Category Archives: Neurology

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Main Category: Neurology / Neuroscience
Also Included In: Nutrition / Diet
Article Date: 16 Feb 2012 - 6:00 PST

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According to a study in the February issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals, a Mediterranean-style diet (MeDi) may be healthier for the brain. Researchers have discovered that a MeDi diet is associated with reduced damage of small blood vessels in the brain.

White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are markers of chronic small vessel damage and can be seen using brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The researchers explain:

"Although diet may be an important predictor of vascular disease, little is known about the possible association between dietary habits and WMHs. Studies have suggested that consumption of a MeDi [Mediterranean Diet] is associated with a reduced risk of the metabolic syndrome, coronary heart disease, stroke and cognitive disorders, but no studies to date, to our knowledge, have examined the association between a MeDi and WMH volume (WMHV)."

To examine this association, data from 966 participants in the Northern Manhattan Study were assessed by Hannah Gardener, Sc.D., of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and her team. In order to evaluate dietary patterns during the previous year, the researchers gave participants a food frequency questionnaire. The researchers then used the answers from the questionnaire to determine a MeDi compliance score. The team measured WMHV by quantitative brain MRI.

The researchers found that on a MeDi scale from 0 to 10:

11.6% of participants scored 0 to 2 15.8% scored 3 23% scored 4 23.5% scored 5 and 26.1% of participants scored between 6 to 9 In addition they discovered that men and had higher MeDi scores than women, as well as those who reported moderate to heavy levels of physical activity. Furthermore, results showed that individuals with a MeDi score of 6+ had lower BMI.

Results from the study indicate that among participants, those who consume a MeDi have a lower burden of WMHV. This connection was independent of vascular and sociodemographic risk factors including smoking, blood lipid levels, physical activity, BMI, history of cardiac disease, hypertension, and diabetes. The researchers found that the only component of the MeDi score that was independently linked to WMHV was the ratio of monounsaturated to saturated fat.

The researchers conclude:

"In summary, the current study suggests a possible protective association between increased consumption of a MeDi and small vessel damage. The associations with WMHV may be driven by the favorable ratio of monounsaturated fat consumption over saturated fat.

However, the results of the analysis of the individual MeDi scale components suggests that the overall dietary pattern, rather than any of the individual components, may be more etiologically relevant in relation to WMHV."

Written by Grace Rattue
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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Mediterranean Diet Good For Brain

CHICO, CA--(Marketwire -02/16/12)- Masula Chiropractic, Neurology and Family Wellness in Chico, California announced that the practice has successfully helped treat high blood pressure patients through chiropractic adjustments. A 2007 study published in the Journal of Human Hypertension found that chiropractic adjustments were more effective at lowering blood pressure than two different medications combined. Research suggests that an injury to the neck earlier in life may impede the flow of blood. Chiropractic adjustments restore alignment to the cervical spine and correct this problem, reducing blood pressure. Chronic high blood pressure increases the risk for stroke, heart attack and other health problems.

Dr. Larry Masula, a Chico chiropractor and wellness doctor, announced that his practice, Masula Chiropractic, Neurology and Family Wellness, has had great success treating high blood pressure patients. High blood pressure increases the risk for heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and other chronic conditions.

"For years, doctors have prescribed a variety of different medications to lower heart disease," said Dr. Masula. "While some medications can be effective, they all come with different side effects, and many patients must take these medications for life in order to experience continued benefits. Adjustments are a natural, conservative treatment that is just as effective, if not more so, than leading medications."

According to a 2007 study published in the Journal of Human Hypertension, chiropractic adjustments were more effective at lowering blood pressure than two different medications combined.

The eight week study tracked 25 patients with early-stage high blood pressure. The adjustments led to an average 14mm Hg drop in the top number and 8mm Hg drop in the body number

According to the Chico wellness doctor, a minor injury to the neck early in life may affect the flow of blood at the base of the skull. Chiropractic adjustments restore alignment to the cervical spine, correcting the underlying problem caused by the neck injury and lowering blood pressure.

"This landmark study found that localized adjustment to the upper cervical spine can reduce blood pressure, and may even be more effective than some medications," said Dr. Masula. "At our chiropractic clinic, we are proud to offer this life-changing treatment."

The study tracked the effectiveness of adjustment to the Atlas vertebra, also known as "C-1." The Atlas vertebra is the uppermost vertebra in the body and holds up the head.

