Blog - ReaDementia

Air Pollution and Dementia Risk

Rok Krivec Blog, Causes January 31, 2021October 17, 2021air pollution and dementia, dementia

There is strong evidence developing in regards to exposure to air pollution and dementia risk.

Some researchers claim that small air pollution particles can enter the brain and contribute to the development of dementia.

Before looking at the possible link between dementia and air pollutants, first, check out what air pollution is.

Does Pollution Cause Dementia?

Air Pollution

Air pollution is made up of various components that may include:

Chemical compounds
Gases
Tiny particles/ particulate matter
Metals

Exposure to high levels of long-term exposure to air pollutants has been known to be harmful leading to the development of many health conditions that majorly affect the heart and the lungs.

Does Air Pollution Harm the Brain? (Different Studies)

One of the factors that led scientists to look into the relationship between air pollution and dementia is the existence of the magnetite particle in the brain.

These are particles that fill the air after the burning of fuel. The human brain also produces magnetite naturally.

A study conducted in 2016 confirmed that magnetite can make its way to the brain through air pollution. This was after studying the brain tissues of people from Manchester and Mexico City.

Researchers used a unique electron microscope to look at the surface properties of magnetite. They did this to prove that the brain did not produce the particles naturally.

Instead, they were produced by high temperatures.

The conclusion from the study was that it is possible that fine particulate material can enter the brain through the thin lining of the nose and the bloodstream as well.

Researchers observed that the particles were present inside amyloid plaques, which are the protein deposits common in the brain cells of a person with Alzheimer’s, one of the most common forms of dementia.

Magnetite can cause dementia

This is what led to the assumption that magnetite could be somehow involved in the development of dementia.

The study was, however not conclusive because it did not prove that magnetite was responsible for killing brain cells or the formation of the protein deposits.

There is a possibility that the particles might find their way into the brain and because of the organ’s waste disposal process find their way in the amyloid plaques.

In line with this Pektus, an assistant professor of clinical neurology working at Keck School of Medicine, led another study to try and add evidence linking air pollution and dementia risk.

The study focused on 998 female participants between the ages of 73-87.

The participants underwent two brain scans that were 5 years apart. Researchers studied the brains of the participants to give them a cognitive decline score.

They then combined the results with data on where the ladies lived with details about the pollution levels in the areas.

After analyzing this data, the researchers found that people who had higher exposure to fine air particle solutions were more likely to experience cognitive function impairments like memory problems.

A different study trying to prove the link between air pollution and dementia risk followed 130,000 people living in London for a couple of years.

The adults were aged 50 to 79. During the study period, at least 2181 people developed dementia. The results reported that the participants who were exposed to higher levels of air pollutants specifically nitrogen and fine particles from fossil fuel combustion had a higher risk of developing dementia.

The researchers stated that people living in London exposed to the highest levels of air pollution were around 11/2 times likely to develop some form of dementia.

Long-term exposure to air pollution can increase risk

A study conducted in 2017 studied adults for over a decade. The participants were quite many (about 6.5 million adults).

The study that was published in The Lancet found that the people who lived near high-traffic major roads were more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.

This was regardless of their socioeconomic and health status. The study claimed that about 6-7% of all dementia cases were attributed to exposure to air pollutants.

Another study followed residents in Stockholm, Sweden. They followed individuals who were exposed to air pollution at relatively low levels.

The research that was published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) found that even exposure to low levels of air pollution contributes to greater dementia risk specifically for persons who have heart diseaseshttps://readementia.com/signs-of-early-onset-alzheimers/.

Giulia Grande the lead author states that their findings suggested that air pollution plays a role in the development of dementia.

This is mainly through the intermediate step of cardiovascular illnesses and strokes. The researchers were studying about 3,000 adults for more than 11 years. The average age of the participants was 74.

Stroke and air pollution are most harmful

The study explained that while long-term exposure to air pollution was linked to dementia risk, this risk was higher for persons who suffered from a stroke.

About half of the dementia cases that they linked to air pollution exposure was explained by stroke. Researchers also noted that participants were residing in the Kungsholmen district where pollution levels are safely below international limits.

Scientists further extended their studies into mice. They found that there was a similar effect in the brain of mice after exposure to air pollution. The researchers exposed mice to air pollutants collected near busy roads.

This led to biological changes that usually cause brain damage and an increased level of protein amyloid.

This is still not enough to make a solid conclusion about the link between air pollution and dementia development.

It, however, shows that exposure to air pollution can lead to cognitive impairment. It is after the exposure brought forth symptoms like poor learning abilities, motor, and memory skills.

This is because, in the human brain, it is not automatic that amyloid protein on its own causes the development of dementia.

Closing Remarks

To give conclusive results on the issue of air pollution and dementia risk, scientists continue to conduct more studies to answer this question comprehensively.

The experts are taking into consideration pollution from different parts of the globe while using sophisticated techniques to try and establish if there is a direct link between air pollutants and dementia development.

Meanwhile, it is best for countries to start working on air quality to avoid some of the problems that are associated with air pollution.

Can Sauna Help Alleviate Dementia?

Rok Krivec Blog, Prevention January 30, 2021October 18, 2021dementia, sauna, sauna and dementia

Researchers have conducted several studies to find out if there is a link between the use of sauna and dementia risk.

One study reported that frequent use of the sauna could help to reduce the risk of developing dementia.

This was conducted by researchers from UEF (University of Eastern Finland). They filed their findings in the journal Age and Ageing in 2016.

Does Sauna Protect Against Dementia?

The study assessed the weekly sauna bathing habits of the participants. After this, the experts divided the study participants into three groups”

1. Those who spent about 15 minutes in the sauna 4-7 times in a week (200)
2. Participants who used the sauna 2-3 times a week (1513)
3. Those who only used the sauna once a week (601)

Basis of the Study

The participants of the study included 2,315 healthy men aged between 42-60 years. The study went on for more than two decades.

