Hospitalization due to infection may increase a person’s likelihood of developing dementia, according to a large NIA-funded observational study. The researchers found people hospitalized with an infection were more likely to be diagnosed with dementia years later than those who were not hospitalized with infections. The results, published in JAMA Network Open, suggest measures taken to prevent infection may also contribute to dementia prevention.

Previous findings have suggested an association between dementia and certain types of infections, such as systemic and central nervous system infections. Additionally, hospitalization for any reason, but notably for infection and critical illness, has been linked to cognitive decline. Building on these findings, a team led by researchers at the University of Minnesota and an NIA scientist explored the association between hospitalization for infection and dementia by looking at data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, an observational study that has followed participants for up to 32 years.

Using data from 15,688 participants who did not have dementia when they entered the ARIC study, the scientists determined whether participants were hospitalized for an infection, and how many subsequently developed dementia three to 20 years later. The research team also investigated whether different types of infections were associated with varying dementia risk.

During the maximum follow-up period of 32 years, 19% of participants were diagnosed with dementia, and 38% were hospitalized with an infection. The researchers determined people who were hospitalized with an infection were 70% more likely to be diagnosed with dementia than those who were not. The types of infections most associated with dementia were blood and circulatory, urinary, and hospital-acquired infections, such as catheter-associated urinary tract infections.

The study’s findings provide evidence that hospitalization with an infection increases one’s risk of developing dementia, underscoring the importance of infection prevention when and if possible. More research on the links between infection and cognition could also lead to improved dementia screening practices.

This research was supported in part by NIA grants K76AG057020 and RF1AG072387 and the Intramural Research Program at NIA (ZIAAG000348).

Preventing or controlling high blood pressure, not only helps your heart, but may help your brain too. Decades of observational studies have shown that having high blood pressure in midlife — the 40s to early 60s — increases the risk of cognitive decline later in life. In addition, the Sprint-Mind study, a nationwide clinical trial, showed that intensive lowering of blood pressure (even below the previous standard target of 140 for systolic blood pressure) lowers the risk for mild cognitive impairment, which is a risk factor for dementia.

High blood pressure often does not cause signs of illness that you can see or feel. Routine visits to your doctor will help pick up changes in your blood pressure, even though you might feel fine. To control or lower high blood pressure, your doctor may suggest exercise, changes in your diet, and if needed — medications. These steps can help protect your brain and your heart.

A healthy diet can help reduce the risk of many chronic diseases such as heart disease or diabetes. It may also help keep your brain healthy.

In general, a healthy diet consists of fruits and vegetables; whole grains; lean meats, fish, and poultry; and low-fat or nonfat dairy products. You should also limit solid fats, sugar, and salt. Be sure to control portion sizes and drink enough water and other fluids.

Researchers are looking at whether a healthy diet can help preserve cognitive function or reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. For example, there is some evidence that people who eat a Mediterranean diet have a lower risk of developing dementia.

While scientists aren’t sure yet why the Mediterranean diet might help the brain, its effect on improving cardiovascular health might in turn reduce dementia risk. In contrast, the typical Western diet often increases cardiovascular disease risk, possibly contributing to faster brain aging.

Researchers have developed and are testing another diet, called MIND, a combination of the Mediterranean and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diets. According to observational studies of more than 900 dementia-free older adults, closely following the MIND diet was associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s and a slower rate of cognitive decline.

Learn more about diet and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.

Be Physically Active

Being physically active — through regular exercise, household chores, or other activities — has many benefits. It can help you:

Keep and improve your strength

Have more energy

Improve your balance

Prevent or delay heart disease, diabetes, and other concerns

Studies link ongoing physical activity with benefits for the brain and cognition as well, although a strong link between physical activity and Alzheimer’s disease prevention has not yet been documented.

In one study, exercise stimulated the human brain’s ability to maintain old network connections and make new ones that are vital to cognitive health. Other studies have shown that exercise increases the size of a brain structure important to memory and learning, resulting in better spatial memory. Aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, is thought to be more beneficial to cognitive health than nonaerobic stretching and toning exercise. One study found that the more time spent doing a moderate levels of physical activity, the greater the increase in brain glucose metabolism — or how quickly the brain turns glucose into fuel — which may reduce the risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Federal guidelines recommend that all adults get at least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of physical activity each week. Walking is a good start. You can also join programs that teach you to move safely and prevent falls, which can lead to brain and other injuries. Check with your health care provider if you haven’t been active and want to start a vigorous exercise program.

Prepare for behavioral challenges. Try to remove behavioral triggers by addressing the person’s physical needs related to the heat, then tending to their emotional needs.

Stay hydrated. Increased water intake is essential to maintaining good hydration and health during extreme heat. Know the signs of heat exhaustion to avoid heat stroke. Dehydration may be difficult to notice in a person living with dementia, as signs like increased fatigue, dry mouth and headache may be difficult to detect. People taking diuretics, sedatives, or certain heart medication may not sweat as much as others, but this does not mean that they are not hot.

Stay indoors and out of the sun. If air conditioning is unavailable at home, arrange alternative plans for cooler spaces in public, such as a senior center or shopping mall. Dress appropriately in loose, light clothing, and wear a hat and apply sunscreen when outside.

