Re: The Causes of Dementia

[Guest guest]

At 08:44 AM 11/17/2005, you wrote:

food for thought?

http://www.modern-psychiatry.com/causes1.htm

The Causes of Dementia

While there is much that is unknown about the causes of Alzheimer's

Disease and other dementias, much research has been done. It

appears clear that many factors contribute to causing dementia. Of

course, aging and the increasing inability of the brain to repair itself

undoubtedly plays a major role. I'm still adding to this

page. Right now, make your choice on the pages listed above and go

to the topic. There's lots of interesting findings that suggest

changes to make to lower your risk.

1) dietary

aluminum and in drinking water, 2)

small brain

size and lower intelligence, 3) cholesterol, 4) animal,

especially mammal,

meat and

fat, 5) low omega-3 fatty acids

(low fish

oil), 6) head trauma, 7)

high blood

pressure, 8) obesity, 9)

low

vegetable and fruit intake, 10) occupational exposure to

pesticides, 11)

smoking

, and 12)

genetic

abnormalities of several types.

Since

exercise

prevents dementia, the lack of exercise is obviously a cause of

dementia.

So you've got to be crazy not to exercise? Or is that getting it

backwards . . . .

Maco

[Guest guest]

At 08:44 AM 11/17/2005, you wrote:

food for thought?

http://www.modern-psychiatry.com/causes1.htm

The Causes of Dementia

While there is much that is unknown about the causes of Alzheimer's

Disease and other dementias, much research has been done. It

appears clear that many factors contribute to causing dementia. Of

course, aging and the increasing inability of the brain to repair itself

undoubtedly plays a major role. I'm still adding to this

page. Right now, make your choice on the pages listed above and go

to the topic. There's lots of interesting findings that suggest

changes to make to lower your risk.

1) dietary

aluminum and in drinking water, 2)

small brain

size and lower intelligence, 3) cholesterol, 4) animal,

especially mammal,

meat and

fat, 5) low omega-3 fatty acids

(low fish

oil), 6) head trauma, 7)

high blood

pressure, 8) obesity, 9)

low

vegetable and fruit intake, 10) occupational exposure to

pesticides, 11)

smoking

, and 12)

genetic

abnormalities of several types.

Since

exercise

prevents dementia, the lack of exercise is obviously a cause of

dementia.

So you've got to be crazy not to exercise? Or is that getting it

backwards . . . .

Maco

[Guest guest]

Well, I believe we have to "exercise" - it's the level that is in question. I don't do excess - 30 mins walking 3 times per week is a good number for me. But I also do a lot of chores outside like gardening which is not considered "exercise" by the exercise fans. What I argue is that it's the diet that kills and exercise will not alleviate a bad diet. I've posted the reasoning before. See Pritikin's Diet for Runners.

And I also believe exercise outside is better than the treaddy - totally subjective.

But notice the free use of the thought "lack of exercise is a cause of dementia" - that, IMO, is not a scientifically proved statement.

People who write these do not adhere to the "If-and-only-if" scientific requirement.

If I find just one person who never "exercised" and is alive at 102 yo, the proof is blown. And I have seen that.

OTOH, there are people who exercise plenty and they get dementia or CVD anyway.

I have a footballer friend who died in his dorm - 86% plugged arteries. "Anecdotal" or not, I don't think football is what I want.

I can only conclude the difference in diet is the major factor.

Perhaps the demented didn't get enough vitamin D.

Regards.

Re: [ ] The Causes of Dementia

At 08:44 AM 11/17/2005, you wrote:

food for thought? http://www.modern-psychiatry.com/causes1.htm The Causes of DementiaWhile there is much that is unknown about the causes of Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias, much research has been done. It appears clear that many factors contribute to causing dementia. Of course, aging and the increasing inability of the brain to repair itself undoubtedly plays a major role. I'm still adding to this page. Right now, make your choice on the pages listed above and go to the topic. There's lots of interesting findings that suggest changes to make to lower your risk. 1) dietary aluminum and in drinking water, 2) small brain size and lower intelligence, 3) cholesterol, 4) animal, especially mammal, meat and fat, 5) low omega-3 fatty acids (low fish oil), 6) head trauma, 7) high blood pressure, 8) obesity, 9) low vegetable and fruit intake, 10) occupational exposure to pesticides, 11) smoking , and 12) genetic abnormalities of several types. Since exercise prevents dementia, the lack of exercise is obviously a cause of dementia. So you've got to be crazy not to exercise? Or is that getting it backwards . . . .Maco

