Recently returned from Boston where I attended a dementia seminar at Harvard University. It was a fantastic program presented by mostly physicians from the department of neurology, and it covered many topics, ranging from the different types of dementias to neuroanatomy and MRI imaging to clinical cases and panel discussions. The current treatment strategies, as well as medications under research were also discussed.
I will certainly be making changes in my own practice thanks to things learned over these 3 days. It sure was worth the trip. The day started at 8:30 in the morning and ended at 5:30 in the afternoon, with a 1.5 hour lunch, and some breaks in between. It was a busy 3 days.
Interestingly, we did not have a single lecture on any topic pertaining prevention of dementia. Nothing was said about diet or exercise or risk factors. Nothing. All the research in Alzheimer's Dementia seems to be concentrated on the issues pertaining the accumulation of beta amyloid protein in the brain as the root cause of the disease.
All the focus on treatments, zero focus on prevention. One of the lectures assured us that "in the future", we would have not just one, but a "cocktail" of medications that would be used in combination to treat Alzheimer's disease. Can you imagine? Americans are already taking an average of 6 pills a day, do we really want to add another 3 or 4 to the mix?
Sounds backwards to me.
An ounce of prevention...
There is solid scientific data that shows that what we eat and drink, what we think, and the way we live our lives are all important factors in the prevention of Alzheimer's Disease and other types of dementia. We are not helpless against Alzheimer's Disease and there are things we can do every day (like going on a walk) to reduce our risk. Lowering our cardiovascular risk factors is very important. Keeping ideal weight, and consuming a healthful diet rich in organic fruits and vegetables is essential.
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