Science & Technology, UK (Commonwealth Union) – Research in recent times has given us better insights into improved diagnosis and treatment of dementia and other neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Researchers have found that biomarkers can play a significant role in diagnosis and prediction of these conditions. Enzyme therapy and links to obesity have also been extensively evaluated in dementia research.
A free new digital tool was released by Alzheimer’s Research UK, backed by evidence from University College London (UCL) scientists, for assistance of persons to keep their brain healthy and lower dementia risk.
Just 2 percent of the public are carrying out all they can to maintain their brain health, according recently released figures by the charity.
The charity is currently assisting in the empowerment of people to look after their brains and minimize their risk of dementia in later life, with the Think Brain Health Check-in. This new tool causing individuals to answer a series of evidence-based questions regarding factors that research has demonstrated of possibly influencing their brain health.
As indicated in the findings by researchers from a major review paper that was led by Professor Gill Livingston of UCL Psychiatry, up to 40 percent of dementia cases may be avoided, if 12 risk factors could be eliminated completely, smoking, hearing impairment, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol consumption, diabetes, and infrequent social contact were included.
But, just a third of people realize that there are measures available to lower their risk of dementia.
According to a YouGov survey, commissioned by Alzheimer’s Research UK, an astonishing 98 percent of persons can further improve, in regards to looking after their brain health.
While 35 percent of persons indicated they had concerns about their hearing, over half of those reported that they have taken any action for it.
Less than 31 percent of the public stated that they get the recommended 7 hours of quality sleep a night, which is recommended for good brain health.
More than third of persons report that they fail to challenge their brain regularly, with just 32 percent managing to carry this out occasionally, while 4 percent feel they do not ever challenge their brain. However, there was an upside with over 27 percent believing they are challenging their brain every day.
Persons found that they are struggling to squeeze in 2 and a half hours of moderate exercise a week, which is the NHS recommended level – with 26 percent admitting that it is occasionally do so, while 22 percent do not do it at all.
Promisingly, persons state that they are doing a great job staying connected, with 73 percent of the public speaking to friends, family and colleagues either every day or many times a week.
Persons also seem to be maintaining their blood pressure checks with 61 percent having it checked over the last year.
The Check-in is based on the most recent evidence in dementia risk reduction and was formed under guidance from an expert group of scientists and members of the public, including the UCL Psychiatry Professor Livingston and Dr Naaheed Mukadam, together with Professor Jonathan Schott of the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, also the Alzheimer’s Research UK, Chief Medical Officer.
Hilary Evans, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, says “It’s time for the nation to wake up to the idea of brain health and how looking after our brains can reduce the risk of dementia. The fact that 98% of people have room to improve their brain health highlights the huge potential of Alzheimer’s Research UK’s new Think Brain Health Check-in to help transform lives.”
“The Check-in gives people the information they need at their fingertips on how to keep their brains healthy and reduce their risk of dementia later on in life. As the UK’s leading dementia research charity, we want to empower people to take action when it comes to their brain and that’s why we’re calling on people to take the Check-in.”
