The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has expanded Medicare coverage of evidence-based tobacco cessation counseling, removing a barrier to treatment for all tobacco users covered by Medicare.
Before this decision, Medicare had covered tobacco counseling only for individuals diagnosed with a recognized tobacco-related disease or showed signs or symptoms of such a disease. Under the new coverage, any smoker covered by Medicare will be able to receive tobacco cessation counseling from a qualified physician or other Medicare-recognized practitioner who can work with them to help them stop using tobacco. All Medicare beneficiaries will continue to have access to smoking-cessation prescription medication through the Medicare Prescription Drug Program (Part D).
Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable illness and death in the United States and is a major contributor to the nation's increasing medical costs. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention estimate that tobacco use causes about one of five deaths in the United States each year and that, on average, adults who use tobacco die 14 years earlier than non-users. It is estimated that between 1995 and 2015, tobacco-related diseases will cost Medicare about $800 billion.
Despite the expansive list of adverse effects caused by tobacco use, and smoking in particular, about 46 million Americans continue to smoke. Of these, an estimated 4.5 million are Medicare beneficiaries 65 or older and less than 1 million are younger than 65 and are covered by Medicare due to a disability. For smokers who successfully quit, the health benefits will begin immediately and continue for the rest of their lives. These benefits include reducing their risk of death from coronary heart disease, chronic obstructive lung disease, and lung and other cancers.
The new benefit will cover two individual tobacco cessation counseling attempts per year. Each attempt may include up to four sessions, with a total annual benefit thus covering up to eight sessions per Medicare patient who uses tobacco.
Today's final coverage decision will apply to services under Parts A and B of Medicare and does not change the existing policies for Part D, or any state-level policies for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program. HHS will issue guidance in the coming months about a new benefit for pregnant women to receive Medicaid-covered tobacco cessation counseling. This new benefit, a provision of the Affordable Care Act, requires states to make coverage available to pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries by Oct. 1.
Under the Affordable Care Act, effective Jan. 1, 2011, Medicare will cover preventive care services, including the tobacco cessation counseling services provided under this decision, and other services such as certain colorectal cancer screening and mammograms at no cost to beneficiaries. The Affordable Care Act also gives beneficiaries access to a no-cost annual physical exam so they can partner with their doctors to develop and update personal prevention plans, which will be based on their current health needs and risk factors.
Approximately every two minutes, a person is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Insulin Resistance, Type 2 Diabetes Linked To Plaques Associated With Alzheimer's Disease
August 26, 2010
Adapted from the American Academy of Neurology
People with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes appear to be at an increased risk of developing plaques in the brain that are associated with Alzheimer's disease, according to new research published in the August 25, 2010, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Insulin resistance, or the stage before diabetes, happens when insulin, a hormone in the body, becomes less effective in lowering blood sugar.
"Type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease are two epidemics growing at alarming levels around the world," said study author Kensuke Sasaki, M.D., Ph.D., with Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan. "With the rising obesity rates and the fact that obesity is related to the rise in type 2 diabetes, these results are very concerning."
The study involved 135 people with an average age of 67 from Hisayama, Japan. The participants had several diabetes glucose tests to measure blood sugar levels. They were also monitored for symptoms of Alzheimer's disease over the next 10 to 15 years. During that time, about 16 percent developed Alzheimer's disease.
After the participants died, researchers examined their autopsied brains for the physical signs of Alzheimer's disease, called plaques and tangles. While 16 percent had symptoms of Alzheimer's disease while alive, a total of 65 percent had plaques.
The study found that people who had abnormal results on three tests of blood sugar control had an increased risk of developing plaques. Plaques were found in 72 percent of people with insulin resistance and 62 percent of people with no indication of insulin resistance. However, the study did not find a link between diabetes factors and tangles in the brain.
"Further studies are needed to determine if insulin resistance is a cause of the development of these plaques," said Sasaki. "It's possible that by controlling or preventing diabetes, we might also be helping to prevent Alzheimer's disease."
