MUST READS

An October 15, 2018 Mail Online article reported that a Cambridge University study found that mutations that lead to Alzheimer’s disease can occur in DNA via “spelling errors” as the brain cells of embryos divide. The researchers looked at why so many people develop dementia, even without a family history. According to the article, “To answer this question, the scientists assessed 102 genes in the sample brain cells more than 5,000 times using computer technology… Results showed 27 of the 54 brains contained spontaneous mutations, which means they were not inherited. The researchers believe these mutations came about when the patient was just an embryo developing in the womb.” Also covered by The Telegraph [subscription only].

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

An October 12, 2018 Gizmodo article featured a computer model, developed by Stanford and Oxford researchers, which illustrates the progression of tau and amyloid beta, in order to understand how Alzheimer’s disease slowly spreads across the brain. Their model, created by The Living Brain Project software (made available to other scientists), can be adjusted to fit all of the leading theories on AD. According to lead author Ellen Kuhl, “Imagine a domino effect. What our model does is connect the dots between the static data points, mathematically, to show disease progression in unprecedented detail.”

CAREGIVING CORNER

An October 15, 2018 Reader’s Digest article looked at 15 things, both challenges and rewards, that the 16+ million U.S. family caregivers need to know about Alzheimer’s disease. According to the article, “Even though she had been a social worker for over two decades, Tanjulla Tyson-Wearren was surprised when her mother suddenly couldn’t speak. “It was an emotional roller coaster. I was not prepared to never hear her sing a song or say hi,” says Tyson-Wearren.” And, “Humming a tune may help an Alzheimer’s patient when they are in distress, notes Jeff Allen, the Life Enrichment Coordinator at Fellowship Senior Living. “If a person with Alzheimer’s is yelling or agitated, you may be able to redirect them with music,” says Allen.”

ETHICS

An October 15, 2018 Forbes article warned to be aware of the potential for predatory financial advisors to take advantage of people with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, who are especially vulnerable to financial scams. Financial decision-making is the first ability to decline with AD. According to the article, “…The most vulnerable elders are those with no family to try to protect their finances as they age. But even when family is available, there is a tendency… to absolutely trust the long-time financial advisor. After all the relationship has been in place for years, sometimes decades, the family thinks. Why would anyone suspect wrongdoing?”

LIFESTYLE

An October 15, 2018 Healthline article looked at retiring later to help to stave off Alzheimer’s disease. Social interaction and problem solving on the job add to mental fitness, which are important factors in developing healthy brain habits at every age. “We know that being socially engaged, maintaining mental well-being, engaging in purposeful exercise, getting seven to eight hours of sleep (and optimizing the quality of sleep), and dietary habits all play an important role in overall brain health. There is not a one-size-fits-all answer to finding this balance, and each person needs to identify what works best for them,” wrote Dr. Jessica Langbaum from Banner Alzheimer’s Institute. 

(ICYMI) According to a September 18, 2018 CISION PR Newswire release, the paper, “Stress, Meditation, and Alzheimer's Disease Prevention: Where The Evidence Stands, Khalsa, DS (2015),” was one of the top 10 viewed articles in The Journal of Alzheimer's Disease in 2017. According to the article, ““It is one of only a handful Integrative Medicine articles that ranked so high and the top article published by JAD on yoga/meditation and AD prevention.” This paper reviewed lifestyle and stress as possible factors contributing to AD and the effects meditation has on cognition and well-being for reduction of neurodegeneration and prevention of AD.”