Decrease Your Risk of Dementia

Research demonstrated that what older adults do when they are sitting influences their risk of dementia.

According to a recent study by the University of Southern California and University of Arizona researchers, those 60 and older who spend a lot of time watching TV or partaking in other passive, sedentary behaviors may be more likely to develop dementia.

Additionally, their research demonstrated that the risk is reduced for those who engage in activities while seated, such as reading or using a computer.

The study was published recently published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. It also revealed that even among those who engaged in physical activity, the connection between sedentary behavior and the risk of dementia persisted.

“It isn’t the time spent sitting, per se, but the type of sedentary activity performed during leisure time that impacts dementia risk,” said study author David Raichlen, professor of biological sciences and anthropology at the University of Southern California Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.

“We know from past studies that watching TV involves low levels of muscle activity and energy use compared with using a computer or reading,” he said. “And while research has shown that uninterrupted sitting for long periods is linked with reduced blood flow in the brain, the relatively greater intellectual stimulation that occurs during computer use may counteract the negative effects of sitting.”   READ MORE...

Diagnosing Alzheimer's Quickly

A new machine learning algorithm can diagnose Alzheimer’s disease from a single MRI brain scan, 

using a standard MRI machine available in most hospitals.

New research breakthrough uses machine learning technology to look at structural features within the brain, including in regions not previously associated with Alzheimer’s. The advantage of the technique is its simplicity and the fact that it can identify the disease at an early stage when it can be very difficult to diagnose.

Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, getting a diagnosis quickly at an early stage helps patients. It allows them to access help and support, get treatment to manage their symptoms and plan for the future. Being able to accurately identify patients at an early stage of the disease will also help researchers to understand the brain changes that trigger the disease, and support development and trials of new treatments.

The research was published today (June 20, 2022) in the Nature Portfolio Journal, Communications Medicine, and funded through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Imperial Biomedical Research Center.


Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting over half a million people in the UK. Although most people with Alzheimer’s disease develop it after the age of 65, people under this age can develop it too. The most frequent symptoms of dementia are memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem solving and language.  READ MORE...

Cause of Alzheimer's

Scientists in California tried to study Alzheimer’s disease from a different perspective and the results may have led them to the cause of the disease.

Researchers at the University of California- Riverside (UCR) recently published results from a study that looked at a protein called tau. By studying the different forms tau proteins take, researchers discovered the difference between people who developed dementia and those who didn’t.

The tau protein was critical for researchers because they wanted to understand what the protein could reveal about the mechanism behind plaques and tangles, two critical indicators doctors look for when diagnosing people with Alzheimer’s.

By analyzing donated brain samples, researchers found that those with brain buildup, like plaques and tangles, but had no dementia had a normal form of tau. However, those who had a “different-handed” form of tau and developed plaques or tangles did have dementia.

Ryan Julian, a chemistry professor at UCR, said in a press release, “roughly 20% of people have the plaques, but no signs of dementia. This makes it seem as though the plaques themselves are not the cause.”

The amino acids that make up proteins like tau can either be right-handed or left-handed isomers, and normally proteins in living things are made from all left-handed amino acids, explained Julian.

However, most proteins only survive for less than 48 hours in the body, and if they hang around too long, certain amino acids can convert into the other-handed isomer. So that means a left-handed isomer could inadvertently convert into a right-handed isomer, which can lead to serious problems.

“If you try to put a right-handed glove on your left hand, it doesn’t work too well. It’s a similar problem in biology; molecules don’t work the way they’re supposed to after a while because a left-handed glove can actually convert into a right-handed glove that doesn’t fit,” said Julian.  READ MORE...

As You AGE

FROM SOCIAL LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE...

As you age, it’s important to make sure that you are taking a greater level of care of your wellbeing. Focusing on your health will ensure that you don’t end up in a situation where your quality of life begins to decline as you get older. There are a lot of health issues associated with age that are not completely curable. However, if you catch them early enough then you often improve the prognosis significantly and enjoy great health well into your later years.

Ear Issues

First, you should be aware that issues with your hearing and ear health become far more common once you reach a certain age. For instance, by the time you reach 60, you are more likely than not to have some form of hearing loss. This can be minor or moderate, depending on your situation. As soon as you notice a change in your hearing, it’s worth speaking to an audiologist. They can check what’s going wrong and the level of the damage. They will also be able to recommend the right treatment option. This is usually going to be a pair of hearing aids. There are lots of different types to choose from.

RSI – arthritis

Next, you should think about painful health issues such as RSI. Repetitive strain injury is caused by typing for long periods, often without breaks and typically with the wrong posture. If you are worried about this, then you should make sure that you do research online the right way to type so that you can avoid this issue. Be aware that this can become more serious and significant as you age because your body will be shifting and adapting over time.

You might also develop more significant health issues such as arthritis. The problem with arthritis is that it can impact your mobility and leave you in near-constant pain. It is possible to reduce your chances of issues with arthritis. For instance, studies suggest that you are more likely to develop a condition like this if you are a runner as it puts more pressure on your joints.

Eye Trouble – Glaucoma, Cataracts, Uveitis

Your eyes can also change as you get older too. For instance, you might develop cataracts. This condition where a thin layer begins to form over the eye is quite common. It predominantly impacts caucasian individuals but anyone can notice signs of this once they reach a certain age. This is easily treated with the support of a professional and the danger of surgery is the only minor. Other conditions such as chronic uveitis are more serious. This condition is inflammation of the iris and needs to be treated as quickly as possible. Chronic uveitis treatments are widely available and can ensure that you see significant changes.

Cancer

It’s impossible to write about health issues that become more common as you age without touching upon the ‘c-word.’ There are certainly cancers that increase in likelihood as you get older. For instance, once you reach a certain age, you need to make sure that you are checking for the signs of colon cancer. This includes blood in your stool. You should also be checking your body regularly for differences including raised lumps and bumps that remain for more than a couple of weeks.

Dementia

Finally, you need to be aware of how your age impacts your cognitive health. As you get older, your chances of developing dementia increase substantially. The first signs of dementia can also become apparent far earlier than most people realize as well. For instance, it is possible that you do see early stages of dementia in your forties. This can feel like a complete nightmare but the good news is that if the signs are noticed early then there are steps you can take. You can essentially train your brain to keep it healthy. The brain is like a muscle. You need to make sure that you are taking steps to work it out. This means completing brain teasers and testing your brain. This is more important as you retire because you’ll have fewer things to focus on and think about.

We hope this helps you understand some of the health issues that you might need to watch out for and can become more significant for you as you age. If you take the right steps here, then you’ll be able to guarantee that you don’t see your health decline rapidly once you reach a certain age. Instead, you can enjoy your twilight years in complete comfort.