Depression Linked to Alzheimer’s Disease
Photo: PicApp.com
Researchers at UCLA have concluded that people between 55 and 91 with depression are at a higher risk for developing Alzheimer's Disease. A depression test produced results in points and for every point of increase on the test the risk of developing Alzheimer’s went up by 3 percent, suggesting that depression is a major risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers hope that early treatment of depression will lower the rates of Alzheimer's the patients develop.
Sounds like a good reason to keep that good mental attitude, beginning now.
Labels: aging, Alzheimer's, depression
Monday, January 28, 2008
Breakthrough for Dementia?
ScienceDaily.com reports that medical experts in the North-East of England believe they have found the key to turning back the brain’s biological clock and reverse the effects of dementia and memory loss.Research at the University of Sunderland has shown that regular exposure to safe low level infra-red light can improve learning performance and kick-start the cognitive function of the brain.
Researchers are beginning human trials to see if the treatment can provide a cure to illnesses like Alzheimer's. Experts claim that early stage dementia patients should see an improvement in their cognitive function within four weeks, by wearing a lightweight helmet in their home for just ten minutes a day.
This looks like an innovation many of us will want to follow.
Labels: Alzheimer's, dementia
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Alzheimer's Reversal
According to an article called “Rapid cognitive improvement in Alzheimer’s disease following perispinal etanercept administration” in the Journal of Neuroinflammation, patients receiving an injection of an anti-TNF therapeutic called etanercept showed improvement in Alzheimer’s disease within minutes of administration of the therapeutic molecule.The study shows that a soluble protein known as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), which normally regulates transmission of neural impulses in the brain, interferes with regulation when it is present at elevated levels. The brains and cerebrospinal fluid of Alzheimer's patients show elevated levels of this cytokine.
Injection of etanercept shows improvement within minutes. Etanercept (trade name Enbrel) binds and inactivates excess TNF. Etanercept is FDA approved to treat a number of immune-mediated disorders and is used off label in the study.
The study was authored by Edward Tobinick M.D., assistant clinical professor of medicine at UCLA and director of the Institute for Neurological Research, with coauthor Hyman Gross, M.D., clinical professor of neurology at USC.
Labels: Alzheimer's
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Alzheimer's Reading Room
I just ran across this wonderful resource for those dealing with Alzheimer's. It’s written by Robert T DeMarco, who defines himself as a Caregiver. His blog, which has a professional look about it, contains news, research, articles, information useful to family caregivers, and new developments in the search for a cure for Alzheimer's disease. Seems to have information for everyone. Check it out.Labels: Alzheimer's, caregivers
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Another Flavor of Gen Sandwich
A few days ago I read a fascinating post by Sherrie Ashcraft on The Mother Blog. She wrote about her particular flavor of sandwich, and then added some details in the comment section of my January 25 post.She wrote, in part,
In my blog I mentioned about us moving my mother-in-law here from AZ. That was an extremely difficult decision to make, as it meant breaking up her marriage! Let me explain: she lived with her second husband in the home of a lady who cared for both of them. But as Mother's Alzheimer's worsened, the lady was no longer able to care for her and the doctor said she needed to go to a facility. No way were we going to have her somewhere like that, with no family around, when we lived two states away. So after much prayer we felt the best thing for her was to be close to us. Her husband was too frail to move, plus his daughter would not allow it. So, the day after their 20th anniversary, we took Mother away on the plane with us. Kind of felt like the bad guys, there for awhile, though Mother was very happy with the move. She talks to her husband on the phone most weeks and they continue to tell each other how much they love each other. And she continually reminds him that God is in control of their lives and eventually, they will be together.
By the way, I'm the oldest of five, and also known as "the responsible one."
I wanted to make sure that you all had a chance to read her story. Yes, she’s unique. But so are you. I’d love to hear your story. Susan, Elizabeth, and Pete also left comments worth reading. There are as many flavors as sandwiches as there are readers out there. Let’s build community.
Labels: aging parents, Alzheimer's, sandwich generation