Stimulating the brain delays, but does not prevent, dementia

Sep 2nd 2010

http://www.economist.com/node/16941143

Length of demetia reduced is small comfort.

dude, this is a TERRIBLE recipe for cupcakes

SUPRMAN said:

Stimulating the brain delays, but does not prevent, dementia

Sep 2nd 2010

AS THE baby-boomer generation contemplates the prospect of the Zimmer frame there has never been more interest in delaying the process of ageing. One consequence has been a dramatic rise in the popularity of brain-training games. But how effective really is a daily dose of cryptic crossword?

Robert Wilson, a neuropsychologist at Rush University in Chicago, and his colleagues decided to find out, by following a group of people without dementia. Participants were asked to rate how frequently they engaged in cognitively stimulating activities. The researchers were looking for such things as reading newspapers, books and magazines, playing challenging games like chess, listening to the radio and watching television, and visiting museums.

The good news, as they report inNeurology, is that frequent activity of this sort seems to slow the rate of mental decline in those without cognitive impairment. The bad news is that in those who do then develop Alzheimer’s disease it is associated with a more rapid subsequent decline.

What seems to be happening is that cognitive stimulation helps overcome the effect of the neurodegenerative lesions associated with dementia. It does not, however, make them go away. They continue to accumulate, so that when the disease does eventually take hold there are more of them around than there otherwise would be, which results in a more rapid cognitive fall off. That is not a message of despair, though, because the length of time someone suffers from dementia is thus reduced and their healthy life prolonged. So the message is, carry on with the crosswords.

http://www.economist.com/node/16941143

Length of demetia reduced is small comfort.

I hate crosswords.

I've always said that, when I retire (which is looking more like if I retire, these days ), I want to go to law school - just for the mental exercise.

this make total sense to me since I have seen the rapid decline in my mother the last 12-15 months or so. She was very active and then all of a sudden she could feel it all slipping away. We are working on slowing the progression though with meds and mental stimulation. it's sad though knowing that she is going down hill very quickly.

butterfli25 said:

this make total sense to me since I have seen the rapid decline in my mother the last 12-15 months or so. She was very active and then all of a sudden she could feel it all slipping away. We are working on slowing the progression though with meds and mental stimulation. it's sad though knowing that she is going down hill very quickly.

So sorry she and your family have to deal with this.

My grandfather did a lot of crosswords and brainteasers & had a pretty rapid decline with dementia.

But I agree, keep doing them, it is the same thing with aging. You cannot stop it, but if you can slow it that is about all you can reasonably hope for.

I work in this field, and what I notice (just in my experience, not from studies) is that the people who are diagnosed at a young age (in their 50's, say) seem to decline more rapidly for some reason.

Number23 said:

When I'm fullly gone, I'm sure I won't mind. It's probably like some fragmented dreamlike state without any sense of self. There won't be any of me left to care. However, the initial stages of dementia must be terrifying to experience. I lived alone with my grandmother when she began to develop Alzheimers and her frustration and anger were heartbreaking. The funny thing is, when she eventually checked out of reality completely, she started to laugh again. Just staring at things and smiling. Oh, and hammering the neighbours' walls with her walking stick because of 'hymns' they were apparently singing through the night. They weren't and the dents are still on the wall.

yes, definitely, the beginning stages seem to be the worst.

There are certainly bad moments with people who are in the later stages being confused and angry or sad, but more often they seem to just be in the moment and not aware that something is wrong.

But the later stages are really difficult for caregivers because the person must be cared for all the time--fed, cleaned, wiped, and kept from danger--just like an infant, and with no real reward for all the work.

NDRU said:

Number23 said:

When I'm fullly gone, I'm sure I won't mind. It's probably like some fragmented dreamlike state without any sense of self. There won't be any of me left to care. However, the initial stages of dementia must be terrifying to experience. I lived alone with my grandmother when she began to develop Alzheimers and her frustration and anger were heartbreaking. The funny thing is, when she eventually checked out of reality completely, she started to laugh again. Just staring at things and smiling. Oh, and hammering the neighbours' walls with her walking stick because of 'hymns' they were apparently singing through the night. They weren't and the dents are still on the wall.

yes, definitely, the beginning stages seem to be the worst.

There are certainly bad moments with people who are in the later stages being confused and angry or sad, but more often they seem to just be in the moment and not aware that something is wrong.

But the later stages are really difficult for caregivers because the person must be cared for all the time--fed, cleaned, wiped, and kept from danger--just like an infant, and with no real reward for all the work.

So you work as a caregiver? I've always wondered how they stay happy when they see so much physical decline and death all day. Surely you must prevent yourself from getting emotionally involved somehow in order to cope?

retina said:

NDRU said:

yes, definitely, the beginning stages seem to be the worst.

There are certainly bad moments with people who are in the later stages being confused and angry or sad, but more often they seem to just be in the moment and not aware that something is wrong.

But the later stages are really difficult for caregivers because the person must be cared for all the time--fed, cleaned, wiped, and kept from danger--just like an infant, and with no real reward for all the work.

