Is Learning Something New the Key to Stopping Alzheimer's Disease?

Alzheimer's disease is a fatal brain disease, which becomes progressively worse over time. Most Alzheimer patients are usually at risk as they get older and if there is a family history of Alzheimer's disease in the family. Breaks occur in the neurological pathways in the brain where amyloid "plaques" form on nerve cells and tangles of fibers form inside the nerve cell itself. These physical changes in the brain can be seen and measured and more is being learned about Alzheimer's disease; however, anyone can be susceptible because no one knows exactly what causes Alzheimer's disease to occur in each individual.

Difficulties that take place with Alzheimer's disease are many such as problems with language, mood swings, memory, thinking, comprehension, and behavior. Alzheimer's is partially determined by the increasing numbers of brain cells that are being destroyed. People affected by Alzheimer have lost the ability to work at their jobs because they can no longer remember how to do it. It creates confusion about every day events, and often these victims forget who they are, along with forgetting members of their family. Other problems involve losing the ability of intelligent speech, forgetfulness, anxiety, and agitation, pacing, wandering, and not able to do routine tasks that had been done for years previous with no problem. Many lose the ability to care for their personal needs and often have difficulties involving bladder and bowel control. They end up being totally dependant on others to take care of them and their needs.

At this time, there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease and the numbers estimate that over 5 million people have it and the numbers are expected to increase each year. Women die at the rate of 42,000 each year; more than double the number of men. This may in part be due to women living longer, but it may also be because women are often not in a situation that is mentally challenging. Doing the same routine every day may tend to make the brain shut down as less of it is being utilized. Although there are some medications that can be taken to slow down the disease, none of them can stop it.

Nevertheless, there has emerged some hope for a number of potential victims of Alzheimer's disease.

There appears to be a correlation between a person who has a minimal level of education and one who had extensive formal education. With the higher level of learning, the brain seemed to be able to cope and continue to work, regardless of the amount of brain plaque that is found in those with Alzheimer's disease. These deposits cover nerve cells and damage neurons in the brain. Therefore, is more education the key to warding off this fatal disease? Perhaps so.

A famous quote by Henry Ford states, "Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young." This may be the key and one that scientists believe may keep individuals prone to getting Alzheimer's free from the disease. The active use of memory, thinking, reasoning, and learning have been shown to decrease the risk of Alzheimer's.

The act of challenging the brain through formal education or in learning anything new that makes your brain actively work seems to create an adaptability and flexibility by creating new neuron pathways in the brain itself. The adage "lose it or lose it" may be a truism you cannot afford to have applied to your life. Studies of mice have shown that when they lived in an enriched environment with toys and mazes, they lived longer and their brain even created new cells, something previously thought impossible.

If you are a person who may be prone to contracting Alzheimer's due to age or genetic history or know someone that is, it may be to your benefit to check out continuing education at a local community college or other educational facility. Take the time to learn something new - take the opportunity to learn how to paint or write a book - anything that may generate the passion in you. Go out more, join a social group, volunteer in a hospital, or prepare and run a marathon. Watch what you eat and learn more about your general physical heath and make changes where necessary to make you healthier.

The more interesting a subject may be and how much you want to learn about it, the degree of physical exercise you become involved with, and the social environment you select will challenge you (and your brain) to be the best you can be. Power is knowledge and this power can give you the ability to decide how your life will begin again.

Sources:

Alzheimer's Disease

Education Cuts Dementia Risk

Alzheimer's Disease Medications Fact Sheet