Showing posts with label dementia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dementia. Show all posts


Scientists Unveil the Brain’s 3 Aging "Waves" Starting Long Before 60

  • EXPLORE FURTHER: 4 key elements that may shield you from dementia development

Regardless of whether you reach 60, 70, or even 80 years old, each person begins to feel 'aged' at distinct moments in their life.

However, our brains experience three specific ‘aging peaks’ during our lifetimes, as revealed by a recent study.

Experts have found that the levels of 13 proteins associated with brain aging increase significantly at ages 57, 70, and 78.

This suggests that these specific age ranges may be critical points where interventions could aid in maintaining brain health for an extended period, according to them.

The group examined the levels of approximately 3,000 proteins in the blood plasma of almost 5,000 Britons ranging from 45 to 82 years old.

The analysis showed that 13 proteins closely associated with brain aging peak at ages 57, 70, and 78 years.

In particular, one protein known as Brevican (BCAN) is linked to the beginning of dementia, stroke, and motor problems.

A different protein known as GDF15 has likewise been associated with age-related disorders.

The researchers indicated that the spikes observed in these 13 proteins could signify alterations in human brain health at those particular age points.

These might be crucial moments to think about intervening in the brain aging process, they noted, which could aid in postponing the emergence of conditions like dementia.

The study was headed by a group from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in China.

In the journal Nature Aging, they cautioned that by 2050, it is projected that the global population aged 65 and over will surpass 1.5 billion—underscoring the necessity for a more comprehensive grasp of the aging phenomenon.

In the UK alone, almost one million individuals are affected by this condition, and the figures are increasing. It continues to be our leading cause of death.

"We discovered that the latter part of the fifties may be a possible starting point for brain aging," they stated.

Furthermore, our research indicated that the seventieth and late-seventieth years of life represent crucial stages in the process of brain aging.

These discoveries help fill critical gaps in our understanding of the molecular processes involved in brain aging, which could have significant impacts on the future creation of... markers for brain aging and tailored treatment targets for various age-related neurological conditions.

The finding arrives merely months following independent research that similarly identified specific decades when the human body experiences the most significant aging—thus debunking the notion that the process happens steadily over time.

In September, researchers from Stanford University found that age-related changes such as decreased metabolic rate, wrinkles appearing in the skin, and heightened susceptibility to illnesses peak significantly around ages 44 and 60.

These alterations may result in weight gain or increased sensitivity when consuming alcohol.

Professor Dr. Michael Snyder, who specializes in genetics at Stanford University and is also the lead researcher for this particular study, commented, "Many people think everyone ages progressively over time. However, what we found was that most changes do not occur steadily."

To counteract the effects of these significant demographic shifts, the researchers recommend that individuals nearing the ages of 44 and 60 increase their physical activity and embrace a better nutritional regimen.

The group examined information gathered multiple times from blood and stool samples as well as oral, skin, and nasal swabs taken from 108 individuals aged 25 to 75 in good health across California during an average timeframe of 1.7 years.

In their examination, researchers found that during the process, 81 percent of the detected molecules such as proteins and RNA underwent alterations across at least one phase.

The team finally determined that substantial dysregulation happens during two primary stages — the first being around age 44, which triggers the largest change, followed by another notable increase at age 60.

Dr. Steve Hoffmann, a computational biologist at the Leibniz Institute on Aging in Germany, informed The Wall Street Journal: "These findings likely correlate closely with our personal observations or those shared by individuals noticing an abrupt decrease in their physical health."

'Determining and examining these elements must take precedence in upcoming studies,' stated Dr. Xiaotao Shen, who previously was a postdoctoral scholar at Stanford Medicine and is currently an assistant professor at Nanyang Technological University Singapore.

For individuals in their 40s, notable alterations occurred in the levels of molecules associated with alcohol, caffeine, and lipid metabolism. Additionally, there were variations observed in indicators linked to cardiovascular diseases, along with changes in markers pertaining to skin and muscle aging.

