of life for people living with dementia in memory care. The large-scale trial involved more than 800 people with dementia in nearly 70 care homes, […]

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