Month: September 2024

Home safety is always vital, but it is especially crucial while caring for someone who has Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s patients will eventually lose their ability to handle things around the home. They may also experience changes in their senses of taste, smell, touch, hearing, and sight. 

You must do everything to ensure your loved one’s safety and comfort. A few home safety modifications can make a difference. An Alzheimer’s patient can live comfortably in their home if safety precautions are in place.

There are several things caregivers may do to increase safety in the person’s home. This article provides several helpful tips to address various safety concerns that may arise. 

Caregiver Tips to Making the Home Safer for Alzheimer’s Patients

General Tips for Making the Home Safer

Examine each room in the house individually to find any possible flaws or safety hazards. First, address any immediate concerns, such as loose stair railings and insufficient illumination, before focusing on additional measures to keep the individual safe at home.

Here’s what you can do to make the home safer for the person with Alzheimer’s.

• To avoid falls, highlight the steps’ edges with brightly colored tape so that the person can see them as they climb or descend stairs.
• Utilize brightly colored signs or simple graphics to designate the bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen.
• Keep a list of emergency phone numbers (such as those for doctors, poison control, and ambulances) and the person’s address close to every phone.
• Keep potentially dangerous things locked away or remove them from the home. These can include alcohol, medicines, cleaning products, poisonous plants, guns, weapons, sharp objects, and flammable items.
• To ensure your loved one can see the panes clearly, apply a sticker or decal to any glass doors, windows, or furniture at eye level.
• Restrict the size and amount of mirrors in your home, and be specific about their placement. Mirror images can confuse Alzheimer’s patients.
• Create contrast by painting the walls a lighter color than the floor. Avoid busy patterns.
• To avoid scalding tap water, set the water heater temperature to 120°F.
• Label hot-water taps red and cold-water taps blue or write “hot” and “cold” next to them.
• Cushion any sharp edges on your furniture, or replace any with sharp edges. 
• Utilize smoke and natural gas detectors, and ensure the batteries are always functioning. Alzheimer’s patients might be unable to detect odors such as smoke or an unlit gas burner. 
• Install automatic light sensors and nightlights.
• Ensure that doorways are clutter-free and well-lit. 
• Consider putting up a sign at the front door that reads, “No Soliciting.”’
• Cover unused electrical outlets and address any wiring issues. Put lamps and other appliances close to outlets to reduce the risk of tripping over the cords. To keep them anchored to the ground, you can also use tape.

Tips for Bedroom Safety

• Ensure that your loved one can safely get in and out of bed. Consider placing mats on the floor adjacent to the bed, as long as they are not a trip or slip danger.
• Use a room monitoring device (similar to those used for infants) to notify you of any sounds that indicate a fall or other need for assistance at night.
• Remove the portable space heaters. If you utilize portable fans, ensure no objects can be inserted into the blades.
• Use caution when using electric mattress pads and bed warmers since they can cause burns and fires. Ensure the Alzheimer’s patient cannot access the controls.
• Employ bed rails and other mobility aids.

Tips for Kitchen Safety

• Put warning signs around the oven, toaster, iron, and other hot items. Ensure that the sign is not too close to the fire source.
• Regularly check the refrigerator. Discard the foods that have gone bad.
• Install safety knobs and a stove with an automatic shut-off switch.
• Disconnect the garbage disposal.
• Install a drain trap in the kitchen sink to collect anything that could go lost or clog the plumbing.
• Eliminate artificial fruits and vegetables or food-shaped kitchen magnets that Alzheimer’s patients may mistake for food.

Tips for Bathroom Safety

• Cover outlets and remove tiny electrical items from the bathroom.
• Store or lock up toothpaste, lotions, shampoos, soap, and perfume. To an Alzheimer’s patient, they might smell and appear like food.
• Add grab bars to the shower or bathtub. It is easier to perceive a grab bar contrasting the wall’s hue.
• Use grab bars beside the toilet or a raised toilet seat with railings.
• Put mats, decals, or non-skid sticky strips in the shower and bathtub. Consider putting these strips adjacent to the sink, toilet, and tub if the bathroom is without carpet.
• Use a hand-held shower head, plastic shower stool, and foam rubber tap cover in the tub.
• To avoid scalds, consider replacing individual knobs with a single faucet that mixes hot and cold water.
• Replace little bathroom mats with a large rug to cover most of the floor. Put some adhesive back on it to prevent it from slipping.

