A study by US scientists found that elderly people who eat fish at least once a week are three to five times less likely to develop the conditions than people who did not.But it is essential that the fish is cooked in a manner that preserves the vital Omega-3 fatty acids which help protect the brain, researchers said.
The pharmaceutical industry has beat a concerted retreat from developing drugs for diseases that affect the brain, stymied by the lengthy development times for these agents and a string of failures. Despite the evident risks, a new study shows how industry leaders should perhaps be taking the long view.
The sheer thought of memory loss as you grow older can be terrifying. Heres an effective easy-to-follow guide to prevent Alzheimers disease and age-related memory declineAlzheimers, the most common form of dementia, and such agerelated memory disorders strike fear in all of us. In her international best-selling book 100 Simple Things You Can Do To Prevent Alzheimers, American medical journalist Jean Carper, 79, gets a host of experts to reveal scientifically-backed tips about how to head off the disease. Follow these tips to hugely slash your chances of developing the disease.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) hits hardest among the “younger elderly” ‘people in their 60s and 70s’ who show faster rates of brain tissue loss and cognitive decline as compared to patients 80 years and older, a new study has revealed.The greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is advancing age. By age 85, the likelihood of developing the dreaded neurological disorder is roughly 50 per cent.
In a finding sure to fuel the debate over the harms of saturated fat, researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital published a study Friday suggesting that saturated fats — found in red meat and full-fat dairy products — causes the brain to age more rapidly than other kinds of fat. Olive oil, avocado, and other monounsaturated fats appear to slow brain aging.
The study, being led by Professor Clive Holmes at the University of Southampton, will monitor 140 people aged over 50 with mild cognitive impairment during an 18-month period.
The participants will be assessed for levels of stress and any progression from mild cognitive impairment to dementia.
About 60% of people with mild cognitive impairment are known to go on to develop Alzheimer’s.
Prof Holmes said: “All of us go through stressful events. We are looking to understand how these may become a risk factor for the development of Alzheimer’s.
“Something such as bereavement or a traumatic experience – possibly even moving home – is also a potential factor.
“This is the first stage in developing ways in which to intervene with psychological or drug-based treatments to fight the disease.
“We are looking at two aspects of stress relief – physical and psychological – and the body’s response to that experience.”
The study is part of a £1.5 million package of six grants being given by the charity to find the cause of the disease, a cure and a way to prevent it.
Alzheimer’s Society research manager Anne Corbett said: “The study will look at the role chronic stress plays in the progression from mild thinking and memory problems – mild cognitive impairment – to Alzheimer’s disease.
“We feel this is a really important area of research that needs more attention. The results could offer clues to new treatments or better ways of managing the condition.
“It will also be valuable to understand how different ways of coping with stressful life events could influence the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.”
