MUST READS

According to a February 5, 2018 Medical News Today article, scientists at the University of Southern California found that damage to pericytes cells can trigger white matter disease, which is associated with dementia. This can happen as early as age 40. White matter disease, which is common in older adults, causes problems with memory, thinking and balance. It has been linked to cerebral small vessel disease, which "contributes to almost 50 percent of dementia cases worldwide, including Alzheimer's disease."

A February 5, 2018 NPR Your Health article and radio segment reported that a new study shows that seniors without dementia (participants of the Memory and Aging Project) eating daily helpings of leafy green vegetables have slower rates of cognitive decline, compared to those who ate little or no greens. The veggies contain nutrients and bioactive compounds including vitamin E and K, lutein, beta carotene and folate. According to study author Martha Clare Morris of Rush Medical College in Chicago, “So, when you eat leafy greens, you're eating a lot of different nutrients, and together they can have a powerful impact.”

MUST LISTEN

A February 4, 2018 WBUR On Point radio segment discussed dementia-specific advance directives to lay out medical care for people with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Guest host Indira Lakshmanan interviewed Professor Dr. Barak Gaster from the University of Washington School of Medicine, Professor Dr. Darby Morhardt from Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, and Dr. Reisa Sperling from the Center for Alzheimer's Research and Treatment at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

LIFESTYLE

A February 4, 2018 Daily Breeze article explored the MIND diet (Mediterranean-DASH Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay/Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), a scientifically-based brain-healthy diet showing promise for slowing cognitive decline in older people by sharpening the mind and protecting mental health. People who closely adhere to the MIND Diet function cognitively 7.5 years younger than those who adhered the least, and lowered their risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 53 percent. The program focuses on maximizing beneficial foods and minimizing unfavorable foods.

CAREGIVING CORNER

A February 5, 2018 The Daily Northwestern article looked at how caregivers discuss Alzheimer’s and dementia on Twitter. Users share coping strategies, frustrations and their caregiving experiences. Researchers mined data and utilized qualitative analysis, with the goal of reducing caregiver burnout. According to McCormick Professor Ankit Agrawal, “If there is an automated way to identify these people at risk… then hopefully we can reduce the burnout significantly. It’s more important than ever right now.”

EVENTS AND RESOURCES

TechCare is a free service that connects family caregivers to technologies - devices, apps, gadgets, Do-It-Yourself solutions, that can help with caregiving tasks.