[Guest guest]

Well, I believe we have to "exercise" - it's the level that is in question. I don't do excess - 30 mins walking 3 times per week is a good number for me. But I also do a lot of chores outside like gardening which is not considered "exercise" by the exercise fans. What I argue is that it's the diet that kills and exercise will not alleviate a bad diet. I've posted the reasoning before. See Pritikin's Diet for Runners.

And I also believe exercise outside is better than the treaddy - totally subjective.

But notice the free use of the thought "lack of exercise is a cause of dementia" - that, IMO, is not a scientifically proved statement.

People who write these do not adhere to the "If-and-only-if" scientific requirement.

If I find just one person who never "exercised" and is alive at 102 yo, the proof is blown. And I have seen that.

OTOH, there are people who exercise plenty and they get dementia or CVD anyway.

I have a footballer friend who died in his dorm - 86% plugged arteries. "Anecdotal" or not, I don't think football is what I want.

I can only conclude the difference in diet is the major factor.

Perhaps the demented didn't get enough vitamin D.

Regards.

Re: [ ] The Causes of Dementia

At 08:44 AM 11/17/2005, you wrote:

food for thought? http://www.modern-psychiatry.com/causes1.htm The Causes of DementiaWhile there is much that is unknown about the causes of Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias, much research has been done. It appears clear that many factors contribute to causing dementia. Of course, aging and the increasing inability of the brain to repair itself undoubtedly plays a major role. I'm still adding to this page. Right now, make your choice on the pages listed above and go to the topic. There's lots of interesting findings that suggest changes to make to lower your risk. 1) dietary aluminum and in drinking water, 2) small brain size and lower intelligence, 3) cholesterol, 4) animal, especially mammal, meat and fat, 5) low omega-3 fatty acids (low fish oil), 6) head trauma, 7) high blood pressure, 8) obesity, 9) low vegetable and fruit intake, 10) occupational exposure to pesticides, 11) smoking , and 12) genetic abnormalities of several types. Since exercise prevents dementia, the lack of exercise is obviously a cause of dementia. So you've got to be crazy not to exercise? Or is that getting it backwards . . . .Maco

[Guest guest]

Cholesterol? According to new research, the brains of Alzheimer's

patients don't get enough of the stuff.

http://www.douglas.qc.ca/news/details.asp?l=e & ty=a & id=136 & yr=2005

>

> food for thought?

>

> http://www.modern-psychiatry.com/causes1.htm

> The Causes of Dementia

>

> While there is much that is unknown about the causes of Alzheimer's

Disease and other dementias, much research has been done. It appears

clear that many factors contribute to causing dementia. Of course,

aging and the increasing inability of the brain to repair itself

undoubtedly plays a major role. I'm still adding to this page. Right

now, make your choice on the pages listed above and go to the topic.

There's lots of interesting findings that suggest changes to make to

lower your risk.

>

> 1) dietary aluminum and in drinking water, 2) small brain size and

lower intelligence, 3) cholesterol, 4) animal, especially mammal, meat

and fat, 5) low omega-3 fatty acids (low fish oil), 6) head trauma, 7)

high blood pressure, 8) obesity, 9) low vegetable and fruit intake,

10) occupational exposure to pesticides, 11) smoking, and 12) genetic

abnormalities of several types.

>

> Since exercise prevents dementia, the lack of exercise is obviously

a cause of dementia.

>

> Debatable causes include folic acid and B-12 deficiencies, mercury

and other heavy metals, and excessive iron levels.

>

> High levels of alcohol increase dementia, but low levels e.g. up to

two drinks per day, may actually decrease the risk of dementia.

>

> Individuals with diabetes, osteoporosis, schizophrenia, and

depression are all at an increased risk of developing dementia.

