Headline: Study of Best Test for Alzheimer's

Posted on September 17, 2010 by Tim Titolo

PET Scans Affirmed

New research has identified the memory and brain scan tests that appear to predict best whether a person with cognitive problems might develop Alzheimer's disease. The research is published in the June 30, 2010, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. (AAN)

Longevity tests are tests that examine data over time rather than at one moment in time.  The study looked at participants between the ages of 55 and 90 and were followed for an average of 1.9 years. During that time, 28 of the participants developed Alzheimer's disease.

People who showed abnormal results on both PET scans (positron emission tomography) and episodic memory tests were nearly 12 times more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than those who scored normally on both measures.

Thin people statistically face higher risks of dementia

Researchers at Milan University examined a total of 245 patients averaging 74 years old who had been suffering from mild cognitive impairment for approximately two-and-a-half years. The mental capabilities of about half the patients remained stable during that period. About two thirds of those whose condition had deteriorated developed Alzheimer's Disease. The remaining third developed another form of dementia. Those whose cognitive disturbance deteriorated had a significantly lower BMI (mean value of 23.81) than those whose condition had remained unchanged (BMI mean of 25.47). Especially significant was the elevated risk of deterioration among those patients with a BMI of 23 or under. 

Illustration of patient inside scanner
 

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Exercise Young - Strong Bones Old

Posted on June 2, 2010 by Tim Titolo

Young people who exercise are building not only muscles and strength now, but stronger bones in the future.  Although exercising becomes more of a chore as we age some of us can take some small comfort in knowing we are still benefiting from out younger years.

The positive effects of exercise while growing up seem to last longer than previously believed. New findings suggest that physical activity when young increases bone density and size, which may mean a reduced risk of osteoporosis later in life.  All men and women face the risk and dangers of osteoporosis in their lifetime. These pages help make osteoporosis understandable.
http://www.endocrineweb.com/osteoporosis/index.html.

The researchers also looked at bone density and structure in the lower leg in around 360 19-year-old men who had previously done sports but had now stopped training. They found that men who had stopped training more than six years ago still had larger and thicker bones in the lower leg than those who had never done sports.  Running was also found to benefit middle aged men.

Bones tend to adapt to the muscles around them; puny muscles can mean puny bones.   Scientists in Minnesota, using a new machine that examines bone in three dimensions and measuring the runners’ leg muscles, found that, surprisingly,  injured runners’ bones were as strong, in relation to their muscle size as the bones in the uninjured runners. But the injured runners had significantly smaller calf muscles and therefore also slighter bones.

Thicker bones are good since they are more resistant to fractures.  Since falling becomes more prevalent in older people, so do fracture causing events.  Hence the benefit.  If you are young, be SURE to exercise.  Play a sport, lift weights, and do cardiovascular work outs.   If you are not "young," you are not off the hook.  Exercising at all stages of life is beneficial.  And as we age, the circulatory system depends on cardiovascular exercise.

The researchers have established that there is a positive link between exercise while young and bone density and size. The connection is even stronger if account is taken of the type of sports done.    Running appears to be the sport of choice when it comes to fewer injuries and arthritis. 

 

 

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