Science
(2009-04-07)
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LEXINGTON, KY
(WEKU) -
Early intervention offers the best hope, according to Doctor Charlie Smith of the University of Kentucky's Sanders Brown Center on Aging. Smith, who directs the Alzheimer's Disease Center at UK, said much previous work centered on patients with obvious symptoms.
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"I'm beginning to think we probably won't be successful in stopping the progression of Alzheimer's disease," Smith said.
As the brain ages, Smith said, there are changes which can worsen the disease. Some changes are chemical, but sometimes the brain suffers damage, such as a stroke. It can worsen the development of Alzheimer's, said Smith.
When it comes to Alzheimer prevention, Smith recommends exercising the brain. It can be done by attending a lecture, working a puzzle, reading a book or even attending social events.
"It doesn't necessarily mean playing chess tournaments. You just have to remain mentally active and flexible by participating in education activities," Smith said.
Even with prevention, the chance of Alzheimers is not eliminated, Smith said. The next step is identifying people who are susceptible. Such tests could be done with the magnetic imaging of the brain or blood tests, Smith said.
"There are many more potential treatments to arrest this pathology and slow it down available now than there were five years ago. And there will be many, many more in ten years," Smith said.
Slowing the progression of the disease can make a big difference in quality of life, said Smith.
"Let's say we slow it down just enough to put off Alzheimer's symptoms for five years. That means you can enjoy your retirement, five years that your spouse doesn't have to take care of somebody who has cognitive impairment, and the rest of the family doesn't have to quit their jobs to take care of you," Smith said.
A family history of Alzheimer's can also change the dynamics. Studies show one parent with the memory disorder doubles an offspring's chance of developing the disease, Smith said.
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