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In 1906, when Alois Alzheimer first discovered the disease that took his name, senile
dementia was hardly known. Life expectancy at the start of the last century was
nowhere near the 85 years that is now the norm in the early 21st century.
Senile dementia has been described as
"life where your body outlives the functional usefulness of your brain".
To date there is no reliable diagnostic test for Alzheimer’s disease. Symptoms are
insidious starting with memory lapses progressing to a failure in the repetition of even
simple routines. As daily living becomes more difficult, self-awareness of the condition
is obscured by personality change and a complete detachment from surroundings and family.
Total dependency is the final outcome.
Death is usually due to pneumonia or urinary tract infection.
Progressive atrophy of the brain mass is
a common consequence of ageing. Wasting of the centrally placed white matter is
called Binswenger’s disease and when cortical grey matter is affected, it is called
Alzheimer’s disease. In either case the brain shrinks and function is impaired.
An excessive deposit of beta amyloid
(A-beta) is found in the brain of an Alzheimer’s patient at autopsy. This is
the result of beta and gamma enzymes working together to produce short, sticky
protein. An Alzheimer’s patient shows a reduced ability to dissolve A-beta
normally, thus fibrils and then plaques will develop. The plaques set up an inflammatory
reaction causing the death of brain cells within the affected area. As neurons die
so memory function fades.
Oestrogen deficiency
Oestrogen deficiency is common in women with Alzheimers. A survey in 1996 found that
women who had taken Oestrogen after menopause had reduced their risk of developing
Alzheimer’s disease by half. This was evident even where women had a family
history of this condition. In addition, studies show that a woman who has never
taken Oestrogen is twenty times more at risk than a woman who has taken Oestrogen
long-term. These findings offer support for the use of HRT in older women. It
is probable that testosterone replacement in older men may carry the same benefit.
Other hormones that affect the brain are DHEA, pregnenalone, testosterone, thyroid and
human growth hormone. Low levels levels of these hormones result in impaired mental
function. They are also powerful antioxidants.
Anti-Oxidants
Though it is not known whether a diet high in anti-oxidants can prevent oxidation damage
of the brain and A-beta deposits, it is known that 1g of Vitamin C and 800mg of
Vitamin E reduce oxidative stress on the body by 70%. It is also known that Vitamin
E quells the toxic free radical associated with A-beta. In addition it is now known
that the powerful antioxidant CoQ10 not only fights free radicals, but also helps
regenerate Vitamin E after it has quenched a free radical - thus reviving the Vitamin to
continue another attack.
Finally, epidemiological studies show that regular use of ibuprofen, indomethacin or
aspirin may also suppress A-beta related free
radicals.
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