A comparable yet less significant 'wave' of aging was observed around the age of 60.

Dr. Snyder suggested that some of these alterations might be linked to lifestyle or behavioral patterns that tend to occur within specific age brackets.

Read more


Childhood Reflections: How Kids Mirror Your Younger Self

"Dementia is like a bookcase - your newest memories would be on the top and then sometimes memories fall out."

Katie from Riverdale Primary School near Lisburn has been getting lessons from some very special teachers.

Along with other pupils from the school, the 11-year-old has been learning about dementia from older people living with the disease.

The Riverdale pupils have been getting to know residents from St Paul's Court - a supported living home run by Praxis Care for people with mild dementia.

The pensioners from the home have also visited the primary school.

Blog.DiwidaNews NI joined Katie and other Riverdale students when they revisited St Paul's Court.

During their time there, the students learned about traditional street games such as marbles and hopscotch that were enjoyed by previous generations during their childhood.

They've also received instruction on what dementia entails and how it feels to experience living with it.

What is dementia?

According to the NHS, dementia is characterized as a condition involving a continuous deterioration of cognitive functions in the brain.

Several distinct factors can lead to dementia, and there are various forms of the condition as well.

However, certain typical signs might involve memory lapses, challenges with speech, or problems performing routine tasks.

Consequently, individuals suffering from dementia might find social settings challenging and could become less interested in interacting socially.

The symptoms may intensify with time.

All the inhabitants of St Paul's Court suffer from mild dementia or cognitive impairment.

What did the students learn regarding dementia?

"Memory loss and the illness affect everyday living," Katie stated.

Dementia is akin to a bookshelf where recent memories are placed at the top, and occasionally these memories can slip away.

However, students and locals have connected through reminiscences of childhood, despite their experiences often being quite distinct from one another.

Ten-year-old Grace mentioned that they have been talking about what their elementary school experience was like and learning more about each other, including favorite foods and colors.

The children have learned about life with dementia through their friendships.

"When it impacts you, you typically don’t forget much from your childhood, but occasionally you might overlook recent events," explained Kirsten, who is also 11 years old.

Grace mentioned that she had learned how to assist individuals with dementia and emphasized the importance of being patient.

She mentioned, 'They might just require a little more time to recall things.'

As per Riverdale’s vice-principal Laura Totton, studying dementia means understanding both life and the nearby neighborhood.

"What children might experience in the future through interactions with their extended family underscores the importance of educating them and involving the broader community to understand our work at school," she stated.

I believe it's crucial for children to grasp that these residents were once their age too, allowing them to connect with them better.

What are the sentiments of the residents regarding their connection with the main elementary school students?

Maisie and Sadie both live at St Paul's Court.

They have loved interacting with the children and looking back at their own youthful days.

Maisie mentioned her passion for music and singing, which she decided to pursue alongside an interest in netball.

She has become friends with several of the students.

She mentioned, 'There were three or four of them perched on the chair next to me, and it was delightful.'

The folks are wonderful, and so are the children.

"She lifted me up," Sadie stated.

You're dwelling on how you once were and everything associated with that.

I am excited about their arrival.

But Sadie admitted that playing boccia - which is a form of bowls - with the children had brought out her competitive side.

"I may not be great at them yet, but I am improving slightly," she chuckled.

A curse word slips out sometimes!

What methods can be used to educate young kids about dementia?

Riverdale Primary School brought Tracy Smyth from Praxis Care to the institution to educate students about dementia prior to their connection with residents at St Paul's Court.

She mentioned that instructing the students required a method that was both delicate and suited to their ages.

Mrs. Smyth employed a method from the Alzheimer's Society that instructed the children on becoming "Dementia Friends."

"A disease of the brain, just like any other illness," she stated.

"When it's broken down into those terms and how it affects somebody the children really took all the information on board."

"I believe it takes away that anxiety and almost fear some children might have - because we fear what we don't know."

