U. Melbourne (Australia) Study Shows Walking Significantly Improves Memory Problems in the Over-50 Set
Professor Nicola Lautenschlager, the Chair of Old Age
Psychiatry at the University
of Melbourne led the study and said the results were very promising.
"We found the improvement in memory occurred not only during the six month
trial but also six and 12 months after completion of the supervised physical
activity program," she said.
"We have known for a long time that exercise is a great way to improve
cardiovascular health, but it may be that in the future exercise can also be
recommended to protect against the aging brain."
WHO has compiled documents and publications in English and some European languages on aging, covering topics such as age-friendly
cities, active aging, older people in natural disasters and other emergencies,
and age-friendly primary health care centers.
EPA Seeks to Create Safe Environments for Older Persons
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is conducting an effort to protect the environmental health of older persons. EAP provides fact sheets in several languages and
easy-to-read and large-print editions, on topics such as diabetes and environmental
hazards, and planning for excessive heat.
Consumer
materials from The Association for Active Aging Professionals are available on this website. Members of this association "share a common interest in
reaching older adults with active-aging messages, facilities, programs and
guidance."
From the CaliforniaCenter
for Physical Activity, California Department of Public Health; The California Active Aging Network task forces throughout the
state work to increase the number of Californians over 50-years-old who
daily engage in everyday physical activity. The website contains information focused on increasing walking and biking, exercise classes and strength training.
Blood Pressure Medication Protective for Alzheimer's and Other Degenerative Brain Diseases
Scientist discovered that blood pressure drugs called angiotensin receptor blockers or ARBs may be protected from degenerative brain disease. For patients with Alzheimer's who took the drugs, they were much "less
likely to develop delirium, to be admitted to nursing homes, or to die.
Patients who'd had strokes benefited most."
Walking Program May Decrease Disability and Increase Independence
University of Georgia study shows that walking exercise programs for older adults may decrease their risk of disability and increase their likelihood of maintaining
independence by 41 percent.
Washington University School of
Medicine in St. Louis found that endurance exercise seems to make
the heart metabolically younger. The researchers also showed that women seemed to benefit from this training more than men.
Folate Supplementation May Reduce Risk of Alzheimer's Disease
The Archives of Neurology reports that individuals who take in higher levels of folate in their diet and through supplements may reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
Molecular Basis for Alzheimer's in Diabetics Identified
Researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have identified a molecular basis for why diabetic individuals have a significantly higher risk of developing
Alzheimer's disease.
Abiraterone showing promise in the deadliest form of prostate cancer
Researcher at the Royal
Marsden Hospital, in London state that trials
of the drug, abiraterone, show the treatment is "spectacularly active." The researchers believe they have made a major step forward in treating patients who have failed other treatments.
The trial is still in the early stages. Results have been promising in the patients, none of whom have taken abiraterone for more than 2 1/2 years. Researchers hope abiraterone will be more widely available in about 3 years.