During the study period, the researchers diagnosed 123 cases of Alzheimer’s disease and 204 dementia cases. The sauna use research analyzed different types of data from the participants, such as:

Age
Body mass index
Smoking status
Systolic blood pressure
Alcohol consumption
Resting heart rate
Type 2 diabetes
Previous myocardial infarction
Serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol

The participants in the study used traditional Finnish saunas.

These are the versions that have dry air and recommended temperatures of about 80-100 degrees Celsius. The saunas also increase humidity temporarily by throwing water on the rocks installed inside the sauna heater.

Findings

The researchers stated that there was a link between the use of sauna and dementia risk. They concluded that using the sauna frequently helps to lower the risk of dementia.

The report indicated that the group that was using the sauna about 4-7 times in a week had a 66% lower chance of developing any dementia type.

Additionally, the risk of Alzheimer’s disease was 65 % lower in comparison to the group that was only using the sauna once a week.

Previously, there was a study from KIHD that reported that Finnish men who used 175 degrees dry heat sauna for 4-7 days a week had significantly low death rates resulting from cardiovascular diseases.

According to Jari Laukkanen, the professor who led this sauna research, frequent exposure to heat during sauna bathing not only protects memory, but it also protects the heart.

This is through similar mechanisms that experts do not clearly understand.

He continued to state that it is known that cardiovascular health also has effects on the brain in a statement the professor made to UEF.

The sense of relaxation and well-being that a person experiences during sauna might also play a crucial role.

The researchers, while conducting the study, also note that previous research also suggested that oxidative stress and inflammation were some of the factors that contributed to dementia development.

They explained that their findings were “biologically plausible” because using the saunas regularly reduces inflammation by enhancing vascular endothelial function.

The endothelium is the thin membrane lining found in the blood vessels.

Furthermore, the researchers also explained that their study addresses the use of sauna and dementia reduced risk because bathing in a sauna helps in lowering systemic blood pressure as well as elevated pulse pressure.

These two are well-known dementia risk factors.

Professor Laukkanen also added that while he thought the results of the study were generalizable to other populations in the northern part of the world like North America and Europe, he did not think the same in warmer countries.

Can Everyone Use Saunas?

Because there might be a beneficial link between the use of sauna and dementia risk, you may be wondering whether everyone can use a sauna facility.

While the saunas may be great for a wide range of conditions, they are not appropriate for everyone.

It is necessary that you consult your doctor before starting sauna bathing. This is especially important if you are pregnant or have an underlying medical condition.

Closing Remarks

The benefits people get from using the sauna might be a game-changer in the way the world views dementia.

Experts agree that while sauna use does not substitute exercise, it is a great way to complement a person’s workout routine.

The latest evidence supports the link between the use of sauna and dementia lowered risk because the exercise helps to enhance cardiovascular health reducing the risks of stroke and heart disease.

It also benefits blood vessels, factors that contribute to brain health, which can starve the development of dementia.

More research, however, still needs to be done to determine whether using saunas should be included in the recommendable interventions for preventing different forms of dementia.

Seeing that the study only focused on men, perhaps there also needs one on women to make the studies more inclusive and conclusive.

13 Huntington’s Disease Symptoms

Rok Krivec Blog, Types January 29, 2021October 18, 2021huntington's disease, huntington's disease symptoms

Before getting a positive diagnosis for Huntington’s disease, you must showcase a couple of Huntington’s disease symptoms that the doctors will observe or test.

This helps the professionals to confirm whether or not you have developed the illness that causes progressive degeneration of brain nerve cells.

A majority of people with Huntington’s disease will start to develop these signs in their 30’s or 40’s even though the signs can start at any age from the early stages to old age.

Let’s look at some of the warning signs associated with Huntington’s disease below.

If you are also interested in learning what’s the best Huntington’s disease treatment, we made a comprehensive look into it for your convenience.

Common Huntington’s Disease Symptoms

1. Chorea

Huntington’s disease can make a person experience physical symptoms like random, uncontrollable, and jerky movements known as chorea. Initially, chorea is usually exhibited as restlessness, lack of coordination, uncompleted motions or abnormal eye movements.

After about three years, these minor motor abnormalities blow up to become noticeable motor dysfunction signs.

2. Depression

If you are susceptible to Huntington’s disease, you may also experience depression as one of the early warning signs of the illness.

Depression is a serious illness that affects people in different ways. You might experience being in a low mood for extended periods.

Some people will feel like they are drowning in a sense of hopelessness while others will lack interest in the things they once loved. Body aches and pains, lack of appetite, fatigue, and bad sleeping patterns are other symptoms of depression.

3. Difficulties in Swallowing and Eating

Problems with eating and swallowing are among Huntington’s disease symptoms.

A person goes through this when the muscles in the diaphragm and mouth cease to function properly.

Persons with these symptoms risk choking especially in the later stages. They also lose weight because they do not eat properly.

4. Personality Changes

Changes in personality are common with people who have Huntington’s disease. This is where a person becomes highly irritable, has mood swings, apathy, and anger outbursts.

Many people also become socially withdrawn where they want to spend time alone. Some even have frequent thoughts of suicide and dying.

5. Communication Problems

Issues with communication are prominent in persons with Huntington’s disease. They usually vary from person to another both in severity and nature.

One person may have a hard time initiating a conversation while another will struggle to find the right words to speak clearly.

Another communication problem that may arise is having difficulties understanding what people are saying.

6. Problems with Memory

Issues with memory also make part of Huntington’s disease symptoms. These affect both short-term and long-term memory.

A person may have trouble recalling memories of their lives.

Some experience deficits in procedural memory where they cannot remember how to perform a certain activity they could handle before.

The disease also affects working memory which is common in the later stages.

7. Emotional Changes

Huntington’s disease can also affect how a person functions emotionally. In most cases, the emotional changes do not occur consistently but they alternate.

These can include stubbornness and lack of emotion. A person may be very happy one instant, and the next they are wallowing in sadness.

8. Obsessive-Compulsive Behaviors

This is another common symptom of Huntington’s disease. It is a disorder that features unwanted fears and thoughts that can lead a person to do repetitive behaviors also known as compulsions.

The compulsions and fears result in significant distress and can interfere with daily activities.

