ROCHESTER, Minn., Monday, July 19th 2010 [ME NewsWire]:
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Mayo Clinic:
Shopping for Sunglasses? Look for UV Labels
For shielding eyes from sunlight, not all sunglasses are created equal. In the July issue of Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource, Amir Khan, M.D., Mayo Clinic ophthalmologist, discusses some considerations for purchasing sunglasses to help ensure good eye health.
Ultraviolet (UV) light rays from the sun not only can damage the skin, they can also harm the eyes. Long-term exposure to UV light increases the risk of cataracts, a clouding of the eye’s lens. Some experts believe UV rays increase the risk of macular degeneration, a chronic disease that affects the central vision.
Sunglasses are an easy and effective way to protect against UV rays. “It’s best to wear sunglasses any time you’re outside and need sun protection,” says Dr. Khan. He offers tips for purchasing sunglasses:
* Label check: Look for sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB, the two types of UV rays found in sunlight. The sunglasses should block 99 to 100 percent of these rays. If the label or sticker has no UV information, it’s probably best to look for a different pair.
* Price: The cost of sunglasses is most often a function of fashion. Higher price doesn’t mean better UV protection.
* Glare reduction: Polarized lenses can cut the glare that reflects off water or snow -- a feature many people appreciate. But glare reduction doesn’t equal UV protection. Check the label for both features.
* Lens color: The color or darkness of the lenses doesn’t indicate UV protection. In fact, the coating that blocks UV light is clear.
* Good fit: Wraparound glasses or sunglasses that fit closely around the eyes will block the most UV rays.
Deciphering Dementia: Many Disorders can Cause Loss of Brain Function
Occasional misplaced keys or forgotten names don’t mark the beginning of dementia. All dementia isn’t Alzheimer’s disease. Some dementia symptoms can be reversed. Those facts and many more are covered in Deciphering Dementia, a supplemental Special Report to the July issue of Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource.
The report provides in-depth coverage of the causes, risk factors, diagnoses and treatment options for dementia. Some highlights from the report include:
Types and causes of dementia: While Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia in people 65 and older, there are many other causes. For example, vascular dementia results from stroke. Lewy body dementia occurs when abnormal round structures called Lewy bodies develop in regions of the brain involved with thinking, movement and sleep. Visual hallucinations can be the first sign of this type of dementia.
Infections such as meningitis and encephalitis can cause dementia symptoms, and so can leukemia and multiple sclerosis. Depression can cause people to appear slow, confused or forgetful. In these situations, symptoms of dementia may improve with treatment for the underlying disease.
Ways to protect the brain: Lowering cholesterol or blood pressure levels can help thwart the buildup of plaques in arteries and can help prevent stroke, one of the major causes of vascular dementia. Some research has indicated that statin drugs, which help lower cholesterol, may help lower dementia risk.
Other protective strategies include keeping the mind active, being physically and socially active and eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids found in certain fish and nuts.
What’s normal memory loss and what isn’t: Occasional lapses in memory are different from the type of memory loss associated with dementia. Needing directions when driving to a place visited only occasionally is normal. Losing one’s way driving home from a familiar location, such as the grocery store, is not.
When dementia-like symptoms start to become a concern, it’s time to see a physician. Memory loss and other dementia symptoms have many causes, so diagnosis can be a challenge. Nevertheless, early and accurate diagnosis allows for treatment that might help reverse, lessen or delay the progression of symptoms.
Diabetes, High Blood Pressure are Leading Causes of Kidney Damage
People with diabetes and high blood pressure need to take care of their kidneys. According to the July issue of Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing problem in the United States. The most common causes are diabetes and high blood pressure.
Kidneys are bean-shaped organs that remove excess fluid and waste material from the blood.
Kidney function can easily be taken for granted, but it’s dangerous to do so. The kidneys keep the body’s level of salt, potassium, phosphorous and calcium in balance. They release hormones that help the body regulate blood pressure, make red blood cells and form strong bones.
When kidneys are damaged, the filtering ability is impaired, and fluid and waste accumulate in the body. CKD can lead to kidney failure and the need for kidney dialysis or transplant. CKD also can lead to other health problems such as anemia, weakened bones and cardiovascular disease. Even a small loss of kidney function can double the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Individuals with diabetes, high blood pressure or other risk factors should work with a physician to monitor kidney health. CKD symptoms may not be noticed until kidneys are severely damaged. Tests are available that can aid in early detection and allow for treatments that often can keep the problem from getting worse. Urine tests can help determine an excess amount of protein in the urine, which may mean the kidney’s filtering ability has been damaged by disease. Blood tests can check for creatine, a waste product that builds up in the blood when the kidneys aren’t working properly. Rising blood pressure is a sign that damage has already occurred.
