Dementia Archives

Abusive behavior towards dementia patients by family carers is common

Abusive behaviour by family carers towards people with dementia is common, with a third reporting important levels of abuse and half some abusive behaviour. – Half of family carers of people with dementia report some abusive behaviour towards the person they are caring for and one third report ‘significant’ levels of abuse, according to new research from UCL (University College London) published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).

Dementia not in socially active old people

Socially active and not easily stressed? You may not develop dementia – A new study shows that people who are socially active and not easily stressed may be less likely to develop dementia.

NICE’s decision on Alzheimer’s drugs based on flawed calculations

Alzheimer’s drugs decision based on flawed calculations – Thousands of people with early stage Alzheimer’s are being denied access to the only drugs for the disease due to fundamental flaws in the way their cost effectiveness has been calculated.

Hormone therapy HRT may shrink brain

Hormone therapy linked to brain shrinkage, but not lesions – Two new studies show that hormone therapy for women is linked to brain shrinkage, but not to the small brain lesions that are the first sign of cerebrovascular disease.

Physically fit older women are mentally fit

Research finds older women who are more physically fit have better cognitive function. Want to stay sharp as you age? Then get moving! – New research published in the international journal Neurobiology of Aging by Marc Poulin, PhD, DPhil, finds that being physically fit helps the brain function at the top of its game.

Sleep disorder – an early sign of dementia, Parkinson’s disease

Sleep disorder may be early sign of dementia or Parkinson’s disease – People with a sleep disorder that causes them to kick or cry out during their sleep may be at greater risk of developing dementia or Parkinson’s disease, revealed by researchers.

Marijuana reduces memory impairment

Marijuana could help reduce memory loss in old age and fight Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia, revealed by researchers. – The more research they do, the more evidence Ohio State University scientists find that specific elements of marijuana can be good for the aging brain by reducing inflammation there and possibly even stimulating the formation of new brain cells.

Ginkgo biloba does not reduce dementia, Alzheimer’s disease risk

Ginkgo biloba does not reduce dementia or Alzheimer’s disease risk according to Pitt-led study in JAMA. – The medicinal herb Ginkgo biloba does not reduce the risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease development in either the healthy elderly or those with mild cognitive impairment, according to a large multicenter trial led by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Education level linked to Alzheimer’s disease, dementia

Brain imaging study supports the ‘cognitive reserve’ hypothesis. Greater education has been associated with better cognitive function during life. – Individuals with higher education levels appear to score higher on cognitive tests despite having evidence of brain plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

$62 million settlement with drug company Eli Lilly

Attorney General Martha Coakley and 32 Other Attorneys General Announce Record $62 Million Settlement with Drug Company – Eli Lilly and Company. – Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office, along with 32 other attorneys general, reached a record $62 million settlement with Eli Lilly and Company (Eli Lilly) resolving allegations of improper marketing of the atypical antipsychotic drug, Zyprexa.

Pain is not a symptom of arthritis, pain causes arthritis

New study proves that pain is not a symptom of arthritis, pain causes arthritis. New treatments will seek to interrupt ‘crosstalk’ between joints and the spinal cord. – Pain is more than a symptom of osteoarthritis, it is an inherent and damaging part of the disease itself, according to a study published today in journal Arthritis and Rheumatism.

Antipsychotic drugs increase stroke risk

All drugs used to treat psychosis are linked to an increased risk of stroke, and dementia sufferers are at double the risk, according to a study published on bmj.com. – All antipsychotics are associated with an increased risk of stroke, and the risk might be higher in patients receiving atypical antipsychotics than those receiving typical antipsychotics.