What Has Been Found About Memory Loss?

According to the World Alzheimer Report, 35 million people worldwide have Alzheimer's or other types of dementia

. This number is 10% higher than predicted a few years ago because the number of cases in developing countries - where people are living longer - was underestimated. Although age is the biggest factor for Alzheimer's, obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes seem to increase risk - problems which are on the rise in many developing countries. Until the cause is found, the number of dementia cases is expected to double every 20 years, reaching 115.4 million by 2050 - but even that number could be forgotten.

However, a study published in the journal "Neurology" found that active brains may delay memory decline in people with dementia. The 5-year study followed 488 dementia-free people ages 75 to 85. The participants reported how often they read, wrote, did crossword puzzles, played board games or card games, had group discussions and played music. Daily participation rated 7 points, several days a week rated 4 and weekly rated 1. The average score for the 101 participants who developed dementia was 7; but when memory loss started accelerating, each additional activity delayed the onset of rapid memory loss 0.18 years - an important fact not to lose.

Nevertheless, a University of Southampton study found that a cold or bruise - anything that causes inflammation - could speed memory loss in people with Alzheimer's. Inflammation increases levels of the protein TNF-alpha. In the 6-month study researchers measured the cognitive abilities and TNF-alpha levels in 222 Alzheimer's patients. Those with low levels of the protein throughout the study showed no memory loss, but memory loss was twice as fast for those whose TNF-alpha spiked because of infection or injury and memory loss was four times as fast for those with high TNF-alpha levels throughout the study. It seems inflammation inflames memory loss.

Unfortunately, according to a federally funded study, taking Ginkgo biloba won't help. More than 3,000 elderly adults - ages 72 to 96 - were given Ginkgo biloba or a placebo twice daily for years and their memory and mental faculties were tested every 6 months for approximately 6 years. Both groups, however, tested a little worse each year. In fact, on some memory tests the group taking the placebo did slightly better. It seems the good news is we'll forget Ginkgo biloba was meant to help us remember.

by: Knight Pierce Hirst

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