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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SLS on April 27, 2008, at 6:38:16
What can one do to help prevent the development of Alzheimer's?
People with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) are at greater risk of developing Alzheimer's Dementia (DAT). The brains of MDD + DAT have more neurofibrillary tangles and more amyloid plaques than DAT alone.
I plan on taking n-acetylcysteine (NAC) for the potential it has as an antioxidant and Alzheimer's preventative. That's the idea, anyway.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on April 27, 2008, at 13:28:53
In reply to Depressive Disorders lead to Alzheimer's, posted by SLS on April 27, 2008, at 6:38:16
Scott you know I care. Should you add more meds to your combo? Love Phillipa
Posted by bleauberry on April 27, 2008, at 19:16:06
In reply to Depressive Disorders lead to Alzheimer's, posted by SLS on April 27, 2008, at 6:38:16
NAC can be tested in small doses for tolerability. Some people just do not tolerate it, similar to sulfur food or sulfite intolerance. NAC is a fairly strong mercury and lead mobilizer, but not a good chelator, so it can lead to redistribution, repoisoning, new and worse symptoms for people who have had prior exposure to mercury, most commonly from amalgam fillings. The majority of people at chelation forums won't go anywhere near NAC due to the risks.
Just a tidbit of info on the other side NAC.
I believe another good brain supplement is Acetyl-L-Carnitine, mainly for the same purposes as NAC.
Posted by 4WD on April 27, 2008, at 19:39:28
In reply to Depressive Disorders lead to Alzheimer's, posted by SLS on April 27, 2008, at 6:38:16
> What can one do to help prevent the development of Alzheimer's?
>
> People with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) are at greater risk of developing Alzheimer's Dementia (DAT). The brains of MDD + DAT have more neurofibrillary tangles and more amyloid plaques than DAT alone.
>
> I plan on taking n-acetylcysteine (NAC) for the potential it has as an antioxidant and Alzheimer's preventative. That's the idea, anyway.
>
>
> - ScottThat's a scary bit of info, Scott. My mom is dying of Alzheimer's. She's the only person in my family who's ever had it though. She never had a depressive disorder, though. So I guess that makes me more at risk and less at risk. I guess I'll take my chances and leave it up to God whether I get it or not. Especially after reading the post on this thread about what N-acetylcysteine can do. That's kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Marsha
Posted by Phillipa on April 27, 2008, at 20:08:40
In reply to Re: Depressive Disorders lead to Alzheimer's, posted by 4WD on April 27, 2008, at 19:39:28
Marsha I'm truly sorry. Love Phillipa
Posted by SLS on April 28, 2008, at 10:15:14
In reply to Depressive Disorders lead to Alzheimer's, posted by SLS on April 27, 2008, at 6:38:16
Any comments?
> People with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) are at greater risk of developing Dementia Alzheimer's Type (DAT). The brains of MDD + DAT have more neurofibrillary tangles and more amyloid plaques than DAT alone.
I thought more people would be interested in this salient and horrifying finding.
Will someone please comment on what we can do to minimize the development of Alzheimer's Disease?
The earlier depression appears in life, the greater is the risk of contracting Alzheimer's Disease. I believe that what I have had happen to me leaves me particularly vulnerable. Anticholinergic drugs such as those I have taken throughout adulthood probably also increases the risk of Alzheimer's. My cognitive and memory impairments already qualify as dementia.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on April 28, 2008, at 12:50:37
In reply to Depressive Disorder » Alzheimer's - Comments?, posted by SLS on April 28, 2008, at 10:15:14
Scott this sounded a little more reassuring to me. Phillipa.
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Abstract
Alzheimers disease (AD) patients often present with concurrent major depression (MD). To investigate the reasons for this comorbidity, e.g. MD being a risk factor for AD, or both diagnoses having a common neurobiology, the temporal relationship between the first onset of AD and of MD during lifetime was investigated57 out of 146 AD patients had a lifetime diagnosis of MD. The correlation between the ages at onset of MD and dementia was calculated. The incidence of MD in AD patients in several 5-year-intervals before and after the onset of AD was compared with the average incidence of MD in the present AD sample and with the expected incidence of MD in the general population. No significant correlation between the onset of AD and of MD could be found after controlling for age, gender and the Mini-Mental-State. However, the incidence of MD 5 years before and after the onset of AD significantly exceeded the expected incidencesMD is only partially related to AD. However, the increased incidence of MD within 5 years before and after the onset of dementia may indicate that a common neurobiological process causes cognitive decline and depression in a subsample of AD patients.
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Posted by MidnightBlue on April 28, 2008, at 14:42:50
In reply to Depressive Disorder » Alzheimer's - Comments?, posted by SLS on April 28, 2008, at 10:15:14
Scott both depression and Alzheimers runs in my family. There really isn't much I can do about it.
MB
Posted by bleauberry on April 28, 2008, at 20:18:38
In reply to Depressive Disorders lead to Alzheimer's, posted by SLS on April 27, 2008, at 6:38:16
Scott,
A medication you once tried is prescribed for delaying, preventing, and reducing alzheimer's symptoms. Memantine.
