New Delhi (India), September 21: In a world where the aging population is steadily on the rise, the importance of preserving brain health has never been more paramount. World Alzheimer’s Day, observed annually on September 21^st, serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges and complexities associated with cognitive decline. Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, affects millions of lives worldwide, making it a pressing global health concern.

On this World Alzheimer’s Day, we embark on a journey to explore the invaluable insights and wisdom offered by these experts, with their deep understanding of the human mind, have dedicated their careers to unraveling the mysteries of cognitive function, memory, and mental well-being. Their collective knowledge and expertise provide a beacon of hope for those seeking guidance on how to maintain and even enhance brain health throughout their lives.

Dr. Dhawan Sumeet R, MD, DM, Neurologist and Development Behavior Speech Specialist, Apollo Clinic, Chandigarh

Preserving brain health is crucial for preventing memory loss and maintaining intellectual function as we age. A balanced approach includes a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and brain-boosting nutrients like vitamin E and B vitamins. Regular physical exercise, meditation and yoga increase blood flow to the brain. Mental stimulation through activities like puzzles, reading or learning new skills helps keep the mind sharp. Prioritizing quality sleep is essential, as it allows the brain to consolidate memories and recharge. Lastly, managing stress and maintaining strong social connections contribute to overall brain health, fostering resilience against memory loss as we journey through life. Managing diabetes, blood pressure, kidney function and liver function helps optimize brain functions and memory.

Dr. Madhu Vamsi G, MBBS, MD (Psychiatry), Consultant in Hyderabad

On this Alzheimer’s Day, it’s crucial to spotlight the behavioral problems that often accompany this disease. Alzheimer’s isn’t just about memory loss; it can profoundly impact behavior and emotions.

Common behavioral issues include agitation, anxiety, wandering, hallucinations, and sundowning. These behaviors stem from the confusion and frustration individuals with Alzheimer’s experience as their cognitive abilities decline.

As a psychiatrist, I urge understanding and patience when dealing with these behaviors. Effective communication, creating a safe environment and validation of their feelings can make a significant difference. Caregivers play a vital role in managing these challenges, and they must seek support and respite care when needed. By addressing these behavioral challenges with compassion, we can enhance the quality of life.

Ms. Megha Rathi, M.Phil, Clinical Psychology & PhD Scholar, Senior Clinical Psychologist (Gold Medalist) Caring Minds, Kolkata

Alzheimer’s disease takes away our basic right to remember. It typically occurs in old age but can also have an early onset, with risk factors being lifestyle diseases, genetic factors, and abnormalities in neurotransmitters and brain structure (prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus). Though it’s irreversible, we can surely try to delay the worsening of symptoms with early diagnosis, pharmacotherapy, and structured neuropsychiatric rehabilitation. I would just say that let’s try to take preventive measures, as people with Alzheimer’s may forget us, but we as a society and mental health professionals ought to remember them.

Dr. Naazneen Ladak, MBBS, DPM, MS Psychiatry(USA), MSPAC(USA), Specialization in Geriatrics, Director – BHN Elder Care Centers, Consulting Psychiatrist, Mumbai

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative process that leads to the gradual degeneration and loss of brain cells, contributing to its debilitating effects on cognition and memory. Certain brain activity in people diminishes during the early stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s. Just like we do physical activities or exercise to keep us physically healthy, one should not neglect mental health. To keep our brains working, one should keep them regularly stimulated; preserving Brain health is important to maintain cognitive junctions and also serves as an integral part of longevity. We can keep our brain healthy in the following ways: doing activities that challenge the brain, for example, brushing teeth with the opposite hand and helping stimulate the non-dominant area of the brain.

Taking up a hobby, solving crossword puzzles, playing Sudoku, or regularly reading a magazine or newspaper can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. A change in the normal routine, like taking a different routine home or shopping at a different store. By introducing new experiences, one activates the brain. Eating brain-boosting foods like wholegrains, blueberries, broccoli, fish, and nuts.

Dr. Neil Shah, MD Psychiatry, Geeta Hospital, Jamnagiri Road, Dhule, Maharashtra

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological condition that causes memory loss, which can sometimes be associated with behavioral disturbances. Taking care of your brain health is of utmost importance to avoid suffering from this condition later in your life. Some of the simple preventive measures that can be taken are: Engage in regular physical exercise, as it increases blood flow to your brain. Have a balanced, healthy diet consisting of green leafy vegetables, fruits, and dry fruits like walnuts. Nutritional supplements rich in omega-3 fatty acids have also proven to be effective in preventing Alzheimer’s disease.

