#106: Defeating Dementia, Installment #12 [29:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (278)

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

Hear these reports:

A New Method Has Been Developed to Efficiently Identify the Apo E4 Genetic Determinants of Alzheimer’s Disease: You may soon have a way to rapidly, accurately and inexpensively determine if your patients have the APO E4 genotype.

Politics of Genetic Testing and Genetic Discrimination: If the new method (above) becomes highly available and affordable, what might be some of the consequences of using the assay on a wide-scale basis? Might a ‘perfect storm’ for a huge wave of medical-political problems be brewing?

Affiris Has Been Granted European Patent for Alzheimer’s Vaccine: Learn why this vaccine has significant potential for safety and efficacy in humans. Hint: less autoimmune attack on the brain.

How A Stressful Life Can Contribute to Development of Alzheimer’s Disease: Acute stress increases corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) from the brain, which results in increases in amyloid plaque.

Alzheimer’s Disease and Memantine: On STAT episode #80 we mentioned that this newer Alzheimer’s drug acts primarily on glutamatergic neurotransmission. We may have been wrong. According to this story Memantine actually works similarly to the drugs that boost acetylcholine-related signaling. So even though Memantine is known to block glutamatergic NMDA receptors, Memantine actually has stronger effects on acetylcholine receptors and weak effects as a glutamate antagonist. And unless Memantine is used in narrow concentration ranges, it has adverse effects on the brain’s neuronal communications. Bottom line: It may be unlikely that glutamate receptor blocker drugs will ever be used successfully on a wide scale in neurology, since perhaps major side-effects should be expected.

Hebrew University Ph.D. Student Named Winner of Kaye Award for ‘Natural Protection’ to Reduce Spread of Alzheimer’s Disease: Who’s this winner? Erez Podoly. And what’s the remarkable source of the ‘natural protection’? Hint: the substance is a protein normal to the body, and the mammalian genus Capra (as in ‘Capricorn’) has come to the rescue to produce it for us.

Rapid-Fire Review Quiz: As icing on the cake we’ll stimulate your synapses with a quiz, covering some of the key points we’ve made during the last 4 weeks.

Next week’s show: Our 2nd installment of Imagery for Neurology - Imaging and images for neurology professionals. It’s the 1st part of a 2-part series during which we interview SPECT neuroimaging expert Dr. Daniel Amen. We think you’re in for a treat. Before the interviews we encourage you to go back and listen to STAT episode #45 when we covered Dr. Amen’s work, and also visit www.AmenClinics.com to see his remarkable SPECT ‘Images of Human Behavior.’ You may also want to listen to episode #54 on the neuroethics of neuroimaging before next week’s show!

 

 #105: Defeating Dementia, Installment #11 [32:02m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (272)

Promising news and approaches for progressive brain disorders - Part 3 of a 4-part mini series.

Hear these reports:

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Docosahexaenoic Acid Increases SorLA/LR11 - a Sorting Protein with Reduced Expression in Sporadic Alzheimer’s Disease (AD): Reduced LR-11 protein is associated with increased amyloid beta production. Increasing LR-11 levels using the docosohexaenoic acid, DHA may play an important role in preventing Alzheimer’s.

Oxidation, Inflammation and APO E4: We touch upon the importance of each.

Possible New Alzheimer’s Gene Identified: The CDC2 gene is associated with hyperphosphorylation of tau in neurons of the Alzheimer’s brain. The researchers found that the CDC2 allele was associated with a gene dose-dependent increase of total-tau levels in the CSF.

Memory Test Can Reveal Nascent Dementia: The Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test is a useful test for identifying patients at high and low risk for cognitive decline. Adding CSF values for beta amyloid (42 amino acid form) increases the ability to differentiate those who will decline - from those who will not decline. Increasing phosphorylated tau levels during cognitive decline suggests that measuring phosphorylated tau may be useful as a longitudinal marker of the early neurodegenerative process in Alzheimer’s.

Can Biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Disease Be Trusted in Clinical Trials? According to the results from this Swedish study, there’s low individual variation in amyloid and tau biomarker levels in Alzheimer’s patients over time. This information may be important for interpreting the validity of decreases in the biomarkers resulting from therapeutic interventions (DHA in the current NIH study, for example?).

New Online Diagnostic Algorithm for Mapping Different Types of Mild Cognitive Impairment: An excellent interactive diagnostic work-up of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Check symptoms from a list of 18 symptoms while the diagnosis is being constructed for you. This is the wave of future web-based clinical tools. It’s described as the operationalization of mild cognitive impairment.

