Ethelle Lord, DM (DMngt)’s Post

Geroscience hypothesis: "The Geroscience hypothesis posits that since aging physiology plays a major role in many — if not all — chronic diseases, therapeutically addressing aging physiology directly will prevent the onset or mitigate the severity of multiple chronic diseases." (https://lnkd.in/g2yyia6H)

Speaking Alzheimer's is like speaking a second language. How to speak to someone living with dementia and be understood: Have you ever felt there is not much point speaking to someone living with dementia because you feel they do not understand you? The training in the psychology of the brain is part of the curriculum of the Foundational Transactional Dementia Intelligence and essential in understanding as well as being understood by someone living with dementia. This study program is only 4 hours for 4 credit hours available 24/7 online anywhere in the world. You can communicate in such a way that makes sense and truly helps their world of dementia. At the same time, your work will be more effective and less challenging. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gJX-udqw

Key Brain Protein Tied to Motivation and Mood Identified A new study has identified a brain protein, vesicular nucleotide transporter (Vnut), as essential for regulating mood and motivation in mice. When Vnut was removed from brain cells called astrocytes, the mice displayed higher anxiety, depression-like behavior, and decreased motivation, especially in females. This effect was linked to reduced dopamine, a key molecule for motivation and positive mood. These findings suggest Vnut plays a vital role in dopamine regulation, with potential implications for understanding mood disorders. Key Facts: 1. Removing Vnut from astrocytes increased anxiety and depressive-like behaviors in mice. 2. Female mice lacking Vnut had notably reduced motivation for rewards, a trait associated with depression. 3. The effects were linked to lower dopamine levels, key for motivation and emotional regulation. Source: https://lnkd.in/gsTsU8JH

New Genetic Mutations Linked to Schizophrenia Risk A study has identified mutations arising during brain development that may contribute to schizophrenia. Unlike inherited genes, these somatic mutations occur after conception and were found more frequently in schizophrenia patients’ brain tissue. By sequencing DNA from neurons in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, researchers identified single-nucleotide variants linked to disrupted brain functions. This discovery highlights the importance of studying both inherited and non-inherited genetic factors. Environmental triggers, like maternal infection, may also influence these mutations, suggesting new avenues for schizophrenia treatment. Researchers plan further studies to deepen understanding and improve therapies for this complex disorder. Key Facts: 1. Somatic mutations, occurring after conception, are linked to schizophrenia. 2. DNA from the prefrontal cortex revealed more single-nucleotide mutations in schizophrenia cases. 3. Environmental factors, such as maternal infection, may trigger some mutations. Source: https://lnkd.in/gSy3XrrB

Higher IQ in High School Linked to Increased Alcohol Use in Adulthood A new study shows that individuals with higher IQs in high school are more likely to consume alcohol moderately or heavily later in life, though less likely to binge drink. This connection may be due to social factors, such as income level and career stress, that often accompany higher IQs. Researchers used data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, revealing that each IQ point increase correlated with a 1.6% rise in moderate or heavy drinking. The findings underline a complex relationship between cognition and drinking behaviors, though more diverse research samples are needed. While income is partially responsible for this link, other underlying social dynamics may also influence these patterns. The study highlights the importance of further exploration into how cognition and lifestyle factors intersect with alcohol use. Key Facts: 1. Higher IQ in high school is associated with a greater likelihood of moderate or heavy drinking. 2. Income level and career stress are partial influencers in the IQ-alcohol use link. 3. Study results emphasize the need for further research in diverse populations. Source: https://lnkd.in/guMPbvC4

