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 January 20, 2023

Join ACA on Tuesday for our 6th annual Queso & Questions:  Highlighting Alzheimer’s Research at UAB, upstairs at Avondale Brewery, 6:00 – 7:30 pm, with complimentary Beer & Taco Bar, 201 41st Street South, with Erik Roberson, MD, PhD, Rebecca Gale Endowed Professor; Director, UAB Alzheimer’s Disease Center; Director, Center for Neurodegeneration & Experimental Therapeutics and the Lindy Harrell Predoctoral Scholars in Alzheimer’s disease research.  Reservations required – RSVP by Monday January 23:  https://alzca.org/queso/

Being Patient webinar January 23, 9 am CT with Dr. Valter Longo of the University of Southern California to discuss his research on fasting and brain health. His book, The Longevity Diet, is an international bestseller.  Fasting and the Brain: The Latest Research With Dr. Valter Longo | Being Patient

Alzheimer’s News:

Being Patient has produced an interactive guide to Alzheimer’s genes. In this free (and shareable!) guide, find things like: factors to consider before getting a genetic test, the different types of genetic variants related to Alzheimer’s different genes, and how research is using genetics to try to prevent Alzheimer’s.

Exposure to natural environments may lower hospitalizations for patients with neurodegenerative disorders.  In a large, open-cohort study, living in areas rich with greenery, parks, and waterways (blue space) was linked to fewer hospitalizations for Parkinson’s disease; and residing near green spaces was associated with fewer hospitalizations for Alzheimer’s disease. Green, Blue Space Linked to Fewer Parkinson’s Hospitalizations (medscape.com)

Experts say that we have reached a pivotal point in Alzheimer’s disease research, 30 years after the first pharmaceutical came to market.  UsAgainstAlzheimer’s asked University of California San Francisco experts to share their insights on Alzheimer’s therapies on the horizon, some of which may be effective even before symptoms emerge, as well as drug-free interventions that may prevent or slow the disease. https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2022/12/424541/30-years-are-we-winning-fight-against-alzheimers

Short bouts of intense exercise may help protect the brain from age-related cognitive decline by increasing production of a key protein involved in neuroplasticity, learning, and memory.  In a small study of healthy adults, 6 minutes of high-intensity cycling increased circulating levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to a significantly greater extent than prolonged light cycling or fasting.  Can 6 Minutes of Intense Cycling Put the Brakes on Alzheimer’s? (medscape.com)

Some health conditions associated with dementia appeared early and consistently long before diagnosis, while others became significant much later, a cohort study suggested.  For people with a subsequent diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, the earliest and most consistent associations at all time points over a 15-year span included depression, erectile dysfunction, gait abnormalities, hearing loss, and nervous and musculoskeletal symptoms.  For those eventually diagnosed with vascular dementia, the earliest and most consistent associations across 13 years were an abnormal electrocardiogram (EKG), cardiac dysrhythmias, cerebrovascular disease, non-epithelial skin cancer, depression, and hearing loss, Earlier Health Conditions Tied to Subsequent Dementia | MedPage Today

Watch a 6 minute video about the science behind the new Alzheimer’s drug, lecanemab. What you need to know about lecanemab – Alzheimer’s Orange County (alzoc.org)

Social isolation in older adults increases the risk for developing dementia. Results from a longitudinal study that included more than 5000 US-based seniors showed that nearly one quarter were socially isolated.  After adjusting for demographic and health factors, social isolation was found to be associated with a 28% higher risk for developing dementia over a 9-year period compared with non-isolation. This finding held true regardless of race or ethnicity.  Social Isolation Hikes Dementia Risk in Older Adults (medscape.com)

UMC’s Discipleship Ministries is offering a three-month teaching symposium based on Bishop Ken Carder’s book, Ministry with the Forgotten: Dementia through a Spiritual Lens. The series, beginning in February, is free and open to all.  For a full description of the course and to pre-register, please visit: https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/new-online-teaching-series-the-churchs-ministry-with-dementia

Nearly half of older adults with dementia experience falls.  In a study of more than 5500 participants, 45.5% of those with dementia experienced one or more falls compared with 30.9% of their peers without dementia.  Vision impairment and living with a spouse were among the strongest predictors of future fall risk among participants living with dementia.  Every year, falls cause millions of injuries in older adults; and those with dementia are especially vulnerable. This population has twice the risk of falling and up to three times the risk of incurring serious fall-related injuries, such as fractures.  Falls are a leading cause of hospitalization among those with dementia. Previous evidence has shown that persons with dementia are more likely to experience negative health consequences, such as delirium, while in hospital compared to those without dementia. Even minor fall-related injuries are associated with the patient’s being discharged to a nursing home rather than returning home. Nearly 50% of Patients With Dementia Experience Falls (medscape.com)

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

Support ACA by using AmazonSmile!   Designate Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama and Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases. smile.amazon.com 

 

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