dementia

Link Between Cholesterol Levels and Cognitive Impairment

Submitted by Maryglenn Boals on May 8, 2013 - 7:11am

Individuals age 40 and up with borderline-to-high levels of cholesterol have an increased risk of developing vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s according to research. The study involved a large number of people age 40 to 45 and discovered a link between dementia and borderline-high cholesterol. Cholesterol levels reaching 200-239 increased dementia and Alzheimer’s disease risk by 25%. Many experts suggest healthy exercise routines and diet to help reduce future risk and lower stress levels. More here Read more »

shadow

Physical And Mental Exercise May Prevent Cognitive Decline

Submitted by Maryglenn Boals on April 16, 2013 - 8:21am

A study was conducted to discover the most effective strategies for addressing symptoms of dementia. The research involved 32 controlled trials with patients being assigned prescription drugs, natural remedies, hormone therapies, physical exercise or mental exercise. The study revealed that patients taking drugs or using natural remedies had little or no cognitive improvement. Exercise, specifically resistance training, was shown to improve both long and short-term memory. However mental exercises such as brain teasers and crossword puzzles proved to have the highest level of memory improvement. More here Read more »

shadow

Physical And Mental Exercise May Prevent Cognitive Decline

Submitted by Maryglenn Boals on April 16, 2013 - 8:21am

A study was conducted to discover the most effective strategies for addressing symptoms of dementia. The research involved 32 controlled trials with patients being assigned prescription drugs, natural remedies, hormone therapies, physical exercise or mental exercise. The study revealed that patients taking drugs or using natural remedies had little or no cognitive improvement. Exercise, specifically resistance training, was shown to improve both long and short-term memory. However mental exercises such as brain teasers and crossword puzzles proved to have the highest level of memory improvement. More here Read more »

shadow

Dementia Screening Offered Under Medicare

Submitted by Maryglenn Boals on March 1, 2013 - 1:21pm

Studies are now suggesting that early dementia screening may be of value even without medication that can help slow the disease. Home care, counseling, and brain exercise have now been proven to help individuals suffering from dementia. Dementia screening has recently been added to wellness visits offered through medicare free of charge. Individuals on Medicare are entitled to screening under the Affordable Care Act. Last year only 9% of Medicare patients took advantage of the offered dementia screening. More here Read more »

shadow

Dementia Screening Offered Under Medicare

Submitted by Maryglenn Boals on March 1, 2013 - 1:21pm

Studies are now suggesting that early dementia screening may be of value even without medication that can help slow the disease. Home care, counseling, and brain exercise have now been proven to help individuals suffering from dementia. Dementia screening has recently been added to wellness visits offered through medicare free of charge. Individuals on Medicare are entitled to screening under the Affordable Care Act. Last year only 9% of Medicare patients took advantage of the offered dementia screening. More here Read more »

shadow

Pets May Keep Brain More Active

Submitted by Maryglenn Boals on February 4, 2013 - 1:42pm

Pets can improve the health of the elderly according to research. Pets have been found to lower blood pressure, heart rate and minimize stress levels. Interaction with pets increases the amount of dopamine and serotonin the brain produces. Pets also have emotional effects on the body such as controlling anxiety and depression. Older adults suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia have better behavior and less agitation. Research has also determined that pets enhance mental stimulation helping to keep the mind more alert. More here Read more »

shadow

Pets May Keep Brain More Active

Submitted by Maryglenn Boals on February 4, 2013 - 1:42pm

Pets can improve the health of the elderly according to research. Pets have been found to lower blood pressure, heart rate and minimize stress levels. Interaction with pets increases the amount of dopamine and serotonin the brain produces. Pets also have emotional effects on the body such as controlling anxiety and depression. Older adults suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia have better behavior and less agitation. Research has also determined that pets enhance mental stimulation helping to keep the mind more alert. More here Read more »

shadow

Bilingual Adults Less Likely To Suffer Dementia

Submitted by Maryglenn Boals on January 14, 2013 - 8:31am

A study published in the Journal of Neurosciences states that being bilingual from an early age is good for the aging mind. Elderly adults who are bilingual have more “brain power” which may slow the decline of age-related problems in the brain such as thinking process and memory. The study also shows signs that bilingual adults are less likely to suffer from diseases effecting the mind such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. More here Read more »

shadow

Hospitalization May Raise Risk Of Dementia

Submitted by Maryglenn Boals on December 18, 2012 - 8:22am

Recent research published in BioMed Central’s open access journal Critical Care, showed that 5% of Medicare patients, age 66 and older treated in the ICU, Intensive Care Unit in 2005, later received a diagnosis of dementia. Over the next 3 years, survey participants’ health and medical records continued to be watched closely. The survey confirmed that infections, acute dialysis, severe sepsis and neurological dysfunctions have all been associated with the risk of subsequent diagnosis of dementia as well as age, race and sex. Read more »

shadow

Research Identifies Existing Drugs That May Slow Dementia

Submitted by Maryglenn Boals on November 15, 2012 - 4:55am

A new study from King’s College London has discovered four existing medications, used to treat conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, that may help slow the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The study’s lead author, Professor Clive Ballard, said developing new drugs to treat dementia is incredibly important but also very expensive. Locating medications that already exist and have shown the potential to benefit dementia patients means quicker results and cheaper treatments. Among the drugs found to have possible benefits, calcium channel blockers have shown strong evidence that they reduce the risk of developing dementia. Read more »

shadow