Alzheimer's? Why?

[Michaelangelica]

Originally Posted by smartypant

P.S.- He's really clumbsy like me but I don't think it's that whole Third- Generation Problems. My brother will be able to figure what's happening to him and how to fix it(he's a medical wiz).

Sounds like he needs a specialist neurologist, a brain scan and some psychometric tests to find out what is going on. I would start that as a matter of urgency


Great post maikeru
The system won't let me give you more reputation! (mean B**t**ds- I thought positive strokes were unlimited)
It is going to take me all day to properly read your post.

In saliva! How amazing.
Love quirky facts like that!
Why do you think? Just leaks down by gravity?
How do you lick your head.? If you lick a wound does it go into bloodstream and send out some help messages??
Weird.

[Michaelangelica]

Cold Sore Virus Might Play Role in Alzheimer�s
A gene known to be a major risk factor for Alzheimer�s disease puts out the welcome mat for the virus that causes cold sores, allowing the virus to be more active in the brain compared to other forms of the gene.
The new findings, published online in the journal Neurobiology of Aging, add some scientific heft to the idea, long suspected by some scientists, that herpes somehow plays a role in bringing about Alzheimer�s disease.



(Media-Newswire.com) - The work links a form of the ApoE gene known as ApoE-4, which after advanced age is the leading known risk factor for getting Alzheimer�s disease, with the form of herpes � herpes simplex 1 or HSV � that infects more than 80 percent of Americans and causes cold sores around the mouth.
The findings from a group at the University of Rochester Medical Center show that the particular form of the gene that puts people at risk also creates a fertile environment for herpes in the brain, allowing the virus to be more active than other forms of the ApoE gene permit.

Scientists have known for more than 15 years that the ApoE-4 gene is a player in Alzheimer�s disease, but the idea that it works in concert with the herpes virus is new.

�This work raises the question whether herpes in concert with ApoE-4 increases the risk of Alzheimer�s disease.
The data suggests that ApoE-4 may support the ability of HSV to be a more virulent pathogen,� said Howard Federoff, M.D., Ph.D., the leader of the team and professor of Neurology, Medicine, and Microbiology & Immunology.
He worked closely with post-doctoral research associate Renee Miller, Ph.D., on the project.

The findings, which are based on measurements of the activity levels of the herpes virus in the brains of mice with different forms of the human ApoE gene, bring together several lines of research that have pointed toward a possible role for herpes in Alzheimer�s disease.

Ruth Itzhaki of the University of Manchester has

Media-Newswire.com - Press Release Distribution - PR Agency

[ErlyRisa]

The movie 'Notebook' ... it hows you why people get Dementia... and it can happen at any age, including pre-natal.

-It is somewhat similar to schizophrenia... the mind 'divides' what was the conscience part into , now a 'rudimentary living mind' and the inaccesible 'memory of my life' mind. --> the information is still thier (to an extent, after a while, especially when it occurs at old age brain tissue itself deteriorates)

--Dementia seems to occur more frequently among the educated (notebook) , it is definatley a disease of the thinker. The major problem that instantiates dmentia is the fact that the thinker always requires outside influences to set thier personal opinion. There comes a piont where the 'affluently stored information' becomes unnecessary for normal living, sadly the algorithm that should normally decide for you to store those afluent memories, has been disprupted by constant bantering from the conscience indesision to store information without an influence. The 'storage algorithm', is exhuasted, and can no longer cope with being asked wether or not it should store information as a relfex or an accessible memory... the alogroithm goes into protection mode, and locks down the pathway to access, at first the reflex memories that are associated with feeling (these memories are the least accesed by the sufferer, by thier own decision throughout thier lifetime), then goes the skils aka stored procedures.

--so curing the mind of indecision to store information in the right data bank...?

we are given a clue, that a heart felt notebook is the cure.

-so to curb old age dimentia... don't be so indecisive about how you go about remmebering everyday feelings... just live - without emotional thought. ...in the meantime, you are welcom to learn the piano or whatever, as long as you don't stuff around always analysing and pndering upon your emotions, you won't over work your data delegation algorithm (which was created at birth, so fixing it is not an option, unless you can experience the womb again)

--how to curb the symptoms once diagnosed.... same advice, try to remmeber that the best thing to do is ot to try and remmeber what you are feeling...
DANY Krane!!! --don't Shredda your Kranium.