>

> E. Radecki, M.D., J.D.

>

> www.modern-psychiatry.com

>

[Guest guest]

Cholesterol? According to new research, the brains of Alzheimer's

patients don't get enough of the stuff.

http://www.douglas.qc.ca/news/details.asp?l=e & ty=a & id=136 & yr=2005

>

> food for thought?

>

> http://www.modern-psychiatry.com/causes1.htm

> The Causes of Dementia

>

> While there is much that is unknown about the causes of Alzheimer's

Disease and other dementias, much research has been done. It appears

clear that many factors contribute to causing dementia. Of course,

aging and the increasing inability of the brain to repair itself

undoubtedly plays a major role. I'm still adding to this page. Right

now, make your choice on the pages listed above and go to the topic.

There's lots of interesting findings that suggest changes to make to

lower your risk.

>

> 1) dietary aluminum and in drinking water, 2) small brain size and

lower intelligence, 3) cholesterol, 4) animal, especially mammal, meat

and fat, 5) low omega-3 fatty acids (low fish oil), 6) head trauma, 7)

high blood pressure, 8) obesity, 9) low vegetable and fruit intake,

10) occupational exposure to pesticides, 11) smoking, and 12) genetic

abnormalities of several types.

>

> Since exercise prevents dementia, the lack of exercise is obviously

a cause of dementia.

>

> Debatable causes include folic acid and B-12 deficiencies, mercury

and other heavy metals, and excessive iron levels.

>

> High levels of alcohol increase dementia, but low levels e.g. up to

two drinks per day, may actually decrease the risk of dementia.

>

> Individuals with diabetes, osteoporosis, schizophrenia, and

depression are all at an increased risk of developing dementia.

>

> E. Radecki, M.D., J.D.

>

> www.modern-psychiatry.com

>

[Guest guest]

Hi :

BUT, it says:

" Recent findings have shown that drugs which lower blood cholesterol,

reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer disease later in life. These

drugs, called statins, have also been shown to have an impact on

disease progression in patients already diagnosed with Alzheimer's. "

Am I out to lunch here?

Rodney.

>

>

> Cholesterol? According to new research, the brains of Alzheimer's

> patients don't get enough of the stuff.

>

> http://www.douglas.qc.ca/news/details.asp?l=e & ty=a & id=136 & yr=2005

>

>

>

> --- In , " jwwright " <jwwright@e...>

wrote:

> >

> > food for thought?

> >

> > http://www.modern-psychiatry.com/causes1.htm

> > The Causes of Dementia

> >

> > While there is much that is unknown about the causes of

Alzheimer's

> Disease and other dementias, much research has been done. It

appears

> clear that many factors contribute to causing dementia. Of course,

> aging and the increasing inability of the brain to repair itself

> undoubtedly plays a major role. I'm still adding to this page.

Right

> now, make your choice on the pages listed above and go to the

topic.

> There's lots of interesting findings that suggest changes to make to

> lower your risk.

> >

> > 1) dietary aluminum and in drinking water, 2) small brain size and

> lower intelligence, 3) cholesterol, 4) animal, especially mammal,

meat

> and fat, 5) low omega-3 fatty acids (low fish oil), 6) head trauma,

7)

> high blood pressure, 8) obesity, 9) low vegetable and fruit intake,

> 10) occupational exposure to pesticides, 11) smoking, and 12)

genetic

> abnormalities of several types.

> >

> > Since exercise prevents dementia, the lack of exercise is

obviously

> a cause of dementia.

> >

> > Debatable causes include folic acid and B-12 deficiencies, mercury

> and other heavy metals, and excessive iron levels.

> >

> > High levels of alcohol increase dementia, but low levels e.g. up

to

> two drinks per day, may actually decrease the risk of dementia.

> >

> > Individuals with diabetes, osteoporosis, schizophrenia, and

> depression are all at an increased risk of developing dementia.

> >

> > E. Radecki, M.D., J.D.

> >

> > www.modern-psychiatry.com

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi :

BUT, it says:

" Recent findings have shown that drugs which lower blood cholesterol,

reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer disease later in life. These

drugs, called statins, have also been shown to have an impact on

disease progression in patients already diagnosed with Alzheimer's. "

Am I out to lunch here?

