A clinical study published Monday in the online edition of the Archives of Neurology is the first of its kind to link participation in reading, brain games and writing with a decreased production of a special protein whose presence has been linked to Alzheimer's disease.
Synopsis of Clinical Study
Three groups of study participants were observed and tested periodically over a five year period: Group One: 65 healthy individuals, mean age of 76.1 years; Group Two: 10 individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease; and Group Three: The control group, 11 individuals with a mean age of 24.5 years, as noted in the Archives of Neurology.
Conclusions reached by the study panel were that people who were involved in the greatest levels of cognitive activities in the early and middle parts of their lifespans were the least likely to have the brain deposits of amyloid.
Although the physical activity of the participants were not observed during this study, researchers inferred that many people who choose a lifestyle involving cognitive activities also participate in a lifestyle that includes physical activity. Based on this inference, researchers extrapolated that both cognitive and physical activity throughout the lifespan contribute to fewer deposits of amyloid in the brain.
Acceptance of Amyloid Deposits in Brain Being Associated with Alzheimer's Disease
A study published June 2011 in the Annals of Neurology speaks to the association of amyloid deposits in the brain, along with subsequent atrophy, in Alzheimer's disease. Study authors noted that the deposits and some brain atrophy were present even before cognitive symptoms such as memory loss are evident.
The Alzheimer's Association published an entry commenting on the validity of this study, commenting that it was well conducted and controlled research using the most up-to-date techniques in brain imaging. The association concurred with the findings.
Known Prevention and Treatment of Amyloid Brain Deposits
MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, explains that the cause of amyloid brain deposits is unknown -- as well as the treatment of the deposits. Until future research can reveal more information in this area, the current findings that point to cognitive and physical activity as ways to stave off these protein deposits provide an avenue of hope.
What This Study Means to Baby Boomers
As ABCNews.com reports, Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia after age 60. Although not conclusively proven, it is currently thought that amyloid deposits in the brain lead to the development of the dreaded disease.
While baby boomers and their seniors cannot turn back the clock to change lifestyle factors in their early lives, they can make lifestyle choices now -- to participate in cognitive activities such as reading, writing and playing various games and to participate in regular physical activity -- that may decrease their chances of developing Alzheimer's disease.
Smack dab in the middle of the baby boomer generation, L.L. Woodard is a proud resident of "The Red Man" state. With what he hopes is an everyman's view of life's concerns both in his state and throughout the nation, Woodard presents facts and opinions based on common-sense solutions.
bubba smith oakland strike new gmail new gmail oakland general strike oakland general strike houshmandzadeh
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.