[Michaelangelica]

Happy Days

04.06.2007
Cold Sores? What Cold Sores?
The strange link between herpes and memory
by Kathy A. Svitil


As if cold sores weren’t bad enough,herpes simplex virus type 1 may now be linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
The connection involves apolipoprotein E (apoE), a protein that helps to transport cholesterol through the body.
There are several types of apoE genes; one, APOE-e4, is the leading risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s. In previous studies, researchers also found that people who have the APOE-e4 gene and have herpes simplex DNA in their brains are even more likely to be afflicted with Alzheimer’s.

Cold Sores? What Cold Sores? | Health & Medicine | DISCOVER Magazine

[Michaelangelica]

Originally Posted by ErlyRisa

The movie 'Notebook' ... it hows you why people get Dementia... and it can happen at any age, including pre-natal.
--Dementia seems to occur more frequently among the educated (notebook) , it is definatley a disease of the thinker. .

Things people don't seem to be aware of.
It is definately seen as almost ineviatble process of old age. which it isnt
even here the slang term for it (said with an Oz twang) Is OLDTIMER's
Someone sent me this. I don't know where it came from

show details
22:56 (5 hours ago)
Piracetam for dementia or cognitive impairment

Flicker L, Grimley Evans J.
Summary
Evidence for the efficacy of piracetam for dementia or cognitive impairment is inadequate for clinical use but sufficient to justify further research.

Piracetam was one of the first drugs used for dementia and comes from the class of drugs called nootropics, whose putative actions are still poorly defined. Most of the trials of piracetam were undertaken many years ago and did not use methods which would be currently considered standard. Some of the studies suggested there may be some benefit from piracetam but overall the evidence is not consistent or positive enough to support its use for dementia or cognitive impairment.

This is a Cochrane review abstract and plain language summary, prepared and maintained by The Cochrane Collaboration, currently published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007 Issue 2, Copyright © 2007 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.. The full text of the review is available in The Cochrane Library (ISSN 1464-780X).
This record should be cited as: Flicker L, Grimley Evans J.. Piracetam for dementia or cognitive impairment. Art. No.: CD001011. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001011.

Date of last subtantive update: November 05. 2003

[Monomer]

Alzheimer's, why?

Perhaps a lack of omega-3 fatty acid in the diet:

A diet rich in a type of omega-3 fatty acid can help prevent Alzheimer's disease, and a newly discovered molecule might block enzymes in the brain that lead to plaque formations.

omega-3 fatty acid known as docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA for short, can slow the accumulation of tau, a protein that leads to plaque and tangles in brain tissue seen in Alzheimer's.

Omega-3 and Alzheimer’s - Archives - Prepared Foods

[Michaelangelica]

Just listened to this
Health Report - 21*May*2007* - Alzheimer's, testosterone and the ageing brain
Big study being done in Australia.
Diet is part of it.
It only stays podcast on the site for four weeks.
If I can workout how to download and upload it I will attach it to this post (big ask)
Well worth a listen.
Alzheimer's, testosterone and the ageing brain
Boosting levels of testosterone in the body can reduce levels of the protein beta amyloid in the brain, one of the key players in causing Alzheimer's disease, according to a recent breakthrough in Australian research.

[Michaelangelica]

