The main characteristics of Demencia are impaired memory and thinking, loss of executive functions and changes in behavior and personality.
According to the study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, patients with Demencia presented somepromecognitive development several years before his symptoms became “obvious” enough for an official diagnosis.
The researchers' conclusion could be an important step towards reducing damage caused by the degenerative disease, and also towards developing future solutions. In the assessment of the associate director of research at the Alzheimer Society, Richard Oklaey:
“This opens up the possibility of screening programs in the future to help identify people who are at risk and who may benefit from interventions, and identify more people suitable for clinical trials for new dementia treatments that are so desperately needed.”
Read more on The Guardian*
Dementia and Alzheimer's: what's the difference?
According to doctors, the two diseases are often confused. But dementia is not synonymous with Alzheimer.
In fact, Alzheimer's is one of more than 140 types or conditions of dementia. Although both can progressively and chronically impair the patient's functions, not all dementia is Alzheimer's and it is necessary to consult a specialist doctor to obtain an accurate diagnosis and treatment for each patient.
Prevention: what is known
- Today, dementia is considered a global epidemic, affecting more than 55 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO)
- This neurodegenerative disorder is expected to affect three times the number of adults over 40 years of age in the world by 2050, according to research carried out in 204 countries and published by The Lancet magazine in this year. (Mail Braziliense)
- Although the phenomenon of increasing cases is associated with aging, the disease is not a natural consequence of getting older.
- In Latin American countries such as Brazil, it is estimated that 56% of risk factors for dementia can be prevented. (Folha de S.Paulo)
- 7 habits can reduce the risk of conditions by up to 43%. They are: staying active; adopt a healthy diet; avoid being overweight; do not smoke; maintain adequate blood pressure; control cholesterol and blood sugar levels. (USP Newspaper)
Symptoms and risk factors
The top 10 risk factors for dementia are:
- education level
- Hearing Loss
- hypertension
- alcohol consumption
- obesity
- active smoking
- depression
- social isolation
- physical inactivity
- diabetes
The initial signs and symptoms of dementia vary in each case, but memory loss is curto This term usually catches the attention of doctors during a first consultation.
Despite being more common among people over 65 years of age, dementia is not part of the natural aging process and can affect anyone. The propensity to develop the disorder is greater among some people.
Curto Curatorship
- Risk of dementia is greater for black people than for white people, finds British study (Folha de S.Paulo)
- Alzheimer's: understand how the disease damages the brain and its symptoms (UOL)
- What is vascular dementia and how it differs from Alzheimer's (Folha de S.Paulo)
- Around 50% of dementia cases in Brazil could be prevented, says unprecedented study (GZH)
- Film “My Father” brings the emotional states of those who are losing their memory (USP Newspaper) Watch below:
