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   Brain Scan May Predict Alzheimers

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Topic: Brain Scan May Predict Alzheimers (Read 266 times)

luci
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Brain Scan May Predict Alzheimers
« on: Jun 20^th, 2005, 8:20am »

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A subtle change in a memory-making brain region seems to predict who will get Alzheimer's disease nine years before symptoms appear, scientists reported Sunday.

The finding is part of a wave of research aimed at early detection of the deadly dementia and one day perhaps even preventing it.

Researchers scanned the brains of middle-aged and older people while they were still healthy. They discovered that lower energy usage in a part of the brain called the hippocampus correctly signaled who would get Alzheimer's or a related memory impairment 85 percent of the time.

"We found the earliest predictor," said the lead researcher, Lisa Mosconi of New York University School of Medicine. "The hippocampus seems to be the very first region to be affected."

But it is too soon to offer Alzheimer's-predicting PET scans. The discovery must be confirmed. Also, there are serious ethical questions about how soon people should know that Alzheimer's is approaching when nothing yet can be done to forestall the disease.

Brain scans help ease memory worries

Still, the discovery may provide leads to scientists searching for therapies to at least delay the onset of the degenerative brain disease. It already affects 4.5 million people in the U.S. and is predicted to strike 14 million by 2050 as the population ages.

Moreover, researchers are honing in on lifestyle choices that may help protect the brain in the first place.

"It's exciting that we can even talk about prevention," said William Thies, scientific director of the Alzheimer's Association. He noted that just 10 years ago there was hardly any research into that possibility.

Lifestyle choices
Among the findings presented Sunday at the association's first Alzheimer's prevention conference:

People who drink fruit or vegetable juice at least three times a week seem four times less likely to develop Alzheimer's than nonjuice drinkers, according to a study of 1,800 elderly Japanese-Americans. The theory is that juice contains high levels of polyphenols, compounds that may play a brain-protective role.
Less education, gum disease early in life, or a stroke were more important than genes in determining who got dementia, concluded a study of 100 dementia patients with healthy identical twins. Education stimulates neuronal growth; gum disease is a marker of brain-harming inflammation.
Decreasing social activity in old age is a risk factor, a National Institute on Aging study suggests. It is not clear if the men in the study became less social because Alzheimer's already was at work, but social activity is mentally stimulating.

page 2 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8280488/page/2/

« Last Edit: Jun 20^th, 2005, 8:43am by luci »

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Rupey
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Re: Brain Scan May Predict Alzheimers
« Reply #1 on: Jun 20^th, 2005, 9:37am »

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Now, how to convince a loved-one to get such a brain scan? Embarassed

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Pocket
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Re: Brain Scan May Predict Alzheimers
« Reply #2 on: Jun 20^th, 2005, 9:38am »

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OK, gotta get out the juice, then brush my teeth and run out and be social!

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luci
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Re: Brain Scan May Predict Alzheimers
« Reply #3 on: Jun 20^th, 2005, 9:52am »

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I think we're both OK Cool

We drink juice, have regular dental check-ups and are very social Cool

One never knows, do we?

Remember last year when I started the Dental Thread and why?
Pocket, I know you do!

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navywife65
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Re: Brain Scan May Predict Alzheimers
« Reply #4 on: Jun 20^th, 2005, 11:59am »

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There's another test they can run for it. I think it shows if you're susceptible to it. My mom's doctor wouldn't run it on her saying she was better off not knowing. It runs very highly in our family. My grandfather and 3 of his siblings all died with it. I would prefer to know if I'm going to get it so I could make preparations for that time.

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Rupey
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Re: Brain Scan May Predict Alzheimers
« Reply #5 on: Jun 20^th, 2005, 12:07pm »

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I agree. A lady in our church has been diagnosed with the early stages of dementia. Although the news is devastating, at least she and her family are aware of this and it explains a lot about some of her odd behavior recently.

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luci
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Re: Brain Scan May Predict Alzheimers
« Reply #6 on: Jun 20^th, 2005, 12:21pm »

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Now that they can give one tests to find out, they sure haven't mentioned any type of medication besides taking care of one's body for prevention of it.

I knew ahead of time that my Mom was in beginning stages of dementia.
The nurse clued me, but it became obvious when she took a nap at our
home in mid-July and awoke asking if it was October.

She was aware of her mind playing tricks on her but
was also good about covering it up until that time.

It is a sad sad day when one knows their very active parent
is in this condition and only gets worse. How sad one
feels knowing the parent they knew will be gone soon,
is a feeling of loss that I cannot describe to you.

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rcs_mum
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Re: Brain Scan May Predict Alzheimers
« Reply #7 on: Jun 20^th, 2005, 3:22pm »

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The only problem I have with getting tested, is will it affect getting insurance benefits in the future. Can they refuse to honor certain benefits if they have prior knowledge Huh

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Rupey
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Re: Brain Scan May Predict Alzheimers
« Reply #8 on: Jun 20^th, 2005, 3:48pm »

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Well, rcs, that is true. It would always be considered a pre-existing condition. Insurance companies! Sometimes I just wanna :smash:

'em! Well...mine, at least.

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FLORIDAGIRL
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Re: Brain Scan May Predict Alzheimers
« Reply #9 on: Jun 20^th, 2005, 4:02pm »

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I am a gonner. I was diagnosed about 5 years ago with juvile peradontitis (I was 35 when diagnosed) and have several gum surgeries. I drink coffee and let's see coffee...

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