As research findings coalesce around a collection of risk factors for Alzheimer's disease, it is becoming obvious that poor and minority populations -- the ones most likely to harbor risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes --also are more likely than whites to encounter this brain disorder.
Link: Alzheimer's Disease - Reporter's File - Zen and the Art of Coping With Alzheimer's - NY Times Health.
IN BRIEF
Link: Does Gingko Biloba Affect Memory?.
"One of the most pressing public health problems facing our society is the rapidly growing number of people who, due to their age alone, are at high risk of developing dementia. The potential to delay or prevent this is of great importance. Further studies are needed to determine whether gingko biloba has any benefits in preventing cognitive decline and whether it is safe."
Link: The Dementia Caregiver's Toolbox : Vascular Dementia Defined.
Vascular dementia is the most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's Disease. Also called "Multi-Infarc Dementia", Vascular dementia effects between 15 - 35% of all the persons with dementia.
So how is it different than the other forms of dementia?
Link: Latest Study Says Statins Don't Slow Alzheimer's.
Despite some reports that statins might slow or prevent Alzheimer's disease, a new study finds no evidence for the theory.
Link: Local News | Memory-loss tests for elderly hot issue | Seattle Times Newspaper.
In the Puget Sound area, the subject of routine testing for Alzheimer's evokes dramatically different views.
"The whole issue came up when groups promoting drugs for Alzheimer's disease saw this as a huge market. Which it is," said Dr. Eric Larson, executive director of Group Health Center for Health Studies. "It's in their best interests to get as many people screened as possible."
"But there's a fighting chance it could do more harm than good."
The Brain Tour explains how the brain works and how Alzheimer's affects it.
Taking the tour: There are 16 interactive slides. As you view each slide, roll your mouse over any colored text to highlight special features of each image. Then, click on the arrow to move to the next slide.
Please check out these interesting comments to a recent NY Times article at this link Can We Help Fend Off Alzheimer’s? - New York Times. The letters provide additional and perhaps even more valuable insight from those experiencing the disease on a daily basis. They also add a broader context to the issue.
Also, check out this blog that further discusses the genetic link to the diesease.
Though the article from the UK (below) that debates electronically monitoring people with Dementia, the use of technology in serving functionally impaired elders is not new. Gerontechnology is an exciting new field that will be a boon to nations facing a high growth in older adults and a shrinking of its care giving population.
Here are several articles on Oatfield Estates in Oregon which has been featured as a prototype of these new technologies in the past several years.
Assisted-living facility gets technology assist - USATODAY.com.
LONDON, Dec 27 (Reuters) - The Alzheimer's Society charity has backed British government proposals to issue dementia sufferers with tracking devices if patients agree.
Concerns have been raised about the ethics of tagging dementia patients to stop them wandering off and the charity itself has in the past worried about the obtrusive nature of some of the tracking devices.
Link: UK Alzheimer's Society backs tracking devices | Technology | Reuters.