Challenge your brain and memory by engaging in tasks such as solving puzzles, crosswords, reading books, and learning a new skill. Ensure that you have an adequate sleep of at least 8 hours as the brain cells repair themselves during sleep. Lastly, avoid physical trauma to your brain by ensuring that you wear a helmet while driving or use appropriate protective gear in activities that have the potential to cause a head injury.

Dr. N.K. Tak, MBBS, MD, FIPS, MIASM, Psychiatrist, Jaipur

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative disease in which there is a loss of cognitive functions such as thinking, logic, reasoning, and memory. There is emotional instability and changes in personality as well. It accounts for 50–60% of all patients with dementia. It’s generally seen in 65-year-olds and older. It is more commonly seen in females. There are various genetic (40%) and other causes leading to Alzheimer’s. So, how can we preserve our mental health? Primarily, start exercising for 30 minutes regularly; brisk walking and aerobics are most preferable. Secondly, start including foods rich in citrus, vitamin B12, vitamin A, C, and E. Thirdly, sleeping well and relaxing your body are essential. One can also mentally try to reflect on one’s day and recollect all activities done on that day to jog their memory. Avoid using your phone for an hour before going to bed. Yet, the most important and handy tool is consistently reading books to prevent dementia (forgetfulness) in the elderly.

Dr. Shabiullah Syyed, MBBS, MD (Psychiatry), WPA Young Fellowship (Germany), Consultant Psychiatrist, The Definitive Mind Clinic, Madhukar Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Continua Kids, Hygiea Hospital, New Delhi

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder characterized by the accumulation of certain proteins, leading to brain shrinkage and cell death, ultimately causing a decline in memory, thinking, behavior, and social skills. It is not a normal part of aging; age is a significant risk factor, with most cases occurring in individuals aged 65 and older, although early-onset Alzheimer’s can also occur. The disease advances through stages, with symptoms worsening over time. Treatments can temporarily alleviate symptoms and enhance the quality of life for both patients and caregivers. Managing behavioral changes involves maintaining a familiar environment, monitoring comfort, providing comfort objects, and using redirection while avoiding confrontation. Medications like antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, anticonvulsants, and antipsychotics may help manage specific symptoms. Additionally, adopting a mentally, physically, and socially active lifestyle, along with a healthy diet, can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. On World Alzheimer’s Day, it’s essential to dispel misconceptions about the condition and seek early help from a Psychiatrist when needed.

Ms. Sukirti Meena, M.A Applied psychology, Psychologist registered at NCS (Ministry of Labour & Employment), Tokyo Meguro counselling,   Jaipur

Self-awareness can help improve our brain health. Self-awareness is a useful skill for determining negative thought patterns and behavioral attributes responsible for our overall health and well-being. Self-awareness helps improve our psychosocial-cognitive skills like decision-making, organizing daily activities, maintaining healthy relationships, and developing a positive attitude towards new life experiences. Self-help exercises like yoga, meditation, mindfulness practices, etc. can boost self-awareness and help us relax and rejuvenate. In contrast to traditional practices, NSDR (nonsleep deep rest) has been found to be an effective therapy for optimizing brain health.

Based on the concepts of hypnosis and yoga nidra, NSDR is an audio-visual therapy aid that helps an individual experience deep rest without falling asleep. To reduce the risk factors responsible for chronic diseases and psychological disorders and to maintain a healthy lifestyle, it is recommended to practice any of these self-help exercises and mindfulness-based therapies for a better quality of life.

Dr. Dhawan Sumeet R, MD, DM, Neurologist and development behavior speech specialist, Apollo Clinic Chandigarh

Preserving brain health is crucial for preventing memory loss and maintaining intellectual function as we age. A balanced approach includes a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and brain-boosting nutrients like vitamin E and B vitamins. Regular physical exercise, meditation and yoga increase blood flow to the brain. Mental stimulation through activities like puzzles, reading or learning new skills helps keep the mind sharp. Prioritizing quality sleep is essential, as it allows the brain to consolidate memories and recharge. Lastly, managing stress and maintaining strong social connections contribute to overall brain health, fostering resilience against memory loss as we journey through life. Managing diabetes, blood pressure, kidney function and liver function helps optimize brain functions and memory.  

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Sydney, Sep 20 (IANS) Australian researchers, including one of an Indian-origin, have developed a simple, cheap and non-invasive blood test that could help predict a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease up to 20 years before symptoms show.