CKD has no cure, but treatment can help reduce complications and slow disease progression. Treatment includes controlling the underlying condition, such as diabetes or high blood pressure; cutting back on protein in the diet and avoiding substances that can further damage kidneys, such as some over-the-counter pain relievers, oral preparations used for colonoscopy and contrast dyes used with some imaging exams.
Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource is published monthly to help women enjoy healthier, more productive lives. Revenue from subscriptions is used to support medical research at Mayo Clinic. To subscribe, please visit www.bookstore.mayoclinic.com.
You may cite this publication as often as you wish. Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource attribution is required. Reprinting is allowed for a fee. Include the following subscription information as your editorial policies permit: Visit www.bookstore.mayoclinic.com for subscription information.
About Mayo Clinic
For more than 100 years, millions of people from all walks of life have found answers at Mayo Clinic. These patients tell us they leave Mayo Clinic with peace of mind knowing they received care from the world's leading experts. Mayo Clinic is the first and largest integrated, not-for-profit group practice in the world. At Mayo Clinic, a team of specialists is assembled to take the time to listen, understand and care for patients' health issues and concerns. These teams draw from more than 3,700 physicians and scientists and 50,100 allied staff that work at Mayo Clinic’s campuses in Rochester, Minnesota, Jacksonville, Florida, and Scottsdale/Phoenix, Arizona. These locations treat more than half a million people each year.
To obtain the latest news releases from Mayo Clinic, go to www.mayoclinic.org/news. For information about research and education, visit www.mayo.edu. MayoClinic.com (www.mayoclinic.com) is available as a resource for your general health information.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Mayo Clinic
Duska Anastasijevic
507-284-5005 (days)
507-284-2511 (evenings)
newsbureau@mayo.edu
Showing posts with label Mayo Clinic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mayo Clinic. Show all posts
Monday, July 19, 2010
Mayo Clinic Health Letter: Highlights from the July Issue
ROCHESTER, Minn., Monday, July 19th 2010 [ME NewsWire]:
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Here are highlights from the July issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter. You may cite this publication as often as you wish. Reprinting is allowed for a fee. Mayo Clinic Health Letter attribution is required. Include the following subscription information as your editorial policies permit: Visit www.HealthLetter.MayoClinic.com for subscription information.
When the Heart Skips a Beat -- Worry or Not?
ROCHESTER, Minnesota -- Almost everyone feels occasional heart palpitations -- a change in the heart’s rhythm. Palpitations range from what feels like a skip, flip or bump in the heart’s rhythm to a sustained, racing heartbeat.
The July issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter provides an overview of heart palpitations, including when emergency care is needed, what diagnostic tests are used and common triggers.
Most often, heart palpitations are harmless, but not always. Palpitations can be a sign of an underlying serious problem such as heart disease, an overactive thyroid gland or anemia. Rarely, tumors can produce certain hormones that can cause heart palpitations.
Emergency care is recommended when palpitations are accompanied by chest pain or fainting, or if they involve a racing heart that doesn’t slow to a normal pace within about 20 minutes.
Palpitations, along with light-headedness, shortness of breath or a feeling of dizziness, or a racing heart that returns to normal on its own, are not considered medical emergencies but should be checked out with a physician.
To determine the underlying cause of palpitations, diagnostic tests might include a blood test to check for health concerns and a chest X-ray or echocardiogram to view the structure and function of the heart. An electrocardiogram (ECG) recording of the heart is generally recommended, too. Some patients are given ECG monitors to wear at home for one to three days in the hope of recording the heart during a palpitation episode.
Treatment varies greatly depending on the underlying cause of the palpitations. A doctor may also suggest ways to address possible palpitation triggers that can include:
* Stress, anxiety or panic
* Strenuous exercise
* Caffeine, nicotine and alcohol
* Any medication or supplement that acts as a stimulant, such as cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine, certain asthma medications or diet pills
* Fever
* Hormone changes associated with menopause
* Dehydration
* Thyroid abnormalities
MicroRNA -- A Switch that Determines Cell Behavior and Holds Answers on Disease, Prevention, Treatment
ROCHESTER, Minnesota -- Thousands of research studies are under way to better understand microRNA -- short for micro ribonucleic acid. These tiny genetic strands may play a role in identifying, treating and possibly preventing many diseases, according to the July issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter.
