Prevent Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms

The Nun Study

Lots of scientists, medical personnel and others trying to understand what causes Alzheimer’s disease, and trying to find ways to prevent it.

Searching for Causes of Alzheimer's Disease

The National Institute on Aging has funded one notable long-term studies on Alzheimer’s disease that has been in progress since 1986. The subjects of the study are the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Mankato, MN, giving rise to the project’s nickname of ‘The Nun Study”. This project is a joint effort between the nuns there and the University of Kentucky, under the directorship of Dr. David Snowdon. There ae scientists from other universities also participating in this study.

The goal of the study is to determine the causes of Alzheimer's disease and figure out ways to prevent it. Every one of the 678 participants agreed to participate in annual assessments of their cognitive and physical function to help achieve this. They also must have medical exams and blood drawn for genetic and nutritional studies. Upon their death, all the participants in the Nun Study have also agreed to donate their brains for neuropathological studies.

Because these nuns have all lived in similar housing, held similar jobs, and had similar access to preventive and medical care, plus all are non-smokers, drink little if any alcohol, and have the same marital status and reproductive history, it makes them easier to study. Most studies most work with subjects from diverse environments and background, plus widely different medical histories and lifestyles. It's easier to figure out results in a study where there are fewer variables, as is the case with the nuns.

What They've Learned

Traits in early, mid, and late life have already been shown by this research to have strong relationships with the risk of Alzheimer's disease, as well as the mental and cognitive disabilities of old age. Bottom line, what does the research indicate YOU can do to prevent getting Alzheimer’s symptoms?

Keeping Alzheimer's At Bay

From a leading researcher on Alzheimer's disease, Dr. Yaakov Stern, says, “Individuals who lead mentally stimulating lives, through education, occupation and leisure activities, have reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Studies suggest that they have 35-40% less risk of manifesting the disease. The pathology will still occur, but they are able to cope with it better. Some won’t ever be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s because they don’t present any symptoms.”

Building Your Cognitive Reserve (CR)

Cognitive Reserve is the ability to tolerate progressive brain pathology without demonstrating clinical cognitive symptoms. Another way of putting it is to say that Cognitive Reserve is how your brain resists any physical changes caused by Alzheimer’s disease so you don’t have any of the usual symptoms like memory loss.

Researchers say the way to prevent Alzheimer’s is build your reserve of neurons, synapses, and skills -- your Cognitive Reserve. Just how can we do that? Just what constitutes a challenging mental activity or provides good "brain exercise"?

To work well for building CR, an activity must:

1. Engage your attention.
2. Involve more than one of your senses.
3. Break a routine activity in an unexpected way.

One example of a good way to build your CR is learning a new language. Changing your environment by traveling or moving is another. Taking challenging classes, a job that makes you use your mind, even increased physical activity can all lead to increased neurogenesis (the creation of new neurons), thereby increasing your Cognitive Reserve.

In fact, almost any challenging activity can contribute to building your CR. Some activities might make physical demands. Some may have interpersonal demands. Others may have challenging levels of cognitive complexity (thinking and learning). Keep your brain active:Build Your Cognitive Reserve with Brain Games.

Use It Or Lose It.

From all the research, it seems that the more you use your brain, the better it continues to function. Your brain can show full-blown physical symptoms of the disease, but by building up your Cognitive Reserve by learning and other challenging experiences, you increase your chances of never showing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

Rise to the challenge and prevent Alzheimer’s disease!