By Neil Bekker

At the recent International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease in Chicago, some interesting discoveries in Alzheimer’s research were presented.

Claude Wischik, Ph.D., of the University of Aberdeen in Scotland and founder and chairman of TauRx Therapeutics presented the findings of his 84 week study, whereas 321 seniors were given a daily capsule of Rember, which stopped their cognitive decline by an astonishing rate of 81%. Rember is a a new formulation of methylene blue (Urolene Blue), a drug  used to combat urinary-tract infections in the past, and was developed to  target the protein “tangles” in the brain, stopping new tangles from forming and loosening those that already exist. This theory counters the accepted amyloid hypothesis, which contends that the buildup of amyloid plaque  (the sticky brain-clogging masses) in the brain is the main mechanism of Alzheimer’s disease.

Others believe that both amyloid and tangles, also called tau, are important factors in Alzheimer’s and that the ideal treatment would be a combination of medication that targeted both.

Another interesting presentation was given by researchers from Mt. Sinai School of Medicine on an interesting link between alzheimer’s and insulin. Alzheimer’s patients with diabetes who took insulin plus another anti-diabetes medication to control blood sugar, had 80% fewer amyloid plaques than those who were not diabetic. The drugs seem to regulate the brain’s communication network of insulin receptors, which goes awry in the Alzheimer’s brain, while at the same time clearing away the damaging plaques.

New screening tests to identify Alzheimer’s patients in the earlier stages before their brain deteriorates too much – was another innovation presented. By identifying patients by the specific type of brain buildup — plaques versus tangles — that they are suffering from, doctors can utilize the more effective therapies for each individual.

By Neil Bekker

Spousal smoking can put one at risk of suffering a stroke according to a study by  the Harvard School of Public Health. The study involved 16,000 stroke-free married adults aged 50 and older whose spouse smoked cigarettes (not cigars or pipe tobacco).

Based on their findings:
• If your spouse currently smokes  and you never did  – you have increased your risk of a first stroke by 42%.

• If your spouse currently smokes  and you kicked the habit – you have increased your risk of a first stroke by 72%. in comparison to those who’s spouses never smoked.

• If you never smoke and your spouse is a former smoker, you have nearly the same stroke risk as never-smokers married to never-smokers.

By Ruth Folger Weiss

A few months after undergoing routine hip replacements, a number of patients of  a well known LA orthopedic surgeon started suffering from excruciating pains. The surgeon, Dr. Lawrence Dorr, was stymied until he discovered one factor they all had in common; the same replacement joint, manufactured by Zimmer Holdings, was implanted in all of them. Several needed to have their replacement replaced in another bout of surgery. When Zimmer was first contacted about this problem, they just brushed it off. It took a year of more complaints and pressure from doctors until they pulled this device off the market. In the interim many more patients unknowingly had their joints replaced with a faulty Zimmer “Durom Cup” with crippling results.

This upsetting scenario could have been avoided, and many patients could have been spared the agony, if the U.S. would have a Joint Registry in place. A Joint Registry is a national database that tracks the well being of patients with artificial hips and knees. Countries such as Australia, Britain, Norway and Sweden have such a system in place and the benefits are numerous. Tracking the success rates of the different joints available results in the faulty ones being pulled from the market much quicker. The registry data puts pressure on manufacturers to explain why their products perform poorly and the registry alerts surgeon to stop using flawed joints.

Monitoring devices like artificial joints supposedly falls under the domain of the The Food and Drug Administration but they are often overwhelmed by the vast number of products it monitors and because doctors often do not report problems.

Nearly one million hips and knees were replaced in the U.S. alone last year, about half of the world’s total. As the world’s leader in joint replacement, the U.S. should take the initiative and be the leader in follow-up too.  So far all efforts to establish a database here have failed due to the many hurdles, financial and practical, of our fragmented and decentralized health care system, as well as a lack of support from Medicare.

By Donna Lampa

The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology released a joint statement urging research to be done to determine the link between sleep apnea and heart disease, following increasing evidence of just such a connection, as well as the widespread prevalence of sleep apnea and rising levels of obesity in the United States, especially among young people. Obesity is a major cause of sleep apnea

“We feel it is important to alert the cardiovascular community to the implications of this emerging area of research. It is possible that diagnosing and treating sleep apnea may prove to be an important opportunity to advance our efforts at preventing and treating heart disease,” said Dr. Virend K. Somers, a professor of medicine and cardiovascular diseases at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

“We need to more clearly define the cause and effect relationship between sleep apnea and cardiovascular diseases and risk factors,” he noted. “There is evidence that sleep apnea may be a cause of some cases of high blood pressure, but for other cardiovascular conditions, the evidence is largely circumstantial.”

