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New Chemical Is Said to Provide Early Sign of Alzheimer’s Disease

A chemical designed by doctors in Los Angeles could give earlier signals of Alzheimer’s disease and provide a new way to test treatments, a study has shown.

Currently, the only way to diagnose the disease is to remove brain tissue or to perform an autopsy.

The new study, to be published today in the New England Journal of Medicine, is by doctors at the University of California, Los Angeles, and is part of a larger quest to find a better method to diagnose the condition using tracers that can be detected with a positron emission tomography, or PET, scan.

The new chemical, called FDDNP, attaches to abnormal clumps of proteins called amyloid plaques and nerve cell tangles that develop in Alzheimer’s sufferers and inhibit messages being processed by the brain.

In the study, Dr. Gary Small and his colleagues discovered that the chemical allowed doctors to pick out which of 83 volunteers had Alzheimer’s, which had mild memory problems and which were functioning normally for their age.

It was 98 percent accurate in determining the difference between Alzheimer’s and mild cognitive impairment, which surpassed the 87 percent success rate for a PET scan test that measured sugar metabolism in the brain, and the 62 percent accuracy rate when doctors used a magnetic resonance imaging.

The FDDNP signal can be seen in people years before they develop Alzheimer’s disease, Dr. Small said.

Finding an easier way to track brain deterioration would also make it easier to assess experimental treatments, as researchers try to prevent or reduce the accumulation of plaques and tangles.

Dr. Small and 4 of the other 15 authors named in the research paper have a financial interest in FDDNP, which has been licensed to the German conglomerate Siemens AG. He said he hoped to see it on the market in three years.

About 4.5 million people in the United States have Alzheimer’s, a number that is expected to grow as the population ages. About 15 million to 20 million more have the mild cognitive impairment that often leads to the disease.

Source:The New York Times

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Ailmemts & Remedies

Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia

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Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys a person’s memory and ability to learn, reason, make judgments, communicate and carry out daily activities. As Alzheimer’s progresses, individuals may also experience changes in personality and behavior, such as anxiety, suspiciousness or agitation, as well as delusions or hallucinations.

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Dementia simply means the symptom of a deterioration of intellectual abilities resulting from an unspecified disease or disorder of the brain.Dementia can best be defined as one of the symtoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimers Disease is one disease/disorder that causes dementia. Many other illnesses or “syndromes” can also cause dementia. Parkinsons Disease can cause dementia. A stroke can cause dementia. Even dehydration can cause dementia...CLICK & SEE

When people think about staying fit, they generally think from the neck down. But the health of your brain plays a critical role in almost everything you do: thinking, feeling, remembering, working, and playing “ and even sleeping.He can be called a fit person who is perfect in body,mind and sole.

There are two basic types of Alzheimer’s disease: Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease tends to strike people under age 65 and is more likely to run in families. Late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, the much more common type, generally afflicts people after age 65. The exact cause of Alzheimer’s is unknown, although researchers studying this puzzling disease are making progress.

Who Is Affected?
The chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease increase with age. It usually occurs after age 65. Most people are not affected even at advanced ages. Research indicates that there are two definite factors which may increase the risk for Alzheimer’s disease: a family history of dementia and Down’s syndrome.

  • Family History of Dementia
    Some forms of Alzheimer’s disease are inherited. If Alzheimer’s disease has occurred in your family members, other members are more likely to develop it.
  • Down’s Syndrome
    Persons with Down’s syndrome have a higher chance of getting Alzheimer’s disease. Close relatives of persons with Down’s syndrome also may be at risk

The good news is that we now know there’s a lot you can do to help keep your brain healthier as you age. These steps might also reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia.

Simple lifestyle modifications also would have an enormous impact on our public health and the cost of healthcare woul be reduced. If you make brain-healthy lifestyle changes and take action by getting involved, we could realize a future without Alzheimer’s disease.

1.Try to make you brain healthy and keep you happy in most of your actions.

Like other parts of your body, your brain may lose some agility as you get older. It can deteriorate even more if you don’t take care of it. Science is unlocking many of the mysteries of the brain, but we don’t have all the answers yet.

2.Stay mentally active

This will strengthen your brain cells and improve connections between them.

3. Stay physically active

This will increase the blood flow to the brain as well as encourage new new brain cells.

4. Always try to eat healthy diet.

Research suggests that high cholesterol may contribute to stroke and brain cell damage. A low fat, low cholesterol diet is advisable. And there is growing evidence that a diet rich in dark vegetables and fruits, which contain antioxidants, may help protect brain cells.

I personally believe that regular practice of YOGA and MEDITATION this type of disease can be kept under total control and particularly PRANAYAM is very good for this.

ALZHEIMER’S TREATMENT WITH CHINESE HERBS

Click to see :Moss protein linked to Alzheimer’s? published in the Times Of India. 9Th. Feb.’08.

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advise or help. It is always best to consult with a Physician about serious health concerns. This information is in no way intended to diagnose or prescribe remedies.This is purely for educational purpose.

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