Alzheimer’s Research Associationis a non-profit organization dedicated to helping caregivers of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. We provide the latest information and news about the illness and helpful tips to help caregivers cope with their daily caregiving challenges. We realize the most important thing that a caregiver needs is financial assistance. Therefore, we provide grants to caregivers to ease their financial burden. Caregivers can apply for grants here: Alzheimer’s Grant Application. 

You can also help caregivers in their endeavor by donating as much as possible: Donation To Alzheimer’s Research Associations.

References

1. Alzheimer’s Caregiving: Home Safety Tips. National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/safety/alzheimers-caregiving-home-safety-tips. Accessed: 13th September, 2024.
2. Make Your Home Safe for Someone With Alzheimer’s. Web MD. https://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/caregiving-preparing-home. Published Online: 12th May, 2023. Accessed: 13th September, 2024.
3. Keeping Safe at Home. Alzheimer’s Society. https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/staying-independent/keeping-safe-home. Accessed: 13th September, 2024.
4. Home Safety. Alzheimer’s Association. https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/safety/home-safety. Accessed: 13th September, 2024.

Early-onset Alzheimer’s is a form of Alzheimer’s disease that manifests in individuals in their 40s and 50s. Its symptoms include memory loss, trouble finishing routine tasks, and personality changes.

About 7 million Americans and over 55 million people worldwide are living with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia [1, 2].

Although the condition is usually known to affect people aged 65 and over, approximately 5% of those diagnosed have early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, sometimes known as younger-onset [3]. It typically manifests in people in their 40s and 50s and sometimes even as young as 30s [4].

The majority of early-onset Alzheimer’s cases are the same. However, there are some slight differences:

Common Alzheimer’s disease. The common form of Alzheimer’s disease is present in the majority of individuals with early-onset dementia. The condition progresses similarly to how it happens in elderly persons.

Genetic (or Familial) Alzheimer’s Disease. It is quite rare. A small number of individuals possess genes directly linked to Alzheimer’s. These individuals begin to exhibit signs of the illness in their 30s, 40s, or 50s.

What Causes Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease?

The cause of Alzheimer’s disease is unknown. Experts hypothesize that two proteins cause nerve cell damage and death. Plaques form when fragments of the protein beta-amyloid accumulate. Tangles are the twisted strands of another protein, tau.

As people age, almost everyone gets plaques and tangles. However, people with Alzheimer’s develop much more. These plaques and tangles damage the brain’s memory regions and gradually spread to other parts.

Similar to typical Alzheimer’s, it is still unclear what specifically causes the early-onset disease. Several experts believe various factors cause this condition.

Scientists have identified rare genes that could directly trigger or contribute to early-onset familial Alzheimer’s disease [5]. The deterministic genes (the genes that directly cause the disease) include:

• Amyloid precursor protein (APP) on chromosome 21
• Presenilin-1 (PS1) on chromosome 14
• Presenilin-2 (PS2) on chromosome 1

Within a family, these genes can be passed down from generation to generation. Adults under 65 who carry these genes may experience symptoms earlier than usual.

These gene mutations constitute just 5% to 10% of all Alzheimer’s cases. However, they are risk factors for most early-onset cases [6].

Apolipoprotein E (APOE-e4) is another gene linked to Alzheimer’s. It is more prevalent in individuals who develop the disease beyond the age of 65.

Who is at Risk for Early-Onset Alzheimer’s?

Although Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal aspect of getting older, you are at a higher risk as you age.

A family history of the disorder is one of the risk factors for young-onset Alzheimer’s. Having a parent or grandparent with early-onset Alzheimer’s raises the risk of having the illness. If you have more than one family member with the condition, your chances of developing it increase. However, having a family history of the disease does not guarantee that you will also develop it.

