#103: Defeating Dementia, Installment #9 [27:45m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (394)

Promising news and approaches for progressive brain disorders - Part 1 of a 4-part mini series.

Hear these reports:

• Multifaceted Aspects of Alzheimer’s Disease: From Social to Molecular Problems. We touch upon the many insights presented in this report from a special issue of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
• ‘Young-Onset’ Alzheimer’s Is Increasing: Increased awareness of young-onset Alzheimer’s - in 55 to 65-year old patients with memory problems - is important because these people are experiencing delays in correct diagnosis of their dementia, and therefore treatment and support for these relatively young patients is delayed.
• Brain-Injured War Veterans Show A Faster Decline In Cognitive Functioning As They Age. What was especially interesting about the findings from this research was that the rate of cognitive decline could be predicted – at least in part - by how intelligent the veterans were, and their level of education, before they sustained their brain injuries. The research results may stress the importance of the concept of ‘brain reserve’ and maximizing that reserve with intellectual stimulation, for prevention of dementia.
• Borrelia Bug Revisited: We review the evidence and resources to further understand the paradigm of Borrelia Burdorferi as a cause of Alzheimer’s disease. STAT listeners will recall Dr. Alan MacDonald’s comment that “Round things happen in neurodegeneration.” For an overly packed, but useful view into this paradigm go to www.MolecularAlzheimer.org.

Next week’s show: It will be our 10th installment of Defeating Dementia - Promising news and approaches for progressive brain disorders. During the second of the 2-part mini series we’ll discuss the importance of good and bad lipids in the brain (as factors in Alzheimer’s), and we’ll report on research linking genetic mutations to frontotemporal dementia. We’ll also discuss and review important comorbidities with Alzheimer’s – like diabetes and sleep apnea. And we’ll cover more research news related to Alzheimer’s diagnosis, treatment and prevention.