And for her there is personal as well as professional motivation.

"My grandmother had dementia and as a younger child not understanding why I was seeing changes in my grandmother who I just loved," she said.

"The only conclusion I could come to as a child was that it was me, that I had done something wrong."

"And I vowed that no child should have that misconception or think that of their grandparents."

  • 'Even if you have dementia, you can still have fun'
  • 'I want the world to talk about dementia'
  • Individuals affected by dementia enjoy a tram excursion.


Childhood Reflections: How Kids Mirror Your Younger Self

"Dementia is like a bookcase - your newest memories would be on the top and then sometimes memories fall out."

Katie from Riverdale Primary School near Lisburn has been getting lessons from some very special teachers.

Along with other pupils from the school, the 11-year-old has been learning about dementia from older people living with the disease.

The Riverdale pupils have been getting to know residents from St Paul's Court - a supported living home run by Praxis Care for people with mild dementia.

The pensioners from the home have also visited the primary school.

Blog.DiwidaNews NI joined Katie and other Riverdale students when they revisited St Paul's Court.

During their time there, the students learned about traditional street games such as marbles and hopscotch that were enjoyed by previous generations during their childhood.

They've also received instruction on what dementia entails and how it feels to experience living with it.

What is dementia?

According to the NHS, dementia is characterized as a condition involving a continuous deterioration of cognitive functions in the brain.

Several distinct factors can lead to dementia, and there are various forms of the condition as well.

However, certain typical signs might involve memory lapses, challenges with speech, or problems performing routine tasks.

Consequently, individuals suffering from dementia might find social settings challenging and could become less interested in interacting socially.

The symptoms may intensify with time.

All the inhabitants of St Paul's Court suffer from mild dementia or cognitive impairment.

What did the students learn regarding dementia?

"Memory loss and the illness affect everyday living," Katie stated.

Dementia is akin to a bookshelf where recent memories are placed at the top, and occasionally these memories can slip away.

However, students and locals have connected through reminiscences of childhood, despite their experiences often being quite distinct from one another.

Ten-year-old Grace mentioned that they have been talking about what their elementary school experience was like and learning more about each other, including favorite foods and colors.

The children have learned about life with dementia through their friendships.

"When it impacts you, you typically don’t forget much from your childhood, but occasionally you might overlook recent events," explained Kirsten, who is also 11 years old.

Grace mentioned that she had learned how to assist individuals with dementia and emphasized the importance of being patient.

She mentioned, 'They might just require a little more time to recall things.'

As per Riverdale’s vice-principal Laura Totton, studying dementia means understanding both life and the nearby neighborhood.

"What children might experience in the future through interactions with their extended family underscores the importance of educating them and involving the broader community to understand our work at school," she stated.

I believe it's crucial for children to grasp that these residents were once their age too, allowing them to connect with them better.

What are the sentiments of the residents regarding their connection with the main elementary school students?

Maisie and Sadie both live at St Paul's Court.

They have loved interacting with the children and looking back at their own youthful days.

Maisie mentioned her passion for music and singing, which she decided to pursue alongside an interest in netball.

She has become friends with several of the students.

She mentioned, 'There were three or four of them perched on the chair next to me, and it was delightful.'

The folks are wonderful, and so are the children.

"She lifted me up," Sadie stated.

You're dwelling on how you once were and everything associated with that.

I am excited about their arrival.

But Sadie admitted that playing boccia - which is a form of bowls - with the children had brought out her competitive side.

"I may not be great at them yet, but I am improving slightly," she chuckled.

A curse word slips out sometimes!

What methods can be used to educate young kids about dementia?

Riverdale Primary School brought Tracy Smyth from Praxis Care to the institution to educate students about dementia prior to their connection with residents at St Paul's Court.

She mentioned that instructing the students required a method that was both delicate and suited to their ages.