MicroRNA acts like a switch that changes cell behavior. Different microRNAs are in each tissue of the body. For instance, what makes liver cells unique is, in part, their expression of a particular microRNA that influences which protein is produced.
About 1,000 distinct human microRNAs have been identified. Each can influence and regulate expression of hundreds of genes that determine a major change for the cell, such as whether it lives or dies, multiplies rapidly or develops into bone, muscle or another type of cell.
MicroRNA is a relatively new discovery. Scientists have been aware of its role for about 20 years, and there is still much to be learned. Scientists hope that microRNA research might eventually lead to improved diagnosis, more accurate predictions of disease outcomes and new treatment and medication options with fewer side effects.
Diseases being studied include:
* Heart failure -- MicroRNAs associated with this disease process may eventually tie into innovative therapeutic approaches.
* Alzheimer’s disease -- Studies have linked survival of brain cells (neurons) to their ability to produce microRNAs. Neurons incapable of doing so slowly die.
* Hepatitis C virus -- This virus “hijacks” certain microRNA to make copies of the virus within liver cells. Work is under way to develop a treatment that might keep the microRNA away from the virus.
* Schizophrenia -- Researchers are looking at possible associations between microRNA and this severe psychiatric disorder.
* Cancer -- Scientists have used microRNA to destroy liver cancer cells without harming healthy liver cells. Researchers have discovered a correlation between certain microRNAs and aggressive prostate cancer.
Meningioma -- Brain Tumor that May Not Need Treatment
ROCHESTER, Minnesota -- Meningiomas, the most common type of brain tumors, are rarely cancerous and may not require treatment. The July issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter offers an overview of this brain tumor that is usually benign.
Meningiomas account for about 25 percent of primary brain tumors, those that originate in the brain. They are formed from the cells that provide a protective coating (meninges) that lines the outer surface of the brain and spinal cord. They typically grow outside brain tissue and rarely grow into the brain. The cause is unknown.
Symptoms: Meningiomas easily can go unnoticed, with no signs or symptoms. They may exert pressure on the brain and cause symptoms that can include vision changes, seizures, loss of hearing, weakness in the arms or legs or changes in balance.
Diagnosis: Diagnostic imaging -- particularly MRI -- is useful to identify the size and location of the tumor. On an MRI scan, meningiomas have a very characteristic appearance. Because many meningiomas don’t cause symptoms, they often are detected during imaging for some other, unrelated purpose.
Treatment: Ninety percent of meningiomas are benign, slow-growing tumors. If no bothersome symptoms are present, periodic monitoring for changes may be all that’s needed.
When meningiomas are causing symptoms, growing rapidly or are cancerous, several treatment options are available. The tumor can be removed during surgery. Depending on the location, removing the entire tumor may not be possible. When that’s the case, another step in treatment may be radiosurgery or radiation therapy.
In stereotactic radiosurgery, narrow beams of radiation are directed simultaneously at a small tumor, usually no bigger than an inch. Another approach is radiation therapy over a period of weeks. Radiation therapy is considered when tumor removal isn’t complete or surgery is not possible.
Overall, treatment outcomes are good for benign meningiomas after complete surgical removal. Tumors that can’t be totally removed due to their location are more likely to recur. However, in those cases, when radiotherapy or radiosurgery is done in combination with surgery, recurrence rates also are low.
Mayo Clinic Health Letter is an eight-page monthly newsletter of reliable, accurate and practical information on today’s health and medical news. To subscribe, please visit www.HealthLetter.MayoClinic.com.
About Mayo Clinic
For more than 100 years, millions of people from all walks of life have found answers at Mayo Clinic. These patients tell us they leave Mayo Clinic with peace of mind knowing they received care from the world's leading experts. Mayo Clinic is the first and largest integrated, not-for-profit group practice in the world. At Mayo Clinic, a team of specialists is assembled to take the time to listen, understand and care for patients' health issues and concerns. These teams draw from more than 3,700 physicians and scientists and 50,100 allied staff that work at Mayo Clinic’s campuses in Rochester, Minnesota, Jacksonville, Florida, and Scottsdale/Phoenix, Arizona. These locations treat more than half a million people each year. To obtain the latest news releases from Mayo Clinic, go to www.mayoclinic.org/news. For information about research and education, visit www.mayo.edu. MayoClinic.com (www.mayoclinic.com) is available as a resource for your general health information.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Mayo Clinic
Duska Anastasijevic,
507-284-5005 (days)
507-284-2511 (evenings)
newsbureau@mayo.edu
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Here are highlights from the July issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter. You may cite this publication as often as you wish. Reprinting is allowed for a fee. Mayo Clinic Health Letter attribution is required. Include the following subscription information as your editorial policies permit: Visit www.HealthLetter.MayoClinic.com for subscription information.
