Articles tagged with Dementia
A recent study published in the medical journal Neurology has confirmed a substantial link between vitamin D deficiency and an increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in older adults. The research found that participants with severe vitamin D deficiency were more than twice as likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
A new SUNY research project aims to understand the connection between frailty and dementia, with the goal of maximizing patient outcomes and enhancing quality of life. The project will develop tools to assess frailty risk factors and determine their correlation with cognitive assessments.
A 20-year study found that midlife hypertension was associated with a moderate decline in cognition compared to individuals with normal blood pressure. The study used the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study and analyzed data from 13,476 participants.
A new study by Rush University Medical Center researchers found that depression is independently associated with an increased risk of developing dementia. The study suggests that targeting and treating depression could help prevent or delay cognitive decline in older adults.
A telephone-based support program has been shown to significantly reduce depression and symptoms in informal caregivers of individuals with dementia. This study, published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia, highlights the benefits of convenient and accessible support for caregivers who often face significant pressure and stress.
A new study indicates that depression is a true risk factor for dementia and that targeting depression may help prevent cognitive decline. People with mild cognitive impairment were more likely to have higher levels of depression symptoms before diagnosis.
Gitlin, a renowned gerontologist, has made significant contributions to nonpharmacologic approaches in dementia care and aging in place. Her work aims to improve the lives of chronically disabled older adults and their family caregivers.
A study published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry indicates that middle-aged adults with a history of problem drinking are more than twice as likely to suffer from severe memory impairment in later life. The research highlights the link between harmful patterns of alcohol consumption and problems with memory, which may ...
A study by University of Pittsburgh researchers found dementia patients are more likely to receive a pacemaker for atrial fibrillation than those without cognitive impairment, despite being diagnosed with less aggressive interventions. The likelihood was highest among dementia patients, even after accounting for clinical factors.
Researchers found that patients with dementia were more likely to receive a pacemaker, even after adjusting for clinical risk factors. The study suggests that patients with serious life-limiting illnesses may be treated more aggressively than expected.
A new test diagnoses motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR), which combines gait speed measurement with cognitive questions. People who test positive for MCR are twice as likely to develop dementia within 12 years, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and potential underlying cause identification.
Researchers focus on areas of memory and learning to treat obesity, suggesting a link between the two diseases. The 'vicious cycle' model proposes that overeating leads to brain pathologies, which can weaken control over thoughts and behaviors.
A study found that fish oil compound protected against inflammation and neuronal cell death in brain cells exposed to high levels of alcohol. The findings suggest limited amounts of alcohol may make brain cells more fit, reducing the risk of neurodegeneration and dementia.
A systematic review of 17 research studies found that outdoor spaces can reduce residents' agitation and provide environments for relaxation and social interaction. Gardens could offer welcome spaces for visitors to stimulate memories for dementia patients.
Research at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2014 found that participating in mentally stimulating activities and moderate physical exercise in middle age may help protect against Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, high blood pressure was seen to protect against cognitive decline in people aged 90 and older.
The Lancet Neurology calls for sports authorities to consider long-term neurological problems caused by repeated concussions in footballers. Many sporting organisations have drawn up new protocols to protect athletes who sustain a head injury, but the decision on return-to-play should be made solely by healthcare professionals.
Montefiore and Einstein researchers present data at the 2014 Alzheimer's Association International Conference, focusing on triggers for mild cognitive impairment and dementia. The research aims to identify potential strategies to preserve cognitive function and delay or prevent Alzheimer's disease onset.
Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by memory problems, orientation issues, and behavioral changes. A simplified diagnosis using specific biomarkers improves the accuracy of early-stage diagnoses.
Researchers have found that boosting autophagy, a cell-cleaning process, can help clear abnormal protein buildup in brain cells. Three drugs that enhance autophagy showed promise in keeping brain cells alive longer, potentially offering new treatment options for conditions like ALS and dementia.
A common genetic defect affects neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's by impairing microglial waste removal. This leads to accumulation of toxic protein deposits, triggering inflammatory reactions that promote further nerve-cell loss.