Rodney.

>

>

> Cholesterol? According to new research, the brains of Alzheimer's

> patients don't get enough of the stuff.

>

> http://www.douglas.qc.ca/news/details.asp?l=e & ty=a & id=136 & yr=2005

>

>

>

> --- In , " jwwright " <jwwright@e...>

wrote:

> >

> > food for thought?

> >

> > http://www.modern-psychiatry.com/causes1.htm

> > The Causes of Dementia

> >

> > While there is much that is unknown about the causes of

Alzheimer's

> Disease and other dementias, much research has been done. It

appears

> clear that many factors contribute to causing dementia. Of course,

> aging and the increasing inability of the brain to repair itself

> undoubtedly plays a major role. I'm still adding to this page.

Right

> now, make your choice on the pages listed above and go to the

topic.

> There's lots of interesting findings that suggest changes to make to

> lower your risk.

> >

> > 1) dietary aluminum and in drinking water, 2) small brain size and

> lower intelligence, 3) cholesterol, 4) animal, especially mammal,

meat

> and fat, 5) low omega-3 fatty acids (low fish oil), 6) head trauma,

7)

> high blood pressure, 8) obesity, 9) low vegetable and fruit intake,

> 10) occupational exposure to pesticides, 11) smoking, and 12)

genetic

> abnormalities of several types.

> >

> > Since exercise prevents dementia, the lack of exercise is

obviously

> a cause of dementia.

> >

> > Debatable causes include folic acid and B-12 deficiencies, mercury

> and other heavy metals, and excessive iron levels.

> >

> > High levels of alcohol increase dementia, but low levels e.g. up

to

> two drinks per day, may actually decrease the risk of dementia.

> >

> > Individuals with diabetes, osteoporosis, schizophrenia, and

> depression are all at an increased risk of developing dementia.

> >

> > E. Radecki, M.D., J.D.

> >

> > www.modern-psychiatry.com

> >

>

[Guest guest]

JW,

The person in your family with dementia, who always ate low fat,

exercised, and ate mostly fish may have had " multiple small lacunar

infarcts " as your reference to Noble suggests.

Back in August (Message 20312) you mentioned that fish oil causes

bruising. While we need the omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty

acids, there may be too much of a good thing. I don't think that it

is by accident that carbohydrates get metabolized into saturated fats

by de novo synthesis of fatty acids. It is possible that the

saturated fats play a vital structural role, such as adding necessary

stiffness to the capillaries to prevent bleeding. For Optimum

Nutrition we need to find the right balance of saturated to

polyunsaturated fats to provide sufficient rigidity of the capillaries

to avoid bleeding, but sufficient flexibility to avoid atherosclerosis

and plaque formation.

Your family member's high TC may have been a symtom of inadequate

omega-3 combined with a high carbohydrate diet. I know two CRONers

with high TC from eating low-fat, high-carb diets without adequate

omega-3 sources. The fact that your family member was " not skinny "

along with the avoidance of milk and " low animal intake " may have been

an indication that she did not get enough protein, particularly if she

exercised. It is hard to tell without more details, but many " healthy

diets " are really inadequate when you analyze them through DWIDP.

Tony

>

> If there is one disease that bothers me, it's dementia, the risk

factor in my parents, gparents. You don't die of a heart attack, or

cancer - you merely waste away as your brain dies. First memory, and

it can be sudden. One day you seem ok, the next you don't remember who

you are.

> An experience in my family, not blood relative in someone whose

parents lived to 96 - she doesn't remember me this year. She was a

lifelong health fanatic - low fat, low animal intake (mostly fish), no

milk, low calories, exercise. But she did have high TC, and quit

taking ERT. What a shock. She did do a glass or two of red wine each day.

>

> She wasn't skinny - weight control was always a problem even with

low intake. She was not college educated, but never wanted for anything.

>

> So what do I do with that info? There is actually little info on

dementia, and what is written is mostly Alzheimer's, stroke. The

people I know who have had this, did not have a stroke. They just lost

their memory and personality.