What is considered normal eye pressure? [ 08/24/10 ]
Unfortunately, the answer is not as easy as telling you a single number. While the "average" eye pressure is approximately 15, the range of "normal" eye pressure is much larger. About 9 out of 10 people (about 90%) will fall somewhere between a pressure of 10 and 21. Even knowing this, it does not mean that if you have a pressure of 22 or higher it is "abnormal." Every individual and every eye is different. There are many patients with pressures in the mid-20s who do not have glaucoma and they can simply be followed with routine eye examinations by their eye care specialist. There are also patients who have been diagnosed with glaucoma and even though treatment may decrease their pressure below 22, they still experience worsening of their glaucoma. It is important that you see an eye care specialist so that they can do a thorough examination and determine if your your eye pressure is problematic.
Approximately 5 years ago, my ophthalmologist sent me for a yearly visual field test and optical coherence tomography (OCT), which had always yielded normal results. Around 6 months ago, I had Mohs surgery for a basal cell carcinoma that was located near the interior corner of my left eye. The surgery left me with annoying sensations of burning in my eye as well as tearing. Last week, I went for an annual visual field/OCT, which showed changes to the visual field as well as to the optic nerve in my left eye; although, the IOP is 16.5. I was prescribed Travatan, but requested a medication that would not potentially change my eye color and pigmentation. I am now taking Timoptic XE, and I haven't been using it long enough to know whether it is working. My ophthalmologist also said that there was damage done to the tear duct during the Mohs surgery, but that I should not bother to get it fixed. Do you believe there is a relationship between the tear duct damage and the vision changes? [ 08/23/10 ]
Thank you for your question. I am sorry that you have had to endure so many problems with your eyes recently. In general, I would tell you that there is minimal to no association between the functioning of your tear drainage system and your glaucoma. The tear drainage system normally drains the tears from the front surface of the eye down into the nose and into the back of the throat. The fluid created inside the eye (aqueous humor) drains back into the body through an entirely different pathway. Mohs surgery for basal cell carcinoma on the eyelid often requires a plastic surgeon on hand to reconstruct the eyelid after the cancer is removed. In many cases, when the surgery involves the inner parts of the eyelid, the tear drainage system cannot be salvaged. In some cases, after surgery, patients can continue to have some eyelid positioning problems as well as disruption of the normal surface tears. A decrease in the tear production and dry eyes can often result in the burning sensation and tearing that you are describing. In response, the eyes will then create too many tears as a reflex reaction. This usually results in tears running down your cheek. Often our first line of therapy in treating dry eyes is artificial tear eye drops or ointment to help soothe the eyes and re-establish a normal tear film layer. If this does not help and the patient still is not making enough tears, we often will plug the tear drainage system on purpose. In your case, I would suggest seeing an occuloplastic surgeon and they can determine whether or not you are experiencing dry eyes or tearing related to the damage to your tear ducts. In either case, fixing the tear drainage system or leaving it alone will have absolutely no impact on your eye pressure or progression of glaucoma.
As for the glaucoma diagnosis in the same eye, I would again think that the chance of a connection between the two is highly unlikely; however as doctors we never say "never." I suggest that you consider a second opinion from a glaucoma specialist considering you have these findings in the setting of recent surgery and a normal eye pressure. It may not be a bad idea to possibly repeat the visual field test after the cornea irritation is under control. Severe dry eyes, eyelid malposition, and several other things can give you a false positive visual field test. While this does not explain the "optic nerve damage," I think it warrants a second look. Until then, I would suggest continuing your Timoptic XE and follow up with your eye doctor as scheduled. Best of luck and it sounds as though you deserve to have a little good luck coming your way!
Individuals at high risk for glaucoma should have a dilated pupil eye examination at least every two years. Eye doctors use several tests to detect glaucoma; these tests include:
Tonometry measures the pressure inside the eye. Examples of tonometers include: 1) The air puff or noncontact tonometer emits a puff of air. Eye pressure is measured by the eye’s resistance to the air. 2) The applanation tonometer touches the eye’s surface after the eye has been numbed, and measures the amount of pressure necessary to flatten the cornea. This is the most sensitive tonometer, but a clear, regularly-shaped cornea is needed for it to function properly. 3) The electronic indentation method measures pressure by directly contacting anesthetized eyes with a digital pen-like instrument.
In pupil dilation, special drops temporarily enlarge the pupil so that the doctor can better view the inside of the eye.