A recent study published in Neurology suggests that veterans with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) are 60% more likely to develop dementia than those without TBI. The study found that veterans with TBI developed dementia about two years earlier, highlighting the potential long-term consequences of TBI on cognitive health.
A RAND Corporation study emphasizes the urgent need to improve long-term care services for people with dementia and their caregivers. The study offers 25 high-impact policy options to address this growing concern, including increasing public awareness, improving access to services, and reducing financial burdens.
A study examining lifetime intellectual enrichment found that it may delay the onset of cognitive impairment and reduce the risk of dementia. The research suggests that engaging in mentally stimulating activities throughout life could be a successful preventive intervention to combat the impending dementia epidemic.
A group of experts examines whether people with advanced dementia have the right to use advance directives to stop receiving food and water by mouth, despite lacking decision-making capacity. Key findings include the potential benefits and harms of such directives, as well as proposed guidelines for implementation.
A new diagnostic tool, combining data from multiple sources, can help clinicians diagnose Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, and mild cognitive impairment with a Disease State Index. The tool also provides a visual representation of the findings in a Disease State Fingerprint.
Research highlights dangers of elderly gun ownership due to dementia, depression, and suicide risks. Proposed '5 L's' questions aim to identify guns in homes with vulnerable individuals.
Researchers at King's College London have discovered a molecular 'scaffold' that allows key parts of cells to interact, which comes apart in dementia and motor neuron disease, revealing a potential new target for drug discovery.
People with high levels of cynicism are three times more likely to develop dementia than those with low levels, according to the study. High cynicism was also initially linked to earlier death, but this association disappeared after adjusting for other factors.
A holistic exercise program combining cognitive activities with physical movements has been shown to improve the quality of life for dementia patients. Participants demonstrated enhanced memory recall and experienced pain relief, while care-givers also benefited from the program.
Researchers discovered that people with a variant of the longevity gene KLOTHO have improved brain skills, such as thinking and learning, which decreases with age. Increasing KLOTHO levels in mice may boost cognitive abilities by strengthening connections between nerve cells.
A study by Intermountain Medical Center found that AFib patients on blood thinning medications are at higher risk of developing dementia if their doses are not within the optimal recommended range. Patients with dosages outside this range were 4.5 times more likely to develop dementia.
People with Alzheimer's experience a clear improvement in dementia-related behavior after visiting horses under supervision, with reduced fidgeting and resistance to care. The therapy boosts physical activity and lifts their mood, providing a unique way to ease symptoms without drugs.
Patients with a documented diagnosis of dementia are nearly 20% more likely to be readmitted within 30 days than those without dementia. This is due to difficulties comprehending discharge instructions and multiple medical conditions.
A new approach called DICE aims to reduce behavioral problems in dementia by empowering caregivers, patients, and health providers. The DICE method involves Describe, Investigate, Evaluate, and Create steps to change dementia patients' behavior through environmental modifications and other interventions.
A study published in Neurology found that older adults with rapid memory and thinking skills decline may be less likely to die from cancer. The research followed over 2,600 participants aged 65 and above for nearly 13 years and found a significant difference in cancer mortality rates between those with fast versus slow cognitive decline.
As the US population ages, Alzheimer's disease is projected to increase from 3 million in 2011 to over 10 million by 2050, affecting broad-based national policies. The annual cost of care for people over 70 is estimated at $157-$215 billion, with costs expected to reach $1.2-$1.6 trillion by 2040.
Aerobic exercise has been found to increase hippocampal volume and improve verbal memory capacity in older women with mild cognitive impairment. The study suggests that regular aerobic exercise can help slow the advance of dementia.
The innovative Healthy Aging Brain Center care model improves health outcomes and quality of care for older adults with cognitive impairment by reducing patients' behavioral and psychological symptoms. The model generates an annual net cost savings of up to $2,856 per patient, with potential nationwide cost savings of billions of dollars.
Two new dementia care models seek to decrease stress for caregivers, reduce health care costs and improve quality of care for older adults. Caregivers' close involvement with the medical team is a key feature of both models.
Researchers found that green tea extract increases brain connectivity and improves working memory performance. The study suggests potential clinical applications for treating cognitive impairments in neuropsychiatric disorders like dementia.
