The study used to compile the article concludes that men are 1.5 times more likely than women to experience mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which frequently leads to Alzheimer’s disease.

Ronald Petersen, MD, PhD from the Mayo Clinic was in charge of executing the study. Peterson and his team interviewed 2,050 people between the ages of 70 and 89. Variables included data collected about the participants’ memory and medical history.

Results showed MCI was present in approximately 14 percent of the patients, and dementia in approximately 10 percent. 76 percent demonstrated normal memory and thinking. 19 percent of the men had MCI, compared with 14 percent of the women. Also, MCI rates were higher among participants who never married and those who had lower education levels.

According to Petersen, the combined rates of MCI and dementia (22 percent) represent the great impact of the two conditions, as well as the need to find treatments for them. The higher male rate was unexpected for Petersen, as Alzheimer’s disease rates are higher in women. This study suggests that 25 percent of the population age 70 and older experience dementia, or are at risk of developing the disorder in the future. This statistic highlights the importance of early detection and research for treatment improvement.

Scientists examined 588 patients diagnosed with the disease, which causes personality and behavior changes and a decline in memory and language skills. The disease is found on one side of the brain and becomes more widespread over time. Researchers assessed the patients’ occupations based on verbal, physical and visuospatial skills. They found that patients whose professions required high verbal skills, such as a CEO or school principal, developed FTD on the right side of the brain. Those whose professions required low verbal skills, such as flight engineers, experienced the disease on the left.

According to Dr. Nathan Spreng from the Department of Psychology at Harvard University, the disease affected the patient’s side of the brain that was used the least in their career. One explanation is that the brain hemisphere used most in one’s career becomes stronger, and thus the disease attacks the weaker. For example, hours of utilizing the left side of the brain, which is responsible for language and verbal skills, strengthens connections and  makes the hemisphere less susceptible to damage. Another explanation is that there could be functional impairment related to the disease that causes patients to be biased towards a certain career long before they experience FTD effects. Further research will be needed in order to determine an exact cause.

Patients developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease are known to experience mild cognitive impairment, a disorder that allows them to function in daily activities, but causes them to develop memory problems over time. 16% of people over 70 years old are affected by cognitive impairment.

The blood concentration of homocysteine, the amino acid responsible for cognitive impairment, can be dramatically lowered by high doses of B vitamins.

This finding gives great hope to patients experiencing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, and provides scientists with further information to develop treatment plans accordingly.

After years of claims that cell phone exposure causes brain tumors and cancer, the study brings surprisingly good news. The team of scientists running the study exposed mice with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s and its related memory problems, to cell phone radiation. They hypothesized that the radiation would increase the progression of the disease, based on previous studies of radical damage due to radiation. The scientists used an antenna to expose the mice to electromagnetic waves which approximated two hours of daily cell phone use. The mice exposed to this radiation did not suffer from memory impairments whatsoever as they aged, unlike their radiation-free counterparts. They were also able to keep their youthful ability to steer through a familiar maze after spending time in other, different mazes.

According to the researchers, the radiation prevented the buildup of the sticky proteins found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. They believe that this study could lead to other and better treatments that may eventually lead to a cure for Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s disease becomes worse over time; however, the speed at which it does so varies for different people. For example, some people become unable to carry on daily activities at early onset of the disease, while others are able to manage fairly well until much later into the disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is caused by changes in the brain. The direct cause is still unknown; however scientists have discovered that the disorder is due to a buildup of proteins in the brain that lead to a loss of neurotransmitters (the chemical messengers of the brain).
The disorder is most common in people over the age of 60. People who have a family history of Alzheimer’s have a high risk of developing the disease. Other risks include head injury, a hard fall and history of heart disease.

Although it is common to experience mild memory loss with age, it is important to see a doctor when experiencing new, frequent forms of memory loss. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include having trouble making decisions, confusion about the time and date, getting lost in well-known places, trouble learning and remembering new information, trouble finding the right words to say and more trouble doing daily tasks such as cooking or paying bills. As Alzheimer’s gets worse, people may develop sundowning, or getting restless and wandering in late afternoon and at night. They may also start to act very differently, withdrawing from family and friends, hallucinating, falsely believing others are lying, cheating, using or trying to harm them, and frequently lashing out at others.

Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s. However, doctors will prescribe certain medicines to help with memory, thinking, and confusion.

For more information, as well as treatment options, visit NorthShore University HealthSystem.

NorthShore University HealthSystem covered a recent study conducted by Rush University Medical Center in Chicago:

Researchers  followed 970 older adults (average age 80) who didn’t have dementia at the start of the study. The participants underwent a number of evaluations, including tests of cognitive function and muscle strength.

During an average 3.6 years of follow-up, 138 (14.2 percent) of the participants developed Alzheimer’s disease. Those with the highest levels of muscle strength at the start of the study were 61 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s than those with the weakest muscles, the researchers found.

The link between muscle strength and Alzheimer’s remained even after the researchers accounted for other factors, such as body mass index and physical activity levels.

The researchers also found that weak muscles were associated with increased risk of mild cognitive impairment, the earliest sign of cognitive decline.

For the full study visit the news section of NorthShore University HealthSystem

On September 6, two international teams of researchers stated that in comparing subtle genetic spelling variations in nearly 12,000 Alzheimer’s patients with almost 19,000 other people revealed three genes, which they believe to be associated with the disease.

These genes are the first to be implicated in the risk of getting the common form of Alzheimer’s since the variant of the apolipoprotein E gene APOE4 was identified in 1993. That gene’s influence may explain about 20 percent of cases of Alzheimer’s disease, says Philippe Amouyel of the French health research agency INSERM in Lille and coauthor of one of the new studies. But researchers knew other genes must be involved since 60 to 80 percent of the risk of developing the disease is genetic.

This is a promising step in the field of medical research. To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease research visit the neuroscience department at NorthShore University HealthSystem.

The greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease is increased age. That is not a misconception. The percentage of the population diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease rapidly increases with age. 10% of the population of over 65 years old has Alzheimer’s disease while that percentage jumps to 50% with the population over 85 years old.

Many myths arise in regards to the relation of genetics to Alzheimer’s disease. Many feel that genetics have no effect on Alzheimer’s disease; in fact many feel that age is the only risk factor associated with Alzheimer’s disease. This notion is false. As previously discussed, old age is the greatest risk factor but there are a number of other factors that need to be taken into account. Genetic mutations account for half of the causes of early on set (between the age of 40 and 50) Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, the children of early on set Alzheimer’s disease patients are 50% more likely to develop it.

There are also multiple other risk factors such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and elevated levels of cholesterol. To find out more about the possible risk factors of Alzheimer’s disease visit NorthShore University HealthSystem’s Neuroscience department.

“Alzheimer’s disease is a condition in which nerve cells in the brain die, making it difficult for the brain’s signals to be transmitted properly. Alzheimer’s symptoms may be hard to distinguish early on. A person with Alzheimer’s disease has problems with memory, judgment, and thinking, which makes it hard for the person to work or take part in day-to-day life. The death of the nerve cells occurs gradually over a period of years”.

Here are a few symptoms of Alzheimer’s:

Impaired memory and thinking.
Disorientation and confusion
Misplacing things.
Abstract thinking
Trouble performing familiar tasks.
Changes in personality and behavior.
Poor or decreased judgment
Inability to follow directions.
Problems with language and communication.
Impaired visual and spatial skills.
Loss of motivation or initiative.
Loss of normal sleep patterns.