Mrs. Smyth employed a method from the Alzheimer's Society that instructed the children on becoming "Dementia Friends."

"A disease of the brain, just like any other illness," she stated.

"When it's broken down into those terms and how it affects somebody the children really took all the information on board."

"I believe it takes away that anxiety and almost fear some children might have - because we fear what we don't know."

And for her there is personal as well as professional motivation.

"My grandmother had dementia and as a younger child not understanding why I was seeing changes in my grandmother who I just loved," she said.

"The only conclusion I could come to as a child was that it was me, that I had done something wrong."

"And I vowed that no child should have that misconception or think that of their grandparents."

  • 'Even if you have dementia, you can still have fun'
  • 'I want the world to talk about dementia'
  • Individuals affected by dementia enjoy a tram excursion.


Doctor Unveils the Peak Age of Your Brain and Its Journey Through the Years

A neuroscientist And a medical researcher has disclosed the age at which our brains attain the height of their abilities and what occurs to them when they do so age from that point onwards.

Dr Stefan Mindea spoke to The Mirror Regarding the development timeline of human brains, their maturation spans many years and we can explore what occurs afterward.

During early childhood, spanning from birth to five years of age, our brains undergo "a rapid expansion in neural connections and learning potential," as he mentioned, noting that this period serves as the foundation for developing skills related to language acquisition, social engagement, and problem-solving abilities.

Next is adolescence, spanning from age 10 to 20, during which unused neural pathways get trimmed back, making it more challenging to pick up new skills.

Following that comes the stage of full brain maturation around our mid-20s; however, we haven’t reached the pinnacle just yet. This period marks the completion of development for those areas of the brain responsible for managing impulses, regulating emotions, and facilitating planning.

The brain doesn't reach its pinnacle until midway through life, specifically between the ages of 40 and 60.

Dr Mindea stated, "A lot of individuals go through changes in their mental focus, typically placing greater emphasis on what they can offer to upcoming generations and engaging in deeper self-examination."

This is also when individuals often reach what's referred to as their 'cognitive peak,' particularly in aspects such as verbal recall and gathered information.

Essentially, this is the moment where your mental capacity or cognitive function reaches its peak.

Following that, during late adulthood and thereafter, starting at around 65 years old, the brain slowly diminishes in regions linked to memory, leading to potential lapses in recollection at this phase.

However, intelligence "stays intact or might even get better," it simply requires more time to retrieve or access that information.

How to join The free WhatsApp channel from Aynur1015.blogspot.com

Sign up for our complimentary aynur1015.blogspot.com weekly bulletin

Aynur1015.blogspot.com offers sharp, fiercely progressive coverage of current events, celebrities, science, technology, and beyond. It delivers up-to-the-minute insights with a focus on Gen-Z guides, viral TikTok trends, and explanations from influencers, alongside timely reports on crucial issues. Whether you're interested in following the newest social media phenomena or understanding intricate subjects through compelling map and chart visualizations, check out Aynur1015.blogspot.com for all this and more at the beginning of each post.



Flooded Home? New Study Links Water Damage to Increased Dementia Risk

Over five million households throughout the UK face the threat of flooding, and it appears that rising insurance premiums aren't the sole concern for property owners.

Researchers claim that the anxiety from witnessing your house being inundated with water can be so severe that it might elevate your chances of developing dementia.

Individuals whose property has been inundated face a 65 percent increased likelihood of contracting the illness within the following year, according to research published in the journal Nature Communications Medicine.

The group of researchers comprised experts from Edinburgh A university examined the medical records of approximately 500,000 males and females between the ages of 37 and 73 from the UK across two decades.

They subsequently examined weather and flood information, aligning this data with the locations of the participants' homes.

The study revealed that individuals who had faced flooding incidents showed a 44 percent higher likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease and a 65 percent increased chance of being diagnosed with vascular dementia.

The research team indicated that flooding might lead to mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, potentially resulting in cognitive deterioration.

