Smart Moves to Prevent Dementia
Three new studies show exercise can improve cognitive function, psychotropics for PTSD may raise dementia risk, and 3 biomarkers can help predict cognitive decline in elderly persons.
References:
1. Hsu CL, Best JR, Davis JC, et al. Aerobic exercise promotes executive functions and impacts functional neural activity among older adults with vascular cognitive impairment. Br J Sports Med. 2017 Apr 21. pii: bjsports-2016-096846. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2016-096846.
2. Mawanda F, Wallace RB, McCoy K, Abrams TE. PTSD, psychotropic medication use, and the risk of dementia among US veterans: a retrospective cohort study. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2017;65:1043-1050. doi:10.1111/jgs.14756.
3. Harrison SL, de Craen AJM, Kerse N, et al. Predicting risk of cognitive decline in very old adults using three models: the Framingham Stroke Risk Profile; the Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Dementia Model; and oxi-inflammatory biomarkers. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2017;65:381-389.
Three new studies show that aerobic exercise can improve cognitive function in older persons with mild vascular cognitive impairment; psychotropic medications used to treat PTSD may increase the risk of dementia; and adding 3 biomarkers to cardiovascular risk scores may help predict cognitive impairment in elderly persons.[1-3] Scroll through the slides for the latest findings and take-home messages.