> And when they go to the doc, there isn't the rush to treat it like

in a stroke, I guess because there isn't the paralysis occasioned by

the stroke.

>

> One of the reasons I take L-carnitine, but I have really no idea if

that will prevent dementia.

> So we have CVD, PAD (peripheral artery disease), and a third is

Cerebrovascular Disease.

>

> Noble: Textbook of Primary Care Medicine, 3rd ed

> Cerebrovascular Disease

> ...Cerebrovascular disease, however, does produce dementia if

lesions are strategically placed. One series demonstrated a 38.7%

prevalence of vascular dementia in a white Northern European cohort of

85-year-old people,[32] which is even higher than previously reported.

Also, vascular causes of dementia can also coexist with AD. A patient

who has several strokes in areas important for cognitive function

(e.g., deep temporal lobe, frontal lobes) can be easy to diagnose.

However, in other patients, multiple small lacunar infarcts can occur,

often in " silent " areas of the brain. Hypertension or diabetes

significantly increases the risk for lacunar infarctions. A careful

history may elicit several episodes of clear-cut deterioration in

function. Since multiinfarct dementia can be difficult to distinguish

from AD, a scoring system called the Hachinski ischemic score ( Table

158-1 ) can be a useful reminder of features that suggest vascular

disease. [12] MRI can also be helpful in this diagnosis because very

small infarctions can be seen using this modality. This diagnosis is

important to make, since careful control of hypertension while

maintaining adequate perfusion and avoiding episodic hypotension may

be the key to preventing further deterioration. Another dementing

cerebrovascular disorder is Binswanger's encephalopathy. The dementia

in this case is accompanied by bilateral pyramidal signs (weakness,

increased reflexes) and intense frontal lobe signs. The patient may

appear abulic and have diffusely increased muscle tone. Prominent

palmar and plantar grasp reflexes are often present, and urinary

incontinence and a slow, unsteady gait are common. MRI shows multiple

white-matter infarcts in a periventricular distribution becoming

confluent. Unfortunately, MRI also shows this pattern in patients who

do not exhibit a clinical syndrome. The diagnosis of Binswanger's

disease and other forms of dementia are in evolution, and several

criteria have recently been proposed.

>

> Metabolic Disorders

> Metabolic disorders may cause gradual changes in mental status, and

the aged brain is extremely vulnerable to a host of changes in the

metabolic state. Mild degrees of pulmonary, renal, hepatic, or cardiac

failure that would not cause mental changes in younger individuals

seem capable of causing mental disease in older persons. Small

imbalances in endocrine function, particularly hypothyroidism and the

apathetic form of hyperthyroidism, are frequently associated with

change in mental status as the dominant clinical feature. Disturbances

in electrolyte or acid-base balance and mild anemia or anoxia may also

present with mental changes. Laboratory examinations are available to

confirm or deny clinical suspicion of most of these metabolic,

endocrine, or deficiency states. Even chronic constipation causes

decreased mental acuity and confusion in elderly persons. Hepatic

encephalopathy, common in alcoholic patients but found in patients

with other forms of liver disease or with various medications such as

valproic acid, produces a drowsy confusional state that sometimes may

be misinterpreted as dementia.

>

> Nutritional deficiencies are a prominent problem in elderly persons,

who may lead isolated lives on inadequate incomes. This, combined with

depression, may result in severe neglect of dietary intake of

vitamins. The most common vitamin disorder that can produce dementia

is vitamin B12 deficiency. Most traditional American diets are rich in

vitamin B12 , but occasionally, strict vegetarians can become

deficient. Gastric surgery or pernicious anemia may be the cause.

Signs of a peripheral neuropathy and myelopathy are often present.

Neuropsychiatric manifestations of B12 deficiency can occur in the

absence of anemia or macrocytosis. A vitamin B12 level should be

performed routinely in evaluation of dementia. In patients with other

signs of B12 deficiency, it is important to remember that tissue

stores can be depleted before the serum level falls. If B12 deficiency

is strongly suspected, a normal B12 level should prompt a request for

methylmalonic acid assay, a metabolite of vitamin B12 that is

increased in B12 deficiency.

