Alzheimer's Disease
Can Alzheimer's disease be prevented?
Researchers studying Alzheimer's disease have identified several avenues that could help prevent or, more accurately, delay the progression of the disease. The studies conducted emphasise the connection between cognitive disorders like Alzheimer's and certain risk factors, such as cardiovascular problems, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle or poor eating habits. Preventing and identifying the early signs of a neurodegenerative disease is crucial as any neurons lost will be lost permanently and preventing the mass destruction of these neurons is essential, as their destruction is responsible for rapidly worsening clinical deficits.
The importance of early clinical-biological diagnosis.
Neuropsychological tests
are good indicators.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
measures hippocampal atrophy. Hippocampal atrophy is often one of the first signs of Alzheimer's disease. It is this atrophy that causes the memory loss and disorientation characteristic of the disease. The hippocampus is a biomarker because it is one of the markers of the disease in its early stages.
An FDG (fluorodesoxyglucose) PET scan
(positron emission tomography) shows the deficient brain areas.
Lab results
show changes in levels of TAU and amyloid proteins in the CSF (cerebrospinal fluid), which are implicated in brain degeneration.
Preventative measures
Today there are 2 preventative measures available:
- Brain stimulation which, thanks to neuronal plasticity, can create new synapses and thus more or less compensate for those destroyed.
Learn and practise a stimulating activity.
These activities are said to have a protective effect on the development of the disease by playing on the permanent adaptability of our brain to compensate for the function of lost neurons.
Have an active social life.
Social ties are thought to stimulate the development of a dense neural network that can compensate for the damage caused by Alzheimer's disease for longer.
Protect the brain from external aggressions,
shocks and traumas, but also from substances toxic to our neurons, which can circulate in our body;
Take care of your body.
particularly through diet and lifestyle habits
Maintaining and caring for your body
- Vascular protection: As is well known, this consists of controlling diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidaemia, a Mediterranean diet and physical activity.
Take care of your heart.
Regularly consult your doctor to have your blood pressure checked and blood tests carried out so as to detect and treat any disease as early as possible.
Move.
Regular physical activity stimulates blood circulation, including in the brain. Recent scientific studies have shown that intense physical exercise (30 minutes a day) stimulates the formation of new neurons throughout life.
Eat healthily.
Healthy eating habits and maintaining a normal body mass index (BMI) are said to reduce significantly the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. A balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables is recommended, as the latter are rich in antioxidants and help to ²combat the production of excess free radicals which are toxic to neurons.
Get enough sleep.
Lack of sleep or sleep apnoea can lead to problems with concentration or memory. Moreover, it is during sleep that the brain rids itself of waste, notably amyloid-beta proteins.
Treat
high blood pressure, cardiac rhythm disorders, high cholesterol and control diabetes.