Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health
Seniors with Subjective Memory Loss (where did I put
keys?) at Increased Risk of Dementia
Significant percentage of people with early
subjective symptoms may experience further cognitive decline; few
without these symptoms decline
Jan. 12, 2010 - Forgot where you put your car keys?
Having trouble recalling your colleague's name? If so, this may be a
symptom of subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), the earliest sign of
cognitive decline. Studies have shown that SCI is experienced by between
one-quarter and one-half of the senior citizen population (over age 65).
A new study finds that healthy seniors reporting SCI are 4.5 times more
likely to progress to the more advanced memory-loss stages of mild
cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia than those free of SCI.
SCI is marked by
situations such as when a person recognizes they can't remember a name
like they used to, or find recently placed important objects the way
they used to.
The long-term study, published in the January 11,
2010, issue of the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia, completed by
researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center tracked 213 adults with and
without SCI over an average of seven years, with data collection taking
nearly two decades.
Further cognitive decline to MCI or dementia was
observed in 54 percent of SCI persons, while only in 15 percent of
persons free of SCI.
"This is the first study to use mild cognitive
impairment as well as dementia as an outcome criterion to demonstrate
the outcome of SCI as a possible forerunner of eventual Alzheimer's
disease," said Barry Reisberg, MD, professor of psychiatry, director of
the Fisher Alzheimer's Disease Program and director, Clinical Core, NYU
Alzheimer's Disease Center at NYU Langone Medical Center.
"The findings indicate that a significant
percentage of people with early subjective symptoms may experience
further cognitive decline, whereas few persons without these symptoms
decline. If decline does occur in those without SCI symptoms, it takes
considerably longer than for those with subjective cognitive symptoms."
According to the authors, scientists and physicians
can now target the prevention of eventual Alzheimer's disease in the SCI
stage, beginning more than 20 years before dementia becomes evident
"These intriguing results more fully describe the
possible relationship between early signs of memory loss and development
of more serious impairment. This is critical to know, as we look for
ways to define who is at risk and for whom the earliest interventions
might be successful," said Neil Buckholtz, PhD, National Institute on
Aging (NIA) which supported the research.
"These findings also underscore the importance of
clinicians' asking about, and listening to, concerns regarding changes
in cognition and memory among their aging patients."
Co-authors include Dr. Reisberg at the NYU
Alzheimer's Disease Center include Melanie B. Shulman, MD, Carol
Torossian, PsyD, and Wei Zhu, PhD.
Primary funding for this study was provided by the
NIA, which is part of the National Institutes of Health. Additional
funding was provided by Mr. Leonard Litwin and the Fisher Center for
Alzheimer's Research Foundation.
About NYU Langone Medical Center
NYU Langone Medical Center is one of the nation's
premier centers of excellence in healthcare, biomedical research, and
medical education. For over 168 years, NYU physicians and researchers
have made countless contributions to the practice and science of health
care. Today the Medical Center consists of NYU School of Medicine,
including the Smilow Research Center, the Skirball Institute of
Biomolecular Medicine, and the Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical
Sciences; the three hospitals of NYU Hospitals Center, Tisch Hospital, a
705-bed acute-care general hospital, Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation
Medicine, the first and largest facility of its kind, and NYU Hospital
for Joint Diseases, a leader in musculoskeletal care; and such major
programs as the NYU Cancer Institute, the NYU Child Study Center, and
the Hassenfeld Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders.
Links to more reports on fighting cognitive decline
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Decline Challenged by Major Studies
Story grabbed headlines like, $80 million per year
brain exercise industry a crock?; as new studies show brain training
helps
By Tucker Sutherland,
editor & publisher - Feb. 20, 2009
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Pointing to Three Key Steps
Its not a stretch to think we may begin hiring brain
coaches in addition to physical fitness trainers
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First Study Using Exercise to Slow Cognitive Decline
in Older Americans Finds Success
Slowing Alzheimers by a year could prevent 9.2
million cases, as world prepares for 106 million victims by 2050
Sept. 2, 2008
New Evidence that Active Social Life Delays Memory Loss for Elderly
Seniors with highest social activity had the slowest
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daily crossword puzzle
Oct. 29, 2007
Team that Inspired 'Use it or lose it' Confirms
Mental Activity Protects Against Alzheimer's
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risk of Alzheimer's disease
June 27, 2007
Senior Citizens With Most Education Live Longer
Without Cognitive Loss but Die Faster
As education levels increase, time with cognitive
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Americans: Great News for Seniors, Boomers
Better education, finances and cardiovascular care
may be boosting brain health for elderly
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To create imagined future events, seniors must be
able to remember details of past events
Jan 8, 2008
Elderly with Mild Memory Problems Benefit from
Cognitive Training Not Relying on Memorization
The participants averaged 74 years of age and 14
years of education
Nov. 30, 2007
Senior Citizens Improve Memory, Mental Abilities
with Right Brain Exercises
Presentation today to Gerontological Society says
'Brain Fitness Program' does trick
Nov. 19, 2007
Almost 14% of Senior Citizens over 70 Have Dementia,
10% have Alzheimers
Dementia escalates rapidly for the elderly, passes
37% at age 90
Oct. 30, 2007
Dementia Destroys Memory of Better Educated at
Faster Rate
Rate of cognitive decline accelerate 4% faster for
each year of education
Oct. 23, 2007