When the Heart Skips a Beat -- Worry or Not?
ROCHESTER, Minnesota -- Almost everyone feels occasional heart palpitations -- a change in the heart’s rhythm. Palpitations range from what feels like a skip, flip or bump in the heart’s rhythm to a sustained, racing heartbeat.
The July issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter provides an overview of heart palpitations, including when emergency care is needed, what diagnostic tests are used and common triggers.
Most often, heart palpitations are harmless, but not always. Palpitations can be a sign of an underlying serious problem such as heart disease, an overactive thyroid gland or anemia. Rarely, tumors can produce certain hormones that can cause heart palpitations.
Emergency care is recommended when palpitations are accompanied by chest pain or fainting, or if they involve a racing heart that doesn’t slow to a normal pace within about 20 minutes.
Palpitations, along with light-headedness, shortness of breath or a feeling of dizziness, or a racing heart that returns to normal on its own, are not considered medical emergencies but should be checked out with a physician.
To determine the underlying cause of palpitations, diagnostic tests might include a blood test to check for health concerns and a chest X-ray or echocardiogram to view the structure and function of the heart. An electrocardiogram (ECG) recording of the heart is generally recommended, too. Some patients are given ECG monitors to wear at home for one to three days in the hope of recording the heart during a palpitation episode.
Treatment varies greatly depending on the underlying cause of the palpitations. A doctor may also suggest ways to address possible palpitation triggers that can include:
* Stress, anxiety or panic
* Strenuous exercise
* Caffeine, nicotine and alcohol
* Any medication or supplement that acts as a stimulant, such as cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine, certain asthma medications or diet pills
* Fever
* Hormone changes associated with menopause
* Dehydration
* Thyroid abnormalities
MicroRNA -- A Switch that Determines Cell Behavior and Holds Answers on Disease, Prevention, Treatment
ROCHESTER, Minnesota -- Thousands of research studies are under way to better understand microRNA -- short for micro ribonucleic acid. These tiny genetic strands may play a role in identifying, treating and possibly preventing many diseases, according to the July issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter.
MicroRNA acts like a switch that changes cell behavior. Different microRNAs are in each tissue of the body. For instance, what makes liver cells unique is, in part, their expression of a particular microRNA that influences which protein is produced.
About 1,000 distinct human microRNAs have been identified. Each can influence and regulate expression of hundreds of genes that determine a major change for the cell, such as whether it lives or dies, multiplies rapidly or develops into bone, muscle or another type of cell.
MicroRNA is a relatively new discovery. Scientists have been aware of its role for about 20 years, and there is still much to be learned. Scientists hope that microRNA research might eventually lead to improved diagnosis, more accurate predictions of disease outcomes and new treatment and medication options with fewer side effects.
Diseases being studied include:
* Heart failure -- MicroRNAs associated with this disease process may eventually tie into innovative therapeutic approaches.
* Alzheimer’s disease -- Studies have linked survival of brain cells (neurons) to their ability to produce microRNAs. Neurons incapable of doing so slowly die.
* Hepatitis C virus -- This virus “hijacks” certain microRNA to make copies of the virus within liver cells. Work is under way to develop a treatment that might keep the microRNA away from the virus.
* Schizophrenia -- Researchers are looking at possible associations between microRNA and this severe psychiatric disorder.
* Cancer -- Scientists have used microRNA to destroy liver cancer cells without harming healthy liver cells. Researchers have discovered a correlation between certain microRNAs and aggressive prostate cancer.
Meningioma -- Brain Tumor that May Not Need Treatment
ROCHESTER, Minnesota -- Meningiomas, the most common type of brain tumors, are rarely cancerous and may not require treatment. The July issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter offers an overview of this brain tumor that is usually benign.
Meningiomas account for about 25 percent of primary brain tumors, those that originate in the brain. They are formed from the cells that provide a protective coating (meninges) that lines the outer surface of the brain and spinal cord. They typically grow outside brain tissue and rarely grow into the brain. The cause is unknown.
Symptoms: Meningiomas easily can go unnoticed, with no signs or symptoms. They may exert pressure on the brain and cause symptoms that can include vision changes, seizures, loss of hearing, weakness in the arms or legs or changes in balance.