They added: 'Our results underscore the necessity for improved public health measures to safeguard individuals in regions prone to flooding.'

Read more


Scientists discover the brain's 3 ageing 'waves' that starts before 60

  • READ MORE: 4 crucial factors that can protect you from developing dementia

Whether you're turning 60, 70 or 80, everyone starts to feel 'old' at very different times.

But our brains go through three distinct 'ageing peaks' throughout our lives, according to a new study.

Experts have identified that levels of 13 proteins linked to brain ageing spike at 57, 70 and 78.

This suggests that these specific age groups may be critical points where interventions can significantly aid in maintaining brain health for an extended period, according to them.

The group examined the levels of approximately 3,000 proteins in the blood plasma of almost 5,000 Britons ranging from 45 to 82 years old.

The analysis showed that 13 proteins closely associated with brain aging appear in three distinct peaks related to age at 57, 70, and 78 years old.

A specific protein known as Brevican (BCAN) is linked to the beginning of dementia, stroke, and problems related to movement.

Another protein, called GDF15, has also been linked to age-related diseases.

The authors said that the peaks in these 13 proteins may reflect changes in human brain health at these specific ages.

And these could be important times to consider interventions in the brain ageing process, they said, that could help delay the onset of diseases such as dementia.

The research was led by a team from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in China.

Writing in the journal Nature Ageing they warned that by 2050, it is estimated that the number of people aged 65 years and above will exceed 1.5 billion globally – highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of the ageing process.

In the UK alone, nearly one million people have the condition, with numbers rising. It remains our biggest killer.

'We found that the late fifth decade is a potential onset timepoint for brain ageing,' they said.

'In addition, our study suggested that the seventh and late seventh decades are also essential time points in brain ageing.

'These findings contribute to bridging essential knowledge gaps in clarifying the molecular mechanisms of brain aging, with substantial implications for the future development of… biomarkers for brain aging, as well as personalised therapeutic targets for subsequent age-related brain disorders.'

The finding arrives only months following independent research that similarly identified specific periods throughout one’s lifespan when the body experiences the majority of aging—thus debunking the notion that this process happens steadily over time.

In September, researchers from Stanford University found that age-related alterations such as decreased metabolic rate, aging skin, and heightened susceptibility to illnesses notably spike around ages 44 and 60.

These alterations might result in gaining weight or experiencing more intense effects from consuming alcohol.

Dr Michael Snyder, Professor of Genetics at Stanford University and senior author of the study, said: 'People assume everybody's kind of aging gradually. It turns out that most changes are not linear.'

To offset the impact of these dramatic aging 'waves', the team suggests that people approaching the milestones of 44 and 60 exercise more often and adopt a healthier diet.

The team analyzed data from repeated collections of blood and stool samples and oral, skin and nasal swabs from 108 healthy people between the ages of 25 and 75 across California over a median period of 1.7 years.

During analysis, scientists noticed that 81 percent of the observed molecules including proteins and RNA changed in at least one wave.

The team ultimately concluded substantial dysregulation occurring at two major periods — with the age of 44 causing the biggest shift, and 60 also producing a significant uptick.

Dr. Steve Hoffmann, a computational biologist at Leibniz Institute on Aging in Germany told the Wall Street Journal: 'These studies probably align very well with the experiences we have ourselves, or heard from others who perceive a sudden decline in physiological fitness.'

'Identifying and studying these factors should be a priority for future research,' said Dr Xiaotao Shen, a former Stanford Medicine postdoctoral scholar, and now an assistant professor at Nanyang Technological University Singapore.

In people in their 40s, significant changes were seen in the number of molecules related to alcohol, caffeine and lipid metabolism; as well as shifts in markers related to cardiovascular disease, and skin and muscle aging.

A similar but less pronounced 'wave' of aging was noted at age 60.

It's possible some of these changes could be tied to lifestyle or behavioral factors that cluster at these age groups, Dr Snyder said.

Read more