Visual field testing measures the entire area seen by the forward-looking eye to document straight-ahead (central) and/or side (peripheral) vision. It measures the dimmest light seen at each spot tested. Each time a flash of light is perceived, the patient responds by pressing a button.
A visual acuity test measures sight at various distances. While seated 20 feet from an eye chart, the patient is asked to read standardized visual charts with each eye, with and without corrective lenses.
Pachymetry uses an ultrasonic wave instrument to help determine the thickness of the cornea and better evaluate eye pressure.
Ophthalmoscopy allows the doctor to examine the interior of the eye by looking through the pupil with a special instrument. This can help detect damage to the optic nerve caused by glaucoma.
Gonioscopy allows the doctor to view the front part of the eye (anterior chamber) to determine if the iris is closer than normal to the back of the cornea. This test can help diagnose closed-angle glaucoma.
Optic nerve imaging helps document optic nerve changes over time. An eye doctor may choose to use one or more of the four available scanning techniques, all of which are painless and non-invasive.
What new research is being done to find a cure for glaucoma? [ 08/21/10 ]
New research is focused on lowering pressure inside the eye, and finding medications to protect and preserve the optic nerve from the damage that causes vision loss. Scientists are also investigating the role of genetics in glaucoma, and over the last few years their understanding of this factor has progressed. Researchers have discovered genes associated with congenital glaucoma, juvenile glaucoma, normal-tension glaucoma, adult-onset open-angle glaucoma, pigmentary glaucoma and other conditions related to secondary glaucoma.
I had a blow to the head when I was in my 20s, and I was wondering if this could cause glaucoma. [ 08/20/10 ]
Thank you for your question. Depending on the severity and location of the blow to your head, you could be at risk for one type of glaucoma. We will often ask our patients if they have ever had head trauma, black eyes, been knocked out, etc. to determine if they are at risk for angle recession. The fluid that is made inside the eye (aqueous humor) flows around the pupil into the drainage system where the colored part of the eye (iris) meets the white part of the eye (sclera). The fluid must drain through the trabecular meshwork into Schlemm's canal before it returns to the blood stream and is reabsorbed by the body. If the eye receives direct or indirect trauma in this location, there can be damage near the drainage system. If this damage is present, you can be at risk for developing glaucoma in that eye at any time in the future. This could even be years or decades after the trauma. If you are concerned about possibly having glaucoma as a result of trauma to the head or eye (i.e., angle recession glaucoma), I would highly recommend that you see a glaucoma specialist that is comfortable doing a complete eye exam that includes gonioscopy. This is a special exam that is done so that the eye doctor can look at the drainage angle to determine whether or not there is any damage. Once the exam is complete, they can tell you if you are at increased risk for glaucoma in the future.
I am a 52-year-old female, and was diagnosed with advanced normal-pressure glaucoma 2 years ago. I had a trabeculectomy in both eyes. The left eye is fine with a pressure of 9; however, the right eye has been troublesome since the initial surgery. The bleb was needled approximately 6 months after the initial surgery, resulting in a now functioning bleb with a pressure of 10, but it is large. This is causing extreme eye pain as a result of dry eyes, and areas of the cornea are becoming ulcerated. My eye doctor has placed a contact lens bandage patch on this eye, which is changed monthly. I use antibiotic drops for several days after the patch is changed. This seems to be the only way I can get relief. I have used drops and ointment to no avail. Will the use of this bandage patch cause other eye conditions or am I on the correct treatment path? [ 08/19/10 ]
Thank you for your question. I am sorry that you have had some difficulty with your right eye, but unfortunately an excellent functioning bleb can sometimes be quite large and cause the problems you are describing. It sounds as though the surgery was successful in lowering the pressure, but you are now dealing with one of the known side effects of this surgery. The pain that you describe is known as bleb dysesthesia (bleb discomfort). Often because the bleb is so large it will disrupt the tear film and prevent the eyelids from dispersing the tears evenly over the surface of the cornea. This often leads to dry eye syndrome as well as an excavation of the cornea near the edge of the bleb where the tear film is disrupted. This excavated area is known as a dellen. Often we try drops or ointments as the first line therapy. However, if this is not sufficient, we will resort to using a bandage contact lens. I typically try not to use the bandage contact lens as a long-term solution, but that is my personal preference. I worry about bacteria growing on the contact lens and causing a corneal ulcer. If I choose to use a bandage contact lens, I will often keep my patients on a low level of antibiotic drops the entire time that they are using the lens to help prevent ulcers. Many cornea specialists says that this is not always necessary and I do know many doctors that do use bandage contact lenses long-term in their patients without too much trouble. Again, this is only my personal preference. I think this treatment path is fine as long as there are no other side effects that emerge. Otherwise, you may need to consider doing a bleb revision surgery. This is a difficult decision considering the pressure is now well controlled and your vision is stable. Often, blebs do not function as well after revision. I recommend that you and your doctor have a discussion regarding the risks, benefits and alternatives of continuing the current treatment vs. considering bleb revision surgery. After you know your alternatives, you can make a decision on how long you would like to continue using the bandage contact lens.
