Neurological Disorders
Alzheimer's Disease
Research Begun to Develop a Blood Test for Alzheimer's - [09/22/08]
Summary: Teams from Nottingham's two universities have begun work to develop a blood test for Alzheimer's disease. They are attempting to find biomarkers in the blood that could identify Alzheimer's. They will be comparing blood samples from those with and without Alzheimer's.
Comment: Many people across the world experience dementia, and it can often be difficult to diagnose early on. When the disease progresses to a late stage before it is diagnosed their can be many other more health concerns for the patient, such as more irreversible damage to the brain. Using this blood test physicians could diagnose Alzheimer's early, which can lead to a higher quality of life for the patient.
Read article - Science Daily September 22, 2008
Safety Gaps During Sign Out - [09/22/08]
Summary: Patients may experienced lower quality of care during sign outs, which is the transfer of a patients during a shift change. Researchers used oral sign-outs and written sign-outs to compare to reports of subsequent errors. It was found that doctors are often more confused about the patient information rather than factual details. Examples of such problems are doctors not fully understanding the clinical condition, or doctors not knowing the reasoning behind a test.
Comment: It is suggested that sign-out procedures become a part of medical school curriculum to raise the quality of patient care. Patients should also be aware that after and during a sign-out their doctors may not be fully informed about their conditions and test. Being able to close these safety gaps at sign-out can allow patients to receive the best care possible.
Read article - HealthNewsDigest.com September 22, 2008
Mediterranean Diet Protects Against Chronic Conditions - [09/12/08]
Summary: Researchers found that sticking to a strict Mediterranean diet can reduce deaths from conditions such as cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. This diet is characterized by small amounts of meat and dairy, and larger amounts of vegetables, nuts, olive oil, fruits, fish, and grains. A Mediterranean diet lowered the risk of death from cancer by 6%, cardiovascular diseases by 9%, and the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease by 13%.
Comment: This research suggests that by adopting a Mediterranean type diet death rates can be lowered. They also found that the adherence rate was a factor in the benefits from the diet. This research also reinforces previous diet guidelines that are similar to a Mediterranean diet.
Read article - Medical News TODAY September 12, 2008
Protein Interaction can Explain Neurological Conditions - [09/07/08]
Summary: Abnormal, or fatal, interactions between the a-syn protein, which is involved in Alzheimer's disease, and the Abeta amyloid, which is linked to the plaque associated with Alzheimer's disease, can form hybrid, unique complexes. The hybrid complexes created can result in combined neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease.
Comment: This research shows the relationship between Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, and explains the higher risk of those with Alzheimer's also developing Parkinson's. The protein models developed can show scientists how to better prevent the conditions, and improve the symptoms of the conditions. The research team also developed a method of dynamic modeling, which allows researchers to model accurately at the atomic level.
Read article - Science Daily September 7, 2008
Links Between Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, and Neurodegeneration - [09/07/08]
Summary: Obesity and type 2 diabetes can lead to mild neurodegeneration, similar to that of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers used high fat diets to increase body weight to twice the normal weight. They found that the obese animals had a lower brain weight, and a reduced brain weight/body weight ratio. This is a sign of mild global brain atrophy.
Comment: This research shows that obesity and type 2 diabetes can increase the risk or severity of Alzheimer's disease, though they do not cause the disease. Many molecular abnormalities have been connected because of this study, and it could lead to better prevention of Alzheimer's disease for those with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Read article - Medical News TODAY September 7, 2008
Exercise Beneficial to Those at Risk for Dementia - [09/03/08]
Summary: For adults at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease exercising at least 150 minutes a week can increase scores on a cognitive test and a memory recall test. The exercise was performed in three 50 minute sessions over the week, and the most commonly recommended type of physical activity was walking. The exercise levels of those in the program was much higher than those receiving the usual care for Alzheimer's and the benefits from the exercise lasted even after 18 months.
Comment: Taking medication did not provide any significant improvements in the progression of dementia after 36 months, but physical activity improved cognitive function and helped prevent depression, and improved quality of life and cardiovascular function. Delaying the effects of dementia, even a year, can greatly reduce the number of people worldwide with the condition. These small amounts of exercise can greatly improve the health of those at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
Read article - Medical News TODAY September 3, 2008
Scientists have Found Changes Hourly in Alzheimer's Protein - [08/28/08]
Summary: Scientists have recently done a study on 18 patients who were recovering from traumatic brain injuries. They found high levels of the protein amyloid beta in their cells. The researcher were expecting to find high levels of this protein in their bodies because of the brain injuries, but later found that it was the recovery, not the injury itself, that caused these high amounts. People who have had traumatic brain injuries are at higher risk for Alzheimer's.
Comment: Brain injuries can cause earlier symptoms and diagnosis of Alzheimer's because of the amyloid beta that the is released. Doctors can not rule out the possibility that amyloid beta is released early after injury, but now have facts to do more research on it.
Read article - healthfinder.gov August 28, 2008
Increases in Hospital Costs Appear to Be Slowing - [08/27/08]
Summary: Between 1997 and 2005, the costs of patient care in United States hospitals rose an average of 5.3 percent a year. These cost increases mean that, since 1997, hospital costs have almost doubled. Yet, in a positive turn, during 2005 and 2006 the average rise in costs was only 1 percent.
Comment: Nearly half of the cost increases from the past 10 years was due to higher intensity of care (greater use of procedures, technologies, and other inventions). The significant slow of that increase over the period from 2005 to 2006, however, may be due to the adoption of managed care plans and rising use of outpatient care.
Read article - HealthNewsDigest.com. August 27, 2008.
More Americans Seeking Health Information - [08/22/08]
Summary: Recent statistics show that in 2007 56% of Americans adults, which is more than 122 million people, attempted to find information about a personal health concern from a source other than their physician. This statistic is up from 38% in 2001. Education levels were a key factor in determining whether a person sought medical information, 72% of those with a graduate degree compared to 42% of those with only a high school diploma. The number of Americans using the internet for medical information doubled from 16% in 2001 to 32% in 2007.
Comment: More than half of the people reported that the information changed their general approach to their health care, and 80% reported that the information helped them better understand treatments of their condition or illness. Doctors are always a good source of medical information, but it can often be hard to consult a doctor with every concern. Finding more information on medical conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease, can help patients better understand their health.
Read article - HealthNewsDigest.com August 22, 2008
New Book Series Aimed at Patients and Caregivers - [08/22/08]
Summary: The American Academy of Neurology, to follow up the success of Neurology Now (an award-winning patient and caregiver magazine), is planning to release, next year, a series of Neurology Now Books. Currently there are titles planned to address multiple sclerosis, brain tumors, and taste and smell disorders. In addition, a fourth publication is planned for later that year.
Comment: The magazine, Neurology Now, offers cutting-edge information on neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, migraines, and Parkinson's disease, among others. These books will offer the same kind of information to an even greater number of the one in six people now affected with a neurological disorder.
Read article - American Academy of Neurology. August 22, 2008.