"Think of the Atlas vertebra as the 'fuse box' for the body," said Dr. Masula. "At the base of the brain are two centers that control the muscles in the body. If the vertebra is out of alignment and pinches nearby nerves, many patients may never experience pain, but they may experience the effects of misalignment in other ways, such as higher blood pressure."

Dr. Masula said that chiropractic adjustments, combined with lifestyle changes like exercise and diet, could help lower and control blood pressure without the need for medication.

Adjustments at a chiropractic clinic may also help patients manage back pain, neck pain and vertigo.

Individuals who wish to make an appointment with the chiropractor may do so by using the online appointment request form on the chiropractic clinic's website http://masulachiropractic.com.

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Chico Chiropractor Announces Success Treating High Blood Pressure Patients

Editor's Choice
Main Category: Sleep / Sleep Disorders / Insomnia
Also Included In: Alzheimer's / Dementia;  Neurology / Neuroscience
Article Date: 16 Feb 2012 - 0:00 PST

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A new study, which will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 64th Annual Meeting in New Orleans, April 21st to April 28th, reveals that the amount of shut-eye people sleep may later affect their memory's function and the risk of Alzheimer's.

Study author, Yo-El Ju, M.D., from the University School of Medicine, St. Louis, and a member of the American Academy of Neurology, explained:

"Disrupted sleep appears to be associated with the build-up of amyloid plaques, a hallmark marker of Alzheimer's disease, in the brains of people without memory problems. Further research is needed to determine why this is happening and whether sleep changes may predict cognitive decline."

To determine their findings, the authors analyzed the sleep patterns of 100 patients, aged between 45 and 80, who did not show any signs of dementia. 50% of these patients had a history of Alzheimer's disease in their families, the other 50% did not have any history of Alzheimer's disease in their families.

The researchers placed a monitor on the patients in order to record their sleep for 2 weeks. They were also asked to record their sleeping habits and fill out surveys.

The study determined that 25% of the patients showed signs of amyloid plaques, which predict Alzheimer's in the future, and can be seen many years before they are diagnosed with the progressive disease. The mean amount of time the participants slept during the study was 8 hours. However, the average was reduced - to 6.5 hours - because of disruptions in their sleep throughout the night.

The people who did not wake up frequently during the night were 5 times less likely to possess the amyloid plaque build-up than the people who did not sleep well. The people who did not sleep well were also found to have a greater chance of having the "markers" of early stage Alzheimer's. This means, those who spent 85% of their time in bed, sleeping soundly, have a lower risk of Alzheimer's than those who spent 85% of the time in bed tossing and turning.

Ju concludes:

"The association between disrupted sleep and amyloid plaques is intriguing, but the information from this study can't determine a cause-effect relationship or the direction of this relationship. We need longer-term studies, following individuals' sleep over years, to determine whether disrupted sleep leads to amyloid plaques, or whether brain changes in early Alzheimer's disease lead to changes in sleep.

Our study lays the groundwork for investigating whether manipulating sleep is a possible strategy in the prevention or slowing of Alzheimer's disease"

This study was funded by the Ellison Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.

Written By Christine Kearney
Copyright: Medical News Today
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Sleeping More Reduces Risk Of Alzheimer's

Public release date: 15-Feb-2012
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Contact: Rachel Seroka
rseroka@aan.com
651-695-2738
American Academy of Neurology

NEW ORLEANS ? Simple tests such as walking speed and hand grip strength may help doctors determine how likely it is a middle-aged person will develop dementia or stroke. That's according to new research that was released today and will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 64th Annual Meeting in New Orleans April 21 to April 28, 2012.

"These are basic office tests which can provide insight into risk of dementia and stroke and can be easily performed by a neurologist or general practitioner," said Erica C. Camargo, MD, MSc, PhD, with Boston Medical Center.

More than 2,400 men and women with an average age of 62 underwent tests for walking speed, hand grip strength and cognitive function. Brain scans were also performed. During the follow-up period of up to 11 years, 34 people developed dementia and 70 people had a stroke.

The study found people with a slower walking speed in middle age were one-and-a-half times more likely to develop dementia compared to people with faster walking speed. Stronger hand grip strength was associated with a 42 percent lower risk of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in people over age 65 compared to those with weaker hand grip strength. This was not the case, however, for people in the study under age 65.

"While frailty and lower physical performance in elderly people have been associated with an increased risk of dementia, we weren't sure until now how it impacted people of middle age," said Camargo.

