Vascular dementia
Vascular dementia is secondary to multiple small strokes or atherosclerosis that
compromises flow in blood vessels and injures brain tissue. Vascular dementia
often causes gradual changes in cognition as damage accumulates. Pathological
studies show that many individuals have mixed dementia with the brain changes of
more than one type of dementia presenting simultaneously. Research is now focused
on the role of the vascular system in preventing amyloid deposition and Alzheimer
disease because blood vessels have an essential role in bringing nourishment and
oxygen to and removing toxins from the brain. There is some evidence that anemia
is associated with an increased risk of AD.
Prevention of Alzheimer disease
Healthy lifestyle behaviors can help slow age-related cognitive decline and help
prevent Alzheimer disease and other causes of dementia. Preventive interventions
should address the multiple factors that increase risk. They include being physically
active, avoiding cardiovascular disease risk factors such as high blood pressure
and unhealthy diets, preventing diabetes by avoiding overweight and obesity,
avoiding alcohol and smoking, managing depression, getting enough uninterrupted
sleep, and possibly cognitive training. One estimate is that about one-third of AD
cases worldwide could be prevented by measures like these.
More than 100 clinical trials with more than 200 drugs have been studied so far in
largely unsuccessful attempts to reverse or at least halt the progress of Alzheimer.
Prevention seems to be a more promising approach. Although some individuals
may have one of the 20 AD linked genotypes, including various apolipoprotein E
(notably ApoE4) genetic variations, that can increase susceptibility by five or even
15 times, a healthy lifestyle seems to provide some protection. This potential is
shown by the fact that among identical twins with the same genotype but different
lifestyles, the onset of AD may differ by as much as 15 years.
This blog presents opinions and ideas and is intended to provide helpful general information. I am not engaged in rendering advice or services to the individual reader. The ideas, procedures and suggestions in that are presented are not in any way a substitute for the advice and care of the reader’s own physician or other medical professional based on the reader’s own individual conditions, symptoms or concerns. If the reader needs personal medical, health, dietary, exercise or other assistance or advice the reader should consult a physician and/or other qualified health professionals. The author specifically disclaims all responsibility for any injury, damage or loss that the reader may incur as a direct or indirect consequence of following any directions or suggestions given in this blog or participating in any programs described in this blog or in the book, The Building Blocks of Health––How to Optimize Your Health with a Lifestyle Checklist (available in print or downloaded at Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble and elsewhere). Copyright 2021 by J. Joseph Speidel.
Recent Comments