A 2016 study found that African Americans, Native Americans, and Native Alaskans have a higher risk of experiencing early-onset Alzheimer’s disease than white people [7].

What are the Symptoms of Early-Onset Alzheimer’s?

Most patients with early-onset disease experience symptoms that are similar to those of other types of Alzheimer’s. Following are the symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer’s [4].

Early Symptoms

• Forgetting crucial things, especially recently acquired information or important dates
• Asking for the same information repeatedly
• Trouble addressing simple problems, such as keeping track of finances or following a recipe
• Losing track of the day, date, or season
• Losing track of where you are and how you arrived there
• Issues with depth perception and vision loss
• Trouble joining conversations or finding the correct term for things.
• Misplacing things and being unable to retrace your steps to find them
• Worsening judgment
• Withdrawal from workplace and social settings
• Personality and mood changes

Later Symptoms

• Personality and mood changes
• Severe mood swings and behavioral changes.
• growing confusion of location, time, and events in life
• Suspicions concerning loved ones, friends, or caretakers
• Difficulty swallowing, walking, or speaking
• Severe memory loss

How is Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Diagnosed?

Especially in early-onset Alzheimer’s, the symptoms may appear to be caused by other factors, such as stress. Individuals in middle age may avoid seeking medical assistance, dismissing their symptoms as stress-related, thereby delaying the diagnosis of the condition.

If completing daily tasks is becoming more difficult for you or a loved one, or if memory loss is getting more severe, speak with a doctor. They might suggest that you see a physician with expertise in Alzheimer’s disease.

There is no single test to diagnose Alzheimer’s. With a few tests, your healthcare professional can identify the disease.

Your doctor first inquires about your medical history. They also conduct cognitive tests to assess memory, problem-solving skills, and other mental capabilities. Your provider can also ask that you undergo additional testing with a neuropsychologist based on the findings of the office-based cognitive evaluation.

Your doctor may also examine your blood, urine, and spinal fluid. Additionally, you might require imaging tests, like brain CT and MRI scans. With the help of these, your doctor can see the extent of the damage to the brain tissue.

Other illnesses that more typically affect this age group (such as multiple sclerosis) must be ruled out before diagnosing Alzheimer’s in middle age.

Recent research has concentrated on blood tests that can detect proteins related to Alzheimer’s in the blood. Even while these seem promising, more study is required [8].

What treatment options are available for early-onset Alzheimer’s?

There is presently no cure for early-onset Alzheimer’s. However, healthcare personnel have been able to help some people maintain mental function, control behavior, and halt the progression of the disease.

Medicines can help patients retain their cognitive function. These include:

• Donepezil
• Rivastigmine
• Galantamine
• Memantine
• Lecanemab-irmb

The outcomes have been mixed. However, these medications may help patients with their symptoms for a few months to a few years.

Antioxidants, cognitive training, cardiovascular and diabetic therapies, physical activity, and other therapies may also help slow the progression of early-onset Alzheimer’s. Several studies are currently underway in this field, and researchers are discovering new things about Alzheimer’s

Since individuals in their 40s and 50s can be affected by early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, symptoms can occasionally be more disruptive to social, professional, and family life. The management of early-onset Alzheimer’s symptoms frequently focuses on providing more age-appropriate support.

Specific support may include occupational, speech, and vision therapies.

Can Early-Onset Alzheimer’s be Prevented?

While you cannot prevent early-onset Alzheimer’s, you can lower your risk. However, those who take precautions to reduce their risk of the condition may nonetheless develop the disease.

Lifestyle modifications that assist in lowering risk include:

• Getting regular exercise
• Consuming a heart-healthy diet
• Engaging in lifelong learning
• Practicing cognitive training
• Maintaining mental and social activity
• Preventing traumatic brain injuries

How can you prepare for early-onset Alzheimer’s?

Receiving an early-onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis might be upsetting. However, it allows you time to devise a strategy that will provide you with peace of mind in the future if symptoms emerge or worsen.

Managing early-onset Alzheimer’s might be challenging. Maintaining an optimistic mindset and making every effort to be physically and cognitively active are beneficial.

