Latest news with #MCI
San Francisco Chronicle
6 days ago
- Health
- San Francisco Chronicle
Why managing early memory loss should actually start with your heart
Yesterday, we published a story about the importance of getting a medical evaluation if you're experiencing any symptoms of cognitive decline. Today, we focus on how you can live with cognitive decline if you're among the roughly one-third of U.S. adults 65 and older experiencing some form of cognitive impairment. We spoke to Sharon Lukert, a former longtime Bay Area nurse and chaplain who in 2021 was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease. Lukert, who now lives in Wisconsin, recently wrote a book documenting her experience, 'Until My Memory Fails Me,' which offers guidance on meditation and spiritual practices that have helped her on her journey. (Disclosure: Lukert's son previously worked as a reporter at the Chronicle.) We also interviewed neurologists and geriatricians about how to best take care of yourself in the early stages of impairment. They offer advice on everything from diagnosis to tips for lifestyle modifications to help slow cognitive decline — including focusing on heart health, which has a particularly strong connection to your brain health. Consider lifestyle adjustments, with a focus on heart health The same diet and exercise recommendations that help preserve brain health in general may also be able to slow down the progression of cognitive decline, so doctors recommend the following: Exercise a minimum of 30 minutes a day, five days a week, with moderate-intensity aerobic exercise Eat a Mediterranean diet Get social engagement Get good, consistent sleep Do things that challenge and rechallenge your cognition. Even if you can't complete them perfectly (say, a crossword puzzle), the attempt is good for the brain. There's ample evidence that taking care of your heart health in particular is important for your brain health. That includes managing hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cholesterol and not smoking. Those 'have a very important role in brain health — not just vascular dementia, but Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia,' said Dr. Kristine Yaffe, a professor of psychiatry, neurology and epidemiology at UCSF. 'When people are in midlife, that's a very important time to be working on this stuff,' Yaffe said. 'But it's never too late. If I had MCI, I'd want to make sure my blood pressure was well-controlled, my diabetes was well-controlled, I stopped smoking and I tried to take care of my heart health as much as possible.' For Lukert, this means finding exercise and diet habits that are not just good for her, but also enjoyable so she can sustain them. 'It's hard to do those things unless you find a way to enjoy them,' she said. To that effect, Lukert, who used to be a dancer, took up a cardio dance class, which is much more fun to her than working out on machines at the gym. Similarly, she loves blueberries, and started adding them into her oatmeal or yogurt in the morning. And she can attest personally to the importance of finding activities that bring joy. She encourages others with MCI to think about what those things are early on, because continuing those activities later will help support you as you progress. Lukert, for instance, is a Buddhist chaplain and has recorded herself saying Buddhist prayers. In case she may one day not be able to say them herself, her family can play the recordings for her. For Lukert's mother, who has dementia, music therapy has helped. She played several instruments and sang in choral groups for much of her life. 'I found a music therapist who visits her once a week,' Lukert said. 'She just loves it. She lights up during that time.' 'For someone else, it might be prayer. If you know what those things are, it's likely to be the same as you go through dementia,' Lukert said. 'Those things can be very supportive on an emotional and spiritual level. Emotional memory lasts longer than cognitive memories.' Seek social support After she was diagnosed with MCI, Lukert joined a support group of people living with cognitive change, which she found through the Alzheimer's Association in Wisconsin. The group as a whole meets once a month, and Lukert also talks regularly with people she met through the group about their similar experiences. For example, Lukert had to give up driving two years ago because of problems with depth perception, and sometimes has issues with depth perception as a passenger. Another member of the group recently brought up the same issue, and the two talked about ways to cope. For Lukert, looking off into the distance instead of the road ahead helps. For her friend, putting on headphones helps because it distracts her. 'It makes such a difference to talk to other people who are going through similar experiences,' Lukert said. Get your affairs in order 'I recommend patients get power of attorney in place, assign a medical decision-maker and someone to manage their finances,' said Dr. Irina Skylar Scott, a Stanford neurologist who specializes in memory disorders. 'They can decide whether to implement the power of attorney documentation right away, or at a certain time should they be unable to make decisions.' Skylar-Scott also recommends people have a living will and a POLST (physician orders for life-sustaining treatment). A POLST form will get on the record what your wishes are when it comes to medical decisions, such as whether you want CPR if your heart stops or whether you want mechanical ventilation if you can no longer breathe on your own.
