5 things you can do now to reduce dementia risk | Professor Claire Steves

ZOE・2 minutes read

Alzheimer's disease is a prevalent form of dementia, with new drugs offering hope for treatment after a long wait. Lifestyle choices, including physical activity and social engagement, are crucial for maintaining brain health and reducing dementia risk.

Insights

  • Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting millions worldwide and characterized by memory loss and functional changes.
  • New drugs for dementia treatment have recently emerged, offering hope for improved care after a long wait, but their benefits are modest, with risks like brain swelling and hemorrhages.

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Recent questions

  • What is dementia?

    Dementia is an umbrella term for various cognitive impairments.

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Summary

00:00

Understanding Dementia: Prevention, Treatment, and Progression

  • Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, characterized by changes in function and short-term memory loss.
  • Dementia is an umbrella term encompassing around 25 different types, with diabetes increasing the risk significantly.
  • New drugs for dementia treatment have recently emerged after a 20-year wait, offering hope for improved care.
  • Taking proactive steps to maintain brain health over the next 20 years is crucial, emphasizing the importance of lifestyle choices.
  • Nearly 7 million Americans and almost 1 million Britons live with dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease, posing a significant global concern.
  • Professor CLA Steves, an expert in dementia, discusses prevention, early signs recognition, and the efficacy of new Alzheimer's drugs.
  • Normal aging involves changes in brain structure and processing speed, while dementia entails a progressive decline in cognitive functions.
  • Warning signs of dementia include difficulties in short-term memory retention and daily living activities, distinct from normal aging.
  • Alzheimer's disease, the primary form of dementia, results from neurons dying due to genetic and environmental factors, leading to protein aggregations in the brain.
  • Various neurodegenerative dementias exhibit distinct protein inclusions in nerve cells, highlighting the complexity of brain changes in dementia.

14:21

"Preventing Dementia: Factors and Symptoms"

  • Cardiovascular disease focuses on arteries and blood vessel lining, while dementia focuses on neuron cells and supporting cells.
  • Proteins are normally present in the brain but need to be cleared away for proper function.
  • Sleep plays a role in clearing proteins from the brain, affecting brain health.
  • Genetic factors, especially the ApoE4 gene, influence dementia risk, with having two of these genes increasing risk significantly.
  • Early life factors, including nutrition and stimulation, impact cognitive reserve and dementia risk.
  • Mental health, social stimulation, physical fitness, and daily habits contribute to brain health and cognitive reserve.
  • Regular physical activity, social engagement, and mental stimulation can maintain brain health and cognitive function.
  • Interaction between cardiovascular health, sensory abilities, infections, and chronic inflammation affects brain resilience.
  • Symptoms of dementia include changes in cognitive function, memory loss, personality changes, and physical symptoms like falling or sleep disturbances.
  • Early detection of dementia symptoms can prompt seeking medical advice for proper diagnosis and treatment.

28:34

"Memory Clinic Treatments and Risk Factors"

  • Most patients at the memory clinic are in their 70s, with rare cases in their 40s referred to neurologists.
  • New drugs are being developed to clear proteins from the brain, showing promise in slowing dementia progression.
  • These drugs have modest cognitive effects, with a few points gained on cognitive measures.
  • However, there are risks involved, such as brain swelling and hemorrhages, requiring monthly scans.
  • The balance of risks and benefits of these drugs is not entirely clear, leading to cautious approval in some countries.
  • The drugs show potential in slowing the disease process, but the gains are not substantial.
  • The Mediterranean diet, rich in plant-based fats and nutrients, has shown to improve cognitive health and reduce dementia risk.
  • Physical activity, particularly walking for 45 minutes at least three times a week, can significantly reduce dementia risk.
  • Resistance training and aerobic exercises are beneficial for overall fitness and cognitive health.
  • Maintaining good oral health, especially addressing periodontal disease, is crucial for cognitive health as well.

42:19

Maintaining Dental Health for Cognitive Well-being

  • Good dental care is crucial for overall health, especially as dementia can make it harder to maintain oral hygiene.
  • A varied diet with less sugar is essential for healthy teeth and overall well-being.
  • Inflammation from poor dental health can impact systemic health, affecting cognitive function.
  • Poor dental health correlates with cognitive decline, emphasizing the importance of prompt dental treatment.
  • Intellectual and social stimulation can help prevent dementia by building cognitive reserve.
  • Social interaction is a complex cognitive task that benefits brain health more than brain games.
  • Loneliness is detrimental to brain health, highlighting the importance of social engagement.
  • Certain physical activities, like cycling or dancing, challenge the brain and contribute to cognitive health.
  • Diabetes significantly increases the risk of dementia, emphasizing the importance of managing blood sugar levels.
  • Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may not prevent dementia but can improve cognitive function during menopause.

56:08

Addressing Sensory Inputs for Cognitive Health

  • Seeking help for mental capacity issues is crucial, even if short-term memory problems aren't present. Additionally, addressing sensory inputs, such as using hearing aids for hearing impairment, can delay the onset of dementia significantly.
  • Wearing hearing aids can have a similar impact on reducing dementia risk as regular exercise, emphasizing the importance of addressing sensory issues promptly. This information highlights the significant role sensory inputs play in cognitive health and the potential benefits of proactive measures like using hearing aids.
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