Medical Marijuana, Alzheimer’s & Memory

For several centuries marijuana was utilized as an analgesic for pain relief. Up until the 1940’s marijuana was a legal substance and often used to alleviate a variety of ailments—much like the advocates of the use of medical marijuana are saying today. The federal government of the United States classifies marijuana as a high risk substance. Yet the proponents of medical marijuana state that it is rarely an addictive drug. In addition, there has never been a death by overdose on cannabis!
One of the medical areas that have benefited the most has been with Alzheimer’s patients. This form of dementia can leave an individual trapped in a healthy body with a memory that spans previous decades but can’t remember the most recent of events. The regression is gradual with an individual first feeling ‘forgetful’ yet it is much more than just forgetting where one left their car keys—it’s more of an inability to recognize how those keys are used. Eventually, the disease also takes the healthy body and turns it into a shell of its former self. Many times Alzheimer’s victims lose their appetite, or even forget how to feed themselves at the most severe stages.
On any given Alzheimer’s ward at a nursing home, you can see patients walking up and down the corridor hundreds of times during the course of the day. As, the disease progresses, they will get to the end of the corridor and just stand there—forgetting that they need to turn around! There is even a time of day when this activity becomes more active—it’s when the sun starts to set and is referred to clinically as ‘sun downing’. The patient is nervous, very agitated, can become aggressive or very emotional.
Individual studies have found that when a patient drinks a tea made from the marijuana leaves that their agitation dissipates and they are able to settle down for a peaceful evening. Their whole mood changes. Their appetite increases and meal time is no longer a fight to get some nourishment in to them.
As a result of studies done by scientists at Madrid’s Complutense University they were able to publish in the Journal of Neuroscience that cannabinoids, a compound found in marijuana, reduces the ‘pathological processes’ associated with Alzheimer’s disease. It appears that there may be a strong link to these cannabinoids that can help with new drug development. Apparently, the cannabinoid receptors that we all have in our brains were much lower than those with healthy brains. These cannabinoid receptors work in conjunction with microglia cells to keep the immune system healthy. When these cells perceive themselves to be under attack, they cause an inflammation in the brain. The introduction of cannabinoids prevents that inflammation from taking place.
Medical Marijuana has not been proven to improve one’s short or long term memory, many would argue it is destructive to one or both, but it clearly has a positive effect on the disease of Alzheimer’s. First, it can delay the progression of the disease by preventing the inflammation to take place within the brain. Second, it can help with weight gain since food refusal is a very big problem for those with Alzheimer’s. Third, it helps with easing the symptoms of depression, acting as a mood enhancer. And fourth, it can ease that sense of agitation and aggressive behavior that often goes hand in hand with the disease.

BCSeeds.com - Medical Marijuana, benefits people with chronic pain

[maikeru]

Originally Posted by Monomer

Alzheimer's, why?

Perhaps a lack of omega-3 fatty acid in the diet:



Omega-3 and Alzheimer’s - Archives - Prepared Foods

Hmm, this might explain quite a bit. Alzheimer's disease doesn't seem to be common among populations that have a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids, gained through eating seafoods or vegetables (a lot of veggies like spinach, broccoli, flax seeds, walnuts, etc. are rich in ALA, which then can be converted in the liver, albeit poorly, to DHA). One more thing that deserves mention is that omega-3 fatty acids are strong anti-inflammatory agents and moderate an immune response. I wonder if this would also contribute to other beneficial effects for the brain, especially in those afflicted with Alzheimer's.

[Monomer]

Originally Posted by maikeru

One more thing that deserves mention is that omega-3 fatty acids are strong anti-inflammatory agents and moderate an immune response. I wonder if this would also contribute to other beneficial effects for the brain, especially in those afflicted with Alzheimer's.

I found this on inflammation and Alzheimer's:

Professor Jeffrey Kelly of the Scripps Research Institute has recently proposed that inflammation could be start of a chain reaction that leads ultimately to Alzheimer's disease. Normal brain molecules are disrupted as a result of inflammation and this can cause amyloid beta proteins in the brain to misfold. Misfolded amyloid beta proteins are thought to have a critical role in the development of Alzheimer's.According to Kelly the inflammation process might occur years before the onset of Alzheimer's and be the result of any number of infections people can contract.

Could Inflammation Cause Alzheimer's?

The Kelly Group


The anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3 fatty acids are apparently due to their ability to decrease the production of prostaglandins by competing with omega-6 fatty acids for binding sites thereby reducing the amount of omega-6 that can be converted to prostaglandins.

Anti-inflammatory Effects Of Omega 3 Fatty Acid In Fish Oil Linked To Lowering Of Prostaglandin


The anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3 fatty acids are apparently only beneficial for those with Alzheimer's during early stages of the disease:

"The mechanisms by which omega-3 fatty acids could interfere in Alzheimer's disease pathophysiologic features are not clear, but since anti-inflammatory effects are an important part of the profile of fish oils, they are conceivable also for Alzheimer's disease," the authors write. This could potentially explain why effects were seen only in those with very early-stage disease--recent evidence suggests that there is a critical period two or more years before patients develop dementia when levels of chemicals that signal the presence of inflammation are elevated. "It is possible that when the disease is clinically apparent, the neuropathologic involvement is too advanced to be substantially attenuated by anti-inflammatory treatment."

Omega-3 fatty acids may slow cognitive decline in some patients with very mild Alzheimer's disease