To learn more about Alzheimer’s treatments and free support services, visit the Alzheimer’s Association online at alz.org/cacentral. Their Ventura office is located at 2580 E Main Street #201, and their 24/7 Helpline is 800.272.3900 for around-the-clock support and information in English and Spanish.

by National Institute on Aging

Limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE) is a recently characterized type of dementia. Similar to other forms of brain disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, LATE causes problems with memory and thinking but has different underlying causes.

Dementia is the result of changes in certain brain regions that cause nerve cells (also known as neurons) and their connections to stop working properly. Researchers have connected changes in the brain to certain forms of dementia. For example, the hallmark brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s are the buildup of amyloid plaques and tau tangles.

Researchers identified LATE based on results of autopsy studies that revealed abnormal clusters of a protein called TDP-43. TDP-43 is involved in other brain disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. In LATE, it exhibits a different pattern of brain changes and tends to affect people over the age of 80.

The TDP-43 protein normally helps to regulate gene expression in the brain and other tissues. Deposits of this protein have been associated with deterioration of parts of the brain involved in memory, such as the hippocampus, resulting in cognitive impairment.

Recent autopsy studies examining tissue from donated brains found that certain patterns of misfolded TDP-43 proteins may be common in older adults. Researchers characterized this pattern of misfolded protein deposits as LATE.

For example, results from autopsy studies of more than 6,000 people with an average age at death of 88 years found that 40% had TDP-43 protein deposits associated with LATE and that LATE was associated with deficits in memory and thinking in approximately 25% of the donors. Those same studies also suggest that LATE can contribute to cognitive decline alone or in combination with other types of dementia. Just over half of those with signs of LATE also had evidence of Alzheimer’s-related proteins, suggesting that having more than one of these brain disorders may contribute to more rapid decline than either disease alone.

The symptoms of LATE are similar to those of Alzheimer’s. These include:

Problems with memory

Difficulty thinking and making decisions

Trouble finding the right words

Wandering or getting lost

How is LATE diagnosed?

Currently, there is no way to diagnose LATE in living people. It can only be diagnosed after death through autopsy.

If you are concerned about memory problems or other symptoms of dementia, talk with a doctor. You may be referred to a neurologist, a doctor specializing in disorders of the brain and nervous system.

Researchers continue to investigate the causes of and risk factors for LATE and ways to diagnose this disease in living people. For example, researchers are currently examining data to explore whether LATE has a unique pattern of brain degeneration and memory loss that could help further distinguish it from Alzheimer’s. They are also exploring whether there are unique molecular signatures for LATE that might be used to create a blood or spinal fluid diagnostic test.

Research into LATE and the underlying causes of dementia would not be possible without volunteers who donate their brains after death. If you’re interested in participating in research that involves brain donation, read Brain Donation: A Gift for Future Generations.

Additional information about participating in research to discover new ways to potentially diagnose, treat, and prevent dementia can be found through NIA-funded Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers and by visiting the Alzheimers.gov clinical trials finder.

Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice is bringing back their beloved Life Story program. This program is designed to provide both community members and hospice patients the opportunity to record their personal memoirs. Helping one share their personal story, which might be lost if not passed along to the next generation, is a valuable gift that our Life Story volunteer provides. Volunteers will get the opportunity to record and edit these stories.

To become a volunteer, call Life Stories Coordinator at (805) 389-6870 or visit lmvna.org/lifestoriesform to register.

A community-based support group focusing on sharing relevant information and education about all things Parkinson’s.

Meetings are held monthly on the third Tuesday, 10-11am, at Crosspointe Church (5415 Ralston Ave.) Next meeting: Tuesday, Aug. 18.

Ventura County Parkinson’s Support Group gets together every month with skilled, experienced professionals who present significant breakthroughs, strategies and related issues surrounding Parkinson’s. The group’s mission is for participants to better understand and talk about how this information impacts their own lives and affects immediate family members. In addition to those diagnosed with PD, caregivers, family members and friends are ALL welcome to attend FREE of charge.

More than just a meeting, all discussions/presentations offer interactive, compassionate, relevant education on PD. Topics range from “How to get up off the floor when you’ve fallen,” to “Nutrition and Parkinson’s” to “The benefits of deep brain stimulation and assessing if you’re a good candidate for DBS.”

Jon Everhart, retired accountant, US Marine and regular group attendee said, “It’s nice comparing treatments, symptoms, and the challenges we all face living with Parkinson’s.”

This caring group empowers people like Jon to be more proactive and to participate in deciding the direction of his treatment, complemented by his team of doctors’ suggestions.

This unique group gives everyone a great opportunity to learn more about current PD research, to gain more awareness about local help and resources, to share relevant experiences with others — and to have fun along the way.

The Ventura County Parkinson’s Support Group was recently resurrected (post-Covid) by Dr. Vanessa White, owner of Ventura County Neurofitness (a local fitness program designed specifically for those with Parkinson’s and other neurological degenerative diseases). The impetus for her assuming this responsibility was after her mother-in-law, Toy White, was diagnosed several years ago with PD. This important, special group was born upon her passing.