Next week’s show: It will be our 12th installment of Defeating Dementia. During the 4th part of this 4-part mini series we’ll discuss news related to Alzheimer’s treatment and prevention. We’ll also have a review of the 4-part series, with rapid fire questions and answers.

 

 #104: Defeating Dementia, Installment #10 [28:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (252)

Promising news and approaches for progressive brain disorders - Part 2 of a 4-part mini series.

Hear these reports:

Lipids in the brain: an important factor for Alzheimer’s disease? Researchers at VIB Switch Laboratory in Switzerland recently discovered that a certain brain fat promotes formation of Alzheimer’s peptide, the neurotoxic protofibril. Key concept: concentrations of various lipids in the brain strongly affect biological equilibriums between senile plaques of Alzheimer’s disease and toxic protofibrils.

Omega-3 supplements in mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease: effects on neuropsychiatric symptoms. The omega-3 fats used in this study helped combat depression and agitation in Alzheimer’s patients who received the supplements.

A diet enriched with the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid reduces amyloid burden in an aged Alzheimer mouse model: Mouse study. From Journal of Neuroscience (2005). Researchers employed the omega-3 fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and demonstrated that DHA-enriched diets reduce total amyloid-beta by more than 70%. Overall plaque burden was reduced by 40%, compared to mice on a low-DHA or control diet.

NIH study on DHA in Slowing Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease: Four hundred (400) Alzheimer’s patients are being studied, based on evidence that omega-3 fatty acids appear to have anti-amyloid, anti-oxidant and neuroprotective properties. This study has huge implications and may provide hope for delaying onset of Alzheimer’s, and for fending off the impending Alzheimer’s crisis, saving billions of health care dollars.

Plight of natural product therapies in US medicine: we discuss some of the underlying politics and possibilities.

Alzheimer and trans fatty acids from hydrogenation of vegetable oils: There’s a possible link. We discuss some of the evidence and current efforts by many of the States to ban trans fats, and require warnings about their damaging health effects. University of Maryland researcher Dr. Mary Enig has done extensive research in this area.

Next week’s show: It will be our 11th installment of Defeating Dementia. During the 3rd of this 3-part mini series we’ll discuss Alzheimer’s-related genetics news and some research discoveries related to diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s. We’ll also have more news and information on prevention of Alzheimer’s.

 

 #103: Defeating Dementia, Installment #9 [27:45m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (259)

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.

 

 #80: Defeating Dementia - Installment #7 [31:01m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (758)

Installment #8 of Defeating Dementia - Promising news and approaches for progressive brain disorders.

Treat Alzheimer’s Early With Cholinesterase Inhibitors, Treat Long Term?

• At 1 year, patients on donepezil were significantly less likely to convert to Alzheimer’s disease. Over a year and a half, they did better on thinking, memory, and daily functioning measures, but by 3 years, there was no difference in the rate of conversion to Alzheimer?s signs and symptoms.
• Listeners are reminded of the potential importance of the likely neuroborreliosis etiology of Alzheimer’s; also the free CSF testing for evidence of the bug, being offered by Dr. Alan MacDonald in his research. Contact Dr. MacDonald via his website www.molecularalzheimer.org
• We also reflect briefly on research focusing on the use of vitamin E to reduce Alzheimers. The National Guideline Clearinghouse says vitamin E should be considered - at 1000 I.U. PO BID - in an attempt to slow progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Not a cure, but maybe Alzheimer’s patients can live longer and have better health if they take vitamin E.

Rivastigmine Patch Gets Approval for Dementia: It?s the second patch approved for Parkinson’s disease. One of the researchers (a consultant for the manufacturer, Novartis) said the patch appears better tolerated than the pill.

Alzheimer’s Disease Affects 5 Million: The prevalence is projected to skyrocket in the next 40 years.

Money and Leadership Sought As Alzheimer’s Crisis Looms: The Center for Health Transformation is a health policy think tank founded by former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. The Center has a national financial-plus-leadership strategic plan intended to tackle the impending Alzheimer’s epidemic.

Race and Ethnicity Play Role in Alzheimer’s Treatment Delays: The survey found that essentially 70% of both African American and Hispanic caregivers were likely to dismiss the symptoms of Alzheimer’s as “old age” compared with just 50% of caregivers of other races. And African American caregivers were more likely to report that stigma of the diagnosis affected their decision to obtain a diagnosis for a family member.

