Alzheimer's of Central Alabama

Serving people with Alzheimer’s, caregivers and professionals in central Alabama through education, caregiver services and research grants.

ACA’s Weekly Email February 3, 2023

Dementia 101 with local author and physician, Renee Harmon, at Canterbury United Methodist Church, February 7, 10:00 am. It’s free, but to register, contact Valerie Boyd: valerie.boyd@canterburyumc.org

Being Patient live-streamed “Ask Me Anything” chat with Teepa Snow, Positive Approach to Care founder and dementia care expert, February 10, 11 am CT. “AMA” With Dementia Care Expert Teepa Snow | Being Patient

AFA is offering a telephone-based support group for people who are newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia, Tuesdays, starting February 21, 2:30 – 3:30 pm CT.  Contact Linda Mockler, LMSW, M.Ed, lmockler@alzfdn.org, 866-232-8484

Free, confidential memory screening, February 22, 9 – noon, Five Point West Regional Branch Library.  Offered by the Jefferson County Community Services Senior Services Division.  Call Monica Cotrell, 205-226-4016

Alzheimer’s News:

Check out 2 excellent resources from Being Patient:

It is estimated that in the US over the next 10 years, more than 40% of practicing physicians will be older than 65 years, an age range in which 11.7% of people report cognitive decline. Although cognitive decline is less common among more highly educated individuals (like physicians), the data show that around 1 in 5 physicians older than 70 years may experience mild cognitive decline, and 1 in 15 may have cognitive impairment.  Older Physicians: Balancing Experience With Competence (medscape.com) 

Brain atrophy patterns are similar in individuals with obesity and those with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a new study shows. Comparisons of MRI scans for more than 1000 participants indicate correlations between the two conditions, especially in areas of gray matter thinning, suggesting that managing excess weight might slow cognitive decline and lower the risk for AD. Similar Brain Atrophy in Obesity and Alzheimer’s Disease (medscape.com)

More than 70 million American have a sleep disorder. While certain over-the-counter and prescription medications can help people fall asleep, they should be a last resort due to their impact on long-term brain health. Researchers analyzed data from more than 6,000 participants over 65 years old over eight years. The researchers looked for differences in the long-term health of participants who used sleep medications, including both prescription medications (like Ativan and Ambien) and over-the-counter ones (like Advil PM or Benadryl).  The results showed that about 15% of the study participants used sleep medicine routinely, and those who used them “most nights” or “every night” were 30% more likely to develop dementia during the study period.  The Troubling Link Between Sleep Medication & Cognitive Decline | mindbodygreen

A mandatory cognitive screening policy targeting older drivers appeared to lower car crashes involving people over 70, according to results from a large study from Japan. But the same study also reported a concurrent increase in pedestrian and cycling injuries, possibly because more older former drivers were getting around by alternative means. While some governments, including those of Denmark, Taiwan, and Japan, have implemented age-based cognitive screening for older drivers, there has been little evidence to date that such policies improve road safety.  Guidelines issued in 2010 by the American Academy of Neurology discourage age-based screening, advising instead that people diagnosed with cognitive disorders be carefully evaluated for driving fitness. Cognitive Testing for Older Drivers: Is There a Benefit? (medscape.com)

Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval for the use of lecanemab, an experimental monoclonal antibody capable of clearing the amyloid protein buildup from the brains of people living with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. As with aducanumab, the benefits associated with lecanemab were modest, and the medication caused concerning adverse events. Reviewing the data, there is a lack of high-quality evidence on the benefits of the drugs already available.  Does Evidence Support Pharmacologic Treatment for Dementia? (medscape.com)

Unlike heart disease, osteoporosis or diabetes, our healthcare system treats brain disease reactively rather than proactively.  The McCance Center for Brain Health at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard was founded by a neurologist, neuroscientist and psychiatrist to changing this paradigm.  The SHIELD plan, developed by McCance Center Co-Director Dr. Rudolph Tanzi, is a great way to remember how to take care of your brain health today to reduce the risk for brain disease in the future:

  • S is for sleep – get 7-8 hours
  • H is for handling stress
  • I is for interaction with friends
  • E is for exercise
  • L is for learning new things
  • D is for diet.

Lifestyle interventions for brain health: Dr. Tanzi’s “SHIELD” Plan (massgeneral.org)

February Webinars from Alabama Lifespan Respite: https://alabamarespite.org/events2/

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