Arab Times
7 days ago
- Health
- Arab Times
Popular painkiller may increase risk of memory decline, study finds
LONDON, July 13: A widely prescribed pain medication, gabapentin — often recommended as a safer alternative to opioids for individuals suffering from lower back pain — is now facing scrutiny after being associated with a heightened risk of dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). According to a large-scale observational study published in the journal Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine, patients who were frequently prescribed gabapentin showed a significantly higher likelihood of developing dementia or MCI. 'Our results support the need for close monitoring of adult patients prescribed gabapentin to assess for potential cognitive decline,' the researchers stated. Dr. Leah Mursaleen, Head of Clinical Research at Alzheimer's Research UK, commented on the study, noting that the findings demonstrate only an association between gabapentin prescriptions and cognitive impairment, not a direct cause. 'Gabapentin dosage wasn't recorded, and there was no information on how long people were on the medication,' she said. She further explained that since the study focused exclusively on individuals with chronic pain, other factors may have contributed to the observed outcomes. 'Previous studies involving people prescribed gabapentin for conditions such as seizures did not find a link between the drug and an increased risk of dementia,' Dr. Mursaleen added. While acknowledging the study's findings, she emphasized the importance of effectively managing chronic pain and advised that anyone concerned about their medication should speak with their doctor.
Scottish Sun
10-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Common painkiller used for back pain ups risk of dementia by 29%, scientists warn
Find out the full list of side effects of the drug below DRUG WARNING Common painkiller used for back pain ups risk of dementia by 29%, scientists warn Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A POPULAR nerve and back pain medicine has been linked to an increased risk of dementia by scientists. The risk was associated with patients who had received six or more prescriptions of the drug. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Gabapentin is commonly prescribed to treat chronic pain, such as nerve pain and back pain Credit: Getty Gabapentin has become increasingly popular for the treatment of chronic pain, especially neuropathic pain - pain that arises from damage or disease affecting the nervous system - as it offers potentially neuroprotective benefits. But concerns have begun to emerge about its side effects, include a possible link to neurodegeneration. In a new study published in the journal Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine, researchers found receiving six or more prescriptions of the drug is associated with 29 per cent increased risk of developing dementia - and a 85 per cent increased risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The research team looked at real-time data from 68 healthcare organisations across the US. Alongside the number of prescriptions associated with dementia and MCI risks, they found diagnoses occurred within 10 years of patients' initial pain diagnosis. When looking at age, 18 to 64 year olds prescribed the drug were more than twice as likely to develop either condition than those who hadn't been prescribed gabapentin. There was no heightened risk among 18 to 34 year olds prescribed the drug, but among 35 to 49 year olds, the risks of dementia more than doubled and those of MCI more than tripled. A similar pattern was observed among 50 to 64 year olds. Risks also rose with prescription frequency - patients who had received 12 or more prescriptions were 40 per cent more likely to develop dementia and 65 per cent more likely to develop MCI than those prescribed gabapentin between three and 11 times. As the study was observational, the researchers weren't able to draw firm conclusions about cause and effect. Signs of dementia that might be missed They also weren't able to account for dose or length of gabapentin use. But they concluded: "Our findings indicate an association between gabapentin prescription and dementia or cognitive impairment within 10 years. "Moreover, increased gabapentin prescription frequency correlated with dementia incidence." They added: "Our results support the need for close monitoring of adult patients prescribed gabapentin to assess for potential cognitive decline." Side effects of gabapentin LIKE all medicines, gabapentin can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Side effects of gabapentin may happen in more than one in 100 people. They're usually mild and go away by themselves. They include: Feeling sleepy, tired or dizzy Feeling sick (nausea) Being sick (vomiting) Diarrhoea Mood changes Swollen arms and legs Blurred vision Dry mouth Difficulty getting an erection Weight gain Memory problems Headaches Getting more infections than usual Very few people taking the drug experience serious problems. Call a doctor or call 111 straight away if you have a serious side effect, including: Thoughts of harming or killing yourself – a small number of people taking gabapentin have had suicidal thoughts, which can happen after only a week of treatment A high temperature, swollen glands that do not go away, your eyes or skin turn yellow (this may be less obvious on brown or black skin), unusual bruises or bleeding, severe tiredness or weakness, unexpected muscle pain or weakness, with or without a rash – these may be symptoms of a serious reaction Long-lasting stomach pain, feeling sick or being sick – these may be warning signs of an inflamed pancreas Muscle pain or weakness and you're having dialysis treatment because of kidney failure Seeing things that are not there (hallucinations) In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Call 999 now if: Your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen You're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air) Your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow Your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet) You suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy Someone faints and cannot be woken up A child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face) Source: NHS In a study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia earlier this year, a team of scientists systemically reviewed data-driven research on how prescribed medications may influence dementia risk. They found antibiotics, antivirals, and anti-inflammatory drugs were protective. Vaccines for diseases such as hepatitis and typhoid showed associations between reduced dementia risk. But they also uncovered concerning associations between frequent use of antipsychotics and benzodiazepines and an elevated risk of dementia. Medications targeting vascular and metabolic pathways, including antihypertensives and statins, showed mixed outcomes.