By Neil Bekker

Flip flops, the standard beachwear, are now the hottest form of footwear worn throughout the long hot summer days. They may be stylish, comfortable and cool, but wearing them all the time is a recipe for foot pain.

Since they offer no arch support, heel cushioning, or shock absorption, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) they should not be used for extensive walking or for playing sports. Wearers can suffer foot pain, tendinitis, and even sprained ankles if they trip, and are also at greater risk for stubbed toes, glass cuts, puncture wounds, or having a heavy object smash their foot due to their exposed toes.

People with diabetes should choose their footwear with care since any foot injury can become serious, even leading to amputation. They should be vigilant to have a protective covering on their toes and they should stay away from flip-flops and sandals.

Orthopedic surgeons  have treated many people who ran or jumped in flip-flops and suffered sprained ankles, fractures, and severe ligament injuries that required surgery. If you use your flip-flops to play Frisbee or backyard football you’re asking for trouble.

Insect and snake bites are another danger. Emergency room physicians on both sides of the country report seeing adults and children with snake bites to the feet while wearing flip-flops or sandals.

Flip flops are also a driving hazard. If they are loose enough to pop off your feet, you’re in trouble since they get stuck under the brake and gas pedal.

One more thing, when you do wear them – don’t forget to smear sunscreen on your exposed toes.

~ by Damion Drilla

Dementia isn’t all about aging, studies show. Health in mid-life can have a marked effect on cognitive ability later on.

A British study of 10,308 people, mostly men, followed the subjects from roughly the ages of 35-55 (the study started in 1985) to about 60-75 years (the study ended in 2004).

Coronary heart disease in midlife was found to be linked to lower cognition in later years. In men, heart disease was linked to lower reason, vocabulary, and MMSE scores. In women, it corresponded additionally to lower phonemic and semantic fluency.

The longer the heart disease – meaning, the earlier it was contracted – the greater the drop in cognitive ability over the years. This suggests that heart disease creates an ongoing condition that continuously deteriorates mental function until dementia kicks in.

~ by Ellis Greaty

If you are a senior:

Exercise is good for you.

Aerobic exercise is very good for you.

Strength training is good for you.

And now… walking is good for you too.

OK, most of us have always suspected – even known, perhaps – that walking doesn’t hurt and probably helps. But now there is scientific evidence supporting this belief, and the numbers are telling.

The University of Georgia rounded up 26 geriatric study subjects all over the age of 60 and predominantly female. Half the group went walking 3 times a week, initially for 10 minutes, but building up to 40. The other half watched videos on nutrition. Before the study, the participants were evaluated on fitness and physical ability. At the end of the study, they were again evaluated. The difference was telling.

For those who went walking, physical function increased 25%. For those who watched videos, it decreased 8.3%. Disability risk decreased 41% in the walking group. Aerobic capacity increased 19%, while it declined 9% in the control group.

Not all of the benefits were physical. The walking group became a tight group of friends, really enjoying their walks together. Quality of life was greatly increased. So seniors should definitely get out there and walk – with a friend.

by Bill Diblasio

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could get the benefits of exercise without expending more energy then swallowing a pill? AICAR, an old drug that has long been recognized for its ability to stimulate the creation of mitochondria, might be the pill for you.
Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, producing the energy that powers our body. Recently, AICAR was administered to mice who were kept sedentary. After a few weeks, the AICAR mice raced regular sedentary mice, and ran 44% farther and 23% longer.
AICAR seems to mimic the effects of aerobic exercise, increasing stamina, but not building strength. It is being investigated as an aid in fighting diabetes and aging, and for uses in heart bypass surgery. Athletes need not apply.
Of course, the fact that AICAR works in mice doesn’t mean it’ll work in humans. Furthermore, it might have unpleasant side effects. And, as many researchers have hastened to point out, it doesn’t mimic all the myriad of benefits a person gets from real movement and exercise, which includes many chemical reactions  besides mitochondria.