>

> Thiamine deficiency can produce an acute Wernicke's encephalopathy,

sometimes followed by Korsakoff's psychosis, also known as alcoholic

amnestic syndrome (see Chapter 51 ).

>

>

>

> http://www.alz.org/

>

> An almond-rich diet does a body good

> A daily run, a diet rich in almonds and other healthful foods and a

stimulating environment - all may keep aging brain cells in shape,

according to research out Monday.

> - USA Today

>

> Read the entire article at: www.usatoday.com

>

> Regards.

>

>

>

>

> RE: [ ] Re: The Causes of Dementia

>

>

> >>Cholesterol? According to new research, the brains of Alzheimer's

> patients don't get enough of the stuff.

>

> http://www.douglas.qc.ca/news/details.asp?l=e & ty=a & id=136 & yr=2005

>

> Not due to " lack " of cholesterol, but due to clogged arteries.

>

> Recent findings have shown that drugs, which lower blood

cholesterol, reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer disease later in

life.

>

> Regards

> jeff

>

>

[Guest guest]

JW,

The person in your family with dementia, who always ate low fat,

exercised, and ate mostly fish may have had " multiple small lacunar

infarcts " as your reference to Noble suggests.

Back in August (Message 20312) you mentioned that fish oil causes

bruising. While we need the omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty

acids, there may be too much of a good thing. I don't think that it

is by accident that carbohydrates get metabolized into saturated fats

by de novo synthesis of fatty acids. It is possible that the

saturated fats play a vital structural role, such as adding necessary

stiffness to the capillaries to prevent bleeding. For Optimum

Nutrition we need to find the right balance of saturated to

polyunsaturated fats to provide sufficient rigidity of the capillaries

to avoid bleeding, but sufficient flexibility to avoid atherosclerosis

and plaque formation.

Your family member's high TC may have been a symtom of inadequate

omega-3 combined with a high carbohydrate diet. I know two CRONers

with high TC from eating low-fat, high-carb diets without adequate

omega-3 sources. The fact that your family member was " not skinny "

along with the avoidance of milk and " low animal intake " may have been

an indication that she did not get enough protein, particularly if she

exercised. It is hard to tell without more details, but many " healthy

diets " are really inadequate when you analyze them through DWIDP.

Tony

>

> If there is one disease that bothers me, it's dementia, the risk

factor in my parents, gparents. You don't die of a heart attack, or

cancer - you merely waste away as your brain dies. First memory, and

it can be sudden. One day you seem ok, the next you don't remember who

you are.

> An experience in my family, not blood relative in someone whose

parents lived to 96 - she doesn't remember me this year. She was a

lifelong health fanatic - low fat, low animal intake (mostly fish), no

milk, low calories, exercise. But she did have high TC, and quit

taking ERT. What a shock. She did do a glass or two of red wine each day.

>

> She wasn't skinny - weight control was always a problem even with

low intake. She was not college educated, but never wanted for anything.

>

> So what do I do with that info? There is actually little info on

dementia, and what is written is mostly Alzheimer's, stroke. The

people I know who have had this, did not have a stroke. They just lost

their memory and personality.

> And when they go to the doc, there isn't the rush to treat it like

in a stroke, I guess because there isn't the paralysis occasioned by

the stroke.

>

> One of the reasons I take L-carnitine, but I have really no idea if

that will prevent dementia.

> So we have CVD, PAD (peripheral artery disease), and a third is

Cerebrovascular Disease.

>

> Noble: Textbook of Primary Care Medicine, 3rd ed

> Cerebrovascular Disease

> ...Cerebrovascular disease, however, does produce dementia if

lesions are strategically placed. One series demonstrated a 38.7%

prevalence of vascular dementia in a white Northern European cohort of

85-year-old people,[32] which is even higher than previously reported.

Also, vascular causes of dementia can also coexist with AD. A patient

who has several strokes in areas important for cognitive function

(e.g., deep temporal lobe, frontal lobes) can be easy to diagnose.

