Neurology Diagnostics

Posts Tagged ‘Alzheimer’s Disease’

From the 40 years starts on brain aging, often associated with a gradual decline in memory.

Our brain consists of about 100,000 million neurons that are “surrounded” by a trillion supporting cells. These cells are set trillion synapses (connections), that are modulated by different chemicals that are known by the name of neurotransmitters. One of the neurotransmitter is acetylcholine.
Acetylcholine and hippocampus

Acetylcholine is associated with memory , attention, learning and sleep. It has been observed, for example, that people with Alzheimer’s disease have low levels of acetylcholine at cerebral cortex can have up to 90% less than normal people. This decrease in acetylcholine is directly responsible for memory impairment experienced by patients with Alzheimer’s.

In any case, a person has memory lapses or forgetfulness does not necessarily mean you are at the beginning of a process of dementia, most cases of memory lapses are simply due to the existence of inattention. Does having many slip indicates that our brain acetylcholine concentration is low? Nor is this relationship in 100% of cases.

Anatomical level, lapses of memory are caused by defects in the functioning of the hippocampus , the area of the brain responsible for storing our memories. You could say that the hippocampus is the “memory of our brain.” This region is involved in some psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia or depression.

Memory lapses and excess glucose

In one study, by MRI, the size of the hippocampus was correlated directly with the memory function. This study was conducted in 102 elderly, aged between 81 and 94 years, they showed that the best results in the neuropsychological tests correlated with people who had larger volumes of the hippocampus. In other words, the larger the size of our hippocampal memory works best for us. This could explain why patients with schizophrenia or depression, which have decreased the size of the hippocampus, have impaired memory.

In another study, also conducted magnetic resonance imaging in the elderly was found that the higher the concentration of glucose in the hippocampus was his worst performance, especially in an area called the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. This area is responsible for episodic memory control-unlike similar situations and places. Alterations of the dentate gyrus is what produces the famous déjà vu (the inability to differentiate between two similar situations). The dentate gyrus is the one that plays the tricks to have the sensation of having lived there before.
Memory lapses and exercise

In a study of 60 adults aged between 60 and 80 years found that aerobic exercise (brisk walking) at least 30 minutes three times a week, increased hippocampal volume, which resulted in improved memory. Moreover, increased hippocampal volume was also associated with higher levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

In conclusion, limiting consumption of sugar, treating glucose intolerance and increasing aerobic exercise could limit the number of forgetfulness.

The investigation of Alzheimer’s disease continues. From an herb or olive oil to the study of a vaccine.

The cure for Alzheimer’s disease still take time to be available. Current goals are to delay symptoms, quality of life to the person concerned and as soon as possible, it becomes a chronic disease.
Usefulness of the drug

A key aspect to consider once diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease, is that the sooner treatment is applied, the more likely that the brain retains its skills and the disease progresses more slowly. It is known that the medication does not stop the disease, but it does serve to slow their development and that the person concerned shall enjoy greater autonomy for longer and may continue doing many of their daily activities.

During the time that the drugs are effective, while the brain is not badly damaged, get prevent the breakdown of a brain chemical: the acetylcholine , which is essential to keep thinking and memory. Other drugs prevent the substance called glutamate to accumulate too much, because that would cause neuronal damage.

Currently there are over ten new drugs being studied, and although there reason to hope that improve the current treatment, specialists are cautious and remember that not all patients will get the same benefit.
Cognitive stimulation therapy

Must be applied together with the appropriate medication, because they make many Alzheimer’s patients do not forget how to perform most basic activities. When the impairment is still mild, these therapies are usually used in day centers attending to patients. Sometimes they are also taught to immediate family.
Amazing advances

Oleic acid. It is the main component of olive oil may help in the future to control diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer . In the Universities of Alicante Balearic Islands and is being implemented to study the development of fatty acids that serve to prevent both conditions. Apparently, oleic acid can be used for the development and survival of neurons, this being of paramount importance for Alzheimer’s disease, since neurons are precisely those that are deteriorating.

Single marital status to midlife may increase the risk of Alzheimer disease according to new evidence presented at the International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease in Chicago during the current year. Research suggests that, based on the hypothesis of social stimulation as a protective factor against dementia, living with a partner may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. The study was conducted by a group of Swedish researchers in evaluating 1,449 individuals from the study of cardiovascular risk factors, aging and dementia, entitled “Cardiovascular Risk Factors. Aging, and Dementia “(CADI) in midlife and again evaluated in 1998. On reassessment, 139 people were diagnosed with some form of cognitive impairment: 82 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 48 with Alzheimer’s disease. Within the categories of single, separated, divorced or widowed, are those who lived with a partner during midlife those less likely to develop cognitive impairment. Married or lived with someone who showed a 50% lower risk than those who lived alone.

“We know that the interaction between peers is a protective factor for the health of our brain and mind, this work provides new evidence for the importance of socialization in the prevention of cognitive impairment” – says Dr. Facundo Manes, director of INEC and the Institute of Neurosciences, Favaloro Foundation.