Brain Endurance Training Combats Age-Related Decline in Focus Brain endurance training (BET), a combined cognitive and exercise approach, has been shown to significantly improve cognitive and physical performance in older adults. In a study with sedentary women aged 65-78, BET participants showed greater improvements in attention and executive function, along with increased physical endurance. This method, originally developed for athletes, could play a role in reducing age-related cognitive decline and physical challenges such as balance issues. The BET group saw higher gains in both mental and physical tests than exercise-only participants. Researchers hope these findings will inspire more older adults to incorporate BET into their routines. Further studies are planned to validate the results on a larger, more diverse sample. Key Facts: 1. BET improved cognitive performance by 7.8% vs. 4.5% in the exercise-only group. 2. BET participants showed a 29.9% physical performance increase compared to 22.4%. 3. BET helps counteract mental fatigue, benefiting both brain and body performance. Source: https://lnkd.in/gwnG4Za9

Speaking Alzheimer's is like speaking a second language. How to speak to someone living with dementia and be understood: Have you ever felt there is not much point speaking to someone living with dementia because you feel they do not understand you? The training in the psychology of the brain is part of the curriculum of the Foundational Transactional Dementia Intelligence and essential in understanding as well as being understood by someone living with dementia. This study program is only 4 hours for 4 credit hours available 24/7 online anywhere in the world. You can communicate in such a way that makes sense and truly helps their world of dementia. At the same time, your work will be more effective and less challenging. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gJX-udqw

https://lnkd.in/gpDCpCmf Source: https://lnkd.in/gcUufNrb

If You Needed Care, Wouldn’t You Want Your Carer To Do These 6 Things? Growing old is a privilege denied to many, but if and when we get there, there are a few simple things that can make all the difference. They don’t cost much money and they subtly, and in some cases unconsciously, shift the needle in the care people receive. As a clinical trainer I’m in and out of care home facilities, teaching nurses and non-nurses how to do nursing stuff. Most of what follows are ideas I include in all my trainings, no matter the topic... 1. Lessons from our elders. Ask questions like: · What’s the best piece of life advice you’ve ever received? · If I was your son/daughter, how would you advise me to be happy? · What’s a piece of advice you’d give your younger self? · How do you know you’ve found true love? · What’s your advice about money? · What’s the worst piece of advice you’ve ever received, and why? · What’s your advice about work? · Is there anything you regret from your life, that I should avoid? · What do you think about … (a topic close to your heart). Perhaps avoid questions about sex, religion and politics, but it’s up to you! Ask multiple people the same question or have a question of the week/month for the board. Write or type the advice onto paper, laminate it if that’s what fire regulations ask for, and pin it to the board. All this also demonstrates to your residents’ visiting friends and family that you value their loved ones as individuals. Their age, their experience and their opinions... 2. Photos from the person’s life. 3. Movement is life. 4. First class nutrition. 5. Hydration, hydration, hydration. 6. Documentation, documentation, documentation. Last thoughts: Caring for vulnerable people is a trusted and privileged position. There are so many easy things we can do to make life better for people and all they need is a little thought and consideration. If in doubt, take a lesson from Charles Kinsley’s book The Water Babies. One of the elderly nannies in the tale was called Mrs Do-As-You-Would-Be-Done-By: in other words treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself. Ethicists call this The Golden Rule, or the Ethic of Reciprocity. Source: https://lnkd.in/gcUufNrb

How Conscious Thought Fades Under Anesthesia A new study has shown that conscious thought relies on synchronized brain rhythms to maintain communication between sensory and cognitive brain regions. Under general anesthesia, this rhythm-based communication breaks down, disrupting the brain’s ability to detect and process surprising stimuli. The research provides evidence that specific brain frequencies enable conscious awareness by linking the front and back of the brain, where cognitive and sensory functions reside. This finding sheds light on the neural mechanisms of consciousness and offers insights into how anesthesia disrupts our ability to perceive and respond to unexpected events. Key Facts 1. Conscious perception requires synchronized brain rhythms across regions. 2. Anesthesia disrupts the brain’s predictive abilities by desynchronizing rhythms. 3. Cognitive and sensory brain areas lose connectivity under anesthesia. https://lnkd.in/gXvGQ7Z6