Newsweek
10-07-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Dementia Diagnoses Rise in Adults Prescribed With Common Pain Drug
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A commonly prescribed pain medication—gabapentin—often considered a safer alternative to opioids for those who suffer from low back pain is now under scrutiny after being linked to increased risks of dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). According to a large-scale observational study published in the journal Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine, patients who received frequent gabapentin prescriptions were significantly more likely to develop dementia and/or MCI. Researchers analyzed anonymized medical records from tens of thousands of Americans sourced from TriNetX, a federated health research network with electronic health records from 68 healthcare organizations across the country. They found that patients whom had received six or more gabapentin prescriptions were 29 percent more likely to be diagnosed with dementia and 85 percent more likely to be diagnosed with MCI within 10 years of their initial pain diagnosis. Surprisingly, risks were higher among those who are usually considered too young to be affected by these conditions. A stock image shows a man standing alone, suffering from low back pain. A stock image shows a man standing alone, suffering from low back pain. getty images While no increased risk was found in users aged 18 to 34, for those aged 35 to 49, dementia risk more than doubled, and MCI risk more than tripled. A similar risk pattern was observed among 50–64 year olds. Prescription frequency also played a main role, regardless of the patient's age. Those with 12 or more gabapentin prescriptions were 40 percent more likely to develop dementia and 65 percent more likely to develop MCI, compared to those with 3 to 11 prescriptions. Thanks to its low addictive potential, gabapentin is usually seen as a safer option to opioids, however, the new findings raise concerns on its potential side effects on brain health. Prof Sir John Hardy, Group Leader at the UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, said: "While this is interesting, one has to worry that these types of findings are artefactual and result (for example) from a marginal acute effect on cognitive performance rather than effects on the underlying disease." The researchers acknowledged that because the study was observational and retrospective, meaning they weren't able to account for dose or length of gabapentin use, they couldn't draw a firm conclusion on cause and effect. Nevertheless, they concluded: "Our findings indicate an association between gabapentin prescription and dementia or cognitive impairment within 10 years. Moreover, increased gabapentin prescription frequency correlated with dementia incidence." "Our results support the need for close monitoring of adult patients prescribed gabapentin to assess for potential cognitive decline." Dr Leah Mursaleen, Head of Clinical Research at Alzheimer's Research UK, said that this study only shows an association between gabapentin prescriptions and mild cognitive impairment or dementia, so they still don't know if the medication is directly causing the higher risk. "Gabapentin dosage wasn't recorded, and there was no information on how long people were on the medication. "Because this study only used health records of people with chronic pain, we cannot rule out other factors that might be influencing the findings. And previous studies looking at people prescribed gabapentin for other conditions like seizures, didn't show a link between the medication and higher dementia risk", she said. She added that managing chronic pain is very important and anyone who has any concerns about the medication they are receiving, should consult to their doctor. Do you have a science story to share with Newsweek? Do you have a question about dementia? Let us know via science@ Reference Eghrari, N. B., Yazji, I. H., Yavari, B., Van Acker, G. M., & Kim, C. H. (2025). Risk of dementia following gabapentin prescription in chronic low back pain patients. Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine.
