Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging

September / October 2023

In This Issue:

>3 Ms of Brain Health

>Free Webinar

>10 Ways to Love Your Brain

>Heart Health and Its Impact on Brain Health

>Get those ZZZZs – Why Sleep is so Important to Brain Health

>What is a Dementia Care Specialist Program?

>WIHA Programs

Memory, Movement, & Mood

The 3 Ms of Brain Health

WIHA spoke with three brain health scientists from the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at the University of Wisconsin – Madison to learn more about brain health. 

Dr. Carol Van Hulle

PhD in Psychology. Previously did research in behavior genetics.


Currently researching risk factors for and early identification of Alzheimer’s disease. 

Dr. Taryn James

PhD in Pharmacology with post-doc studies in Toxicology.


Currently researching how hormones are involved in aging and memory decline.

Dr. Gilda Ennis

PhD in Psychology. Post-doc fellowship in Cognitive Aging.


Currently researching the relationship between biomarkers and cognitive decline in African Americans.

What is “Brain Health”? A healthy brain is one that is functionally independent. According to Dr. Gilda Ennis, a healthy brain is one that “allows people to behave, think, feel, and generally function in a way that [allows them] to take care of themselves and others”. Dr. Taryn James puts it this way: “There are 3 Ms of major brain function: memory, movement, and mood. A healthy brain is one where these are all functioning well”. 


What are some steps people can take to keep their brain healthy and prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s disease? A 2020 report by the Lancet Commission shows that there are both modifiable risk factors (things you are able to change) and non-modifiable risk factors (things we don’t have control over, like our genetics). Modifiable risk factors account for 40% of worldwide dementias and include: lower education level, high blood pressure, hearing impairment, smoking, obesity, depression, physical inactivity, diabetes, low social contact, excessive alcohol consumption, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and air pollution.



According to Dr. Carol Van Hulle, there’s a lot we don’t yet understand about brain changes that lead to dementia but we can all take steps at every age to manage the things we can control. “What we know for certain is that healthy lifestyle habits appear to slow cognitive decline,” says Dr. Van Hulle, “which then delays the onset of mild cognitive impairment and dementia”. 


Researcher recommendations: 1) stop smoking (if you do), 2) reduce your alcohol consumption (if you drink), and 3) get good sleep. 


>Read More

FREE Webinar

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10 Ways to Love Your Brain

Check out this graphic from our friends at the Alzheimer's Association

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Want to learn more about WIHA and our healthy aging programs? Visit our website at the link below.



WIHA Programs

Heart Health and Its Impact on Brain Health

Over the past 20 years, the rate of people experiencing diseases of the brain has leveled off. Why? Researchers think it’s because people are paying attention to heart health. It turns out that many modifiable risk factors that exist for heart disease are the same for dementia. 


Risk Factors:

Heart Disease

Dementia

  • High Blood Pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Smoking & secondhand smoke exposure
  • Obesity
  • Unhealthy diet
  • Physical inactivity
  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • Lower education level
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Hearing impairment
  • Smoking
  • Obesity
  • Depression
  • Physical inactivity
  • Diabetes
  • Low social contact
  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Air pollution

So, what does that mean for you?


>Read More

What is a Dementia Care Specialist Program?

Do you or someone you know have concerns about memory loss or confusion? Would you like to talk to someone who can help you get answers, make plans, or find support?


The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) in your county is the home of someone who can answer your questions about dementia and about caring for someone living with dementia. The Dementia Care Specialist is someone you can talk to about concerns related to yourself or how you can support someone you know. Dementia Care Specialists can assist you with:

  • Information about maintaining your brain health
  • How to reduce your risk of dementia
  • Talking to a doctor about memory or other cognitive concerns
  • Preparing for your journey with dementia
  • Providing care as a family member or friend
  • Living well with dementia
  • Any other concerns 


>Read More

Get those ZZZZs – Why Sleep is so Important to Brain Health

One in three of us is not getting enough sleep and that can have a serious effect on brain health. Researchers have discovered two markers for dementia - beta-amyloid and tau - that build up in the brain over time. Sleep, particularly deep sleep, gives the brain a chance to clear these out. People who get less deep sleep have more beta-amyloid and tau. Try to get an average of seven to eight hours of sleep a night with these sleep strategies:


  • Have a regular wake-up and bedtime
  • Keep a nightly routine and limit naps during the day (if they prevent night-time sleep). Dim lights before bed can be helpful to maintain a regular sleep schedule.
  • Turn off electronics 30 to 60 minutes before heading to bed.


>Read more

Thanks for reading to the end!


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