CAIDE Dementia Risk Score Validated: This risk score predicts the likelihood of a middle-aged person developing dementia within 20 years. It has been independently validated in an ethnically diverse population.

Imaging Compound Pittsburgh B May Help Track Alzheimer’s: The investigational Pittsburgh B compound that binds to cerebral -amyloid and is visible on positron emission tomography — PET scans — maintains its promise as a way to distinguish the elderly patients presenting with memory problems who will go on to develop Alzheimer’s disease from those who won’t progress.

Stroke in Early Alzheimer’s Ups Dementia Risk: The interaction of cerebrovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease pathology appears to significantly increase the risk of dementia from Alzheimer’s, even when only a small amount of Alzheimer’s pathology is present.

And Last but not least: Marijuana’s active ingredient, THC, acts as a cholinesterase inhibitor and may slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Next week’s show: Our 5th installment of Vulnerability in Neurology - Potential challenges for neurologists on the clinical front lines. Tune in as we discuss insights about the doctor shortage from the results of a large survey done on hospital CEOs. We’ll have other important vulnerability-related news too.

Weblink (other): Alzheimer’s is the 3rd most expensive medical condition in the US. The direct and indirect costs of Alzheimer’s disease add up to essentially $150 billion each year. That?s on the ?billions scale? the Iraq war is costing us each year. BTW: Click here for an interesting website showing a running total estimate of the ongoing costs of the Iraq war.

 

 #68: Defeating Dementia, Installment #7 [53:10m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (500)

Promising news and approaches for progressive brain disorders (previously called ’senility Solutions”). Installment #6

Publication Date: May 4th, 2007.

Show Summary:
Researcher and pathologist Dr. Alan MacDonald explores the link between Borrelia burgdorferi infection - neuroborreliosis - and Alzheimer’s disease. Previous STAT coverage of his work: #23, #26 and #65.

On this episode, ‘Reflections on Recent Alzheimer’s News,” Dr. Macdonald mirrors his thoughts about recent news from Clinical Neurology News based on: 1) the neuroborreliosis hypothesis, 2) what he learned during the recent 10th International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease in Madrid, Spain (Jul, 2006).

Dr. Macdonald will reflect on news about: the genetics and markers of Alzheimer’s disease; new research efforts and related political issues; diagnosis and treatment; the diabetes-Alzheimer’s comorbidity; and the importance of inflammation and oxidation in Alzheimer’s pathogenesis - all from the perspective of the neuroborreliosis paradigm.

Dr. Macdonald’s papers and presentations can be downloaded from www.molecularalzheimer.org. He can be contacted from the website too.

 

 #65: Defeating Dementia, Installment #5 [37:10m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (426)

#66: Defeating Dementia - Promising news and approaches for progressive brain disorders; installment #5</title>
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Defeating Dementia - Promising news and approaches for progressive brain disorders; installment #5.

Publication Date: Apr 13th, 2007.

Senility Solutions feature now called Defeating Dementia.

Hear our second interview with pathologist researcher Dr. Alan MacDonald, discussing the possible link between Alzheimer’s disease and Borrelia burgdorferi (the Lyme disease spirochete). Might this constitute a “perfect medical crime”? You’ll learn about recent research from the CDC confirming Borrelia’s invasion of human neurons and glial cells. Also how this finding of the bacteria inside neurons and glia could change the Braak staging system for Alzheimer’s. This may be the start of a new era for understanding the pathogenesis of Alzheimers.

See references and images at www.MolecularAlzheimer.org.

And last but not least, is it time for you to suggest that your patients ask their bosses if they can nap 30 minutes on the job? Could be a heart-healthy habit!

 

 #48 - Senility Solutions Synopsis [35:28m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (345)

Overview and review of our first 4 installments of Senility Solutions (STAT episodes 12, 23, 26 and 36).

Publication Date: 12/15/06.

Show Notes:

From quantitative EEG for detecting vascular dementia, to CPAP for Alzheimer’s, and even neuroborreliosis ‘kinship’ to neurosyphilis, and biomarkers plus PIB-PET for Alzheimer’s diagnosis, we present to you a synopsis of Senility Solutions we think you will enjoy.

There are promising beacons of hope on the neurology horizon.

 

 #36 - Senility Solutions [35:07m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (349)

Promising news and approaches for progressive brain disorders.

Publication date: September 22, 2006

 

 #26 - Senility Solutions [28:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (383)

Promising news and approaches for progressive brain disorders (Macdonald interview).

Publication date: July 14, 2006