Diagnosis: Diagnostic imaging -- particularly MRI -- is useful to identify the size and location of the tumor. On an MRI scan, meningiomas have a very characteristic appearance. Because many meningiomas don’t cause symptoms, they often are detected during imaging for some other, unrelated purpose.
Treatment: Ninety percent of meningiomas are benign, slow-growing tumors. If no bothersome symptoms are present, periodic monitoring for changes may be all that’s needed.
When meningiomas are causing symptoms, growing rapidly or are cancerous, several treatment options are available. The tumor can be removed during surgery. Depending on the location, removing the entire tumor may not be possible. When that’s the case, another step in treatment may be radiosurgery or radiation therapy.
In stereotactic radiosurgery, narrow beams of radiation are directed simultaneously at a small tumor, usually no bigger than an inch. Another approach is radiation therapy over a period of weeks. Radiation therapy is considered when tumor removal isn’t complete or surgery is not possible.
Overall, treatment outcomes are good for benign meningiomas after complete surgical removal. Tumors that can’t be totally removed due to their location are more likely to recur. However, in those cases, when radiotherapy or radiosurgery is done in combination with surgery, recurrence rates also are low.
Mayo Clinic Health Letter is an eight-page monthly newsletter of reliable, accurate and practical information on today’s health and medical news. To subscribe, please visit www.HealthLetter.MayoClinic.com.
About Mayo Clinic
For more than 100 years, millions of people from all walks of life have found answers at Mayo Clinic. These patients tell us they leave Mayo Clinic with peace of mind knowing they received care from the world's leading experts. Mayo Clinic is the first and largest integrated, not-for-profit group practice in the world. At Mayo Clinic, a team of specialists is assembled to take the time to listen, understand and care for patients' health issues and concerns. These teams draw from more than 3,700 physicians and scientists and 50,100 allied staff that work at Mayo Clinic’s campuses in Rochester, Minnesota, Jacksonville, Florida, and Scottsdale/Phoenix, Arizona. These locations treat more than half a million people each year. To obtain the latest news releases from Mayo Clinic, go to www.mayoclinic.org/news. For information about research and education, visit www.mayo.edu. MayoClinic.com (www.mayoclinic.com) is available as a resource for your general health information.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Mayo Clinic
Duska Anastasijevic,
507-284-5005 (days)
507-284-2511 (evenings)
newsbureau@mayo.edu
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Mayo Clinic Study Finds Apathy and Depression Predict Progression from Mild Cognitive Impairment to Dementia
Next, researchers will study whether treating neuropsychiatric symptoms in MCI can delay the onset of dementia
ROCHESTER, Minn., Wednesday, July 14th 2010 [ME NewsWire]:
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A new Mayo Clinic study found that apathy and depression significantly predict an individual’s progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a disorder of the brain that affects nerve cells involved in thinking abilities, to dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia. The study was presented at the International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease in Honolulu on July 11, 2010.
VIDEO ALERT: Additional audio and video resources, including comments by Dr. Geda, are available on the Mayo Clinic News Blog
“An important area of study is the identification of biomarkers and clinical predictors for the progression from normal cognition to mild cognitive impairment and mild cognitive impairment to dementia,” says Yonas E. Geda, M.D., a Mayo Clinic neuropsychiatrist and the study’s lead investigator. “We knew from previous smaller studies that neuropsychiatric symptoms like depression, apathy and agitation seem to predict progression from mild cognitive impairment to dementia, so we set out to look at this hypothesis in a population-based setting with a larger sample size.”
Depression and apathy are neuropsychiatric symptoms that are often difficult to distinguish, according to Dr. Geda. Depression causes changes in mood, thinking, physical well-being and behavior, while apathy is loss of motivation without associated feelings of being depressed or blue.
As part of the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging, Dr. Geda and a team of Mayo Clinic researchers identified 358 individuals with mild cognitive impairment and used a questionnaire to collect data on depression and apathy. Then, they prospectively followed individuals to the outcome of dementia (a median of 2.8 years). Among 87 individuals with depression, 30 (34.5 percent) developed dementia. Of the 271 individuals without depression, 59 (21.8 percent) developed dementia. Among 60 individuals with apathy, 22 (36.7 percent) developed dementia. Of the 298 individuals without apathy, 67 (22.5 percent) developed dementia.
