January 31, 2018

Today’s Top Alzheimer’s News

MUST READS

A January 28, 2018 The Advocate Q&A about Alzheimer’s disease advised about the type of doctor that treats AD or dementia. Most people first seek counsel from their family physician or primary care doctor when they experience signs of cognitive difficulties. According to the article, “Because an Alzheimer's diagnosis isn't always easy to confirm, getting a second opinion is often recommended. Once a diagnosis is made, choosing a doctor or team of doctors can be difficult, as the person may have unique needs in regard to time, services or symptoms. Another important consideration is finding a doctor that accepts the person's insurance.”


LIFESTYLE

According to a January 30, 2018 Medical Xpress article, a study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society from the University of Connecticut examined data from 19 previous studies to conclude that exercise, most notably aerobic exercise, may delay the decline in cognitive function associated with Alzheimer's disease. Moderate-intensity exercise training, about three days a week, for 45 minutes is recommended. The World Health Organization guidelines recommend exercise to improve brain health in older adults.



A January 29, 2018 Pomona College article spotlighted the Aging in Two Languages: Implications for Public Health study, which finds that learning a second language can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease by four to five years. According to study co-author Professor Deborah Burke, WM, “A number of recent studies report that the age of diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is four to five years older for bilinguals than monolinguals… Moreover, studies that follow large groups of people over time to monitor for onset of mild cognitive impairment… report that the incidence of MCI was lower for bilinguals than monolinguals and the incidence decreased as the number of languages spoken increased.”


MUST LISTEN

A January 31, 2018 Marketplace Morning Report radio segment with David Brancaccio included a portion about already-approved anti-diabetes drugs to reduce memory loss and improve cognitive ability for people with Alzheimer's disease (scroll forward to 3:50). According to Lancaster University Neuroscientist Christian Holscher “We’ve had a long list of failed clinical trials over the last years… Now finally we have something that really shows an improvement in the first trials in patients. So this is really genuinely exciting.”


RESEARCH, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

A February, 2018 Cosmos Magazine article reported that researchers at the Queensland Brain Institute in Australia have launched a clinical trial, with people aged 55 to 75, to determine whether treating sleep apnoea can reduce the risk of dementia. Sleep apnoea is caused by sporadic collapse of the upper airway leading to low blood oxygen levels. Patients with Alzheimer's disease were five times more likely to have sleep apnoea, and half of all people with AD had experienced it at some point.


EVENTS AND RESOURCES

A January 29, 2018 The Beacon post links to a free download of columnist and award-winning novelist Russell Wangersky’s novel, “Atlantic Nights: They Lived 1,000 Lies,” about a family coping with their mother's dementia journey. Also read additional non-fiction experiences of families caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. 



CareGiving.com is calling for presentations for their Third Annual National Caregiving Conference, November 9-10, 2018 in Chicago. The submission deadline is March 2. The conference features family caregivers and former family caregivers as presenters and panelists. The 2018 theme is: “Our Best Selves” - how do we stay our best in our relationships, health, faith, finances, careers and caregiving?