For example, a person can develop a fear of germs which makes them wash their hands over and over until they are chapped and sore.

9. Lack of Awareness

Lack of awareness is worth mentioning when talking about Huntington’s disease symptoms. It is where a person lacks awareness of their abilities and behaviors.

This can make the affected person not see mistakes that are evident to those around them.

Most people with the illness will refute the fact that they have Huntington’s disease.

10. Difficulty Organizing

Having problems with organization is another symptom that relates to Huntington’s disease. This affects functions like planning, rule acquisition, and initiation of appropriate actions.

A person may become disoriented because the illness affects their ability to make the right decisions.

The ability to multi-task also becomes difficult because a person has trouble concentrating on more than one task.

11. Diminished Visual Partial Ability

Another symptom of Huntington’s disease worth mentioning is diminished visual-spatial ability.

This is where a person is not able to perceive the position of their body in an environment.

It can result in having difficulties with things like following directions or reading a map properly.

12. Seizures

Some people with Huntington’s disease will also develop other medical conditions like seizures.

These can be described as uncontrolled and sudden electrical brain disturbances. It can lead to changes in behavior, feelings, levels of consciousness, and movement.

A majority of seizures will last between 30 seconds and two minutes although they vary in severity from person to person.

The seizures are normally associated with temporary confusion, loss of awareness, staring spell, uncontrollable jerking movements of legs and arms, and emotional symptoms like anxiety or fear.

13. Clumsiness

Clumsiness also goes on the record as one of the common Huntington’s disease symptoms. It can be defined as poor coordination, action, or movement.

This is where you might find that a person is always dropping things and bumping into furniture.

Their risk of falling also becomes intensified. While this might be a minor issue for most people, it can be profound a well where you increase the risk of severe injuries or accidents such as concussions.

Closing Remarks

If you notice that you have any Huntington’s disease symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

This is because some of the symptoms of Huntington’s disease are caused by a wide range of conditions.

Proper diagnosis helps you know how to best manage the progressive disease seeing that currently, there is no treatment to reverse or stop the illness.

Keep in mind that in the later stages of the disease, affected individuals may need full-time nursing care as completing day to day activities becomes extremely difficult.

Doll Therapy Dementia [Know the Pros and Cons]

Rok Krivec Blog January 29, 2021November 19, 2023dementia, doll therapy

As a means of lessening the suffering burden for people with dementia, some experts recommend the use of doll therapy for dementia.

This is where caregivers use a baby doll or teddy bear to help a person deal with distress.

Typically used during the middle and late dementia stages, the dolls aim at improving the quality of living, comfort, and engagement.

Doll therapy has proved to be effective and beneficial for weak individuals over the years.

This is because it brings along numerous benefits to persons with dementia, such as:

Benefits of Doll Therapy for Dementia

Initiates Structure to a Person’s Life

By introducing doll therapy to a person with dementia, it can help to bring much-needed structure in their lives.

This, however, needs to be done in a controlled atmosphere rather than just giving the ill individual a doll to play with.

As part of taking care of the toy baby, the individual with dementia can wash, fold, and dress their doll. This helps to give responsibility to someone who is generally dependent on others.

Improves Communication

Some people with dementia normally have problems with verbalizing, something that doll therapy dementia can assist with.

As the person spends time with the doll or bear, they can start to speak again, even though not as fluently as before. This is usually part of a basic process that involves humming, singing, or speaking to the baby (doll) in its arms.

Dolls can also help people to express themselves better, especially in cases where they cannot communicate. It is common for people with dementia to use toys as communication tools.

They can signal that the doll wants some food, or it is cold, while in the real sense, they are cold or need to eat themselves.

Creates a Calming Effect

Doll therapy can also help to calm someone upset. Many people with dementia become agitated, unhappy, or depressed because they are bored and not engaged.

Doll therapy comes in handy to act as a distraction from upsetting, harmful, or dangerous events because the dolls give them something meaningful to do.

When working with a realistic doll, it can help enhance mood because they are designed to offer endless hours of smiles and hugs.

Increased Activity Levels

Another perk that may be associated with doll therapy for persons with dementia is that the enjoyment they get from holding or just being with a teddy bear or doll can help them become more active.

This might create pleasant feelings as well as a connection to the outside world.

With a renewed sense of purpose, the person undergoing doll therapy becomes livelier and also increases their activity levels.

Improved Appetite

Some people with dementia will eat and drink better thanks to doll therapy dementia.

In most cases, a person with the illness will not eat because they cannot communicate well, tired, or depressed among others.

Spending time with the doll may help to deal with a majority of the issues so that a person ends up eating better.

Mealtimes with the teddy bears by their side can also be more fun, motivating them to eat well.

Decrease in Wandering

Wandering is a problem that many persons with dementia face. Some do it because they are stressed, bored, or because they are afraid of something.

Thankfully, doll therapy can help curb this as it gives someone something valuable to do so that they do not have to be all over the place at all times.

In a way, doll therapy contributes to the safety of persons who are living with dementia.

Reduces Caregiver Stress

A majority of caregivers recommend doll therapy dementia.

This is because it tends to make their work a little bit easier, seeing that the therapy results in happier, and calmer persons who express themselves or communicate more.

The fact that doll therapy is self-administering also gives the caregivers more time to themselves.

Talking, dressing, changing, cuddling, and holding a doll engages and occupies the person who has dementia.

This is crucial because it gives them more energy and psyche to take better care of the persons with the illness.

No Side Effects or Medical Interactions

When talking about the perks of doll therapy dementia, it is important to note that this is one of the non-pharmacologic ways of dealing with challenging behaviors or emotions that may develop in the course of the illness.

Persons with dementia benefit significantly from this type of therapy because they do not have to deal with drug interactions or side effects.

Reduces the Need to Take Some Medications

Another advantage of using doll therapy on persons who have dementia is the fact that it can help to reduce the number of drugs that they are on.

This has a lot to do with the fact that it helps with calming down a person, which means that they may have less aggressive outbursts.

This implies that they can live without taking drugs that help with behaviors like aggression and agitation.