After adjusting for age, gender and education, the researchers found that the individuals with mild cognitive impairment and depression had a 66 percent increased risk of developing dementia than those individuals with mild cognitive impairment without depression. Likewise, the individuals with mild cognitive impairment and apathy had a 99 percent increased risk of developing dementia than those individuals with mild cognitive impairment without apathy.
“These findings highlight the importance of thoroughly evaluating newly-diagnosed patients with mild cognitive impairment for neuropsychiatric symptoms. The next step is to conduct a study to find out if treatment of depression or apathy in MCI may delay the onset of dementia,” says Dr. Geda. “This delay could have a huge impact on the quality of life for individual patients and their families, not to mention the broad public health implications of delaying the societal and economic burden of dementia. In fact, a previous biostatistics study from our colleagues at Johns Hopkins indicated that delaying dementia by a mere one year could reduce the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease by nearly 800,000 million fewer cases in 2050.”
Other members of the Mayo Clinic research teams included Rosebud Roberts, M.B., Ch.B; David Knopman, M.D.; Teresa Christianson; V. Shane Pankratz, Ph.D.; Bradley Boeve, M.D.; Walter Rocca, M.D.; Robert Ivnik, Ph.D.; Eric Tangalos, M.D.; and Ronald Petersen, M.D., Ph.D.
About Mayo Clinic
For more than 100 years, millions of people from all walks of life have found answers at Mayo Clinic. These patients tell us they leave Mayo Clinic with peace of mind knowing they received care from the world's leading experts. Mayo Clinic is the first and largest integrated, not-for-profit group practice in the world. At Mayo Clinic, a team of specialists is assembled to take the time to listen, understand and care for patients' health issues and concerns. These teams draw from more than 3,700 physicians and scientists and 50,100 allied staff that work at Mayo Clinic’s campuses in Minnesota, Florida, and Arizona. These locations treat more than half a million people each year. To best serve patients, Mayo Clinic works with many insurance companies, does not require a physician referral in most cases and is an in-network provider for millions of people. To obtain the latest news releases from Mayo Clinic, go to www.mayoclinic.org/news. For information about research and education, visit www.mayo.edu. MayoClinic.com (www.mayoclinic.com) is available as a resource for your general health information
For media enquiries, please contact:
Mayo Clinic
Duska Anastasijevic
507-284-5005 (days)
507-284-2511 (evenings)
newsbureau@mayo.edu
ROCHESTER, Minn., Wednesday, July 14th 2010 [ME NewsWire]:
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A new Mayo Clinic study found that apathy and depression significantly predict an individual’s progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a disorder of the brain that affects nerve cells involved in thinking abilities, to dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia. The study was presented at the International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease in Honolulu on July 11, 2010.
VIDEO ALERT: Additional audio and video resources, including comments by Dr. Geda, are available on the Mayo Clinic News Blog
“An important area of study is the identification of biomarkers and clinical predictors for the progression from normal cognition to mild cognitive impairment and mild cognitive impairment to dementia,” says Yonas E. Geda, M.D., a Mayo Clinic neuropsychiatrist and the study’s lead investigator. “We knew from previous smaller studies that neuropsychiatric symptoms like depression, apathy and agitation seem to predict progression from mild cognitive impairment to dementia, so we set out to look at this hypothesis in a population-based setting with a larger sample size.”
Depression and apathy are neuropsychiatric symptoms that are often difficult to distinguish, according to Dr. Geda. Depression causes changes in mood, thinking, physical well-being and behavior, while apathy is loss of motivation without associated feelings of being depressed or blue.
As part of the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging, Dr. Geda and a team of Mayo Clinic researchers identified 358 individuals with mild cognitive impairment and used a questionnaire to collect data on depression and apathy. Then, they prospectively followed individuals to the outcome of dementia (a median of 2.8 years). Among 87 individuals with depression, 30 (34.5 percent) developed dementia. Of the 271 individuals without depression, 59 (21.8 percent) developed dementia. Among 60 individuals with apathy, 22 (36.7 percent) developed dementia. Of the 298 individuals without apathy, 67 (22.5 percent) developed dementia.
After adjusting for age, gender and education, the researchers found that the individuals with mild cognitive impairment and depression had a 66 percent increased risk of developing dementia than those individuals with mild cognitive impairment without depression. Likewise, the individuals with mild cognitive impairment and apathy had a 99 percent increased risk of developing dementia than those individuals with mild cognitive impairment without apathy.