Researchers also found that slower walking speed was associated with lower total cerebral brain volume and poorer performance on memory, language and decision-making tests. Stronger hand grip strength was associated with larger total cerebral brain volume as well as better performance on cognitive tests asking people to identify similarities among objects. "Further research is needed to understand why this is happening and whether preclinical disease could cause slow walking and decreased strength," said Camargo.

###

Learn more about dementia and stroke at http://www.aan.com/patients.

The study was supported by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's Framingham Heart Study and by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the National Institute on Aging.

The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 25,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube.

Media Contacts:
Rachel Seroka, rseroka@aan.com, (651) 695-2738
Angela Babb, APR, ababb@aan.com, (651) 695-2789

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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

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How fast you walk and your grip in middle age may predict dementia, stroke risk

Editor's Choice
Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia
Also Included In: Nutrition / Diet
Article Date: 14 Feb 2012 - 0:00 PST

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A study released today and scheduled to be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 64th Annual Meeting in New Orleans April 21 to April 28, 2012, shows that those over 70 eating more than 2,100 calories per day, nearly double their risk of memory loss, or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI is considered to be the stage between normal memory loss that comes with aging and early Alzheimer's disease. Study author Yonas E. Geda, MD, MSc, with the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona and a member of the American Academy of Neurology said : "We observed a dose-response pattern which simply means; the higher the amount of calories consumed each day, the higher the risk of MCI."

1,233 people between the ages of 70 and 89 and free of dementia residing in Olmsted County, Minn. were studied. 163 had MCI and participants noted the amount of calories they ate or drank in a food questionnaire. They were divided into three equal groups based on their daily caloric consumption. One-third of the participants consumed between 600 and 1,526 calories per day, one-third between 1,526 and 2,143 and one-third consumed between 2,143 and 6,000 calories per day.

Even after adjusting for history of stroke, diabetes, amount of education, and other factors that can affect risk of memory loss, the risk for the highest calorie group was nearly double that of the lower calorie group. There was no noticeable difference in risk for the middle group.

Geda concluded :

"Cutting calories and eating foods that make up a healthy diet may be a simpler way to prevent memory loss as we age."

The co-authors of the study include Ronald C. Petersen, MD, Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology, and other investigators of the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging in Rochester, Minn.

Written by Rupert Shepherd
Copyright: Medical News Today
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Overeating Linked To Memory Loss

Newswise — NEW ORLEANS – The amount and quality of sleep you get at night may affect your memory later in life, according to research that was released today and will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 64th Annual Meeting in New Orleans April 21 to April 28, 2012.

“Disrupted sleep appears to be associated with the build-up of amyloid plaques, a hallmark marker of Alzheimer’s disease, in the brains of people without memory problems,” said study author Yo-El Ju, MD, with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and a member of the American Academy of Neurology. “Further research is needed to determine why this is happening and whether sleep changes may predict cognitive decline.”

Researchers tested the sleep patterns of 100 people between the ages of 45 and 80 who were free of dementia. Half of the group had a family history of Alzheimer’s disease. A device was placed on the participants for two weeks to measure sleep. Sleep diaries and questionnaires were also analyzed by researchers.

After the study, it was discovered that 25 percent of the participants had evidence of amyloid plaques, which can appear years before the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease begin. The average time a person spent in bed during the study was about eight hours, but the average sleep time was 6.5 hours due to short awakenings in the night.

The study found that people who woke up more than five times per hour were more likely to have amyloid plaque build-up compared to people who didn’t wake up as much. The study also found those people who slept “less efficiently” were more likely to have the markers of early stage Alzheimer’s disease than those who slept more efficiently. In other words, those who spent less than 85 percent of their time in bed actually sleeping were more likely to have the markers than those who spent more than 85 percent of their time in bed actually sleeping.

“The association between disrupted sleep and amyloid plaques is intriguing, but the information from this study can’t determine a cause-effect relationship or the direction of this relationship. We need longer-term studies, following individuals’ sleep over years, to determine whether disrupted sleep leads to amyloid plaques, or whether brain changes in early Alzheimer’s disease lead to changes in sleep,” Ju said. “Our study lays the groundwork for investigating whether manipulating sleep is a possible strategy in the prevention or slowing of Alzheimer disease.”

Learn more about sleep disorders and Alzheimer’s disease at http://www.aan.com/patients.

The study was supported by the Ellison Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.

The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 25,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube.

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Trouble Sleeping? It May Affect Your Memory Later On