Cons

Although doll therapy dementia comes with loads of benefits, it also presents a few cons for people living with neurodegenerative diseases.

There are times, especially in the beginning where a person with dementia can view the introduction of a teddy bear or doll as an unwanted responsibility.

This is because they can see it as welcoming a sibling or grandchild in their youth.

Some people also think of the dolls or teddy bears as childish. Failed attempts to feed or communicate to the toy babies might also lead to distress, something you want to avoid with persons who have dementia.

Closing Thoughts

There is still a need to do more extensive research on doll therapy dementia. It has shown a lot of promise in offering comfort and purpose to those who have dementia.

Even though it still presents a few cons, it remains an option worth looking into concerning combating challenging behaviors like personality changes, anxiety, aggression, and agitation as well as improving the overall quality of life.

9 Best Therapy Dolls Reviewed 2021

Doll	Average Customer Rating	Features
Baby Doll Therapy New Born	4.5 STARS	Designed for dementia Lifelike Fast shipping High quality Easy to wash clothes
Someone to Love Dolls	5.0 STARS (3 reviews)	Lifelike Quality doll Quality clothing Warm face 9 dolls to select from Easy ordering Prompt shipping
Comfort Companion Therapy Doll Holly	5.0 STARs (2 reviews)	Washable Colorful (sensory) Textured (sensory) Weighted body Affordable Soft to cuddle Fabric
Ashton - Drake Therapy Doll	4.4 STARS	Designed for Alzheimer’s Donates to charity Weighted Scented (sensory) Lifelike Vinyl & cotton
Baby Boy Doug Doll Therapy	4.5 STARS	Easy cleaning Low price Bath/shower All vinyl
CHAREX Reborn Sleeping Baby DollsCHAREX Reborn Sleeping Baby Dolls	4.3 STARS	Lifelike Details- wrinkles/features 5 piece ensemble Magnetic pacifier Weighted Boy/girl choice Low price Vinyl & silicone
JIZHI Lifelike Reborn Baby Dolls	4.4 STARS	Conforms to safety Lifelike Detail (wrinkles etc) Value for price Accessories Vinyl & cotton
Zero Pam Reborn Baby Dolls	4.1 STARS	Lifelike Non-toxic Fits newborn clothes Chubby face 6 accessories Feels lifelike Detail - wrinkles etc Easy to clean Has boy/girl parts Bathable Silicone & cloth
Kaydora Reborn Baby Doll	4.5 STARS	Lifelike Detail- wrinkles/fingernails Accessories Durable & sturdy Weighted Value for price Male/female dolls Silicone & cotton

‘Buyer’s Guide’, and full review on selected therapy dolls found HERE

Huntington’s Disease Treatment – Best Approach

Rok Krivec Blog, Types January 29, 2021October 18, 2021huntington's disease, huntington's disease treatment

Researchers continue to put in the effort to come up with effective Huntington’s disease treatment options.

Currently, there is no cure for this progressive neurodegenerative disorder.

Nonetheless, there are some approved therapies that help to manage symptoms and improve the quality of life for people who have Huntington’s disease (HD).

Check out some of these approved therapies that people with HD can benefit from below.

Huntington’s Disease Treatment Options

Medication

If you have Huntington’s disease, your doctor may prescribe some medications that can help to manage some of the symptoms you suffer from.

A majority of the medications people use for Huntington’s disease symptoms work by modulating neurotransmitters or the chemical messages that move between neurons.

Some of the drugs that can help with movement disorders include:

Xenazine

This is one of the drugs that medics give people who have movement issues like chorea. It has been approved by the EU in 2008 to suppress involuntary writhing and jerking movements.

Antipsychotic Drug

Medicines like chlorpromazine, haloperidol, quetiapine, and risperidone may also help to suppress involuntary movements.

Other Medications

Clonazepam, levetiracetam, and amantadine are other examples of medicines that can help deal with chorea.

Drugs for psychiatric disorders

There are several medications like antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood-stabilizing medicines that a person with HD can take to treat psychiatric issues depending on the symptoms and specific disorders.

Note that some of the above medications have severe side effects like making the illness or symptoms worse, triggering depression and other psychiatric conditions, nausea, restlessness, drowsiness, skin discoloration, or leg swelling amongst others.

Drugs like clonazepam also have a high risk of abuse and dependence. This is why is important to follow the doctor’s directives when taking the medication.

Avoid self-medicating and report and serious side effects to your GP to see if there is a need to change the current medication.

Physical Therapy

When exploring Huntington’s disease treatment options, you may need to work with a professional physical therapist.

The specialist will recommend some non-medication and non-invasive ways that you can use to manage physical symptoms.

The expert will guide you on safe and appropriate exercises that can improve coordination, strength, balance, and flexibility.

These are beneficial because they can enhance the mobility of your body and reduce the risk of falls.

Note that it is extremely vital for anyone with HD to remain physically fit as long as the course of the illness permits.

People who remain active do better than the ones who don’t. Getting instructions on the proper use of supports and appropriate posture can also help to reduce the seriousness of movement disorders.

Additionally, professionals can also help with airway clearance techniques and breathing exercises if you have any respiratory issues.

The experts can also help with stretching and moving your joints as well as relaxing massages.

Speech and Language Therapy

If you have Huntington’s disease and have trouble with speaking, it is wise to consult a language and speech therapists.

The expert can help you learn alternative communication ways like the use of picture charts or electronic speech devices.

This helps improve your communication abilities so that you can remain active in family and community life for the longest possible time.

The therapists may also address any problems you may have with the muscles for swallowing and eating.

Working with Dieticians

At some point, you may also need to work with a dietician to help with Huntington’s disease treatment. The professional will offer advice on the right diet that will ensure you do not end up losing too much weight.

Proper nutrition is crucial because there are some people with HD that burn thousands of calories a day due to involuntary movements. They, therefore need to eat more meals to have the necessary calories.

Dieticians can also offer guidance on practical ways to make food easier to chew and swallow. Some foods may require to be thinned while others need thickeners so that the weak person can eat well.

