Studies to Remember

The latest research on Alzheimer's suggests ways that might prevent, postpone, or mitigate the puzzling disease

 

A scary statistic: according to this year's Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures statistical abstract, by 2010 North Carolina will be among the ten states with the most Alzheimer's cases. The Tar Heel State is on track for a 30 percent increase in the number of Alzheimer's cases from 2000 to 2010. However, the rise in statistics is happening all over the country—the same report anticipates 500,000 new cases in about a year, partially because Americans are, generally speaking, living longer. And though risk factors like aging and genetics are unavoidable, more and more research suggests behavioral decisions can help build other lines of defense against Alzheimer's. Here's a snapshot of the most recent findings.

The Pursuit of Happiness

According to two studies published in April 2008 by the Archives of General Psychiatry and Neurology, a journal of the American Academy of Neurology, people with depression may have a higher likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease later in life.

"It seems almost all of the attending members have been prescribed antidepressant medications along with their dementia meds," says Lynn Ivey, president of The Ivey in SouthPark, an adult day care for Alzheimer's patients. "When we get them laughing or moving they are happier, walk more, appear physically more alive, and are more conversational. After a weekend of not much activity or conversation or initiated interaction, it takes us a little longer to get them motivated."

One of the studies reports that chronic stress may damage the brain, affecting the hippocampus and amygdala (parts of the limbic system), which steer emotions and memory. While depression hasn't been directly correlated to the brain plaques and tangles commonly associated with Alzheimer's victims, chronic stress does provoke the brain hormone cortisol, which ultimately affects the connections between brain cells and dendrites. Either way, these studies suggest the possibility that depression could actually be a risk factor for, rather than a symptom of, the disease.

Sudoku, Anyone?

Brainteasers like crossword puzzles and word or number games help humans stay mentally active. So what's great about having an "active" brain? According to the Alzheimer's Association, not only does activity heighten a brain's vitality, it may even generate reserves of brain cells and connections or—better yet—new brain cells altogether. A 2008 study published in the Public Library of Science journal adds that, in addition to Alzheimer's disease, the onset of other degenerative brain diseases, such as Huntington's and Parkinson's diseases, can also be delayed or prevented with these forms of mental activity. And it's not just puzzles that will keep you busy: reading, writing, attending lectures or plays, enrolling in lifelong-learning courses, gardening, or memory exercises will all help stimulate that thinking cap.  

"We incorporate ‘mind activities' as a daily part of programming," says Ivey. "One of our members who began in January has actually improved her mental acuity scores on the monthly assessments we perform and, unscientifically, we attribute that to the daily stimulation we provide for the mind and body."

Take Those Vitamins

Don't skip out on a daily dose of vitamins: according to a Tufts University study published in the August 2008 issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, an absence of three B vitamins—folate, B12, and B6—caused a significant deficit in spatial learning and memory. Chalk it up to a B-vitamin deficiency, which can induce a metabolic disorder marked by high homocysteine, an amino acid. The levels of homocysteine were seven times higher in patients than those with an "enriched" diet and comparable to the levels associated in older adults with an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease and cerebrovascular disease. Increasing intake of folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 decreases homocysteine levels. Because enough folate, at least 400 micrograms a day, isn't always easy to get from food, use of a multivitamin supplement will become increasingly important.

"When older adults live at home, isolated, and disinterested in cooking and preparing balanced meals, poor nutrition and its side effects occur," says Ivey. "Adult day-care centers are required to provide balanced, nutritious meals that are approved by a registered dietician."

Don't Drink, Don't Smoke

And yet another reason not to smoke or drink in excess: a new report says it may accelerate brain damage, which could lead to developing Alzheimer's years before people who abstain from or moderately use these substances. Smoking is risky for myriad reasons, and smokers shouldn't just cut back—they should quit. Researchers at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, who presented the study at the American Academy of Neurology in April, found that patients who smoked a pack a day or more developed the disease 2.3 years sooner than those without a history of smoking. And patients who had a history of heavy drinking (more than two alcoholic drinks a day) developed Alzheimer's nearly five years earlier than people who didn't drink that much. While it's beneficial to quit heavy drinking, the study also suggests that moderate use of alcohol (think: a daily glass of red wine) might actually reduce the risk of Alzheimer's.

Get Moving

Exercise early and often. According to a study released in the July 2008 issue of Neurology, people with Alzheimer's who exercise regularly had less brain damage. By boosting blood flow and elevating growth hormones, patients with better cardiovascular health were more likely to have greater brain volumes. While exercising regularly lessens brain damage, it's not determined yet if exercise can prevent brain loss. 

"Exercise certainly has a component in heart disease and it appears to have a beneficial effect on many other diseases," says Mark S. Hoesten, RD, LDN, of Charlotte's Presbyterian Novant Heart and Wellness. Certain antioxidants in fruits and vegetables have been linked to improved cognitive function, too. "Dark green leafy vegetables, fruits, and Omega-3s should be part of every healthy diet," adds Hoesten.
Yet another study—released in Neurology a month after the aforementioned—touted the effects of exercise, indicating that physical frailty may be linked to Alzheimer's disease. The level of physical frailty (measured by grip strength, time to walk eight feet, body composition, and tiredness) was two times higher in a person with a high level (rather than low) of Alzheimer's disease pathology.