I've read several theories on the subject, ranging from Amalgam Illness Phd Andrew Cutler to chelation forums to my integrative MD and various scattered readings. While no solid understanding exists that I know of, a comglomerate of things I've seen include the following. Being nowhere close to an expert on Alzheimer's I can only pass along information gathered from other sources.
Oxidative stress may be an underlying trigger of Alzheimer's. Preventative supplements include Vitamin C 500mg-3000mg, Vitamin E 400IU-1000IU, Selenium 200mcg-300mcg. A diet high in raw veggies and fruits is good insurance.
Heavy metal burden. Also closely related to above mentioned oxidative stress, since lead and mercury cause massive increases in oxidative stress. The above supplements apply, with stronger emphasis on Selenium as it is not only an antioxidant but binds up the metals as well.
Deficient fatty acids. Mega doses are probably not warranted, but a regular modest supply of balanced omega oils gives what is typically lacking in American eating habits. Flax oil and safflower oil provide the stuff. They can be mixed with salad dressings or other foods or consumed raw. My doc says 3 or 4 servings per week is adequate for the body to get what it needs.
From a more psychological standpoint versus a physiological one, the mind can be kept sharp with routine exercise via puzzles, crossword puzzles, riddles, mysteries, and such. Older people tend to become less active, more vegetative, and unknowingly allow the mind to go dull. It can be exercised to stay in shape with routine daily mental challenges.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine is claimed to be pro-cholinergic and a pro-rejuvenator for the brain.
I would bet some of the smart drugs (the peracitam family, hydergine, and cousins) hold promise for Alzeimer's. I would have to go to pubmed and some of the smart drug websites to look at that closer.
In the arena of prescription drugs, I believe Memantine is the newest champion for Alzheimer's.
Posted by SLS on April 29, 2008, at 6:14:08
In reply to Re: Depressive Disorders lead to Alzheimer's » SLS, posted by bleauberry on April 28, 2008, at 20:18:38
Posted by undopaminergic on April 29, 2008, at 10:40:11
In reply to Re: Depressive Disorders lead to Alzheimer's » SLS, posted by bleauberry on April 28, 2008, at 20:18:38
> Scott,
>
> A medication you once tried is prescribed for delaying, preventing, and reducing alzheimer's symptoms. Memantine.
>I just received a shipment of memantine, and have taken 30 mg. No unmistakeable effects yet. Wait, I'm getting somethings now... I feel, for lack of a better word, somewhat intoxicated, but without noticeable impairment of coordination and verbal skills; indeed, both may be improved. Furthermore, I took some SSRI (escitalopram) earlier today and was having a tendency to tremor as a result, but memantine seems to reduce it. I'm also getting the impression that somehow, life seems more real - less of an abstraction.
>
> Acetyl-L-Carnitine is claimed to be pro-cholinergic and a pro-rejuvenator for the brain.
>
> I would bet some of the smart drugs (the peracitam family, hydergine, and cousins) hold promise for Alzeimer's. I would have to go to pubmed and some of the smart drug websites to look at that closer.
>I think you mean piracetam (Nootropil). The family of piracetam analogues are often referred to as racetams, of which the most popular are piracetam (still going strong, and by far the most well-researched), aniracetam, oxiracetam and pramiracetam.
I tried piracetam years ago, with little success. During the past couple of weeks and continuing, I've been testing pramiracetam, which many consider the foremost racetam. I can't say I'm having much more luck with it than with piracetam. If I take 600 mg I actually find that it slows cognitive processes (eg. text recognition). However, 300 mg seems tolerable, with minimal or no adverse effects, but also apparently without benefit.
Regarding cholinergics, one of my hypotheses is that in dopamine deficient states, cholinergic agents are at best a waste of resources, and quite likely detrimental. It's no coincidence that *anti*cholinergics have been used in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease (and still are, to a modest extent). I'm nevertheless exploring them, since I might be pleasantly surprised, or if nothing else, the experiments will provide empirical data to help refine my theories.
Posted by snapper1 on May 3, 2008, at 20:08:06
In reply to Depressive Disorders lead to Alzheimer's, posted by SLS on April 27, 2008, at 6:38:16
Posted by snapper1 on May 3, 2008, at 20:09:51
In reply to Depressive Disorders lead to Alzheimer's, posted by SLS on April 27, 2008, at 6:38:16
Scott . Hi it is snapper. Please contact me via my regular email. I have some very int news that you and others may by very int in.
snapper1aka previously as snapper
Posted by SLS on May 9, 2008, at 20:24:18
In reply to Re: Depressive Disorders lead to Alzheimer's » SLS, posted by snapper1 on May 3, 2008, at 20:09:51
Dear Snapper v1.0,
I sent out an email your way a few days ago. What's up?
- Scott
Posted by snapper1 on May 10, 2008, at 3:02:40
In reply to Re: Depressive Disorders lead to Alzheimer's » snapper1, posted by SLS on May 9, 2008, at 20:24:18
Hi Scott, I just got it. My PC has been doing wierd things latley .kinda like our brains. Anyhow....so this does'nt become a thread in it self..... :) things for responding ..I got it and we will converse soon hopefully!!
snapper
This is the end of the thread.
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