My daughter, who is 13 years old, has been recently diagnosed as a glaucoma suspect and also has pigment dispersion syndrome, optic nerve hypoplasia, myopia, astigmatism and anisometropia. Her ophthalmologist is not worried and has taken the “wait and see” approach. We have an appointment for a second opinion in 6 weeks at the University Hospital eye clinic, but I am very concerned that things may get worse during that wait. Do you think it is acceptable to wait 6 weeks for the eye clinic appointment? What kind of ophthalmologist should we go to? Our new appointment is with a pediatric neuro-ophthalmologist. Should we see a glaucoma doctor? The new doctor ordered a full spectrum visual field test. What other tests should they order? Can my daughter go on roller coasters, play sports, swim, hike, or fly in an airplane without treatment? Is that safe? My daughter is 5’3” and very over weight (170 pounds). Could her weight have an impact on her eye problems? [ 08/18/10 ]
Thank you for your questions. Because I have not examined your daughter's eye or seen the results of the test myself it is very difficult to give fully accurate advice in this complex case. I will take the information that you have given but will have to make some general assumptions to fill in the remainder. Let's take each of your questions individually:
Do you think it is acceptable to wait 6 weeks for the eye clinic appointment?
Given that your daughter is considered a glaucoma suspect and the pressures are only mildly elevated at this time, 6 weeks is not an unreasonable wait. There are patients with pressures that remain above 21 for nearly their entire life and never progress to glaucoma. We often describe them as "ocular hypertensives."
What kind of ophthalmologist should we go to?
Keep your appointment with your pediatric neuro-ophthalmologist. After they have seen your daughter they will be able to make a more clear recommendation as to whether or not a glaucoma specialist is needed. It sounds as though your daughter has need of a pediatric specialist, possibly a neuro-opthalmology specialist, and possibly a glaucoma specialist. Starting with a pediatric-neuro-ophthalmologist is an excellent beginning and they will be able to assess whether or not she needs to see a glaucoma specialist. Because you are in a University Hospital setting, the pediatric-neuro-ophthalmologist probably has a glaucoma specialist partner that can easily be consulted. I do suggest that you try to use a single practice for your sub-speciality care and not see a pediatric specialist in one practice, a neuro-ophthalmologist in another practice, and a glaucoma specialist in a third practice. It is better for patient continuity and care to have all of the specialty care in one practice, if possible.
Our new appointment is with a pediatric neuro-ophthalmologist. Should we see a glaucoma doctor?
See the answer above.
The new doctor ordered a full spectrum visual field test. What other tests should they order?
This is difficult to determine because I did not personally examine the visual field test results and I did not examine your daughter's eyes. In general, if I am concerned about glaucoma I would typically like to see the visual fields, gonioscopy, central corneal thickness, stereo disc photos (for baseline comparison in the future), and possibly an OCT of the optic nerve head and a couple of other general exam findings. Again, this all may change if the visual field and the optic nerves look relatively healthy and the only issue is slightly increased pressure. Let the neuro-ophthalmologist examine her first and they will have a better idea of which tests to order.
Can my daughter go on roller coasters, play sports, swim, hike, or fly in an airplane without treatment? Is that safe?
This is an interesting question. In our patients with pigment dispersion syndrome and pigmentary glaucoma, we do know that they can have increased pigment dispersion with exercise and this can lead to occasional bouts of elevated eye pressure. While your daughter's angle appears to be relatively wide open, it might not be a bad idea to restrict her intense exercise for a couple of weeks until she sees the specialist. This being said, roller coasters are fine if they do not jar her head around. Mild exercise with sports/swimming/hiking is fine (and encouraged considering her age, height, and current weight). Flying should also be fine.