“These findings highlight the importance of thoroughly evaluating newly-diagnosed patients with mild cognitive impairment for neuropsychiatric symptoms. The next step is to conduct a study to find out if treatment of depression or apathy in MCI may delay the onset of dementia,” says Dr. Geda. “This delay could have a huge impact on the quality of life for individual patients and their families, not to mention the broad public health implications of delaying the societal and economic burden of dementia. In fact, a previous biostatistics study from our colleagues at Johns Hopkins indicated that delaying dementia by a mere one year could reduce the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease by nearly 800,000 million fewer cases in 2050.”
Other members of the Mayo Clinic research teams included Rosebud Roberts, M.B., Ch.B; David Knopman, M.D.; Teresa Christianson; V. Shane Pankratz, Ph.D.; Bradley Boeve, M.D.; Walter Rocca, M.D.; Robert Ivnik, Ph.D.; Eric Tangalos, M.D.; and Ronald Petersen, M.D., Ph.D.
About Mayo Clinic
For more than 100 years, millions of people from all walks of life have found answers at Mayo Clinic. These patients tell us they leave Mayo Clinic with peace of mind knowing they received care from the world's leading experts. Mayo Clinic is the first and largest integrated, not-for-profit group practice in the world. At Mayo Clinic, a team of specialists is assembled to take the time to listen, understand and care for patients' health issues and concerns. These teams draw from more than 3,700 physicians and scientists and 50,100 allied staff that work at Mayo Clinic’s campuses in Minnesota, Florida, and Arizona. These locations treat more than half a million people each year. To best serve patients, Mayo Clinic works with many insurance companies, does not require a physician referral in most cases and is an in-network provider for millions of people. To obtain the latest news releases from Mayo Clinic, go to www.mayoclinic.org/news. For information about research and education, visit www.mayo.edu. MayoClinic.com (www.mayoclinic.com) is available as a resource for your general health information
For media enquiries, please contact:
Mayo Clinic
Duska Anastasijevic
507-284-5005 (days)
507-284-2511 (evenings)
newsbureau@mayo.edu
Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Sexual Abuse Survivors Have Increased Lifetime Diagnoses of Psychiatric Disorders
ROCHESTER, Minn., Wednesday, July 14th 2010 [ME NewsWire]:
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- New research finds that a history of sexual abuse, regardless of the victim’s gender or age when the abuse occurred, correlates strongly with a lifetime diagnosis of multiple psychiatric disorders.
In the July issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings (http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.com/), researchers report that a history of sexual abuse is associated with suicide attempts, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, depression, and eating and sleep disorders. Additionally, associations between sexual abuse and depression, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder were strengthened by a history of rape.
“Survivors of sexual abuse are commonly seen in general medical practice,” says Ali Zirakzadeh, M.D. (http://www.mayoclinic.org/bio/13731530.html), Mayo Clinic Division of General Internal Medicine (http://www.mayoclinic.org/general-internal-medicine-rst/) and principal investigator of the study. “Sexual abuse survivors face a challenging spectrum of physical and mental health symptoms, which results in high health care utilization, oftentimes without improvement in quality of life.”
The study reports prevalence rates of sexual abuse in some populations are as high as 21 percent in adults and 33 percent in children. Furthermore, sexual abuse survivors can represent up to 25 percent of patient panels in primary care practices.
Researchers also explored why some abuse survivors do not experience psychiatric symptoms and suggest that genetic variability may confer a level of protection. “The protective effect of certain genes against the development of psychiatric disorders in abuse survivors is an intriguing prospect.
If confirmed, future testing may more effectively identify victims of abuse who are at increased risk to develop psychiatric disease and lead to the development of better interventions and treatment,” says Dr. Zirakzadeh.
Dr. Zirakzadeh adds, “The good news for patients is that physicians are now more aware of the link between abuse and psychiatric illness so that abuse survivors may be more readily identified and referred to specialists for treatment. We hope that heightened awareness in clinical practice leads to improved outcomes for our patients.”
A peer-reviewed journal, Mayo Clinic Proceedings publishes original articles and reviews dealing with clinical and laboratory medicine, clinical research, basic science research and clinical epidemiology. Mayo Clinic Proceedings is published monthly by Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research as part of its commitment to the medical education of physicians. The journal has been published for more than 80 years and has a circulation of 130,000 nationally and internationally. Articles are available online at www.mayoclinicproceedings.com.
