New Report: Muscle Weakness Linked to Alzheimer’s Risk in Elderly
Written by Katie Barr Friday, 20 November 2009 08:52
Numerous media outlets have posted stories in recent days on the research conducted by Rush University Medical Center which found that elderly people with weak muscles may be at an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease.
Rush University researchers followed 970 older adults (average age of 80) who did not have dementia and during the 3-4 year follow-up period, 14% developed Alzheimer’s. Those individuals with the highest levels of muscle strength at the start of the study were 61% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s.
Cure Alzheimer’s Fund has also suppoted research in this area and has found that weak muscles, possibly resulting from stroke, could be another indication of the onset of Alzheimer’s. Research has already established links between stroke and Alzheimer’s. For more information, see a study by Giuseppina Tesco et al in Neuron, 2007: 54(5): 721-37 supported by Cure Alzheimer’s Fund.
Other studies have also shown the positive effects of exercise in slowing the onset of Alzheimer’s which suggests that muscle strength in certain populations may be an indicator of the presence or onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
For more information on the role exercise plays in reducing your risk of Alzheimer’s, check out CAF’s Dr. Sam Sisodia’s article titled, “Can Exercise Help Prevent Alzheimer’s?”
Cure Alzheimer’s Fund is proud to present a total of 25 published papers that result from our funding and support. Our researchers are making significant progress, but we need your support. Please donate today to help us find a cure.
New Study Claims Inflammation and High Blood Pressure Are Risk Factors for Late-Onset Alzheimer’s
Written by Katie Barr Wednesday, 18 November 2009 12:00
A new study published in November’s Archives of General Psychiatry titled, “Vascular Factors and Markers of Inflammation in Offspring With a Parental History of Late-Onset Alzheimer Disease,” suggests that Alzheimer’s is partly driven by two preventable risk factors: inflammation and high blood pressure.
Danish researchers studied 206 volunteers whose parents had developed dementia late in life and found that the volunteers were more likely to have high blood pressure and a high level of inflammatory proteins (or cytokines) than those whose parents did not have Alzheimer’s.
While these researchers note that 60 percent of an individual's Alzheimer's risk appears to be driven by genes, the individual’s lifestyle factors may play a more significant role than once thought. Therefore, the study claims that early interventions could prevent late-onset Alzheimer’s such as screenings for hypertension, inflammation and clogged arteries.
To learn more, check out a paper by Basavaraj V Hoolie and Rudy Tanzi of Massachusetts General Hospital, supported by Cure Alzheimer’s Fund. Titled “A Current View on Alzheimer’s Disease.” Tim Armour, President of Cure Alzheimer's Fund explains:
Inflammation has long been associated with Alzheimer’s disease, and to the extent that individuals with a family history of the disease are prone to hypertension and other aspects of inflammation, appropriate prophylactic measures may be appropriate.
For more information on research sponsored by Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, visit us at www.curealzfund.org/research.
Fred Hassan on Alzheimer’s Disease - “Biggest Long-Term Health Challenge”
Written by Katie Barr Thursday, 05 November 2009 17:20
In a blog post featured on the Huffington Post last month, Fred Hassan, CEO of Schering-Plough Corporation, called Alzheimer’s disease our nation’s greatest long-term health challenge – and we could not agree more.
Hassan is taking a stand, demanding that Congress makes Alzheimer’s a part of the national dialogue on health care. In case you missed it, an excerpt is below:
We must begin somewhere to turn health care reform from ideas into good policies and actions. Through a national crusade on Alzheimer's, we can rally as Americans around our biggest long-term health care challenge. What we learn from that can help us get other things right. And when we look in the mirror as a nation that wants to care for its weakest citizens, we will like what we see.
Read the entire article
As the health care debate grows, we must make sure every member of Congress knows that by investing $5 billion per year on research over the next 10 years, we can find a cure.
Sign our letter and stand with Cure Alzheimer’s Fund. Urge Congress to support increased funding for Alzheimer’s research in health care reform and help find a cure by 2020.
Dr. Tanzi Presents "Alzheimer's Disease: From Genes to Novel Therapeutics" at the University of Pittsburgh School of Health
Written by Katie Barr Tuesday, 03 November 2009 14:54
At the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Public Health last month, Dr. Rudolph Tanzi, Lead Scientist at the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund Research Consortium, spoke as part of the prestigious Jay L. Foster Memorial Lecture Series on Alzheimer’s Disease.
To view Dr. Tanzi’s presentation titled, “Alzheimer’s Disease: From Genes to Novel Therapeutics,” click on the link below.
Alzheimer’s Disease: From Genes to Novel Therapeutics
The slide show will walk you through a timeline of Alzheimer's disease genetics, discussing the discoveries and breakthroughs of the genetic mutations related to Alzheimer's disease. The presentation focuses on addressing the problem at the root, more fully comprehending the Alzheimer's genes and the superiority of a personalized medicine approach to combating the disease.
Dr. Tanzi’s presentation demonstrates to all our supporters the progress and vital importance of the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund Research Consortium. Take a minute and view the presentation for yourself.
We've made tremendous progress already but we need your continued support. Please donate to help us find a cure and stop this devastating disease.
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