My daughter is 5’3” and very over weight (170 pounds). Could her weight have an impact on her eye problems?
First, at the age of 13, a girl that is 5'3'' and 170 pounds is likely considered morbidly obese. This has ramifications on her health way beyond just her eyes. She is at risk for early diabetes, hypertension, heart trouble, and a lot of other health problems. As her parent, it is important for you to provide guidance. I highly recommend that you find a pediatrician that can help you plan a good diet and exercise routine to help your daughter lose some weight and become healthier overall. As for her eyes specifically, this is nearly impossible to determine without examining her eyes myself. Young women that are obese can have certain eye problems that are also accompanied by headaches and swelling of the optic nerves; however, by what you have told me about her exam, this does not appear to be the case. Again, overall, making a lifestyle modification that includes a better diet and an exercise program is the best advice for her long-term health.
I am 30 years old and was diagnosed with glaucoma 6 years ago. In the meantime, I had lens operations for issues related to nearsightedness, and stopped the treatment for glaucoma. Five years have passed since the operations, and everything was going well until recently I felt horrible pain in my eyes. I went to my eye doctor and started glaucoma treatment; however, I have lost 50% of the vision in my left eye. My right eye is still fine. Currently, I am on Travatan and Combigan eye drops. How long will the treatments help to keep my eye pressure low and prevent further vision loss? Will the treatments no longer work when I get older? [ 08/17/10 ]
Thank you for your question. This is something that many of our readers inquire about. Essentially, your question relates to the long-term effectiveness of drops. This simplest and most straight forward answer is that every patient with glaucoma progresses at a different rate and patients often react to medications differently over time. Unfortunately, neither I nor any other glaucoma specialist can predict how long a certain treatment will continue to work in an individual patient. In many of our patients, a drop will continue to work for their entire life; however, we also have many patients that have used a drop for years and have done well, but suddenly the drop no longer maintains their intraocular pressure at the target level. The exact reason for this is not always clear, and researchers are exploring why this happens.
Glaucoma is a progressive disease, and it may just be that the resistance to the flow of aqueous through the trabecular meshwork continues to get worse over time. It is possible that one drop may be adequate initially, but as the glaucoma progresses, it eventually becomes insufficient. It is also possible that the body may begin to respond less well to the same medication over time. More research is required to find the exact mechanism(s). Continue to use your eye drops as prescribed by your eye doctor and visit him/her routinely. Your doctor will examine your eyes and watch for any signs of progression. If there is any evidence that the current treatment regimen is not working, they will change it quickly and hopefully prevent any further damage to your eyes.
Approximately 1.8 million Americans, 40 years and older, have advanced age-related macular degeneration.
Early Stages Of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Associated With Smoking, Cholesterol Levels
June 15, 2010
Adapted from the JAMA and Archives Journals
Early-stage age-related macular degeneration appears to be related to modifiable risk factors, including smoking and low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL or "good" cholesterol), according to a report in the June issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. The condition appears uncommon before age 55 but the risk increases with age thereafter.
Most studies assessing the prevalence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) have focused on middle- and older-age adults, according to background information in the article. "To our knowledge, accurate estimates of prevalence of AMD among adults younger than 40 years are lacking," the authors write. "Such information is important for understanding the relationships of risk factors to AMD across the age spectrum and for identifying factors that might affect this disease earlier in life."
Ronald Klein, M.D., M.P.H., of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and colleagues assessed 2,810 individuals age 21 to 84 participating in the Beaver Dam Offspring Study. The presence and severity of drusen—yellow or white deposits in the retina, an early sign of AMD—was determined, along with that of other characteristics of AMD.
Early AMD was present in 3.4 percent of the participants, with rates varying from 2.4 percent in those age 21 to 34 to 9.8 percent in those age 65 years and older. Besides age, other factors associated with increased risk for AMD included being male, smoking more heavily for a longer period of time, and being hearing impaired, whereas having higher levels of HDL cholesterol was associated with reduced risk.