Straits Times
06-07-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Smart sensors used in study to detect cognitive decline in seniors who live alone
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox SINGAPORE – Ms Julie Chia lives alone in a flat in Tampines and keeps herself active despite her advanced age. The 97-year-old feels secure each time she heads out, whether it is to the Lions Befrienders (LB) Active Ageing Centre at her void deck to play Rummy-O with her friends or nearby to buy the newspaper and her dinner. The sprightly woman is among more than 200 seniors living alone who have been recruited since 2020 for a longitudinal study looking into using smart sensor technology to detect mild cognitive impairment (MCI) – a condition that increases one's risk of developing dementia – in order to respond to it early. This will help seniors to age better and remain for longer in the community. 'With this (beacon sensor) on my keychain, I know that whenever I go out, someone knows. I feel more relieved,' said Ms Chia. What the researchers have gathered from the second phase of the study, with sensor data collected from 63 seniors living alone, is that the machine learning-based prediction technology is able to detect MCI at a 90 per cent accuracy rate. This is an improvement from the previous performance of 70 per cent obtained in the first phase of the study in 2020. The data for the study is generated by eight sensors placed in different parts of the participants' homes, such as the living room, under the mattress, inside their medicine box or cabinet, and on the door. A sensor resembling a tag is also attached to their keychain to help track whether the senior participants have their keys with them when they go out. Additionally, the seniors are given a wearable device to measure their daily steps and heart rate. In Ms Chia's case, the sensors were installed at her home in April 2021. Unlike a traditional video surveillance system that captures images and voices, the sensors monitor movement and daily routines discreetly, including sleep patterns, physical activity and memory lapses. They also track how often the senior moves around the flat or goes out and for how long, how well he or she sleeps, or the frequency of forgetting personal items, particularly their medications. A sensor resembling a tag is also attached to their keychain to help track whether the senior participants have their keys with them when they go out. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG The longitudinal study, called Sensors In-home for Elder Wellbeing , is led by Associate Professor Iris Rawtaer, head and senior consultant at the department of psychiatry and director of research at Sengkang General Hospital , and p rofessor of computer science Tan Ah Hwee from Singapore Management University. It is estimated that there will be 152,000 individuals living with dementia in Singapore by 2030, and 187,000 by 2050. While global study statistics vary, up to half of all people with MCI go on to develop dementia within five years, said Prof Rawtaer. In 2024, the Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention and care found that 45 per cent of cases of dementia could potentially be delayed by addressing some of the modifiable risk factors, such as social isolation, untreated vision loss and high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, commonly known as bad cholesterol. However, many people are not even aware of experiencing MCI, the at-risk state for dementia. They seek help only after significant cognitive decline has occurred, missing the crucial window for intervention and advanced planning, said Prof Rawtaer. This is where the sensor system can help. 'Nine out of 10 times, it essentially outperforms your pen and paper routine screening instruments like your MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) and your Moca (Montreal Cognitive Assessment),' Prof Rawtaer told The Straits Times. MMSE and Moca are brief screening tools used to assess cognitive function and detect MCI as well as mild dementia. The participants in the study go through detailed neurocognitive assessments yearly, providing the benchmark against which the machine learning models in the sensor system are tested. 'The question is whether seniors can accept the use of the sensor system. Is this intrusive? Is this inconvenient? Is this going to be something that we can scale and do in the long term in the community?' Prof Rawtaer said. Ms Chia, for instance, did not have her wearable device – a study requirement – on her on the day of the interview. A spokesman for LB, who was with her that day, said the seniors may forget to charge their wearable device. Prof Tan said that for the second phase of the study, the team developed an advanced machine learning-based artificial intelligence (AI) model to handle irrelevant or missing sensor data due to hardware failure, for instance. The AI can also explain why it flagged someone as being at risk, he said. As an example, it has learnt that people with MCI often move around less while at home and are more likely to forget to take their medication. 'At SMU, we have one data engineer and two data analysts looking at the data. Moving forward, we are thinking that we should partner with a commercial party... to be able to do this in a viable manner. It's not just the installation of the equipment but the maintenance and the day-to-day monitoring,' he said. The total installation cost of the sensor system is below $1,000. In the third planned phase of the study – for which the researchers are awaiting funding – they will test the sensors in multi-person households, and look at new digital biomarkers and how to reduce the numbers of sensors used to make the monitoring system more efficient and affordable. Beyond cognitive assessment, the smart sensor system could be expanded to support safety monitoring and health assessment, the researchers said. LB's executive director Karen Wee said the smart sensor system has a lot of potential not just in helping seniors to age well in the community, but also in enabling providers like it to better support the seniors. 'Wearables may not be something that the seniors of today are keen on, but who is to say that in 10 years' time they will not be widespread,' she said.
