While we’ve made progress in understanding and diagnosing dementia—like achieving 90% accuracy with Alzheimer’s blood tests—recent research has revealed two new risk factors for dementia. Here’s what you need to know.

The Latest Discoveries: High Cholesterol and Untreated Vision Loss

According to a report in The Lancet, high cholesterol after 40 and untreated vision loss are now recognized as modifiable risk factors for dementia. This builds on previous research which identified 12 lifestyle-related risk factors, including:

1. Physical inactivity
2. Smoking
3. Excessive alcohol consumption
4. Air pollution
5. Head injury
6. Infrequent social contact
7. Less education
8. Obesity
9. Hypertension
10. Diabetes
11. Depression
12. Hearing impairment

Together, these factors contribute to nearly 50% of global dementia cases.

Why These Factors Matter

High Cholesterol: Elevated LDL (the “bad” cholesterol) can harden blood vessels in the heart, impairing blood flow and oxygen to the brain. This damage over time contributes to the neurodegenerative process that characterizes dementia.

Untreated Vision Loss: Poor vision can be more than an inconvenience; it might also affect your brain health. Vision loss often coincides with other metabolic risk factors like high blood pressure and uncontrolled diabetes. When you can’t see well, you’re less likely to engage in mentally stimulating activities such as reading or socializing, which boost brain health.

Continue reading New Dementia Risks Uncovered: How High Cholesterol and Vision Loss Could Affect Your Brain Health

Recent breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s disease research bring new hope to patients and their families. One significant development occurred in June when Tiziana Life Sciences gained FDA clearance to administer intranasal foralumab to its first patient with moderate Alzheimer’s disease. This milestone, part of the FDA’s expanded access investigational new drug program, marks a promising step forward.

Promising Approach to Slowing Cognitive Decline

Howard L. Weiner, MD, principal investigator and chairman of Tiziana’s Scientific Advisory Board, expressed enthusiasm for the treatment’s potential. He highlighted its ability to target neuroinflammation caused by toxic protein buildup in the brain, stating, “Given that nasal foralumab dampens microglial inflammation in subjects with advanced progressive MS and microglial activation is a prominent feature of Alzheimer’s disease, Tiziana is hopeful that nasal foralumab will help slow the progression of cognitive decline in this first patient.”

Predictive Tools to Understand Alzheimer’s Progression

Simultaneously, researchers from Amsterdam University Medical Center have developed predictive models for cognitive decline in early Alzheimer’s patients. Published in Neurology, their study analyzed 961 individuals with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia. Pieter J. van der Veere, MD, the study’s lead author, stressed the importance of these predictive tools, explaining that cognitive decline rates vary widely among individuals, and there’s considerable interest in understanding disease progression for both patients and caregivers.

Projections and Potential

The study projected that:

• A person with mild cognitive impairment would progress to moderate dementia in approximately six years.
• With treatments reducing decline by 30%, this progression could potentially be delayed to 8.6 years.
• Individuals with mild dementia might delay progression to more severe stages by up to a year with similar treatments.

Hope on the Horizon

These advancements represent promising avenues for Alzheimer’s research, offering potential enhancements in patient care and quality of life.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive and devastating brain disorder that affects nearly seven million Americans. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a promising new therapy—Donanemab, marketed as Kisunla by Eli Lilly—for individuals in the early stages of the disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid plaques in the brain, which are linked to cognitive decline and memory loss. This new treatment, Kisunla, is administered via a monthly 30-minute infusion that aims to slow the disease progression by an average of four to seven months in eligible patients.

The cost of Kisunla treatment can reach up to $32,000 per year, depending on the duration needed. Individual response to the medication varies; brain scans show some patients require treatment for as little as six months, while others may need 12 to 18 months. Many patients do not pay the full price due to insurance coverage, including Medicare Part B, which covers a portion of the cost after meeting deductibles.

Like any medical treatment, Kisunla carries some risks, such as brain swelling and bleeding. It’s important to discuss these potential side effects with your healthcare provider to make an informed decision.

While it doesn’t offer a cure, Kisunla can improve quality of life by slowing disease progression. For individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease, this drug offers new hope.

Did you know older adults living in senior housing like those we provide here at ABHM experience comparable or better health outcomes than their peers residing in the greater community? Research conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, funded by NIC, has proven this to be true.

Senior Housing Living Benefits:

• Live longer than their counterparts in the community
• Are less vulnerable to adverse health outcomes
• Receive more healthcare services at home
• Achieve overall better health outcomes
• Experience less social isolation
• Live more active and engaging lives

Looking Ahead

Ongoing research aims to more precisely quantify the potential cost savings to Medicare resulting from the improved health outcomes among older adults living in senior housing. It also seeks to identify best practices from leading senior communities to further enhance wellness and longevity for seniors.

Key Takeaway

Senior housing communities play a critical role in enhancing access to safe and high-quality care for older adults. To learn more about the interesting findings discovered in this study here.

American Baptist Homes of the Midwest and your local ABHM community are committed to advancing these outcomes and improving the lives of aging populations.