However, in other patients, multiple small lacunar infarcts can occur,

often in " silent " areas of the brain. Hypertension or diabetes

significantly increases the risk for lacunar infarctions. A careful

history may elicit several episodes of clear-cut deterioration in

function. Since multiinfarct dementia can be difficult to distinguish

from AD, a scoring system called the Hachinski ischemic score ( Table

158-1 ) can be a useful reminder of features that suggest vascular

disease. [12] MRI can also be helpful in this diagnosis because very

small infarctions can be seen using this modality. This diagnosis is

important to make, since careful control of hypertension while

maintaining adequate perfusion and avoiding episodic hypotension may

be the key to preventing further deterioration. Another dementing

cerebrovascular disorder is Binswanger's encephalopathy. The dementia

in this case is accompanied by bilateral pyramidal signs (weakness,

increased reflexes) and intense frontal lobe signs. The patient may

appear abulic and have diffusely increased muscle tone. Prominent

palmar and plantar grasp reflexes are often present, and urinary

incontinence and a slow, unsteady gait are common. MRI shows multiple

white-matter infarcts in a periventricular distribution becoming

confluent. Unfortunately, MRI also shows this pattern in patients who

do not exhibit a clinical syndrome. The diagnosis of Binswanger's

disease and other forms of dementia are in evolution, and several

criteria have recently been proposed.

>

> Metabolic Disorders

> Metabolic disorders may cause gradual changes in mental status, and

the aged brain is extremely vulnerable to a host of changes in the

metabolic state. Mild degrees of pulmonary, renal, hepatic, or cardiac

failure that would not cause mental changes in younger individuals

seem capable of causing mental disease in older persons. Small

imbalances in endocrine function, particularly hypothyroidism and the

apathetic form of hyperthyroidism, are frequently associated with

change in mental status as the dominant clinical feature. Disturbances

in electrolyte or acid-base balance and mild anemia or anoxia may also

present with mental changes. Laboratory examinations are available to

confirm or deny clinical suspicion of most of these metabolic,

endocrine, or deficiency states. Even chronic constipation causes

decreased mental acuity and confusion in elderly persons. Hepatic

encephalopathy, common in alcoholic patients but found in patients

with other forms of liver disease or with various medications such as

valproic acid, produces a drowsy confusional state that sometimes may

be misinterpreted as dementia.

>

> Nutritional deficiencies are a prominent problem in elderly persons,

who may lead isolated lives on inadequate incomes. This, combined with

depression, may result in severe neglect of dietary intake of

vitamins. The most common vitamin disorder that can produce dementia

is vitamin B12 deficiency. Most traditional American diets are rich in

vitamin B12 , but occasionally, strict vegetarians can become

deficient. Gastric surgery or pernicious anemia may be the cause.

Signs of a peripheral neuropathy and myelopathy are often present.

Neuropsychiatric manifestations of B12 deficiency can occur in the

absence of anemia or macrocytosis. A vitamin B12 level should be

performed routinely in evaluation of dementia. In patients with other

signs of B12 deficiency, it is important to remember that tissue

stores can be depleted before the serum level falls. If B12 deficiency

is strongly suspected, a normal B12 level should prompt a request for

methylmalonic acid assay, a metabolite of vitamin B12 that is

increased in B12 deficiency.

>

> Thiamine deficiency can produce an acute Wernicke's encephalopathy,

sometimes followed by Korsakoff's psychosis, also known as alcoholic

amnestic syndrome (see Chapter 51 ).

>

>

>

> http://www.alz.org/

>

> An almond-rich diet does a body good

> A daily run, a diet rich in almonds and other healthful foods and a

stimulating environment - all may keep aging brain cells in shape,

according to research out Monday.

> - USA Today

>

> Read the entire article at: www.usatoday.com

>

> Regards.

>

>

>

>

> RE: [ ] Re: The Causes of Dementia

>

>

> >>Cholesterol? According to new research, the brains of Alzheimer's

> patients don't get enough of the stuff.

>

> http://www.douglas.qc.ca/news/details.asp?l=e & ty=a & id=136 & yr=2005

>

> Not due to " lack " of cholesterol, but due to clogged arteries.

>

> Recent findings have shown that drugs, which lower blood

cholesterol, reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer disease later in

life.

>

> Regards

> jeff

>

>