When serious problems arise, swallowing therapy exercises can help because it combines direct treatment strategies and compensatory techniques that can enhance oral intake safety by decreasing aspiration risks to maintain quality of life.

Occupational Therapy

Because many people who have HD develop memory and concentration issues, occupational therapy is an important part of the Huntington’s disease treatment process.

The therapists can help come up with effective strategies for coping with memory and concentration problems. They can also help develop solutions that can make the home safer for persons with HD.

These can include assistive devices for daily activities like dressing, handrails in the house, and drinking and eating utensils specifically designed for individuals with limited fine motor skills.

In a bid to make your life easier, the therapists can also recommend the use of voice-controlled lights or software on your PC.

Experimental Therapies

Away from the approved therapies that help with HD symptoms, experts have recognized other avenues to explore in regards to Huntington’s disease treatment.

A majority of these are already in the clinical trial stages while others are still in the development stage.

An example is gene silencing therapies that seek to decrease the levels of toxic HTT proteins that are produced. If successful, these will not only manage the symptoms, but they will also help to slow the progression of the illness.

Neuroprotective therapies are also being developed to curb neuroinflammation that damages and kills brain cells.

Soon, these may be added to the list of approved therapies for treating HD.

Huntington’s Disease Treatment Closing Thoughts

Despite the fact that there is no Huntington’s disease treatment, several approved therapies can help manage a majority of the symptoms associated with the illness.

What’s more, is that research is also ongoing studying the mechanisms of HD something that might result in the development of innovative new treatments.

Dementia Praecox – Definition, Causes, Symptoms

Rok Krivec Blog January 28, 2021October 18, 2021dementia, dementia praecox

Previously referred to as precocious madness or premature dementia, dementia praecox was a term used to describe a chronic deteriorating psychotic disorder.

It was popularized by Emil Kraepelin, a German psychiatrist in 1896. The psychotic disorder that begins during late teens or early childhood is characterized by rapid cognitive disintegration.

Over time, the term “schizophrenia” replaced dementia praecox, and it remains the current diagnosis label.

Dementia Praecox: Definition, Causes and Symptoms

According to R.Warner, in the International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioural Sciences, schizophrenia is a psychosis – severe mental disorder where a person’s grasp of reality, emotions, judgment, thinking, and are affected resulting in severe impairment of functioning.

Causes of Dementia Praecox

To date, it is still not clear what causes schizophrenia exactly. Scientists, however, suggest that a combination of environmental, genetic, psychological, and physical factors can increase a person’s risk of getting the disorder.

Seeing that it is not easy to pinpoint the exact causes of schizophrenia, experts have identified some risk factors that are common with individuals who have the condition that includes:

Genetics

Dementia praecox tends to run in families even though there is no specific gene that has been identified to be responsible.

You will most likely end up with schizophrenia if your identical twin has it, the risk goes up by about 50%.

If both parents have it – the chances of getting it to go up by at least 40% or if a sibling or one parent has it – your chances of getting it is are around 10%.

Birth and Pregnancy Complications

Some studies indicate that a percentage of people who develop schizophrenia went through some complications before and during birth.

This accounts for factors like premature labor, low birth weight, and lack of oxygen during birth.

If your mother was malnourished when she was pregnant with you, you might end up with the disorder. Being exposed to a certain viral infection before you were born can also be a risk factor.

Drug Abuse

While drugs do not directly cause dementia praecox, research shows that drug abuse might increase the risk of developing the disorder.

Drugs like LSD, cocaine, or cannabis might trigger schizophrenia symptoms.

Chemical Imbalances in the Brain

Some experts believe that the imbalance of dopamine and serotonin, as well as other neurotransmitters, may be involved in the development of schizophrenia.

Trauma

The frequency of schizophrenia is also higher in adults who underwent different kinds of trauma in their childhood, such as physical or sexual abuse.

Triggers

These define things that can cause people who are at risk of developing schizophrenia. They include stressful life events such as losing a job, house, relationship, or a loved one.

Note that although these stressful events can be life-changing, they do not cause schizophrenia. Instead, they can trigger schizophrenia development in a person who is already vulnerable to the condition.

Symptoms of Dementia Praecox

A person usually experiences dementia praecox symptoms between the ages of 16-30. In some rare cases, young children also get a positive diagnosis for the disorder.

Schizophrenia symptoms are typically divided into three categories, namely: positive symptoms, cognitive symptoms and negative symptoms.

Let’s look at these categories individually below.

Cognitive Symptoms

The cognitive symptoms refer to the issues that arise when people with schizophrenia develop thinking problems. Most people with the disorder will have a hard time processing or understanding information, which can affect their ability to make decisions.

A huge percentage of affected persons will also have a hard time concentrating on something.

Some will also have trouble with working memory where they cannot use the information they have just learned. Because of all this, communication also becomes a problem.

Positive Symptoms

The positive symptoms are categorized as signs that showcase abnormal perceptions and delusions. These have a lot to do with the inability to determine what is real. This is where a person may have:

1. Hallucinations, false beliefs, or delusions: these are quite common with people with schizophrenia and can be related to auditory, visual, or any of the other human senses. These may become too real to a person to the extent that they are not even aware that they are ill.

Affected individuals might refuse to take medicine, thinking that it is poison or will subject them to adverse side effects.

2. Some people may also go through unusual thought disorders or disorganized and illogical thinking, which results in dysfunctional ways of thinking.

3. A certain percentage of people with the disorder may also showcase agitated physical movements.

4. Inappropriate behavior.

Negative Symptoms

Schizophrenia’s negative symptoms refer to the behavioral and emotional changes that the people with the disorder experience. These can include signs such as:

Reduced facial expressions
Flat affect which explains changes in voice tones
Some persons with the disorder do not feel the daily pleasures of life
Speaking very little
Inability to begin or even continue activities
Depression
Mood changes
Social withdrawal
Absence of normal thoughts
Loss of drive

There are other symptoms that some professionals use, which cannot fit into the three main categories. These include signs such as:

Sleep disturbances
Weight gain
Restless leg syndrome
Dropping performances especially for students
Suicidal thoughts

Worth noting is that the dementia praecox symptoms start gradually develop at the onset of young adulthood and persist for as long as one lives.