Understanding that you are not alone is also crucial. Don’t hesitate to rely on your loved ones and friends. Don’t be scared to join a support group if you believe it will help.

It is vital to plan for the future while the disease is still in its early stages. It can include financial planning, consulting with employers about present and possible employment obligations, verifying health insurance coverage, and preparing your vital paperwork in case your health deteriorates.

There is no known treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. However, maintaining the finest physical and mental health possible may turn an unfavorable situation around.

What is the prognosis for a person with early-onset Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s disease symptoms could get worse with time. Many people experience a gap of two to four years between the onset of symptoms and their doctor’s official diagnosis. It is the first stage of the condition.

Following a diagnosis, you or a loved one may start exhibiting symptoms of the second and later stages. The duration of this mild cognitive impairment stage might range from two to ten years.

People lose their independence as their Alzheimer’s reaches its final stage. The condition is at its worst at this stage. You or a loved one may struggle to remember the names of loved ones and will undoubtedly require assistance with tasks like money management, self-care, and driving.

Alzheimer’s Research Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping caregivers of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. We provide the latest information and news about the illness and helpful tips to help caregivers cope with their daily caregiving challenges. We realize the most important thing that a caregiver needs is financial assistance. Therefore, we provide grants to caregivers to ease their financial burden. Caregivers can apply for grants here: Alzheimer’s Grant Application.
You can also help caregivers in their endeavor by donating as much as possible: Donation To Alzheimer’s Research Associations.

References

1. Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. Alzheimer’s Association. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures. Accessed: 10th September, 2024.
2. Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Alzheimer’s Association. https://www.alz.org/alzheimer_s_dementia. Accessed: 10th September. 2024.
3. Mendez, M.F., 2017. Early-onset Alzheimer disease. Neurologic clinics, 35(2), pp.263-281.
4. Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease. Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/alzheimers-disease/earlyonset-alzheimer-disease. Accessed: 10th September, 2024.
5. Familial Alzheimer’s Disease. University of California San Francisco (UCSF). https://memory.ucsf.edu/genetics/familial-alzheimer-disease. Accessed: 10th September, 2024.
6. Kumar, A., Sidhu, J., Goyal, A. and Tsao, J.W., 2018. Alzheimer disease. Last Updated: 12th February, 2024. Accessed: 10th September, 2024.
7. Chen, H.Y. and Panegyres, P.K., 2016. The role of ethnicity in Alzheimer’s disease: findings from the C-PATH online data repository. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 51(2), pp.515-523.
8. Signs and Symptoms of Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/alzheimers-disease/signs-of-early-onset-alzheimers. Updated: 22nd August, 2024. Accessed: 10th September, 2024.
9. Young-onset Alzheimer’s: When symptoms begin before age 65. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/in-depth/alzheimers/art-20048356. Accessed: 10th September, 2024.

A new study has discovered a connection between the risk of Alzheimer’s and high blood pressure. Researchers at the University of New South Wales found that people with untreated high blood pressure may be more likely to develop the disease than those who have been or are receiving treatment for hypertension.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent form of dementia, accounting for 60% to 80% of cases, and it affects around 7 million individuals in the United States alone [1]. Currently, there is no cure for this disorder.

Previous studies have demonstrated that several health issues, such as type 2 diabetes [2], obesity [3], high cholesterol, and stroke [4], may increase an individual’s risk of getting Alzheimer’s.

High blood pressure or hypertension is also a risk factor for Alzheimer’s. A new study discovered that people with untreated high blood pressure may have a higher chance of getting the disorder than people who have been or are receiving treatment for hypertension.

The journal Neurology published the research [5].

Untreated Hypertension Linked to Alzheimer’s

For this study, the research team examined data from over 31,000 participants, with an average age of 72, who participated in 14 studies examining cognitive change and dementia diagnosis in 14 countries, including Australia, the United States, Spain, and Japan.

A little more than 1,400 of them went on to get Alzheimer’s during an average four-year follow-up period.

The team examined various factors, including blood pressure readings, the diagnosis of high blood pressure, and whether or not people took medication for their condition. They discovered that 9% of people were not treating their condition, 51% were taking medication, 36% did not have high blood pressure, and 4% were unsure of their status.

