Acquired dementia: facts and figures

8 facts about dementia

Anna Kirikova, MednovostiFact #1

About what a long life threatensDementia (acquired dementia) is a symptom accompanying a number of diseases of the nervous system: Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, etc.

All of them especially often strike those who have lived a long life. For example, one in three Americans of advanced age dies with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia.

Reasonable prevention is able to preserve the health of the elderly, however, due to an increase in average life expectancy, the number of people suffering from the breakdown of mental functions will constantly grow. As of 2006, there were 24 million people with brain disorders in the world. The authors of a study published in the Lancet estimated that by 2040 this number will reach 81 million.

Such figures make the prevalence of acquired dementia a problem not only medical, but also economic. From 2005 to 2009, the total cost of dementia increased by 34% and amounted to $422 million. This amount includes funds spent on medical and diagnostic measures and patient care.

Fact # 2
About early dementiaDespite the fact that the concept of dementia is strongly associated with elderly people, cognitive decline can also affect younger people (up to 65, and sometimes up to 40 years).

According to statistics, in the UK in 2003, there were 54 people with dementia per 100,000 people aged 30 to 64.

In most cases, early dementia is caused by degenerative diseases of the nervous system (especially Alzheimer's disease). The onset of dementia at a relatively young age is associated with gene mutations. However, the loss of mental functions can occur after traumatic brain injuries, as a result of prolonged alcohol intoxication.

Diagnosing early dementia is usually difficult. Many of the symptoms (forgetfulness, absent-mindedness, inability to concentrate) are explained by fatigue, chronic stress, which is why it is important to consult a doctor when cognitive abilities deteriorate.

Fact # 3
About dementia and healthy lifestyleObesity and dementia are related concepts, it is well known.

But, as it turned out recently, even just being overweight (when the body mass index is 25 or slightly more) is also a risk factor. This was established by Swedish scientists who observed twins older than 65 years. Such results are quite consistent with the conclusion of the staff of the Cooper Institute (USA). They analyzed the physical form of 19 thousand people and then observed them for a quarter of a century. It turned out that everyone who had a low level of physical fitness at the time of collecting primary data developed dementia over the years.

However, training helps not only to reduce the risk of developing dementia, but also to slow it down: physical education improves the cognitive abilities of people with dementia and allows you to maintain the skills necessary in everyday life.

Nutrition also helps in the prevention of dementia. According to a study by Swedish scientists, the more vegetables and fruits in the diet of young people, the lower the chances of developing dementia in the future.

Smoking, on the contrary, increases the risk of dementia (two packs a day increase the risk twice), and the abuse of strong drinks can provoke the appearance of early dementia.

Fact # 4
About the right moodElderly people suffering from loneliness often suffer from manifestations of dementia.

It's about mood, not objective factors. Truly lonely people who are in a good mood suffer from cognitive impairment no more often than those who have a company. At the same time, those who feel deprived develop dementia one and a half times more often.

Mental discomfort brings little good at any age: if a young person is diagnosed with depression, his chances of getting vascular dementia at the end of life increase threefold. And the number of stressful situations (problems at work, breakups, divorces) in mature years increases the risk of developing dementia in old age. At least for women. According to scientists, accumulated stress affects health in the long term – it harms the cardiovascular, nervous and endocrine systems and therefore can provoke the appearance of dementia.

Fact #5
About mental workThe question of whether active mental work is capable of influencing dementia has been studied for a long time.

The study, based on a 20-year observation of 300 people, found that those who were most actively engaged in mental activity during their lifetime, cognitive decline occurs 32% slower. Those who read little, write little, receive and process insufficient information develop dementia faster. Older people who work with computers are less likely to suffer from dementia – the use of computers has a positive effect on the brain, makes them learn something new, make decisions, interact with the world.

It is also known that mental work can not only slow down the development of dementia, but also improve the condition of those who have already encountered it. Educational therapy, in which it is necessary to solve arithmetic problems and retell stories, trains the memory of patients and improves the quality of life.

At the same time, Brain magazine publishes less encouraging data. According to the article, which analyzes several scientific papers, even permanent and continuous education cannot protect a person from neurodegenerative pathologies at the end of life.

Fact # 6
About estrogen and anemiaBoth a decrease in mood, excess weight, and lack of mental activity contribute to the appearance of dementia, however, in addition to these risk factors, there are others.

Too high or excessively low levels of estrogen in the blood of postmenopausal women increases the risk of cognitive disorders. The combination of diabetes and high estrogen levels worsens the situation. The cause of the addiction has not been identified at the moment. Perhaps it's the effect of estrogen and glucose on blood vessels.

There is also a link between anemia and dementia. People with a lack of hemoglobin in the blood in old age are twice as likely to experience cognitive disorders. Probably, the fact is that the organs and tissues of people with anemia receive less oxygen, and this negatively affects the brain.

Fact # 7
About Dementia testsThe earlier cognitive impairment is noticed, the more likely it is to slow down the development of dementia.

Therefore, scientists are actively working on the development of effective methods for detecting the disease.

Employees of Georgia Tech University (USA) have created a tool for home detection of the first signs of dementia. The ClockMe system consists of two applications. One of the programs is a test (a series of tasks to be performed using a tablet and a stylus). The second is the analyzer of test results. The test is run on the patient's device, the analyzer is run on the attending physician's computer. The doctor's application remotely receives data from the patient's application, parses them according to the specified algorithms, and the doctor evaluates the final result and makes a diagnosis.

A similar test was presented by neurologists from the Wexner Medical Center at Ohio University (USA). However, it does not require gadgets: all that is needed is a pen and a piece of paper. The so-called SAGE (Self–Administered Gerocognitive Examination) is a list of questions that need to be answered. SAGE developers have already tested the product on 1,047 people over the age of 50 and are confident that it allows you to check the orientation in time, verbal, intellectual and visual-spatial abilities, memory capabilities. The test should appear in Russian soon.

There is another way to determine the first signs of dementia. People's ability to recognize celebrities is directly related to the state of the brain. The participants of the study of American scientists were asked to determine which of the world-famous people are depicted in photographs and what is famous for. Those who had even mild cognitive impairment could not pass the test successfully. Based on this, the authors of the study believe that such a simple test can be used to detect early dementia in people from 40 to 65 years old.

Tests for the detection of cardiovascular diseases can also be used for diagnosis. Blood pressure values, cholesterol levels, as well as the presence of diabetes and bad habits can predict with some accuracy whether a person will develop dementia in old age. If the risk of a heart attack or stroke, measured by certain scales, is high, then the risk of developing dementia is also high.

Fact # 8
About music and memoriesMost types of dementia cannot be cured, but some measures can slow down the decline in a person's mental abilities.

In addition to taking medications that affect the brain and the regulation of biochemical processes, scientists and doctors are also considering alternative ways to help patients.

One of the options for providing psychological support to patients is called reminiscence therapy. It is believed that therapy, during which older people talk about the past, restore events in memory, rethink them, supports mental activity, improves mood and affects behavior. Aromatherapy (in particular with the use of melissa oil) it is also suitable for improving the psychological state of people, removing excessive excitement, although there is no absolute proof of this yet. Occupational therapy and music therapy can also briefly improve the condition and behavior of people suffering from dementia.

(For numerous references to publications in scientific journals, see the original article – VM.)

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru28.03.2014