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New Research Creates Hope for the Alzheimer’s Community

As this year is the 100th anniversary of the discovery of Alzheimer’s—and November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, I decided to highlight just a few of the small steps—and even leaps—made in dementia research in the recent past.

Clean it Up

An Associated Press story in late August drew attention to biologist Dr. Andrew Dillin, whose team of researchers at California’s Salk Institute for Biological Studies “discovered molecular janitors that clear away a sticky gunk blamed for Alzheimer’s disease—until they get old and quit sweeping up.” The findings could lead to drug research which would boost the brain’s cleaning force.

A Cup of Joe to Perk Up

A team of researchers published results in Neuroscience of their study where mice, bred to have a disease that mimics Alzheimer’s, were given either plain water or caffeine. The caffeinated mice over time were able to negotiate a maze with better results than their hydrated counterparts, raising hopes that a bit of caffeine could help slow disease progression in humans.

A New Category

Most physicians when trying to diagnose for Alzheimer’s or dementia use the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE). But a screening tool developed by a team of Saint Louis University geriatricians seems to be detecting early cognitive problems missed by the MMSE. Early detection of Alzheimer’s and dementia can often lead to improved treatment.

Side note: SLU’s mental status examination tool is currently billed by some with the unfortunate acronym SLUMS.

Blood Work

An article in the journal Brain explained how researchers took a group of 1,000 people, half of whom had Alzheimer’s, and found that the blood of these patients had higher levels of two types of proteins. The elevated levels of these proteins are visible even before behavioral or cognitive changes that would indicate Alzheimer’s can be seen. This leads researchers to think that a blood test for Alzheimer’s is on the horizon.

A Tipple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

At the annual Society for Neuroscience conference in Atlanta, two researchers posited that moderate amounts of alcohol improved the memories of laboratory rats. (The human equivalent would be a few daily drinks.) The study was led by Ohio State University’s Matthew During, a professor of molecular virology, immunology and cancer genetics. During was hopeful that it would have far-reaching implications for diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Along with his colleagues, including University of Auckland postdoctoral researcher Margaret Kalev-Zylinska, During found a mechanism within neurons that seems to point to a link between moderate alcohol intake and memory improvement.

Another Reason to Eat Your Veggies

The October edition of Neurology published an article about a Rush University research team who studied 3,718 Chicago-area residents for a period of 6 years. All participants were over age 65. Cognitive testing and questionnaires informed the findings that consuming vegetables helps slows cognitive decline. Green leafy veggies were in the diets of many participants who experienced fewer cognitive issues. Also, the older a participant, the slower the decline—as long as 2 servings of veggies were eaten daily. Fruit consumption did not seem to have any effect. One theory is that vegetable are often eaten with fats, such as butter, oil or salad dressing, which helps absorption of vitamin E, a known fighter against cognitive decline.

And that’s just some of what’s new—until next month,

Lara Belonogoff

Looking for Alzheimer’s or dementia care in your area? Gilbert Guide lists nationwide long-term care facilities and services.

Posted in: Alzheimer's & Dementia, General News, Prevention Techniques

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