A study published in Neurobiology of Aging has found a connection between the integrity of white matter connections in the brain and cognitive health in adults with Down syndrome. The research team identified biomarkers connected to dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, which could potentially lead to earlier intervention and retard...
A new concept of Alzheimer's disease, as a spectrum of diseases, raises ethical and policy-related questions. Dr. Karlawish suggests preparing legal providers to assess decision-making ability and offering caregiver training to support those affected by the disease.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that cognitive impairment affects seniors in both nursing homes and the community, with patients lacking advance directives receiving aggressive care. Advance care planning is essential to ensure desired treatments are followed.
A study found that β-amyloid plaque buildup in the brain is associated with increased artery stiffness in elderly patients. Arterial stiffness was measured using pulse wave velocity and was higher among patients with β-amyloid deposition.
The US Preventive Services Task Force found insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening for cognitive decline in older adults. The FDA is reforming its approval process for high-risk medical devices to prioritize patient safety, requiring clinical data and clear labeling.
Researchers found that adult day care services increase DHEA-S levels in caregivers, a protective response to chronic stress and disease. This study suggests that using adult day care services may help reduce the negative effects of caregiving on physical health.
A new study reveals that REST, a gene regulator active during fetal brain development, switches back on later in life to protect aging neurons from various stresses. The researchers also showed that REST is lost in critical brain regions of people with Alzheimer's and mild cognitive impairment.
A recent study found that Mexican-Americans experience moderate functional disability and nearly one-third develop post-stroke dementia. They also score worse on measures of daily living activities and cognition. The study highlights the need for intervention strategies to improve recovery among this population.
A new study found that estradiol hormone therapy prevented degeneration in key brain regions of postmenopausal women at heightened dementia risk. In contrast, Premarin was far less protective. The study suggests that early intervention with estradiol may help stave off dementia.
Researchers at the University of Montreal have identified potential markers for dementia in Parkinson's disease patients with mild cognitive impairments. These markers include thinning in certain cortical areas and subcortical atrophy in grey matter, which may serve as a warning sign for developing dementia.
A midlife healthy diet was found to reduce dementia risk by almost 90% compared to the least healthy diet. Higher intake of saturated fats linked to poorer cognitive functions and increased risk of dementia.
A recent study by the University of Gothenburg found that men with poorer cardiovascular fitness and/or lower IQ at age 18 are more likely to develop early-onset dementia before age 60. This increased risk remains even when controlled for other factors, highlighting the importance of physical exercise in maintaining cognitive health.
Researchers found that a hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene creates G-quadruplexes, hairpins, and bulges that disrupt RNA function, leading to toxic RNA buildup and protein misfolding.
Researchers found that the C9orf72 mutation alters DNA shape, leading to cell death and abnormal protein processing. The mutation also affects nucleolin, a key protein involved in stress response, causing cells to become stressed and die.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine found that biomarkers of neuronal injury in Alzheimer's disease decrease as symptoms of dementia appear, contrary to previous findings. This reversal suggests a slowing of cell death and may be an important criterion for assessing the success of treatment trials.
A new study suggests that Alzheimer's disease contributes to nearly as many deaths in the United States as heart disease or cancer. Researchers analyzed data from 2,566 participants aged 65 and older, finding a significant association between dementia diagnosis and increased mortality.
A recent Finnish study found that individuals with poor self-rated physical fitness in midlife (around age 50) are four times more likely to develop dementia over three decades compared to those with good fitness. Maintaining physical activity and addressing lifestyle factors may help reduce this risk.
A diet rich in carbohydrates can lead to detrimental effects on brain health, increasing the risk of dementia and cognitive impairment. Dr. David Perlmutter explains that carbohydrate calories have a more significant impact on human physiology than calorie sources from fat.
A 18-month pilot program increased the time people with dementia lived successfully at home, with participants receiving in-home care coordination and education. The trial found significant improvements in quality of life, safety, and reduced need for nursing homes.
Researchers at Hebrew University created a molecule that reduces brain cell death in diabetic rats by lowering inflammatory processes. This finding represents the first evidence of high blood sugar's link to an inflammatory pathway in the brain.