After adjusting for any other factors that might have affected the outcome, the team discovered that untreated high blood pressure was related to a 36% greater Alzheimer’s risk compared to those who did not have hypertension.

Furthermore, when compared to individuals who treated their high blood pressure with medicines, the group had a 42% higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

The authors of the study suggest that managing high blood pressure as you become older may be essential to lowering your risk of Alzheimer’s.

Increased Hypertension Vigilance Required

The researchers believe their research will stress to physicians how important it is to talk to patients about treating high blood pressure.

According to Matthew J. Lennon, MD, PhD, the study’s lead author, a psychiatric registrar at Royal North Shore Hospital in Australia and post-doctoral researcher at the University of New South Wales Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, people’s perspectives on managing chronic illnesses like hypertension can become less vigilant as they age [6].

This is especially true for hypertension, which is virtually always asymptomatic – a silent killer. Doctors must provide their patients with accurate and reliable information on the risks of not using effective antihypertensive drugs and the risks and side effects of medication use.

Future Perspective

Lennon stated that their findings would provide older people with additional data and information about whether taking antihypertensives is the correct decision for them, with more focus on the protective cognitive effects of antihypertensives.

He added that although the researchers in the present study examined dementia and cognition as a single, binary concept—that is, as either you have dementia or you do not—in their ongoing research, they are dissecting cognition into subdomains and investigating whether blood pressure and antihypertensives affect various cognitive functions in different ways. They have some intriguing preliminary findings, which should hopefully be coming out soon.

Managing Hypertension May Reduce Dementia Risk

Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA, stated that hypertension is an established risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular illness [6].

While it was known as a risk factor for developing vascular dementia, this study also found a link between untreated hypertension and Alzheimer’s dementia. This discovery underscores the significance of managing hypertension and illustrates the influence of high blood pressure on the many organ systems within our body.

According to Chen, the exact relationship between untreated high blood pressure and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s dementia is not fully understood.

There is a chance that vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s diagnosis overlap. Conversely, it is also possible that people with Alzheimer’s are less likely to visit the doctor regularly and thus have elevated blood pressures at home that remain untreated.

These findings emphasize the significant role of hypertension as a modifiable risk factor in many types of disease conditions. Chen said that future studies should look into the long-term relationship between hypertension and Alzheimer’s disease, extending back into middle age.

Alzheimer’s Research Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping caregivers of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. We provide the latest information and news about the illness and helpful tips to help caregivers cope with their daily caregiving challenges. We realize the most important thing that a caregiver needs is financial assistance. Therefore, we provide grants to caregivers to ease their financial burden. Caregivers can apply for grants here: Alzheimer’s Grant Application.
You can also help caregivers in their endeavor by donating as much as possible: Donation To Alzheimer’s Research Associations.

References

1. Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. Alzheimer’s Association. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures. Accessed: 2nd September, 2024.
2. Athanasaki, A., Melanis, K., Tsantzali, I., Stefanou, M.I., Ntymenou, S., Paraskevas, S.G., Kalamatianos, T., Boutati, E., Lambadiari, V., Voumvourakis, K.I. and Stranjalis, G., 2022. Type 2 diabetes mellitus as a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease: Review and meta-analysis. Biomedicines, 10(4), p.778.
3. Flores-Cordero, J.A., Pérez-Pérez, A., Jiménez-Cortegana, C., Alba, G., Flores-Barragán, A. and Sánchez-Margalet, V., 2022. Obesity as a risk factor for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease: the role of leptin. International journal of molecular sciences, 23(9), p.5202.
4. Gupta, A., Uthayaseelan, K., Uthayaseelan, K., Kadari, M., Subhan, M., Parel, N.S., vamsi Krishna, P. and Sange, I., 2022. Alzheimer’s Disease and Stroke: A Tangled Neurological Conundrum. Cureus, 14(5).
5. Lennon, M.J., Lipnicki, D.M., Lam, B.C.P., Crawford, J.D., Schutte, A.E., Peters, R., Rydberg-Sterner, T., Najar, J., Skoog, I., Riedel-Heller, S.G. and Röhr, S., 2024. Blood Pressure, Antihypertensive Use, and Late-Life Alzheimer and Non-Alzheimer Dementia Risk: An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis. Neurology, 103(5), p.e209715.
6. Untreated high blood pressure may raise Alzheimer’s disease risk. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/untreated-high-blood-pressure-may-raise-alzheimers-disease-risk. Published Onlone: 14th August, 2024. Accessed: 2nd September, 2o24.
7. Your Alzheimer’s Risk Could be 42% Higher if You Leave High Blood Pressure Untreated. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/alzheimers-risk-high-blood-pressure. Published Online: 15th August, 2024. Accessed: 2nd September, 2024.

