Staying mentally engaged throughout life may lower your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in old age, according to a new analysis. The study found that people who pursue lifelong learning activities like reading and writing or learning a new language had a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease. They also showed slower declines in memory and thinking skills as they aged.

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WashU Medicine researchers developed a model to estimate when Alzheimer’s disease symptoms will begin based on the accumulation of amyloid and tau proteins in the brain. These proteins build up predictably over time, like tree rings, providing scientists with a clock for Alzheimer’s symptoms.

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have developed a method to predict when someone is likely to develop symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease using a single blood test.

In a new study published Feb. 19 in Nature Medicine, the researchers demonstrated that their models predicted the onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms within a margin of three to four years. This could have implications both for clinical trials developing preventive Alzheimer’s treatments and for eventually identifying individuals likely to benefit from these treatments.

Researchers have long recognized that Alzheimer’s disease is marked by abnormal plaques and tangled proteins in the brain. More recently, attention has turned to the brain’s blood vessels and how problems in the vascular system may influence the course of the disease. Even with decades of discoveries, however, these insights have not yet led to treatments that fully stop or reverse Alzheimer’s. A major reason is that scientists still do not have a complete picture of how brain cells progressively break down over time.

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A spokesperson for the chapter says sub-freezing temperatures, snow, and ice can create hazardous conditions for seniors, including those with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Tips for keeping loved ones safe this winter:

• Be prepared. Winter storms can be dangerous for anyone. Check weather conditions regularly and have contingency plans in place. If a snowstorm is on the horizon, consider rescheduling appointments that are not urgent. Tackle to-do lists in one trip to avoid making multiple trips out of the house.

• Bundle up. Help the person living with Alzheimer’s dress warmly for winter weather conditions by covering exposed skin. A good option to consider is wearing several layers of lightweight clothing for easy movement.
• Prevent slips. Balance and mobility can be a challenge for a person living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, so assume all surfaces are slick. Assist the person living with dementia by wearing sturdy shoes and walking slowly when outside. Keep sidewalks and driveways clear, use handrails or walk arm-in-arm. Consider acquiring a state-issued Handicapped placard to enable closer access to buildings.
• Prevent wandering. Wandering is one of the most frequent and challenging problems caregivers face and can be extremely dangerous in colder conditions. If a family member wanders, start by searching the immediate vicinity inside and outside the home. In winter weather, a missing vulnerable adult is an emergency, so don’t hesitate to call 911 and alert responders that the individual has Alzheimer’s. Consider installing a doorbell camera or other outdoor monitoring device.
• Make daylight last. Winter months bring decreased sunlight and shorter days. Turn on indoor lights earlier or install timers, open curtains during daylight hours, and consider installing motion detector lights to help illuminate walkways around the home.

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