There are about 600 diseases that affect the brain. And it is striking that those who are more dangerous to our brain that tell us more. Parkinson, for example, takes 18,000 lives each year. This disease has taught us how the brain controls our body.

Knowledge of the mechanisms of memory are clear in Alzheimer’s disease. And by stroke researchers learned to keep isolated the damaged brain cells. In the most serious diseases are the best opportunities for science.

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All research points to the same effect. Fun activities such as completing puzzles, crossword puzzles, reading and listening to the radio may delay the first signs of dementia. A new study published in Neurology has discovered a surprising fact. It concluded that in those cases in which dementia occurs later, the progression seems to be faster.

As explained by the principal author of this work, Robert Wilson, “Our results suggest that the benefit of delaying the signs of cognitive decline could lead to more rapid evolution of dementia in later years, but the question is why this happens.” Read the rest of this entry »

The ginkgo tree is native to China and Japan today is grown in temperate zones around the palaneta. Can reach 40 meters high, has long branches and leaves grow in clusters, are deciduous and in autumn acquire veins yellow. He has no real flower and fruit are yellow and fleshy. The leaves are harvested in summer.

The leaves and seeds of ginkgo, prepared in cooking, tincture, extract or powder, increase blood flow favoring the correct microcirculation, both cerebral and peripheral, as also recommended in case of varicose veins, hemorrhoids, or other conditions that affect blood vessels.

Ginkgo is also used to prevent strokes and Alzheimer’s disease and the effects of arteriosclerosis and senile vascular insufficiency. The Ingredients to serve this tea include: ginkgo 2 teaspoons and 1 cup water. To lapreparación is necessary to put the grass in the cup and pour boiling water, then let stand 5 minutes and strain. Finally have a cup 3 times a day.

A major effort has made several research groups to synthesize a vaccine available to prevent Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

In simple terms, the idea is to create in a laboratory, a protein that is very similar to proteins that normally are deposited in the brain of the sick patient and eventually cause the symptoms of dementia.

By exposing a healthy individual and any risk factors, such as a history of having close relatives with the EA, it creates antibodies created in the lab and also with proteins that are characteristic of AD.

This would prevent therefore, protein synthesis and deposition years later that will cause the first symptoms of dementia.

Already there have been many scientific studies and is expected to close in the future hopefully be approved this vaccine, which will undoubtedly be a great addition to the treatment of AD.

Galantamine: Another Alternative for the Treatment of Alzheimer

Soon more will be available in the Chilean market the drug Galantamine (Razadyne ER in the U.S.) and is part of the therapeutic alternatives for Alzheimer’s disease with early or intermediate. Read the rest of this entry »

Arthritis drug yields impressive results in the treatment of Alzheimer’s

Impressive are the findings derived from a study on Alzheimer’s by a team of U.S. scientists from the Universities of California at Los Angeles and Southern California: the application of a drug for arthritis managed to turn “in ten minutes” some signs of disease in a patient of 81 years.

The trade publication Journal of neuroinflammation (Journal of Neuroinflammation) reports that physicians applied to the spine of the patient an injection of Etanercept, a drug used to relieve pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

The professionals said the patient, who was just beginning to exhibit the symptoms of the disease, could remember the name of your doctor along with the date and place where he was, but ten minutes before had been unable to do so.

However, Dr. Anthony Alvarez, the Biomedical Research Centre in Spain, called for caution with the subject.

“We must be cautious whenever we speak of the experience of a single patient,” he told the BBC the professional currently working on a vaccine against Alzheimer’s disease.

Notes also that it is necessary to show that the drug is safe and runs on a significant number of patients.

The memory of those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease could benefit thanks to the songs, because people with this disease seem to remember verbal information better if it is provided in a musical context.

In these compelling findings was a team of specialists from the University School of Medicine, Boston, who published his findings in the journal Neuropsychological.

THE BAD MEMORY

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. This chronic disease is strongly associated with age, and irreversibly develops as time passes.

Early symptoms include loss of memory and confusion, but when evil spreads arise personality changes, altered behavior and loss of cognitive abilities. People with this disease often do not recognize family members or have difficulty speaking, reading or doing everyday tasks such as combing hair or bathing. Read the rest of this entry »

A multicenter study is published today in JAMA has identified two genes that may be risk factors for development of Alzheimer’s disease late onset, although not help quantify the risk in carriers of these alterations.

Researchers at Boston University, U.S., in collaboration with scientists from the Rotterdam Study, coordinated by Monique Breteler, the Cardiovascular Health Study, led by Oscar Lopez, AGES-Reykjavik study, coordinated by Lenore Launer, the study in May AD , directed by Steve Younkin, the European Consortium of Alzheimer’s Disease, who leads Philippe Amouyel, the ACE Foundation in Barcelona, coordinated by Merce Boada, and the Consortium for Genetic and Environmental Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease, directed by Julie Williams, have identified two genes that may be risk factors for developing Alzheimer’s disease late onset.

The work, published today in The Journal of the American Medical Association, was carried out by analysis of genome wide association. The researchers have identified two new genes in specific locations in DNA. These genes appear to be independent of those already established by its association with the disease of Alzheimer’s, such as apolipoprotein E (APOE). Read the rest of this entry »