Why it’s ‘a very exciting time’ for dementia researchers

Like many people my age, there are times when I can’t find my keys, my sunglasses or my phone.

From time to time, I’m going to have an idea of ​​looking for something, reaching my computer and forgetting what it was.

Normal aging?

Signs of cognitive impairment?

I am not sure, but if you have similar questions about yourself or a loved one, and you would like to know when getting help and what is available, you can get answers during three upcoming conferences organized by Alzheimer Los Angeles (details below). A team A of experts will explain recent progress in prevention, early detection and processing.

There is not yet any remedies for dementia, an umbrella term for cognitive disorders, of which Alzheimer is the most common. But thanks to the advances of recent years, drugs can treat certain symptoms of light and even moderate disorders, and with the number of cases of dementia in the United States expect to double By 2060, while the population aged and people live longer, there is hope for continuous progress.

There was “a spectacular increase in the number of clinical trials that tested new therapies,” said Heather Cooper Ortner, president and chief executive officer of Los Angeles in Alzheimer. There is current research on drugs that could “improve cognition or treat difficult behavior such as agitation, depression, hallucinations and other neuro-psychiatric or behavioral symptoms”.

In recent months only, doctors have been encouraged by FDA approval in May A blood test that can help early diagnosis of Alzheimer and growing evidence that lifestyle choices can improve mental acuity.

“This happens to be a very exciting period,” said Dr. David Reuben, director of the Alzheimer and Dementia of the UCLA care program. “I just talked about the state of dementia in 2025, and most of what we are talking about, 10 years ago, would have been fiction.”

If you are among the millions of people with risk of dementia development, it may be possible not only to delay memory loss, but to improve mental function.

Without taking medication.

THE American pointer study Followed more than 2,000 people in five places for two years, with a physical activity regime, brain exercises, healthy food and social commitment. Participants in northern California participated under the direction of UC Davis Health.

None of the participants had a diagnosis of dementia, but they had risk factors, including family history, cardiovascular disease, bad diets and sedentary lifestyles.

Half of the group had a coach, the other half was alone.

The two groups have shown cognitive improvement, as indicated in the Journal of American Medicine.

“What you are doing that is good for your body is also good for your brain,” said Dr. Dung Trinh, a researcher at the Healthy Brain Clinic in Long Beach and a member of the Los Angeles Board of Directors in Alzheimer.

Dr. Zaldy Tan, medical director of the Cedars-Sinai memory and aging program, was in the Toronto audience when the pointer’s results were announced, as was Trinh.

“I can tell you that there was a standing ovation,” said Tan.

Some experts have noted that improvements could be explained at least in part by what is called “Practice effect”, “ This means that participants have become better during cognitive tests with several screenings. But the study was based on a carried out a decade ago, in Finland, which had similar results.

Trinh said he preaches the same lifestyle choices for patients.

“We saw an increase in Alzheimer’s disease and memory during the pandemic, when we were all closed and no one socialized,” he said. “There was a greater risk of mental health problems, including cognitive problems. This has everything to do with the use of your brain to connect, socialize, have a goal. ”

Participants in the pointer, between 60 and 79 years old, followed the Mental fooda variation of the Mediterranean regime. Many vegetables (especially Le Feuillu), berries, beans, nuts, whole grains, fish and chicken. And very few fried and processed foods, red meat, cheese and candy.

They made 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity to intense four times a week, with a force in force and flexibility twice a week. The program included three cognitive computer exercises of 30 minutes weekly, social activities and regular health surveillance.

“It seems to delay the cerebral aging rate,” said Dr. Tan, but bringing people to follow these directives by large scale, would be a massive business.

And half-measures may not produce the desired results.

“The devil is in detail,” said Tan. “People with 145 out of 95 blood pressure could be told by their primary care doctor … it’s good … just do more exercise.”

But they should work towards a target of blood pressure of 120 out of 80, he said, and the exercise cannot be a walk in the park.

“The more exercise you do, the better,” said Reuben, a vegetarian swimming four days a week, jogging three days and yoga on weekends. “The big advantage passes to sit in front of the screen doing something. I say [patients] To start with five minutes, twice a day and accumulate. Half an hour a day, it’s when they start to see a lot of earnings. »»

At the start of research, dementia was only diagnosed in autopsies, then by spinal heels or pets. In the continuous evolution of science, the diagnostic blood test approved by the FDA – which costs several hundred dollars and is not yet covered by insurance – is a much easier way to detect biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease.

“Now we realize that the scope of the disease can start 15 years before there are symptoms,” said Dr. Helena Chui, a Keck Hospital of the USC neurologist and principal researcher of the Alzheimer’s disease.

This gives doctors and patients one step ahead to prevent or delay the progression of the disease with medical intervention or lifestyle changes, said CHUI. She tells her patients to follow the essential strategy in eight life.

A better diet, more exercise, no smoking, healthy sleep and manage cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure.

DRS. Chui, Reuben and Trinh will be among the experts who explain all this in a Conference on SaturdaySeptember 13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Skirball Center. Another conference, in Spanish, will be held in Downey on September 26, and another, intended for the black community, will be held on October 4 in Cal State Dominguez Hills.

They are all free, and you can register to attend Alzheimersla.org

Steve.lopez@latimes.com