Douglas discusses Alzheimer’s disease
2007-01-16
One new person every six second in the world will be hit by Alzheimer's disease in 2007. It is estimated that within the next 25 years, as our population ages, Alzheimer’s may have the highest economic, social and health cost burden of all diseases in Canada. The time for improved diagnosis, treatment options and awareness is now. Douglas Hospital researchers and experts are diligently working to improve these statistics. Some of their initiatives are listed below.
Chronic stress and aging
Sonia Lupien, PhD, has shown that chronic stress can be harmful to your brain. Her findings show increased stress hormones lead to memory impairment in the elderly. This study shows the negative effects of long-term stress and explains why some older adults show poor brain function while others perform well.
Cholesterol and Alzheimer’s
Judes Poirier, Ph.D., co-discoverer of the most important genetic risk factor ever identified for the common cause of Alzheimer's disease, believes that cholesterol is at the heart of Alzheimer’s. His findings show that blocked delivery of cholesterol to neurons (brain cells) may cause Alzheimer’s symptoms in some patients. Approximately 25 percent of the total amount of cholesterol present in human body is in the brain. It is the building block of neurons and is vital for the maintenance of the cell-to-cell connections that are necessary for brain function. He has demonstrated that the apolipoprotein E (apoE) molecule, which transports cholesterol in the brain, doesn’t function properly in some Alzheimer’s disease patients.
Tea and Alzheimer’s
Regular consumption of black or green tea, according to Douglas researcher Stéphane Bastianetto, PhD, may reduce the risk of age-related degenerative brain disorders such as Alzheimer disease. He and Douglas colleagues looked at the protective effects of two tea extracts and their main constituents, called catechins, on dying nerve cells. Their findings showed that black and green tea extracts and catechins strongly blocked the death of neurons. This is the first study to show this beneficial effect of black and green tea.
Improving Alzheimer’s awareness
As part of its mission, the Douglas Hospital has initiated an ambitious campaign to promote awareness and to destigmatize mental health disorders. As part of this initiative and to recognize January as National Alzheimer Awareness Month, the Douglas is providing up-to-date information about Alzheimer’s disease from its experts. Advice such as signs and symptoms, treatments, advice for the family and loved ones.
Also, at the end of the month the Douglas will host two public lectures about the disease:
Speaker: Judes Poirier, PhD
Date: Tuesday, January 30, 2007 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Place: Douglas Hall, Douglas Hospital, 6875 LaSalle Blvd., Verdun
Info: 514-761-6131, ext. 2769
Speaker: Sonia J. Lupien, PhD
Date: Wednesday, January 31, 2007 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m
Place: Douglas Hall, Douglas Hospital, 6875 LaSalle Blvd., Verdun
Info: 514-761-6131, ext. 2769
