Latest (?) Alzheimer’s News

Isn’t it interesting how the number of Alzheimer’s stories and articles picks up every July? Actually, it’s not a coincidence at all. The annual meeting of the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference® is scheduled for the middle of July. This year it ran from the 14^th to the 18^th in Los Angeles. Naturally, the news media eagerly awaits the latest studies coming out of the conference because the subject of Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia is an emotional draw for so much of their audience.

Since there is still no drug treatment to prevent or cure dementia, the emphasis lately has been on other prevention practices. Is there anything we can do? Yes, there is, and it’s announced as a new breakthrough regularly. But in reality, it differs from year to year by only a few minor tweaks and looks very much like other familiar health advice.

In 2017 a new study, “published in The Lancet and conducted by the first Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention and Care, brought together 24 international experts to review existing dementia research and provide recommendations for treating and preventing the devastating condition.” They concluded that a third of dementia cases “worldwide could potentially be prevented through better management of lifestyle factors such as smoking, hypertension, depression, and hearing loss over the course of a lifetime.” It was presented as a new report. Although the report was new, these recommendations look very familiar. 

For example, in 2015 World Dementia Council (WDC) asked the Alzheimer's Association to evaluate and report on modifiable risk factors, that is, possible prevention steps for cognitive decline and dementia. They concluded that there was “sufficiently strong evidence” that “regular physical activity and management of cardiovascular risk factors (diabetes, obesity, smoking, and hypertension)” along with “a healthy diet and lifelong learning/cognitive training" could have a positive effect.

 And last July similar news came out of their annual meeting, which was held in Chicago. One of the experts announced the results of a large multi-year study: “Lowering blood pressure more than usually recommended not only helps prevent heart problems, it also cuts the risk of mental decline that often leads to Alzheimer's disease.” Getting the top number down to around 120 was shown to lower risk of mild cognitive impairment by 19 percent. (That’s three references to hypertension in four years.)

At that time they reminded readers that the American Heart Association recommends the following lifestyle changes to help manage high blood pressure: balanced diet, alcohol in moderation, regular exercise, weight and stress management, no smoking and taking medications as directed. (It all sounds familiar.)

Not to be deterred by the fact that this is getting a bit repetitious, last week the BBC (and many others) reported on the latest findings revealed at this year's conference with the headline: “Dementia: Lifestyle changes that could lower your risk.” The report outlined the factors associated with a healthy lifestyle: no smoking, eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise and drinking only in moderation.

I didn’t investigate these studies to mock the findings. I agree with the findings. In fact, it is totally aligned with something I published over 5 years ago, pointing out that there are really no secrets to good health, just the same old advice.

 Rather my intention was to show how the media repeat news stories, rarely questioning whether or not it’s really new. I also discovered, without a hint of surprise, that they will adjust any news story to fit their agenda. In this case as reported by Kaiser Health News (KHN), the Washington Post reported that the study advised, “Ditch the red meat,” and KHN wrote, “Give up red meat.” When I looked at the study details and dug into the (footnote) source they used to define a healthy diet, the wording was “fewer red meats,” not to ditch it or give it up.

That leaves us again with a need for discipline to stick to that common-sense healthy lifestyle and critical thinking to take the news with a large helping of skepticism.