Light alcohol drinking linked with better episodic memory

Although alcoholism is not good for health, light alcohol drinking in later life might improve episodic memory, a recent study published in the American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias suggested. Light alcoholics who are over 60 years of age might be able to recall memories of events better than non-alcoholic peers, the study reported.                                                       

Researchers examined medical records of over 660 patients who registered themselves at Framingham Heart Study Offspring Cohort. The possible association between midlife and late-life alcoholism, cognitive functioning and regional brain volume was assessed in adults without history of memory problems (dementia) and history of alcohol abuse. The study subjects were inquired about memory skills and alcohol habits by questionnaire survey. All the volunteers underwent various neuropsychological assessments and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease.

When compared to midlife, light and moderate alcoholics, higher episodic memory was observed in older individuals with light and moderate alcohol consumption habits. The latter group was presented with larger volume of hippocampus (a brain region) and recalled memories, even better than the former group. Hippocampus is vital for memory and cognition. Additionally, no significant adverse effects were observed on overall mental ability among light alcoholics.

A Walnut a day may keep AD at bay

Eating walnut-enriched diet every day may prevent, reduce the risk or delay the onset, progression, worsening of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), according to a research study appears in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. The research was conducted by an Indian-origin scientist Dr. Abha Chauhan at New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities (IBR).                                                 

The study examined the dietary supplementation benefits of 6% and 9% walnuts, equivalent of 28.3 gm and 42.5 gm, every day, respectively in laboratory animals with experimentally-induced brain degeneration. The symptoms of brain degeneration mimicked symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Walnut-enriched diet fed animals showed significant reduction in anxiety problems with improved learning skills, motor development and cognitive memory.

The brain-protective benefits of walnuts might be due to high antioxidant content that delayed/prevented brain degeneration, the researchers believe.

Strawberries and cucumbers may prevent Alzheimer’s disease

Fisentin, a beneficial plant chemical present in strawberries and cucumbers may prevent Alzheimer’s disease and associated memory loss, according to a study published in the journal Aging Cell.                                                                           

The experimental study was conducted by the researchers at Salk Institute. Fisetin, a flavonol significantly prevented progressive learning impairments and memory problems. However, the plant chemical did not reduced amyloid plaque formation in the brain that leads to Alzheimer’s disease.

The findings have suggested an amyloid-independent way to treat Alzheimer’s disease.

The neuro-protective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Fisetin were proved by previously published research studies.

Prolonged stress leads to Alzheimer’s disease

Prolonged stress could impair the brain normal activity that may lead to Alzheimer’s disease, according to Swedish scientists.

In a pre-clinical study, a team of scientists led by Dr. Sara Bengtsson from Umea University, Sweden observed that prolonged stress affects the brain steroid levels. Elevated levels of steroids (allopregnanolone) increase the deposition of beta amyloid plaques in the brain and progressively devastate brain function.

In the study, increased levels of brain steroids impair learning and memory processes with progressive deposition of toxic amyloid plaques and causes Alzheimer’s disease.

Brain functions and transmissions with other nerve cells are greatly affected by amyloid deposition. This results in abnormal mood swings, memory and cognitive loss with communication problems.

In the study, when compared to animals without stress, symptoms of confusion and memory loss were observed in animals kept under prolonged stress.

According to recent reports, process of plaque deposition starts at least ten years before the onset of clinical symptoms.

In the study, similar results were seen in experimental animals. Prevention of plaque deposition is the key preventive step against Alzheimer’s disease.

Few studies reported an underlying link between declining cognition and chronic stress. However, the studies suggested further studies to confirm prolonged stress as a possible risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.

Genetic code puzzle of Alzheimer’s disease identified

A genetic risk factor that contributes to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease has been discovered by researchers from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The team screened the patient’s DNA (genetic materials) for the presence of abnormal genes. Then the patient’s brain neural networks were scanned by using an advanced scan technology to detect brain impairment.   

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the debilitating psychiatric problems in elderly people. Gradual erosion of brain’s neural network results in impaired thinking, emotions and memory loss – the cardinal symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. As of now, there is no therapeutic cure for Alzheimer’s disease that left 20 million patients, worldwide.

Every person in the world is prone to risk of Alzheimer’s disease, and two-fold risk in elderly people over 65 years old.

Changes in the genetic code that leads to Alzheimer’s disease have been identified, said Dr. Paul Thomas, Professor of Neurology, UCLA. Presence of such genetic codes can predispose the disease and gets worsen upon aging-related problems such as dementia, he added.  

According to the scientists, a common, genetic abnormality leads to Alzheimer’s disease and around nine culprit genes were identified, so far. An easy to prevent the onset of the disease is switching off the causative genes by advanced biotechnological methods such as gene silencing and gene knock-off.

Such techniques are being used in biotechnology and basic medical sciences. So it is not difficult to implement the technology in fend-off the elderly disease.