Can Alzheimer's Be Prevented?
Information, Research, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
by: Gray Rollins
Understanding Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is a condition affecting up to 4.5 million Americans. While there is no known cure, studies have been conducted that indicate there may be ways of preventing the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
Disease Progression
The disease is characterized by symptoms such as forgetfulness, memory loss, and reduced ability to concentrate. In later stages, the sufferer may display anxiety and delusions, loss of speech and inability to sit up or walk. It is a slow disease with symptoms manifesting and worsening over many years.
The Groundbreaking "Nun Study"
15-Year Research Study (1991-2006)
100 nuns have been studied over a period of fifteen years, beginning in 1991. Over the course of those years, their genes have been tested and analyzed, physical balance and strength charted, and cognitive tests run.
Tests Conducted
- • Word recall after several minutes
- • Naming animals in one minute
- • Coin counting accuracy
- • Physical balance and strength
Early Life Analysis
- • Writings from their early 20s
- • "Idea density" measurement
- • Linguistic and grammar skills
- • Genetic testing and analysis
Key Findings
The research shows that people who scored lower on cognitive ability tests when young were more likely to develop Alzheimer's later in life. Early cognitive ability was measured based on writings done by the nuns while in their early 20's.
💡 Discovery: Those showing more "idea density" – the number of ideas expressed in the fewest number of words – and better linguistic and grammar skills had a much lower incidence of Alzheimer's later in life.
🧠 Neurocognitive Reserve Theory
Scientists believe that good cognitive skills early on creates a sort of "neurocognitive reserve" which will be drawn on later, effectively preventing Alzheimer's.
🎯 Core Prevention Strategy
Exercising and improving cognitive skills via writing, reading, and learning – anything that stimulates the brain – may go a long way toward active, clearheaded, and graceful aging.
Prevention Techniques You Can Implement Today
Many of these prevention techniques involve limbering the mind and working on memory skills long before Alzheimer's onset is a danger.
🧠 Exercise Your Mind
Professional Activities
Having a mentally stimulating job that involves creative thinking or manipulation of data is shown to have a connection to lower incidence of Alzheimer's later in life.
Mental Games
Doing crossword puzzles and playing card games were found to have a significant positive impact on later mental dexterity.
Actor's Memory Technique
Actors combine appropriate movements and evaluate the intent behind words. This "active-experiencing" method of memorization improves memory and cognitive skills in older people.
Mental Flexibility
Limbering your mind now may promote a limber mind in your latter years.
🏃♀️ Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
🥗 Nutritional Support
Proper diet and exercise promote good health in general and may ward off countless problems including Alzheimer's onset. Key supplements shown to contribute to lower incidence:
💉 Cholesterol Management
Keeping cholesterol at a healthy level prevents build-up of amyloid plaques in the brain – a characteristic in Alzheimer's.
🏃♂️ Physical Activity
Physical activity has been shown to prevent deposits in the brain that are associated with Alzheimer's disease.
🎯 The Bottom Line: Prevention is Your Best Defense
Exercise your mind and body, and make good lifestyle choices, as the only "cure" for Alzheimer's as yet, is prevention. While there is believed to be a genetic component which would predispose someone to the risk of Alzheimer's, awareness, early planning and mental exercise, and smart dietary choices may aid to reduce your likelihood of developing this mysterious and debilitating disease. A healthy mind and a healthy body now will make for a healthy mind and body later.
Practical Mind Exercises
Mental exercise boosts brainpower. Put your brain on a training regimen with mind-expanding techniques:
📚 Learn Something New
Pick up a new hobby or learn how to really work your digital camera. Make learning a daily habit.
🎮 Play Mind Games
Solve a crossword puzzle or brush up on your bridge or chess game.
🧮 Do Math the Old-Fashioned Way
Balance your checkbook or figure out your waiter's tip without using a calculator.
🗺️ Challenge Spatial Thinking
Take a different route when driving home from work or the supermarket.
🎨 Paint Mental Pictures
Create vivid mental images as a memory aid. For example, if you want to remember to buy bread, visualize your favorite sandwich.
About The Author
Gray Rollins is a featured writer for For Alzheimers.