A drop in glucose level, one of the earliest signs of Alzheimer's
One of the most terrible ways to grow old is to contract the evil of Alzheimer's. To lose little by little the memories that have marked a life and become again a dependent person of the family is something quite serious. Therefore, knowing that you are beginning to have some of these symptoms is quite important to start acting against this type of dementia.
Now, a group of researchers from the Lewis Katz School of Medicine, belonging to Temple University of Philadelphia has found one of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer's. A drop in people's glucose levels may be the earliest sign of this type of dementia according to this group of experts.
Mild cognitive impairment
Researchers have conducted this study based on the information obtained on the basis of the tomographies performed by positron emission. These have made it possible to detect the changes experienced by Alzheimer's patients while they are going through this disease. For the first time these specialties have tried to detect subtle changes in these people's bodies.
One of those that were detected in the first place was the decrease in glucose levels in the area of hippocampus. This area of the brain plays an important role in the processing and storage of memories. The loss of memory could be related to this decrease since the food needed to ensure the survival of these cells is lacking.
With the death of the cells by this decrease in glucose in the hippocampus, the deterioration in the storage of memories that ends up unleashing Alzheimer's. This work has also given rise to the start of new treatments against this type of dementia.
Treatments related to protein p 38 that would make the neurons activate a defense mechanism against the advance of the deterioration of the hippocampus. A very interesting therapy that could even prevent you from reaching the most advanced levels of Alzheimer's disease.
Prevent Alzheimer's
While the research on Alzheimer's continues, we must try to prevent this disease by all possible means. These are some effective tools for her:
1. Dream. We must maintain a sleep routine with an amount of sleep of approximately 7-8 hours. It is important to evaluate and treat underlying sleep disorders, such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome because sleep disorders have been linked to cognitive decline in older adults.
2. Physical exercise. We must include aerobic exercise in our routine, which is equivalent to walking briskly for 40 minutes 3 times a week. Physical activity is beneficial for an aging in health. It can also help maintain a good cognitive function in the elderly. There is evidence in favor that aerobic physical activity that improves cardiorespiratory health is beneficial for the cognitive function of older adults.
3. Cognitive stimulation. Exercising the brain is a fundamental part of a person's life and is something that we can also enjoy. It should be part of a healthy lifestyle in the same way that physical exercise does. Nor should we forget social activities, hobbies, leisure activities ... they form a major part of that lifestyle.
4. Control of vascular risk factors. We must not forget at any time a fundamental issue for the reduction of the risk of dementia, such as the control of what we call "vascular risk factors": hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia. Even if a person does not present any of these problems, we must monitor blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol with our Primary Care physician. Also, the consumption of snuff is another factor of risk of dementia that we can modify, since it almost doubles the probability of presenting an Alzheimer's disease.
Damián Montero