Physicists from The Australian National University (ANU) have come up with a way to use nanotechnology, combined with artificial intelligence (AI), to analyse proteins in blood to search for signs of early neurodegeneration, or tell-tale "biomarkers" that point to the onset of Alzheimer's.

The physicists developed an ultra-thin silicon chip containing "nanopores" -- tiny, nanometer-sized holes that analyse the proteins one at a time with help from an advanced AI algorithm. A small amount of blood is placed on the silicon chip and inserted into a portable device, about the size of a mobile phone, which uses the AI algorithm to search for signatures corresponding to the proteins that show signs of early onset Alzheimer's.

Although there is no cure for Alzheimer's, ANU researcher Shankar Dutt said knowing whether someone is at risk of developing Alzheimer's 20 years before a potential diagnosis could significantly improve health outcomes for patients.

"If that person can find out their risk level that far in advance, then it gives them plenty of time to start making positive lifestyle changes and adopt medication strategies that may help slow down the progression of the disease," he said.

The team said the algorithm, detailed in the journal Small Methods, can be trained to screen for multiple neurological conditions at the same time, including Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

"Currently, Alzheimer's is mostly diagnosed based on evidence of mental deterioration, by which stage the disease has already seriously damaged the brain," said co-author Professor Patrick Kluth, from the ANU Research School of Physics.

"Early detection, which is vital for effective treatment, normally involves invasive and expensive hospital procedures such as a lumbar puncture, which can be physically and mentally taxing for patients.

"Our technique, on the other hand, requires only a small blood sample and patients could receive their results in near real-time.

"The quick and simple test could be done by GPs and other clinicians, which would eliminate the need for a hospital visit and prove especially convenient for people living in regional and remote areas," Kluth said

The researchers describe finding the proteins with signs of early neurodegeneration like searching for a needle in a haystack.

"Blood is a complex fluid that contains more than 10,000 different biomolecules. By employing advanced filtration techniques and harnessing our nanopore platform, combined with our intelligent machine learning algorithms, we may be able to identify even the most elusive proteins," Dutt said.

New Delhi, Feb 27 (IANS) While Alzheimer's is long known to afflict the aged, Chinese researchers recently claimed a 19-year-old boy -- the youngest-ever patient -- was diagnosed with the disease. Faulty genes can likely make the disease more common in youngsters, doctors argued on Monday.

Alzheimer's -- the most common cause of dementia -- causes the brain to shrink and brain cells to eventually die. The disease is known to severely impact memory, thinking, and behaviour.

While the signs of Alzhiemer's typically start appearing in the mid-60s, early onset has been recorded starting from the 30s. To date, the youngest person known to have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease was a 21-year-old who carried a gene mutation.

But the study, published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, reported a 19-year-old boy in China with "probable" Alzheimer's disease.

While the exact cause behind his disease remains unknown, researchers from Capital Medical University's Xuanwu Hospital in Beijing said he started showing memory loss -- a typical characteristic of Alzheimer's -- and hippocampal atrophy -- a shrinkage that is an early marker of the disease -- since the age of 17.

"Alzheimer's disease can become more common with the younger population due to genes," Dr Atul Prasad, Principal Director & HOD Neurology, BLK Max Super Speciality Hospital, told IANS.

"It entirely depends on the quality of genes. It can lead to manifestation of the disease in early ages as well," he added.

Although the root cause of Alzheimer's remains unknown, faulty genes are one of most common reasons. However, the adolescent patient's case differed because no known genetic mutations were identified.

He showed typical characteristic features of memory loss - he had trouble studying, frequently lost belongings, could not remember eating and had to withdraw from high school, the South China Morning Post reported.

Speaking to IANS, Dr. Manish Mahajan, Sr. Consultant - Neurology from Artemis Hospital, Gurugram, said that memory impairment in young patients should not be ignored by neurologists.

However, he disagrees that Alzhiemer's will be more prevalent in young people. "It will be a wrong message if we say that Alzheimer's is now seen in younger individuals. It still remains a disease of elderly," Mahajan said, noting that there must be some genetic predisposition in the case of the Chinese boy.

While one cannot change their genes, good sleep, physical and mental exercise, which includes playing chess or bridge games can be key in avoiding the disease, Prasad said.

He also advised to "eat nuts for daily nutrition, especially walnuts as it carries a good amount of antioxidants which slow down the brain ageing".