3 ARTICLES ON THE TOPIC OF DEMENTIA
ARTICLE #1
TITLE
Brain Health & Wellness: Memory Quiz
Test your smarts about normal forgetfulness and early signs of dementia
DESCRIPTION
This is a fun quiz from the AARP Newsletter on the topic of dementia. It is a great way to introduce students to the topic by letting them test their knowledge about the topic. It only takes a few minutes and will be a good starting point for class discussion.
SOURCE
AARP Newsletter, October 24, 2012 , Christina Ianzito
LINK TO RESOURCE
http://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-10-2012/memory-quiz.html#quest1
(Tiny URL) https://tinyurl.com/j45c7h5
ARTICLE #2
TITLE
Frequent, Brisk Walks May Aid Those With Early Alzheimer’s
DESCRIPTION
Is there a way to slow down the progression of Alzheimers Disease and dementia? “… past studies of healthy elderly people have found relationships between regular exercise and improved memories. Physically active older people are, for instance, significantly less likely than those who are sedentary to develop mild cognitive impairment, a frequent precursor to Alzheimer’s disease.” This article is an excellent source that actually provides the set up and results of an experiment by comparing treatment groups (Experimental group of brisk walking vs a Control group of stretching and light exercise) after a reasonably good subject pool selection. The results were that some sufferers did indeed improve memory and cognitive function as compared to control group subjects. “Disease progression slowed as people’s fitness rose.” The study also hypothesizes that the brisk walking had a positive impact on the hippocampus. This article is excellent in that it combines an examination of the disorder and good scientific investigation.
SOURCE
New York TImes, March 1, 2017, by Gretchen Reynolds
LINK TO RESOURCE
(Tiny URL) https://tinyurl.com/hh39hh7
ARTICLE #3
TITLE
Exercise May Be As Valuable As Good Genes In Lowering Dementia Risk
DESCRIPTION
The article begins with an explanation of the genetic predisposition that some carry that can ultimately lead to development of dementia later in life. The article focuses on a longitudinal study of adults with and without the particular genetics (presence of the apolipoprotein E allele). Those subjects who exercised (in both the genetic carrier and the comparison non carrier groups) were found to have a lower incidence of dementia symptoms. “The study found that older adults who reported being sedentary most of the time were just as likely to develop dementia as people who are genetically predisposed to cognitive problems.” This article is a good introduction to the issue of the development of dementia, the usefulness of longitudinal studies, and the nature-nurture issue. This article also includes a brief video on the discussion of the study.
SOURCE
Huffington Post, January 31, 2017, by Sarah DiGiulio
LINK TO RESOURCE
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/not-exercising-dementia-risk_us_588fb5d5e4b02772c4e88c56
(Tiny URL) https://tinyurl.com/hxnsrbd
CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
•What is dementia? What are the symptoms and how is it diagnosed?
•What do studies of show regarding the impact of exercise on dementia?
•What is the relationship of genetics to the development of dementia?
•Nature-Nurture issue: how do these studies relate to the issue of development of biological disorders?
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