Is It Really Possible to Have Alzheimer's Yet No Symptoms

A Message from Dr. McMillan

This week I'm focusing again on dementia, a topic I've researched for over 15 years. While we can't easily reverse brain atrophy or remove amyloid plaques, there is a way to develop resilience against having symptoms (biochemistry of dementia).

Our main goal is to reverse dementia by studying ways to maintain brain function even when physical changes occur. This research could enhance the lives of millions and be a major breakthrough in dementia treatment.

Sincerely,

Dr. Philip McMillan

In this week’s June 28, 2024 update:

• Alzheimer's: No Alzheimer's symptoms despite brain changes

• Vejon: Video of the week from Vejon Health

• Health: 6 Tips for staying safe in extreme heat

• Infographic: Immune system dysfunction

• Diseases: Bacteria can make flu more contagious

• News: Medical news in brief

• Book Nook: Publications that may interest you

• Chat Vejon: Ask our AI Expert relevant medical questions

  Read time: 6 minutes

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Some People May Not Have Alzheimer's Symptoms Despite Brain Changes

• Some individuals show resilience to Alzheimer's symptoms despite having high levels of amyloid and tau proteins in their brains.

• A study found genes related to immune system activity were more active in the Alzheimer's-resilient group.

• Physical activity may boost Alzheimer's resilience by enhancing immune system function, potentially mimicking the effects of protective genes.

• The study couldn't determine if resilience was due to genetics or lifestyle factors, and long-term outcomes remain uncertain.

Why is this Important: Uncovering cognitive resilience to Alzheimer's offers hope for prevention and treatment. By identifying genetic and lifestyle factors that protect against symptoms despite brain pathology, researchers can develop targeted interventions to boost resilience. Physical activity emerges as a key modifiable factor, potentially mimicking the protective effects of resilience-associated genes.

Vejon Video Highlight of the Week

HEALTH

6 Tips for Staying Safe in Extreme Heat While Exercising or Working Outdoors

• Extreme heat poses risks for outdoor activities. The hottest part of the day is between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

• It takes about two weeks for a person to fully acclimatize to higher temperatures, with the body making adaptations.

• Older adults and children are at higher risk in extreme heat due to less efficient body cooling mechanisms.

• Key safety tips include being smart about activity timing, maintaining good hydration habits, and listening to your body's cues.

Why is this Important: Understanding heat safety is crucial as extreme temperatures become more common. By following the article's tips, individuals can protect themselves from heat-related illnesses, maintain their outdoor activities safely, and recognize warning signs in vulnerable populations. This knowledge can potentially save lives and promote healthier summer habits.

INFOGRAPHIC

DISEASES

Scientists Find Bacteria Make Flu More Contagious

• Flu viruses survive longer in droplets containing respiratory bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

• Bacteria-containing droplets are flatter, leading to faster evaporation and salt crystallization, which helps viruses survive longer.

• In droplets with bacteria, flu viruses remained infectious 100 times longer after 30 minutes compared to droplets without bacteria.

• Current models for virus spread in enclosed spaces may underestimate infection risk by not accounting for bacteria's protective effect.

Why is this Important: Respiratory bacteria's protective effect on flu viruses in droplets and aerosols significantly extends their infectiousness. This discovery challenges current models of virus transmission in enclosed spaces, suggesting they underestimate infection risks. It also explains why some individuals may be more contagious, potentially leading to improved strategies for controlling flu outbreaks.

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OPHTHALMOLOGY

Cholesterol Drug Shows Promise in Treating Eye Disease

• Fenofibrate, a cholesterol-lowering drug, reduces the risk of diabetic retinopathy progression by 27% in clinical trial.

• The LENS trial involved 1,151 adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and early to moderate diabetic retinopathy.

• Fenofibrate lowered the risk of needing specialist care or treatment for diabetic retinopathy or maculopathy over four years.

• The drug's benefits were similar for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients, regardless of kidney function.

Why is this Important: Fenofibrate's ability to slow diabetic retinopathy progression by 27% offers a promising new treatment option for a leading cause of vision loss. This widely available, cost-effective drug could potentially benefit millions of diabetes patients worldwide, providing a simple strategy to preserve eyesight and reduce the need for invasive treatments.

MEDICAL NEWS IN BRIEF

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

🚥 Researchers Identify Gut Bacterial Strains Associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Identifying specific gut bacterial strains linked to inflammatory bowel disease opens new avenues for diagnosis and treatment. These findings reveal how certain bacteria adapt to and thrive in inflammatory conditions, potentially guiding the development of targeted interventions for IBD and other immune-mediated disorders.

🚥 Your bedding choices may impact sleep quality and comfort: Bedding choices significantly impact sleep quality and comfort. Understanding the properties of different textiles allows individuals to select sheets and bed covers that regulate temperature and moisture effectively. This personalized approach to bedding can lead to improved sleep, which is crucial for overall health and well-being.

🚥 How Epstein-Barr Virus Triggers Multiple Sclerosis: Groundbreaking findings reveal how Epstein-Barr virus triggers multiple sclerosis by causing immune cells to mistakenly attack brain proteins. This discovery explains the link between a common infection and MS, paving the way for targeted treatments and potentially a cure for this debilitating autoimmune disease.

🚥 Study finds nearly one-third of adults worldwide not meeting recommended physical activity levels: Global health faces a silent crisis as physical inactivity rates rise. With 1.8 billion adults not meeting recommended exercise levels, the risk of chronic diseases increases. This trend threatens public health goals and underscores the urgent need for effective interventions to promote physical activity worldwide.

🚥 Higher Amounts of Intervention Not More Beneficial for Children with Autism, Study Finds: Challenging conventional wisdom, this research reveals that increasing intervention intensity for young autistic children doesn't necessarily lead to better outcomes. The findings question the widespread recommendation of intensive therapies, suggesting that health professionals should reconsider their approach and focus on developmentally appropriate intervention amounts rather than assuming more is always better.

🚥 Chronic Loneliness Linked to 56% Higher Stroke Risk in Older Adults: Recognizing chronic loneliness as a significant stroke risk factor in older adults underscores the need for targeted interventions. By identifying and addressing persistent feelings of loneliness, healthcare providers and policymakers can potentially reduce stroke incidence, improving overall health outcomes and quality of life for this vulnerable population.

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