The chronic condition also demands that most affected people go through lifelong treatment.

Closing Thoughts

Schizophrenia, which was known as dementia praecox, is among the most devastating neuropsychiatric diseases.

With this in mind, you should also note that experts are still working on ways to prevent and treat the condition.

There is a lot of hope that soon medics will be able to deal with the symptoms of the disease so that affected individuals can live “normal” lives functioning well in day to day activities while enjoying the little pleasures of life.

What is Primary Progressive Aphasia?

Rok Krivec Blog January 28, 2021October 18, 2021frontotemporal dementia, primary progressive aphasia

There are a few rare diseases that a person can develop one of them being primary progressive aphasia (PPA).

This refers to a neurological syndrome that slowly and progressively impairs language capabilities. It is a result of damage to the sections of the brain that control language and speech.

According to the National Aphasia Association, this is different from the other kinds of aphasia that result from brain injury or stroke.

In other words, it is a rare case of frontotemporal dementia.

This is because neurodegenerative diseases like Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration and Alzheimer’s disease can also cause PPA.

After all, they lead to the deterioration of brain tissues that are responsible for language and speech.

Primary Progressive Aphasia: Diagnosis, Symptoms and Treatment

We can divide primary progressive aphasia into three categories namely:

1. Semantic PPA: This is where affected people can no longer voice out certain words. Their ability to recognize words may also start to decline.

2. Agrammatic/nonfluent PPA: Persons with this type of PPA have a hard time forming complete sentences.

3. Logopenic PPA: It is where a person may struggle to locate the right words to speak but still retain the ability to comprehend what other people say.

Diagnosis

When medics suspect that a person has primary progressive aphasia, they usually look at the signs and symptoms that a person is showcasing.

This can include progressive loss of language abilities as well as some behavioral changes.

Doctors may then thoroughly examine family and medical history to see if they can catch the signs of the illness. MRI or CT scans may be done to confirm the diagnosis through brain imaging.

Sadly, with some cases, doctors may not be in a position to determine the specific disease until a person passes on.

Symptoms of Primary Progressive Aphasia

Problems with language and speech are among the most common symptoms of PPA.

They typically show up between the ages of 50-70. These can include:

Difficulties naming familiar objects
Trouble understanding the meaning of words
Struggling to comprehend written or spoken language
Searching for words resulting in lots of pauses when speaking
Hard time repeating sentences and phrases
Struggling to find word substitutions and retrieve words
Poor grammar when speaking and writing

Worth noting is that symptoms of PPA are usually dependent on the extent of damage to the left hemisphere.

Additionally, other problems associated with the disease can show up later such as memory loss.

Other complications like depression or social and behavioral problems may also crop up as the disease progresses.

Some people have been known to experience poor judgment or develop neurological symptoms like issues with movement to an extent that they need help with day to day living.

How does Primary Progressive Aphasia Progress?

PPA tends to start as a subtle language disorder. For some people, this can be fluent aphasia where they have normal or an increased word production rate.

Others begin with non-fluent aphasia where they produce fewer words and they have challenges with speech.

In rare cases, a person will start by having a difficult time finding the right words to use coupled with progressive deterioration of comprehension and naming.

Over time, the situation becomes worse and in its severe stages, a person is not able to speak nor understand written or spoken language.

The progression patterns are different for different people. It is important to note that while Alzheimer’s causes PPA, it is not a neurodegenerative disease.

A huge percentage of people who have PPA remain independent can stay employed, and can also pursue hobbies and other interests.

Primary Progressive Aphasia Treatment Options

There is still no treatment approved for persons who have PPA.

This is primarily because there is still a lot of research that needs to be done on this illness.

Treatment is mostly geared towards helping a person adapt to the changes that will happen. For instance, anyone with this condition can benefit from learning new communication strategies during the disease.

Professional speech-language pathologists can help with this.

Aphasia Community Groups can also help with teaching new strategies to communicate. Communication assistive devices may also come in handy.

Speech therapists can also help persons with PPA to maintain language skills for the longest possible time.

Non-verbal modes of communication like pointing pictures or gesturing can also be helpful when a person with PPA wants to express themselves.

Doctors in some cases may prescribe SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) to treat some of the behavioral changes that PPA causes.

These medications are also in use to treat depression and anxiety symptoms.

More studies are underway to identify more effective treatments for primary progressive aphasia.

Risk Factors

Certain factors can increase your risk of developing primary progressive aphasia like

Learning disabilities

People who had learning disabilities while growing up specifically developmental dyslexia might be at higher risk of PPA.

Gene mutations

In a few cases, PPA might be hereditary where a person may end up getting it if their family member had it thanks to rare gene mutations.

Prognosis

Many people who have primary progressive aphasia will typically live with the illness for about 3-12 years after diagnosis.

Subcortical Dementia – What Is It?

Rok Krivec Blog, Types January 28, 2021October 18, 2021dementia, subcortical dementia

There are different types of dementia, one of them being subcortical dementia.

According to many studies and researches, this is a type of dementia that affects the white matter of the brain affecting structures below the cortex.

This type of dementia is a clinical syndrome that includes multiple diseases that primarily affects the subcortical structures that include:

The midbrain (mesencephalon)
Cerebellum
Thalamus & hypothalamus (diencephalon)
Basal ganglia

The above are responsible for various functions, including procedural learning, eye movement, voluntary motor movement control, arousal, emotions, visuospatial skills learning of habits, and cognition.

History of the Clinical Syndrome

In 1817, James Parkinson wrote an essay where he recognized depression as one of the symptoms of the disease named after him.

He described a man who was once a confident with an active mind and cheerful disposition appearing dejected, emancipated and stopping.

Despite all this, the power of his mind and his senses remained unimpaired.

He remained attentive, was able to listen to conversations and had a desire to join in though he was struggling with speech, and he could even read and write.

Years later, in 1861, Vulpian and Charcot observed cognitive impairments in persons who have Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases.