New research suggests that individuals with high levels of body fat stored in the arms or belly may be more susceptible to diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s than those with low levels of fat in these regions. Additionally, the study discovered that those with higher muscle strength had a lower risk of developing these illnesses.

The prevalence of neurodegenerative illnesses is on the rise. According to an analysis, there will be over 153 million dementia cases globally by the year 2050 [1].

While longer lifespans contribute to some of the increase, research indicates that other factors, such as obesity and physical inactivity, may also raise the likelihood of dementia [2,3]. In contrast, maintaining a healthy weight and regularly exercising may reduce the risk.

Recently, a study utilizing data from the UK Biobank has discovered that the risk of neurodegenerative disorders may be influenced not just by excess weight but also by where the fat is present in the body.

The study, published in Neurology, suggests that extra belly and upper arm fat may increase the risk of these disorders while increased muscle mass may reduce the risk [4].

Belly and Upper Arm Fat Linked with Higher Risk

Researchers examined data from 412,691 individuals who were tracked for an average of nine years. About 8,224 participants in the study experienced neurodegenerative illnesses. Alzheimer’s disease was the most common diagnosis; however, several patients also had Parkinson’s disease or other dementias.

The average age of the participants at the beginning of the trial was 56. The researchers determined their body composition by measuring lean mass and fat, grip strength, bone density, and waist and hip.

Researchers discovered that there was a higher chance of neurodegenerative diseases in those with higher upper arm fat (arm-dominant fat distribution) or belly fat (central obesity).

When they looked at other factors that might affect the prevalence of these conditions (like high blood pressure, smoking and alcohol consumption, and diabetes), they found that adults with high levels of abdominal fat had a 13% increased risk of developing these conditions.

Additionally, compared to those with low levels of arm fat, people with high levels of arm fat had an 18% increased risk of developing the disorders.

High muscle strength seemed to shield against neurodegeneration, while lower risk was associated with higher bone density and leg-dominant fat distribution. Compared to those with low levels of strength, those with high muscle strength had a 26% lower risk of developing the disorders.

These findings are consistent with other studies that revealed a higher risk of dementia development in those with central or abdominal obesity [5]. Another review of multiple studies discovered that weight growth, central obesity, and triceps skinfold thickness (a measure of body fat on the upper arms) were all linked to increased dementia risk [6].

Connection to Heart Health

The researchers propose that cardiovascular illness contributes to the relationship between body fat and neurodegenerative disorder.

Obese and overweight individuals have an increased risk of heart disease and stroke, as well as dementia and Parkinson’s disease.

A healthy heart is essential for supplying energy and oxygen to the brain cells, and extra weight can cause fatty material to accumulate in the blood vessels.

One of the authors, Dr. Huan Song of Sichuan University in Chengdu, China, stated that this emphasizes how critical it is to manage these cardiovascular disorders as soon as possible to help stop or delay the onset of degenerative diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and others [7].

The researchers examined the ratio of fat distribution across the body rather than the body mass index because they believe this is more significant than just concentrating on weight. If the percentage of arm fat mass exceeded the percentage of total body fat, the person was considered to have “fat arms.”

According to the team, there could be a higher risk because of fat permeating into muscles, leading to tissue malfunction, impaired insulin signaling, and immune system damage. This infiltration can cause adipose and muscle tissue dysfunction, impaired insulin signaling, and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

The study’s first author, Dr. Shishi Xu of Sichuan University’s Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, stressed that a crucial point to convey was that your health may be more dependent on the type or distribution of your fat and muscle than on your weight in its entirety.

