Posted on 06/25/2012 9:18:58 PM PDT by null and void
STRESSFUL lifestyles could be the key trigger for incurable Alzheimer’s disease, scientists believe.
Even the trauma of bereavement or moving home could bring on dementia.
Scientists funded by the Alzheimer’s Society are investigating the link and hope their findings could lead to new drug treatments to fight the disease.
A study at the University of Kuopio in Finland has found that the long-term effects of stress may be the biggest cause of the disease.
When stressed, our blood pressure rises as our heart beats faster and levels of the hormone cortisol in the bloodstream also increase.
Experts believe once cortisol enters the brain it starts to kill off cells there, leading to Alzheimer’s.
"All of us go through stressful events. We are looking to understand how these may become a risk factor for the development of Alzheimer’s"
Professor Clive Holmes at the University of Southampton
The Finnish scientists found that patients with high blood pressure and high cortisol levels were more than three times as likely to develop Alzheimer’s than those without these conditions.
Professor Clive Holmes at the University of Southampton, who is leading the new research, said: “All of us go through stressful events. We are looking to understand how these may become a risk factor for the development of Alzheimer’s. Bereavement or a traumatic experience, possibly even moving home, is also a potential factor. This is the first stage in developing ways in which to intervene with psychological or drug-based treatments to fight the disease.
“We are looking at two aspects of stress relief – physical and psychological – and the body’s response to that experience.”
The study will monitor 140 people aged over 50 with mild memory problems over 18 months. They will be assessed for levels of stress and any movement from mild cognitive impairment to dementia. About 60 per cent of those with this impairment go on to develop Alzheimer’s.
The study is part of a £1.5million package of six grants being given by the charity to find the cause of the disease, a cure and a way to prevent it.
Alzheimer’s Society research manager Anne Corbett said: “The study will look at the role chronic stress plays in the progression from mild thinking and memory problems – mild cognitive impairment – to Alzheimer’s disease.
“We feel this is an important area of research that needs more attention. The results could offer clues to new treatments or better ways of managing the condition. “It will also be valuable to understand how different ways of coping with stressful life events could influence the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.”
Research has shown that stressed middle-aged women are 65 per cent more likely to develop dementia.
Scientists at Gothenberg University in Sweden found those who complained of repeated periods of stress, including irritation, anxiety or sleeping problems were significantly more likely to develop dementia in old age than those who led worry-free lives.
As part of the new study, researchers will track the volunteers’ levels of cortisol, released by the body in response to chronic stress. A number of illnesses are known to develop earlier or made worse by chronic stress including heart disease, diabetes, cancer and multiple sclerosis.
Stress can lead to high blood pressure which increases the risk of a heart attack because the heart has to work harder to pump more blood around the body. Cholesterol is also linked to the condition as it is a by-product of cortisol.
Dr Simon Ridley, head of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “Understanding the risk factors for Alzheimer’s could provide one piece of the puzzle we need to take us closer to a treatment that could stop the disease in its tracks.”
Me too, I stress about everything, like politics and our livelihood is way stressful.
LOL, We’re both screwed! My grandmother and aunt both had/have it and my kid is in Afghanistan. Sleep much? Stressed much? Can’t repair what’s gone!
So being married...with children...makes you NUTS. WHO KNEW?
This is pure b/s imho.
Perhaps they should try looking into Lyme’s Disease and it’s correllations.
Seems logical to me.
The mind is under stress so it goes into shutdown mode.
There is, however, hardening of the arteries.
My mother and her mother experienced that, but both lived into their late 90s, but little more the vegetables when they died.
I have never met one of these rare and elusive people.
Oh, terrific. Thanks for the uplifting info, n.
The cortisol liberates catalytic iron from the liver which is then metabolized in the most metabolically active locations: heart and brain. The excess iron in the hippo campus interferes with the insulin signaling and the uptake of glucose into the hippo campus for cognition and new memory creation.
Seems like a cigar and a strong drink, at least once a day, would help keep that from happening.
“I have never met one of these rare and elusive people.”
Nor have I. I know a lot of people without all of the obvious stressors. They spend lots of time worrying about what “might” happen..or if the sunshines too much it will be too hot. Or if the sun doesn’t shine enough mushrooms will grow in the yard.
In a lot of ways, they are more stressed than people dealing with the biggies. And it is constant.
I used to live(stress free) with two such people, my parents; they trusted in the Lord, worked hard, and loved each other until the day they died! “He who has ears, let him hear.”
Actually, I’m thinking that having Alzheimers will keep me from having a stressful life.
You think YOU have it bad....you ought to try living with some kid whose name starts with “B” but shall remain unnamed to protect his innocence!
Man!
Talk about a ROUGH LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’ve got high school baseball, and at 62 can still throw, catch, hit and even pitch batting practice. Praise God!
I was stressed out but I can’t remember why.
My money is on a bacterial/viral cause.
Always did figure the typical lib was more insane than sane.
Me too. In the past year, my husband was diagnosed with stage 3 prostate cancer, a few months after surgery he was laid off, then my 15 year old daughter started having involuntary muscle movements and other neurological problems that we don’t know what is going on yet. On top of that, we already have a daughter with a brain injury and seizures.
I’m screwed!
Who the h*ll are all you people?
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