However, it was not until 1912, when Wilson became the first person to observe a distinction between dementia that involve subcortical structures, and other kinds of cognitive impairments.

Wilson described the impairment of Wilson’s disease as one that showed the narrowing of mental horizons.

He went on further to state that the impairment did not include agnosia and apraxia. Wilson also compared this pattern to the one presents in Huntington’s disease.

As research went on by other experts on the subject, the concept of subcortical dementia was finally crystallized into a clinical entity in the mid-1970s.

Examples of Subcortical Dementia

This dementia type is in connection with numerous diseases. These include Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Wilson’s disease, Multiple System Atrophy, and progressive supranuclear palsy, etc.

The conditions fall into the category of subcortical processes that are characterized by deterioration of mental abilities.

The concept of this type of dementia has led to a lot of debate where researchers are seeking to divide cognitive dysfunction into the subcortical and cortical dichotomy.

Over the years, experts have been collecting evidence that supports the idea of the clinical syndrome being classified as its clinical entity.

The evidence touches base on distinct patterns of neuropathology, neurological, and neuropsychological profiles.

Symptoms of Subcortical Dementia

Various symptoms may suggest a person has this type of dementia. Some of them include:

Slowness when it comes to mental processing
Depression
Abnormal movements
Tremors
Lack of initiation
Apathy
Loss of social skills
Mild intellectual impairment
Inertia
Difficulties solving problems

In a majority of cases, the clinical entity does not affect perception and language. Although persons with the illness may experience forgetfulness, amnesia is usually not severe.

Looking at a Neurobehavioral Perspective of This Dementia

Subcortical dementias have a common neurobehavioral change pattern even though the subcortical structures usually affect different areas of the subcortical pathology.

This is because of the disruption that happens to the frontal-subcortical systems. The clinical presentations include abnormalities in different areas like:

Memory

With this type of dementia, it appears like the ability to retain information, which can also be referred to as immediate memory is spared while it affects the ability to recall information.

Personality and Mood

Personality and mood changes have been recognized in persons with this clinical syndrome. About 90% of persons with Parkinson’s experience depression at one point in the illness.

General Appearance

Because of significant extrapyramidal motor deficits, the general appearance of people with this type of dementia is different from that of cortical dementia. For example, Parkinson’s disease is often marked by a shuffling gait, hypomimia, and tremor.

Chorea is common with Huntington’s disease while a “surprise” look is seen with people who have supranuclear palsy.

Language

There is no record of significant changes in language when talking about subcortical dementia. People with the illness may, however, experience deformities with speech.

For instance, an individual with Parkinson’s disease may have reduced phrase length and dysarthria.

Subcortical Dementia Treatment Options

Although this kind of dementia remains highly controversial, some researchers believe that they are part of the dementias that can be treated. This is because most disorders that are associated with dementia respond to appropriate treatment and some may be reserved completely.

Consulting your physician will give you a better idea of which treatment route to take while dealing with this dementia type.

Closing Remarks

While some physicians will use the classifications of subcortical or cortical dementia, others argue that it is not worth categorizing the neurodegenerative illness into groups depending on the location of brain damage.

As new evidence emerges, it is only a matter of time before the experts can put the matter into rest as to whether it is important to classify dementia into two major groups.

Coronavirus and Dementia – Is There Risk?

Rok Krivec Blog January 27, 2021October 18, 2021coronavirus, dementia

How closely related are coronavirus and dementia? Can the new virus cause death in patients who are diagnosed with dementia and any other related states, like Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia?

Country lockdowns, new infections, thousands of fatalities, are some of the negative effects of the newly discovered coronavirus disease or COVID-19.

Information from China where the disease started states that some people are at higher risk of getting very ill from the disease.

These include older people and individuals who have chronic medical conditions like lung disease, heart disease, and diabetes.

Statistically, a high percentage of persons with dementia are seniors.

This automatically puts them at a higher risk of contracting coronavirus disease in regions where the virus is spreading like wildfire.

Coronavirus and Dementia Risk

It must be tough for one person to suffer from both coronavirus and dementia.

For this reason, it is best to keep individuals with dementia safe from the virus.

Before we look into the steps to prevent people from dementia from contracting the virus, here is an overview of the coronavirus illness.

What is COVID-19?

It is an infectious disease that the newly discovered coronavirus causes. The disease and the virus were unknown before an outbreak began in December 2019 in Wuhan, China.

WHO (World Health Organization) describes coronavirus as a huge family of viruses that may cause illness in both humans and animals.

Symptoms of Coronavirus Disease

You can find some of the potential warning signs of COVID-19 below. Note that the list is not inclusive.

Dry cough
Fever
Shortness of breath
Tiredness
Persistent pressure or pain in the chest
Sore throat
Nasal congestion
Diarrhea

Anyone who develops the symptoms must immediately get medical attention.

Worth noting is that some people will become infected without feeling unwell or developing any symptoms.

About 80% of the people with the disease recover without needing special treatment.

Protect Persons With Dementia From Coronavirus

When it comes to protecting persons with dementia from the coronavirus disease, there are a few steps caregivers and the weak individuals can take such as:

Stick to Essential Hygienic Practices

It is very easy for persons with dementia to forget about daily hygienic practices which might increase the risk of getting the disease from coronavirus and dementia.

Caregivers may need to step in to offer reminders or help them execute duties like washing hands with warm water and soap.

Demonstrate or offer a hand where necessary so that the ill person knows how to wash their hands well for about 20 seconds. If a person cannot always wash their hands, they can use an alcohol-based sanitizer with a minimum of 70% alcohol.

While caring for a person with dementia, it also helps to keep an eye on them so that they do not touch their mouth, eyes, or nose.

Additionally, it is also vital to disinfect and clean all the surfaces that ill individuals touch daily.

This can include things such as sinks, faucets, keyboards, handles, light switches, tables, countertops, desks, phones, and toilets.

Understand How the Virus Spreads

Currently, both coronavirus and dementia have no cures or vaccines. According to the CDC (Centre or Disease Control and Prevention), one of the best ways to prevent a person from getting the virus is to avoid its exposure.

