A couple on Alzheimer's / Dementia

My Dad has dementia and anything I see about it has special impact. 

First off, Vitamin D looks like it has potential here as often elsewhere:

• How Vitamin D Boosts Amyloid Beta Removal From Brain - which points to this at Eureka : scientists pinpoint how vitamin D may help clear amyloid plaques found in Alzheimer's

the early findings show that vitamin D3 may activate key genes and cellular signaling networks to help stimulate the immune system to clear the amyloid-beta protein.

Previous laboratory work by the team demonstrated that specific types of immune cells in Alzheimer's patients may respond to therapy with vitamin D3 and curcumin, a chemical found in turmeric spice, by stimulating the innate immune system to clear amyloid beta. But the researchers didn't know how it worked.

 Then this one which I don't fully understand (but thanks to Colin for sending it on)

• Antibodies that block the process of synapse disintegration in Alzheimer's disease have been identified, raising hopes for a treatment to combat early cognitive decline in the disease  - 

neurons that were exposed to the antibody remained healthy, with no synaptic disintegration.

Dr Salinas said: "Despite significant advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in Alzheimer's disease, no effective treatment is currently available to stop the progression of this devastating disease."

She added: "This research identifies Dkk1 as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease."
 

Discrimination is bad, mmmkay?

This is a post copied from Nigel, but it is powerful.  My own Dad has dementia and the reality of it beings all this stuff to life.  I hope he excuses my hijacking of his material but it is very important.  I've seen those things too.....


Discrimination is bad, mmmkay?: What do the following three images have in common? Images found with Google Image search.










They are all unable to fend for themselves or express how they feel. They all need a lot of care and attention and can be very demanding. The last two also have to be fed & toileted.

So why is it that the first two images make people go "Squeeeeeeee!" but the third one doesn't?

Is it because the first two images give you something to look forward to but the third one doesn't?

We're all going to end up old one day if we're "lucky". Just hope and/or pray that when you get there, you either have caring partners and/or relatives to look after you, or independent care for the elderly has improved a lot. I've seen things.

Zen and the Art of Elderly Care

Just a quick post prompted by spending the weekend with my Dad.  He has dementia.  Last week he got a bad infection that meant he had to be taken to a different hospital for treatment.  While there he picked up a dose of noro-virus.  Great.  It is one thing after another when you enter care.

I did get a chance to spend time with him though, which was great.  What struck me most in those conversations was the way in which my Dad is living totally in the NOW.  Yes he is confused about the past and his location, but his own immediate past means nothing to him.  All that matters is where he is NOW, who he is talking to NOW, who is holding his hand, laughing with his jokes, helping him dress.....NOW.   It is Zen-like I suppose and made me think about the nature of time, eternity and our experience of it.  Lots of philosophies talk about mindfulness and the need to be aware of the present moment as all we have.  Even in Christian theology eternity is outwith time.

That is where my Dad is now.  The moment is all - yes the past is swirling around him, but he is really only affected by what is right here right now.   It is a lesson.  Most of my life is spent worrying about work or family, busy with plans and regrets, but the NOW can pass me by.  My Dad does not have that problem, but his NOW is a difficult situation.    I need to grab the NOW and live it.


Related to all this was a post that Nigel put up today abou the way in which old people in Care Homes are chronically starved of sunlight.  They need their D. 

I would not normally give people cakes, pastries and sugary drinks.  I think crap food is a huge problem responsible for many health issues.  However now I happily give my Dad cakes and pastries - he enjoys them and it is too late now for him.

Insulin Resistance and brain health

Watching my Dad's dementia, brain health is becoming a real interest.  Here is a study which shows that reduced insulin sensitivity is linked to smaller brain size and deteriorated language skills in the elderly. 

"We found that in elderly whose insulin sensitivity was still high, the brains were larger, and they had more grey matter in regions that are important for language skills, compared with those who had diminished insulin sensitivity. We also observed that higher insulin sensitivity was associated with better scores on the language test. Our findings offer a possible explanation for why methods that improve insulin sensitivity, such as exercise, are promising strategies for counteracting cognitive aging late in life," says Christian Benedict.

Of course insulin resistance is complex - not just about eating too many carbs - and Stephan's series is a great outline of the issues.  Again, environment, genetics, gut flora are all kicking around but a real food diet, rest, exercise and reducing stress all help keep you sensitive to insulin.

Diet and dementia

I have mentioned before that my Dad has dementia.  It is horrible to watch his decline, week by week something else of his personality disappears, taken by the disease.   Dementia is complex, lots of different causes.

Anyway, Emily Deans pointed to this study about diet and dementia, also reported here

Basically Vitamins, B, C & E and omega 3s are good.  Transfats and baked goods are bad.....

As Emily says:

To break it down, eat "real food," not cookies and doughnuts.  How hard is that?