Factors not associated with early AMD included blood pressure, body mass index, physical activity level, history of heavy drinking, white blood cell count or total cholesterol level.
Drusen were present in the macula—the area in the retina responsible for sharp vision—in 63.3 percent of the participants, and the frequency of drusen increased with age. When age was considered, men and women had approximately the same number of drusen.
"In summary, the Beaver Dam Offspring Study data provide precise estimates of the prevalence of various signs of AMD (soft drusen, pigmentary abnormalities) over a wide spectrum of ages from the third to the ninth decade of life," the authors write. "They demonstrate that early AMD onset may occur in midlife. Some modifiable factors (smoking status and serum HDL cholesterol level) associated with AMD in older cohorts were associated with early AMD in this cohort of middle-aged adults."
"The higher frequency of AMD in people aged 65 or older in an aging population makes this an important public health problem," they conclude. "Further information regarding the natural history of AMD and its risk factors, especially early in life, is important for developing preventive approaches to it."
Disclaimer:The information provided in this section is a public service of the American Health Assistance Foundation, and should not in any way substitute for the advice of a qualified healthcare professional and is not intended to constitute medical advice. Although we take efforts to keep the medical information on our website updated, we cannot guarantee that the information on our website reflects the most up-to-date research. Please consult your physician for personalized medical advice; all medications and supplements should only be taken under medical supervision. The American Health Assistance Foundation does not endorse any medical product or therapy.
Some of the content in this section is adapted from other sources, which are clearly identified within each individual item of information.
The average annual cost for an assisted living facility exceeds $36,000.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Protein Reduces Alzheimer's Plaques In Mouse Model
August 24, 2010
A signaling protein released during rheumatoid arthritis dramatically reduced Alzheimer’s disease pathology and reversed the memory impairment of mice bred to develop symptoms of the neurodegenerative disease, a new study by the University of South Florida reports. Researchers found that the protein, GM-CSF, likely stimulates the body’s natural scavenger cells to attack and remove Alzheimer’s amyloid deposits in the brain.
People with rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic disease leading to inflammation of joints and surrounding tissue, are less likely than those without arthritis to develop Alzheimer’s. While it was commonly assumed that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may help prevent onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease, recent NSAID clinical trials proved unsuccessful for patients with Alzheimer’s.
The USF researchers are among the first to look at what effect innate immunity gone awry in rheumatoid arthritis may play in protecting against Alzheimer’s disease.
“Our findings provide a compelling explanation for why rheumatoid arthritis is a negative risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease,” said principal investigator Huntington Potter, Ph.D., Eric Pfeiffer Professor at the USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute and director of the Florida Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.
“Moreover, the recombinant human form of GM-CSF (Leukine®) is already approved by the FDA and has been used for years to treat certain cancer patients who need to generate more immune cells,” Dr. Potter said. “Our study, along with the drug’s track record for safety, suggests Leukine should be tested in humans as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.
The researchers analyzed three rheumatoid arthritis growth factors in mouse models and identified the signaling protein GM-CSF as the most promising for potential protective benefit against Alzheimer’s disease. Then, they peripherally injected GM-CSF into two groups of mice – those genetically altered to develop memory problems mimicking Alzheimer’s disease and normal, aged mice. Behavioral tests confirmed the Alzheimer’s mice were exhibiting signs of memory impairment at age 12 months. Another two control groups of mice—the Alzheimer’s mice and normal mice—were administered saline (placebo).
After the 10th day of injections, all the mice began a series of behavioral testing. At the end of the 20-day study, the cognitively impaired mice treated with GM-CSF performed substantially better on tests measuring their working memory and learning. In fact, their memories were similar to normal aged mice without dementia. Even the normal mice treated with GM-CSF performed slightly better than their untreated peers. The Alzheimer’s mice administered saline continued to do poorly on the tests.
“We were pretty amazed that the treatment completely reversed cognitive impairment in 20 days,” said Tim Boyd, Ph.D., who, together with Steven Bennett, Ph.D., is a study lead author.
In addition, the brains of GM-CSF-treated Alzheimer’s mice showed more than a 50-percent decrease in beta amyloid, a substance forming the sticky clumps of plaques that are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. This reduction in Alzheimer’s plaques and associated restoration of memory was accompanied by more immune cells known as microglia in the brain. Microglia are like the body’s natural garbage collection cells that rush to damaged or inflamed areas to get rid of toxic substances.
