Research Finds New Insights into Alzheimer’s
Though researchers have yet to find a cure for Alzheimer’s, they’re unveiling plenty of new insights into the disease, which affects more than 6 million Americans.
Researchers’ discoveries hold particular importance, as one in three seniors dies of Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. Experts predict that the number of Alzheimer’s sufferers will more than double - to nearly 13 million - by 2050. Dementia patients are also expected to double to 10.5 million in that same period.
Doctors, public health experts and epidemiologists are increasingly focused on improving patients’ basic health to combat dementia. They urge patients to take action in eliminating potential dementia-causing risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, depression, smoking, hearing loss, impaired vision, physical inactivity and untreated high blood pressure.
Scientists are also learning more about genetic variants that increase the risk for developing Alzheimer’s, which is a degenerative condition that affects parts of the brain responsible for thought, memory and other vital functions.
Researchers from Boston University
School of Medicine reported in Science News that they have discovered two important novel aspects of a gene, called APOE4, long associated with increased Alzheimer’s risk. The study demonstrated what the gene does and which brain cells it attacks, the researchers wrote.
In May and June, Science News listed these other new developments: • Correcting older people’s eyesight problems with solutions such as prescribing glasses or performing cataract surgery may help prevent dementia. The research reviewed 16 studies involving more than 76,000 participants.
• Japanese researchers revealed that groove music can enhance brain activity, including self-control, working memory and flexible thinking. It’s most effective with people who like that musical genre.
• Researchers in the U.K. changed an algorithm so that a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scan could assess 115 regions of the brain. They trained the algorithm to identify where changes in certain brain features could accurately predict whether a patient had Alzheimer’s. In many cases, a single machine-learning-trained MRI scan could tell whether the patient had early or late-stage Alzheimer’s.
• Australian researchers found that low levels of Vitamin D were linked to an increased risk of stroke and dementia. Increasing people’s Vitamin D levels to normal amounts may prevent some dementia cases.
The latest federal budget provided a $289 million increase for Alzheimer’s and dementia research, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. This increase pushed the yearly federal research funding to $3.5 billion.
The new outlay also included $25 million so that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can strengthen the country’s public health infrastructure to focus on early detection and diagnosis.
In fact, researchers say people should take “mild cognitive impairment,” or MCI, seriously and immediately see their doctor. This could include having trouble keeping track of things, losing your train of thought during a conversation or suddenly having problems with everyday tasks.
The 2022 Alzheimer’s Association report showed that one-third of people with mild cognitive impairment develop dementia within five years. That’s why it’s so important to act quickly and seek early intervention.