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Memory Complaints Are a Harbinger of Things to Come The 2015 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) came to a close today, but not before a few final sessions this morning, including some important study results relevant to the public health community. For the past couple of years, research has increasingly suggested that subjective cognitive decline (SCD) – self-reporting of increased memory problems – is a good predictor of future mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. Not everyone with SCD will go on to develop more serious conditions, but the evidence strongly suggests the risk is much greater. Today, Dr. Ron Petersen of the Mayo Clinic reported on a study involving participants in the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging. It concluded that even after controlling for age, education, sex, APoE ε4 gene status, depression, anxiety, global cognition, and comorbidities, SCD predicted progression to MCI. For researchers, this is significant as SCD may be useful in selecting individuals for prevention trials. But it is also significant for the public health community. The Cognitive Module for the annual Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey asks respondents aged 45 and older if they are experiencing increased confusion or memory loss that has gotten worse in the previous 12 months. In effect, it is a measure of SCD – and therefore an indication of the population at greater risk for developing MCI and dementia. Combined with the module’s questions on the burden created by increased memory problems and whether individuals have talked to a health care provider about their memory problems, the BRFSS data, if collected by states, can serve as a great tool to aid public health officials in planning and programmatic decisions. Regular and vigorous physical activity can reduce the risk of cognitive decline and may also reduce the risk of dementia. In healthy older adults, studies suggest physical exercise can improve cognition. But, can exercise do even more? Can it serve as a treatment for those who already have Alzheimer’s or other dementias? Results from three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of aerobic exercise reported at AAIC today indicate the answer may be “yes.” Specifically:
Meet the Public Health Grad Student Scholarship Winners Nicole Armstrong is a doctoral candidate at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Her project will examine the association between late-life depression and cognitive decline. Elvira Jimenez, a doctoral candidate at the University of California-Los Angeles, is examining the unique experiences and challenges faced by caregivers of people with younger-onset dementia. Both award winners found AAIC to be a rewarding and enriching experience. “There have been many networking opportunities to nurture new investigators as they start their careers,” said Armstrong. She added that AAIC afforded her the chance “to learn about current cutting-edge research and inspire ideas for new projects.” Jimenez noted, “It was exciting to see the diverse research as well as the passion and commitment by the research community. It was particularly enriching to interact with the public health community involved in this effort.” Goodbye Washington, Get Ready Toronto
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