During World Alzheimer's Awareness month, the ME in Dementia: Increasing Understanding Along the Dementia Journey conference took place Tuesday at the Ramada Hotel.
There were 147 people in attendance to get information about brain health, Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, to address issues like communication and behaviour along the journey, personal planning, and a dementia research update by Dr. Jacqueline Pettersen, a local cognitive/behavioural neurologist.
Jim Ellerton, who is in the early stages of Alzheimer's and his wife, Lou, were in attendance.
Lou said the most helpful seminar for her was about communication between an Alzheimer's patient and his caregiver.
"It was very informative," she said.
The final session of the day-long seminar was presented by Pettersen and was called Is There Light at the End of the Tunnel?
Although many studies and clinical trials came back with negative results, there are some items of interest that require further study. These are geared to more natural combatants in the battle against Alzheimer's. The focus was not necessarily to cure Alzheimer's, said Pettersen during the presentation, but to try to diminish the effects of Alzheimer's on the patient.
In the next two years, Pettersen said there should be some significant breakthroughs.
There are two major proteins that cause problems in the brain that lead to Alzheimer's. One is the beta amyloid protein, which accumulates in excessive amounts and the body can't get rid of it quick enough. It clumps together, forming plaques around neurons in the brain.
The other is the tau protein and through a process called hyperphosphorylation, the protein forms abnormally into what is called tangles that accumulate inside the brain cell, Pettersen explained.
"Together the plaques and tangles are toxic to brain cells, so they cause a lot of downstream effects, and death of the brain cells," said Pettersen. The plaques and tangles start in the memory part of the brain, for reasons not understood at this time, and then spread to other parts of the brain from there, she added.
"We've suspected it for quite a while and now we know it's true," said Pettersen. "Lifestyle changes do make a difference, and it's been demonstrated in three different studies."
Even later in life, and after only two years, improvement was shown in a geriatric study. Those who ate more fruits and vegetable, did cardiovascular exercise, strength training and cognitive exercises, and made sure high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes were under control, showed improvement.
Those who exercise in mid life and late life, even something as simple as an after dinner stroll three times a week, were less likely to develop memory problems and dementia, said Pettersen.
Those that engaged in cognitively stimulating activities like board games, puzzles, card games, and didn't have memory problems to start with, showed greater brain volume and higher test scores.
For more information about Alzheimer's disease and dementia contact the local branch of the Alzheimer Society at 250-645-2200 or toll free at 1-888-645-2288.