The researchers suggest that GM-CSF boosted during the immune system overdrive of rheumatoid arthritis helps harness the beneficial properties of inflammation in the brain. The protein may do this by recruiting more microglia from the peripheral blood into the brain to remove Alzheimer’s plaques, Dr. Potter said. An apparent increase in neural cell connections in the brains of the GM-CSF-treated mice may also help explain GM-CSF’s association with improving memory decline in Alzheimer’s disease, the researchers said.
The USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute plans to begin a pilot clinical trial this year investigating GM-CSF (Leukine) in patients with mild or moderate Alzheimer’s disease.
The study appears in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Disclaimer:The information provided in this section is a public service of the American Health Assistance Foundation, and should not in any way substitute for the advice of a qualified healthcare professional and is not intended to constitute medical advice. Although we take efforts to keep the medical information on our website updated, we cannot guarantee that the information on our website reflects the most up-to-date research. Please consult your physician for personalized medical advice; all medications and supplements should only be taken under medical supervision. The American Health Assistance Foundation does not endorse any medical product or therapy.
Some of the content in this section is adapted from other sources, which are clearly identified within each individual item of information.
Take advantage of these FREE seminars presented by SHIP Director, Debbie Breslin, from the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services to learn more about your Medicare options for 2011. The seminars are for anyone who qualifies or soon will qualify for Medicare, caregivers of Medicare recipients, Medicare eligibles with chronic conditions and/or individuals new to the area. Topics will include upcoming changes to supplemental insurance policies, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D Plans for 2011. Participants will receive information in a simple, clear manner, and can also actively participate in the seminar so they feel confident in their health care decisions that best fit their needs.
All the seminars are free and open to the public.Please call the Ocean County Office of Senior Services at 1-800-668-4899 or 732-929-2091 to register.Registration is required.
We have Tai Chi classes at the Brick Senior Center. On Monday's at 12:45 pm and on Fridays 9:00 am - 10:00 am. We are located at 373 Adamston Road, Brick, NJ 08723. To reach us you may phone is 732-920- 8686. Your contribution of $1. helps us to continue these programs in tough economic times.
Chair Aerobic Casses held on Monday, Tuesday,Thursday and Friday from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm. donation $1. All classes held at the Brick Township Senior Center located at 373 Adamston Road, Brick, NJ 08723
Approximately every two minutes, a person is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Why More Education Lowers Dementia Risk
July 26, 2010
Adapted from the University of Cambridge
A team of researchers from the United Kingdom and Finland has discovered why people who stay in education longer have a lower risk of developing dementia—a question that has puzzled scientists for the past decade.
Examining the brains of 872 people who had been part of three large ageing studies, and who before their deaths had completed questionnaires about their education, the researchers found that more education makes people better able to cope with changes in the brain associated with dementia.
Over the past decade, studies on dementia have consistently showed that the more time you spend in education, the lower your risk of dementia. For each additional year of education there is an 11% decrease in risk of developing dementia, this study reports.
However, these studies have been unable to determine whether or not education—which is linked to higher socioeconomic status and healthier lifestyles—protects the brain against dementia.
This is not the case, the new study lead by Professor Carol Brayne of the University of Cambridge has found. Instead, the study shows people with different levels of education have similar brain pathology but that those with more education are better able to compensate for the effects of dementia.
According to co-author Dr Hannah Keage of the University of Cambridge: "Previous research has shown that there is not a one-to-one relationship between being diagnosed with dementia during life and changes seen in the brain at death. One person may show lots of pathology in their brain while another shows very little, yet both may have had dementia. Our study shows education in early life appears to enable some people to cope with a lot of changes in their brain before showing dementia symptoms."
Compared with previous research, this study was able to answer the question because of its large size and statistical power.
The studies have assessed participants for up to 20 years and are three of only six such studies in the world.
The results have important implications for public health at a time when populations in many countries are ageing.
"Education is known to be good for population health and equity. This study provides strong support for investment in early life factors which should have an impact on society and the whole lifespan. This is hugely relevant to policy decisions about the importance of resource allocation between health and education," says Professor Brayne.
The results of this study are published in the journal Brain.
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