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IS ANYBODY DOING ANYTHING ABOUT ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE?
Dateline: October 25, 2005 ... New York, NY
Contact Name: G.F. Proud
Contact Phone: 631-323-3523
E-mail: fvagnini@pb.net
Web Address: http://vagnini.com/
NEW YORK, NY - October 25, 2005 - Alzheimer's Disease is a
neurological disorder of the brain. There is no cure for it, drugs
don't work and there are 4.5 million Americans affected by the
disease - a number which is expected to jump to 16 million in coming
years. Dr. Frederic J. Vagnini, a heart specialist who has dedicated
his practice to prevention, has begun a new Alzheimer's/Dementia
Evaluation Program for his patients, because, as he puts it, "The steps
taken to prevent heart and other cardiovascular diseases will also
ward off or diminish the symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer's."
Dr. Vagnini takes his cue from today's advances in functional
neurology research, which has found that the same conditions and
lifestyle factors that increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke
also increase the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's Disease. This has
been proven in research conducted among 9,000 adults in a study
sponsored by Kaiser Permanente in California. Study findings indicate
that each of the known cardiovascular risk factors is a predictor of
dementia: those identified in the study with diabetes were 46% more
likely to develop dementia; those with high cholesterol were 42%
more likely; people who smoked were 26% more likely; and those who
had hypertension were 24% more likely to develop dementia in later
years. When researchers looked at a combination of the risk factors,
they found the risk for dementia increased from 27 for having all
four risk factors, compared with having no risk factors at all. That
means a person with all of these risk factors is more than twice as
likely to suffer dementia.
"I have always prescribed vigorous exercise for my patients to prevent
heart disease. And now it has been proven that exercise exercise
that works up a sweat also protects against dementia. The new
Alzheimer's/Dementia Evaluation Program that I have designed will put
patients suspected of dementia on that same track."
Five Questions and Answers about Alzheimer's Risk and Prevention
1. How does exercise lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease?
The researchers don't know exactly how exercise works to lower
A.D. risk, but like the effect of exercise on heart disease
risk, exercise increases blood flow and counters arterial
plaques, which are a factor in A.D. It's been proven that
people on a vigorous exercise program will significantly
reduce their risk of dementia. Alzheimer's is a type of
dementia.
2. How early in life might Alzheimer’s Disease strike?
A.D. is a progressive disease. It is usually in late life that
symptoms are recognized. Medical authorities estimate that 50%
of the population over 85 has some form of dementia. If the
disease develops rapidly in an individual case, it could be
diagnosed as early as in the 50's. And in such a case there is
probably a genetic factor involved.
3. Can Alzheimer's Disease be diagnosed in a visit to the doctor?
The diagnosis of A.D. is made by exclusion; that is, by ruling
out other causes of the patient's symptoms, such as stroke or
depression. The MMSE (Mini Mental State Exam) is a single page
test administered orally in the doctor's office. It is widely
used to assess cognitive impairment. If dementia is suspected,
the patient is referred for a radiological imaging of the
brain, a PET scan, which can be more conclusive.
4. What is the distinction between Alzheimer's Disease and dementia?
A.D. is a form of dementia. There are other forms, but
Alzheimer's is the most common and the most lethal, and it
progresses to death. All are neurological disorders of the
brain. Some of the other forms can be treated successfully.
The definitive diagnosis of A.D. can only be made in an
autopsy.
5. What can you do in the doctor's office for someone at risk for or
suspected of Alzheimer's Disease?
Because of today's research in brain function, more is known
about A.D., about the nutritional factors involved, about
lifestyle therapies that work to prevent it, it is important
in clinical practice to begin preventive evaluations. A
number of cognitive impairment conditions are seen in a
cardiovascular practice. They may be the result of stroke or
the effect of cerebral vascular disease or of untreated
hypertension. All of these conditions call for a neurological
assessment with a view to the possibility of A.D. in an early
stage. So far drugs have not been successful in treating A.D.
But there are prudent preventive steps that can be taken. Dr.
David Perlmutter, renowned neurologist and author of a
bestseller, "The Better Brain Book", argues that we should not
give up on finding a cure, and in his research he has found
antioxidant nutrients C and E vitamins to be effective in
warding off dementia. Glutathione, a master anti-oxidant
protein obtained in fruits and vegetables, enhances brain
function. It can also be taken as a food supplement as well as
administered intravenously. Ginko biloba has been reported to
slow down A.D. High homocysteine is a severe risk factor.
These and many more findings from today's research in
functional neurology give the impetus to the Heart, Diabetes &
Weight Loss Center's new Alzheimer's /Dementia evaluation
program.
For more information or to schedule an interview please contact
Frederic J. Vagnini MD, FACS at 1-888-HEART-90 or 516-369-2040.
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