So you work as a caregiver? I've always wondered how they stay happy when they see so much physical decline and death all day. Surely you must prevent yourself from getting emotionally involved somehow in order to cope?

No I don't work directly with them, but I've spent enough time with them over the years to learn a few things.

I agree, it looks way too emotionally taxing for me. You have to stay detached. I remember one girl saying a man had called her a fucking bitch and she was just too sensitive to let it roll off her back. She did not last long here. And that is on top of sweet old folks declining and dying. You have to be tough to be a caregiver.

But some people here are not affected that much. It's normal for people to die here, we expect it, and terrible as it might be to say, it is often a blessing for everyone involved.

NDRU said:

I agree, it looks way too emotionally taxing for me. You have to stay detached. I remember one girl saying a man had called her a fucking bitch and she was just too sensitive to let it roll off her back. She did not last long here. And that is on top of sweet old folks declining and dying. You have to be tough to be a caregiver.

I'm sure you're right but it must be hard since many people are probably attracted to that profession because they care and want to be kind and empathetic and then when they're faced with the reality of it all, they almost have to do a 180 degree emotional turn in order to survive.

Gosh, I do understand what you're saying but it still sent chills down my spine. I would never want to be so much of a burden on my loved ones that they were relieved if I passed away. But I guess it's quite common for a lot of people to feel that way after years of heartache and laborious caregiving.

retina said:

NDRU said:

I agree, it looks way too emotionally taxing for me. You have to stay detached. I remember one girl saying a man had called her a fucking bitch and she was just too sensitive to let it roll off her back. She did not last long here. And that is on top of sweet old folks declining and dying. You have to be tough to be a caregiver.

I'm sure you're right but it must be hard since many people are probably attracted to that profession because they care and want to be kind and empathetic and then when they're faced with the reality of it all, they almost have to do a 180 degree emotional turn in order to survive.

But some people here are not affected that much. It's normal for people to die here, we expect it, and terrible as it might be to say, it is often a blessing for everyone involved.

Gosh, I do understand what you're saying but it still sent chills down my spine. I would never want to be so much of a burden on my loved ones that they were relieved if I passed away. But I guess it's quite common for a lot of people to feel that way after years of heartache and laborious caregiving.

Nobody does, obviously, but they get past the point of taking any part of the decision making, and even if they could decide, we're not allowed to end life early. But a very common sentiment around here is "I would never want to live like that" even though there is actually a lot of joy in being with people with dementia.

They know how hard it is on the caregiver, and while I might say it is a blessing, I doubt many caregivers could admit that if they did feel it. It must be so difficult when you are glad someone died, and you can't admit it to anyone. I have seen people struggle with it.

But on the positive side, all caregivers don't have to turn off their caring sides in order to be in this business. On the contrary, it keeps them going through the dirty side of it. Much the way people like working with kids where to me it sounds like torture.

Going into year 8 with Mom

She only called me a son of a bitch 13 times today

It was a good day

Thank you for posting this thread Suprman.

I have a loved one suffering from dementia as well. I'll keep all of you and your affected loved ones in my thoughts and prayers.

Mach said:

Going into year 8 with Mom

She only called me a son of a bitch 13 times today

It was a good day

ZombieKitten said:

Mach said:

Going into year 8 with Mom

She only called me a son of a bitch 13 times today

It was a good day

Thanx

It really was a good day

Number23 said:

When I'm fullly gone, I'm sure I won't mind. It's probably like some fragmented dreamlike state without any sense of self. There won't be any of me left to care. However, the initial stages of dementia must be terrifying to experience. I lived alone with my grandmother when she began to develop Alzheimers and her frustration and anger were heartbreaking. The funny thing is, when she eventually checked out of reality completely, she started to laugh again. Just staring at things and smiling. Oh, and hammering the neighbours' walls with her walking stick because of 'hymns' they were apparently singing through the night. They weren't and the dents are still on the wall.

Yep, experienced the same with my grandfather. He started to get extremely angry and aggressive, accusing his family of trying to poison him and shit like that. No logic could convince him that he was not telling the truth.

Seeing my loving, caring, proud grandfather slip away day by day was quite hard. Eventually he started to run away from home at night, because he was afraid of us, and he would run for miles and miles and then forget his name and where he lived. It was too dangerous, we couldn't take care of him anymore, so we had to give him to the old people's home...

Mach said:

Going into year 8 with Mom

She only called me a son of a bitch 13 times today

It was a good day

OMG.

It is so hard for the caregivers!

A co-worker of mine was diagnosed with Dementia at age 53. She got bad very quickly and had to live with her 78 year old mother.

Last I was in contact she could no longer write or dial the phone herself.

Mach said:

Going into year 8 with Mom

She only called me a son of a bitch 13 times today

It was a good day

oh Mach, I see my future in your day to day life.

I'm hoping occasionally throwing one of the wrist whilst looking at pornography might save me.

[Edited 9/13/10 11:47am]