BRAIN HEALTH

According to a February 21, 2020 Ladders article, a new study from the University of Wisconsin looked at the benefits of aerobic exercise on the brain for asymptomatic people at risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease. The purpose is to develop an ‘exercise prescription’ to protect against Alzheimer’s, even for sedentary people with family histories of the disease. “This research shows that a lifestyle behavior — regular aerobic exercise — can potentially enhance brain and cognitive functions that are particularly sensitive to the disease,” said lead investigator Ozioma C. Okonkwo, PhD of the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.

ALZ TECH

A February 18, 2020 KTAR News article spotlighted the Smartsole, an orthotic insole, GPS tracking device inserted into the shoes of people with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia. According to the article, “With the GPS tracker in the insole of a patient’s shoe, loved ones and caregivers can use their computer or smart phone to track the patient’s whereabouts. Smartsole is credited with helping someone find an elderly man who had driven away in his car here in Arizona.”

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

A February 18, 2020 WRGB CBS 6 News Albany broadcast segment focused on a team of researchers at Albany Medical College who found that targeting the ILC2s (group 2 innate lymphoid immune cells) in the brain may reverse age-related cognitive decline. These cells accumulate with age at the choroid plexus, which provides a toxin barrier to the brain. According to the article, “When given to the aging mice, the scientists found that the animals performed better in behavioral tests and saw their cognitive skills improve. Just like in mice, the scientists found that the human brain also collects these cells in the brain and that they accumulate with age.”

FEEL GOOD STORY OF THE DAY

A February 18, 2020 TC Palm article spotlighted Therapy Dog International, a program in Indian River Shores which trains rescued dogs to provide therapy to people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia at the local Community Center. The dogs interact with the people to provide comfort. The program was created to try and help diffuse stressful situations which were leading to repeated emergency room visits for non-emergency situations.