About Mayo Clinic
For more than 100 years, millions of people from all walks of life have found answers at Mayo Clinic. These patients tell us they leave Mayo Clinic with peace of mind knowing they received care from the world’s leading experts. Mayo Clinic is the first and largest integrated, not-for-profit group practice in the world. At Mayo Clinic, a team of specialists is assembled to take the time to listen, understand and care for patients’ health issues and concerns. These teams draw from more than 3,700 physicians and scientists and 50,100 allied staff that work at Mayo Clinic’s campuses in Minnesota, Florida, and Arizona. These locations treat more than half a million people each year. To best serve patients, Mayo Clinic works with many insurance companies, does not require a physician referral in most cases and is an in-network provider for millions of people. To obtain the latest news releases from Mayo Clinic, go to www.mayoclinic.org/news. For information about research and education, visit www.mayo.edu. MayoClinic.com (www.mayoclinic.com) is available as a resource for your general health information.
VIDEO ALERT: Additional audio and video resources, including excerpts from an interview with Dr. Ali Zirakzadeh describing the research, are available here (http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.com/content/85/7/618/suppl/DC2).
For media enquiries, please contact:
Mayo Clinic
Duska Anastasijevic
507-284-5005 (days)
507-284-2511 (evenings)
newsbureau@mayo.edu
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- New research finds that a history of sexual abuse, regardless of the victim’s gender or age when the abuse occurred, correlates strongly with a lifetime diagnosis of multiple psychiatric disorders.
In the July issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings (http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.com/), researchers report that a history of sexual abuse is associated with suicide attempts, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, depression, and eating and sleep disorders. Additionally, associations between sexual abuse and depression, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder were strengthened by a history of rape.
“Survivors of sexual abuse are commonly seen in general medical practice,” says Ali Zirakzadeh, M.D. (http://www.mayoclinic.org/bio/13731530.html), Mayo Clinic Division of General Internal Medicine (http://www.mayoclinic.org/general-internal-medicine-rst/) and principal investigator of the study. “Sexual abuse survivors face a challenging spectrum of physical and mental health symptoms, which results in high health care utilization, oftentimes without improvement in quality of life.”
The study reports prevalence rates of sexual abuse in some populations are as high as 21 percent in adults and 33 percent in children. Furthermore, sexual abuse survivors can represent up to 25 percent of patient panels in primary care practices.
Researchers also explored why some abuse survivors do not experience psychiatric symptoms and suggest that genetic variability may confer a level of protection. “The protective effect of certain genes against the development of psychiatric disorders in abuse survivors is an intriguing prospect.
If confirmed, future testing may more effectively identify victims of abuse who are at increased risk to develop psychiatric disease and lead to the development of better interventions and treatment,” says Dr. Zirakzadeh.
Dr. Zirakzadeh adds, “The good news for patients is that physicians are now more aware of the link between abuse and psychiatric illness so that abuse survivors may be more readily identified and referred to specialists for treatment. We hope that heightened awareness in clinical practice leads to improved outcomes for our patients.”
A peer-reviewed journal, Mayo Clinic Proceedings publishes original articles and reviews dealing with clinical and laboratory medicine, clinical research, basic science research and clinical epidemiology. Mayo Clinic Proceedings is published monthly by Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research as part of its commitment to the medical education of physicians. The journal has been published for more than 80 years and has a circulation of 130,000 nationally and internationally. Articles are available online at www.mayoclinicproceedings.com.
About Mayo Clinic
For more than 100 years, millions of people from all walks of life have found answers at Mayo Clinic. These patients tell us they leave Mayo Clinic with peace of mind knowing they received care from the world’s leading experts. Mayo Clinic is the first and largest integrated, not-for-profit group practice in the world. At Mayo Clinic, a team of specialists is assembled to take the time to listen, understand and care for patients’ health issues and concerns. These teams draw from more than 3,700 physicians and scientists and 50,100 allied staff that work at Mayo Clinic’s campuses in Minnesota, Florida, and Arizona. These locations treat more than half a million people each year. To best serve patients, Mayo Clinic works with many insurance companies, does not require a physician referral in most cases and is an in-network provider for millions of people. To obtain the latest news releases from Mayo Clinic, go to www.mayoclinic.org/news. For information about research and education, visit www.mayo.edu. MayoClinic.com (www.mayoclinic.com) is available as a resource for your general health information.
VIDEO ALERT: Additional audio and video resources, including excerpts from an interview with Dr. Ali Zirakzadeh describing the research, are available here (http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.com/content/85/7/618/suppl/DC2).
For media enquiries, please contact:
Mayo Clinic
Duska Anastasijevic
507-284-5005 (days)
507-284-2511 (evenings)
newsbureau@mayo.edu
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