These results emphasize that body fat and muscle composition, as well as their distribution, have a significant effect on the risk of neurodegenerative disorders.

An increased risk of neurodegenerative illnesses is linked to fat buildup in the arms and belly, which appears to have a toxic and inflammatory effect on other organs, such as the cardiovascular system and brain health.

Improving Body Composition May Lessen the Risk

According to Dr Song, this study shows how altering a person’s body composition can reduce their chance of contracting certain diseases. General weight control may not be as successful as targeted therapies to reduce arm and trunk fat and encourage healthy muscular growth to prevent these disorders.

He further stated that more than 60 million individuals worldwide suffer from neurodegenerative illnesses like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, and as the population ages, that number is projected to rise. For this reason, we must find ways to modify risk factors to develop some preventive measures.

Alzheimer’s Research Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping caregivers of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. We provide the latest information and news about the illness and helpful tips to help caregivers cope with their daily caregiving challenges. We realize the most important thing that a caregiver needs is financial assistance. Therefore, we provide grants to caregivers to ease their financial burden. Caregivers can apply for grants here: Alzheimer’s Grant Application.
You can also help caregivers in their endeavor by donating as much as possible: Donation To Alzheimer’s Research Associations.

References

1. Nichols, E., Steinmetz, J.D., Vollset, S.E., Fukutaki, K., Chalek, J., Abd-Allah, F., Abdoli, A., Abualhasan, A., Abu-Gharbieh, E., Akram, T.T. and Al Hamad, H., 2022. Estimation of the global prevalence of dementia in 2019 and forecasted prevalence in 2050: an analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The Lancet Public Health, 7(2), pp.e105-e125.
2. Ma, Y., Ajnakina, O., Steptoe, A. and Cadar, D., 2020. Higher risk of dementia in English older individuals who are overweight or obese. International journal of epidemiology, 49(4), pp.1353-1365.
   
3. Raichlen, D.A., Aslan, D.H., Sayre, M.K., Bharadwaj, P.K., Ally, M., Maltagliati, S., Lai, M.H., Wilcox, R.R., Klimentidis, Y.C. and Alexander, G.E., 2023. Sedentary behavior and incident dementia among older adults. Jama, 330(10), pp.934-940.
   
4. Xu, S., Wen, S., Yang, Y., He, J., Yang, H., Qu, Y., Zeng, Y., Zhu, J., Fang, F. and Song, H., 2024. Association Between Body Composition Patterns, Cardiovascular Disease, and Risk of Neurodegenerative Disease in the UK Biobank. Neurology, 103(4), p.e209659.
   
5. Whitmer, R.A., Gustafson, D.R., Barrett-Connor, E., Haan, M.N., Gunderson, E.P. and Yaffe, K., 2008. Central obesity and increased risk of dementia more than three decades later. Neurology, 71(14), pp.1057-1064.
   
6. Beydoun, M.A., Beydoun, H.A. and Wang, Y., 2008. Obesity and central obesity as risk factors for incident dementia and its subtypes: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Obesity reviews, 9(3), pp.204-218.
   
7. Knapton, S. Having fat arms ‘heightens risk of Alzheimer’s by nearly one fifth’. The Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/07/24/fat-arms-heightens-risk-of-brain-disease-by-nearly-20pc/. Published Online: 24th July, 2024. Accessed: 16th August, 2024.
   
8. Lang, K. Carrying excess fat in 2 body areas may increase dementia and Parkinson’s risk. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/excess-belly-arm-fat-may-increase-dementia-parkinsons-risk. Published Online: 25th July, 2024. Accessed: 16th August, 2024.
   
9. Rauf, D. Belly and Arm Fat Linked to Higher Risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Everyday Health. https://www.everydayhealth.com/brain-health/belly-and-arm-fat-linked-to-higher-risk-of-alzheimers-and-parkinsons/. Published Online: 24th July, 2024. Accessed: 16th August, 2024.