Scientists believe that it primarily spreads from one person to another through respiratory droplets that infected person produces when they cough or sneeze.

When these droplets land into your nose or mouth, you inhale them into your lungs and you end up with coronavirus disease.

It is, therefore, imperative to put persons with dementia at a safe distance from other people especially if the community around them is affected by the viral illness.

It is also advisable for persons with dementia to stock up on supplies, including groceries and household items that will enable them to stay at home for long periods until health officials confirm that it is safe to go about regular businesses.

Shopping online and mail order medications can come in handy during tough times.

Limit Number of Trips

The burden of coronavirus and dementia on one person may be too much to handle. For this reason, it is important to limit the movements of the person with dementia so that their chances of contracting the virus are significantly reduced.

It would be best if they stay at home or in their facility without leaving until the situation is contained. Persons with dementia should hold off on taking any trips by road, air or sea.

Think and Plan Ahead

Based on how infections seem to skyrocket within no time, caregivers also need to think of alternative care plans should anything change in the future because of the COVID-19.

Think of possibilities like the primary caregiver getting infected. They will not be in a position to execute their caring duties and the person with dementia cannot be abandoned.

The individual with dementia may also not be able to access services like respite care or adult day care services if the region they are in is experiencing a lockdown and people cannot move about freely.

It is vital to come up with alternative plans beforehand; things do not go south if the virus causes unimaginable changes.

Closing Thoughts

It is scary to think about the effects of coronavirus and dementia on a person.

However, taking the necessary precautions may keep suffering people safe from the recently discovered disease.

Remember to keep medical contacts close by so that you can contact medics if you feel like you have symptoms of the disease.

It is also important to stay up to date about the coronavirus disease from reliable sources.

Scientists continue monitoring and responding to the pandemic because they still do not fully understand the complete clinical picture of the disease.

Heart Disease and Dementia – Risk Factors

Rok Krivec Blog, Causes January 27, 2021October 18, 2021dementia, heart disease and dementia

Over the years, there have been studies trying to uncover the link between heart disease and dementia.

As a result, scientists now include heart disease as one of the risk factors that contribute to the development of dementia.

To get more information about this, here are examples of some of the studies that showcase the link between the development of dementia and heart disease.

Is dementia related to heart disease?

Studies Explaining the Relationship between Heart Disease and Dementia

As mentioned earlier, researchers have conducted several studies on vascular risk factors concerning the development of dementia.

Dr. Rebecca Gottesman led one of the studies at John Hopkins University. It was called the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study.

Together with her team, they studied about 16,000 middle-aged people over 25 years.

These were persons who lived in four different states aged between 44-66 years.

Researchers studied the participants with numerous medical tests at least five times. During the 2nd, 4th, and 5th exams, the participants underwent cognitive tests of thinking and memory.

Medical history is important

Caregiver interviews, in-person visits, telephone interviews, death certificates, and hospitalization records were the methods that the researchers used to collect health data.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) funded the study.

Within the 25 year study period, over 1500 participants got dementia.

The study confirmed reports that persons with vascular risk factors during midlife, like hypertension or diabetes, had higher chances of developing dementia.

Another study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association states that women should be given the same treatment as men when they have heart disease.

This was conducted by a team of psychologists, neurologists, and cardiologists.

Men and women should get the same treatment

In their findings, they record that internists and cardiologists have a crucial role in preventing strokes, which can be done by giving women a similar treatment to men.

This is important when learning about heart disease and dementia because the link between stroke and heart disease is quite significant.

Stroke is one of the risk factors for coronary heart disease.

On the other hand, different forms of heart disease are also considered to be stroke risk factors.

After extensive research, the professionals found out that women usually get less aggressive treatment when it comes to preventing strokes as opposed to men.

According to the experts on the study, receiving appropriate treatment can help to decrease the risk of stroke by 80%.

They go further to state that receiving an adequate dose of blood thinners raises the dementia survival rate to 97% when compared to 85% for the individuals who do not get the correct dose.

Women, after surgery, experience more problems

In addition to this, the report also informs us that women who go through heart procedures without surgery, like the aortic valve procedure, experience more strokes but with less mortality.

Women also tend to have more brain injury after going through cardiac surgery when compared to males.

The study does not define why the difference exists, citing that further research needs to be done to come up with a solid answer.

A third study specifically looked at the link between heart disease and dementia in women. This was titled “Cardiovascular Disease and Cognitive Decline in Postmenopausal Women.

This stated that older women who had a history of heart diseases or other heart-related issues were at higher risk of developing dementia and memory and thinking problems than the ones without heart disease.

The study was released on 18th December 2013 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Women are more prone to experience cognitive decline

The lead author of the study was Dr. Bernhard Haring, who is based in Germany at the Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, which is part of the University of Wurzburg.

Researchers uncovered that women who experienced heart attacks were twice as likely to start experiencing declines in their memory and thinking skills.

The researchers studied over 6000 women between the ages of 65-79. At the onset of the study, all the participants went through a brain function test and they were also asked if they had any heart problems.

About 900 said that they had heart disease while none had memory or thinking problems.

After about eight years, over 400 women started showing signs of dementia or cognitive decline.

The study found out that the ladies who already had heart disease were 29% more likely to experience cognitive problems than those who did not have heart disease.

The research also reported that women who have already experienced a heart attack were at higher risk of developing memory and thinking trouble.

The same case also applied to those who have a history or hardening of the arteries that transport blood to the feet and legs as well as those who have a history of peripheral vascular disease or bypass surgery.

It also stated that heart failure and abnormal heart rhythm were not linked to a decline in brain function.

Closing Remarks

Understanding the connection between heart disease and dementia is crucial one of the reasons multiple studies are conducted on the same.

This is especially because dementia is not reversible, but heart disease is.

People should, therefore, adopt healthy practices like eating well, exercising, and getting quality sleep to keep heart diseases at bay as this might, in turn, prevent the development of dementia.

This is even though scientists are still looking into the causes of dementia.

Individuals who already have heart disease should see their doctors regularly to keep blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and diabetes in check because this is vital for heart and brain health.