By Emily Kim Jenkins, Contributing Writer
Important conversations about mental health are becoming more common, an important step to protect internal wellbeing. But how much have you thought about your brain’s health recently?
By 2030, the CDC says that nearly 20 percent of the American population will be over 65. Longer lifespans than ever before are often a blessing to the families and loved ones of older adults, but also bring along health concerns that commonly affect the aging population– primarily brain diseases.
The Alzheimer’s Association reports that nearly 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, with older Black Americans nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with dementia than older white Americans. In 2015, “Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias” (ADRD) was the third leading cause of death in San Diego County, and the sixth in the nation.
Dementia is not a disease, according to the CDC, but rather a term referring to a host of cognitive impairments typically as a result of aging. The most common kind of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the disease is a combination of what are commonly known as “plaques” and “tangles” in the brain. Plaques are caused by a protein called beta-amyloid, which blocks cell communication and can cause the body to send an inflammatory response, destroying brain cells in the process. Cell transport systems in the brain rely on a protein called tau, which keeps them in parallel, orderly lines. When tau collapses, the systems become what is known as tangles. These plaques and tangles prevent vital cell communication and function, slowing the brain’s ability to work within the body.
The numbers tell a grim story, but with diagnoses rising, research is also quickly advancing. Clinics in San Diego have even been approved to begin trials of Leqembi, a drug that may slow the progression of the disease. There’s no denying that Alzheimer’s and other dementias are life-altering and pose significant challenges, but no one has to endure a diagnosis alone. Especially for demographics more likely to be affected (age 65 and older, women, Black and Hispanic Americans), regular screenings and early diagnoses can help prepare everyone involved in the care for the individual and increase quality of life significantly.
Despite the significantly higher risk that certain demographics run of being diagnosed with the disease, there are patterns of inequity among research and understanding what leads to these disparities. Groups like Black in Neuro are seeking to change that by connecting Black doctors and students with each other, such as Dr. Kacie Deters, a Black in Neuro seminar series lead.
Dr. Kacie Deters is a UCLA professor and scientist researching the racial disparities in Alzheimer’s, specifically understanding why rates are higher among different populations. After completing her postdoc at Stanford, she took a second postdoc at UC San Diego, studying racial bias in neuropsychological examinations.
“Understanding the intersection of risk factors that drive cognitive decline and dementia in the Black population is critical to accurately assess, predict, and develop interventions for cognitive health,” she wrote on the UCLA Deters Lab research page. “My goal is understanding the intersection and contributions of genetics and social/environmental factors to cognitive decline and AD [Alzheimer’s disease].”
A study from the National Institute on Aging found that, although Black adults are at higher risk of developing ADRD, they’re less likely to be formally diagnosed, especially early on.
“Many Black older adults tend to seek medical treatment when they encounter neuropsychiatric symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and personality changes, but delay help for memory problems, which are often viewed as a normal part of aging,” the study says.
While scientists aren’t completely sure what causes Alzheimer’s, there are certain lifestyle factors that influence its development– the CDC recommends keeping an eye on health factors including blood sugar, blood pressure, hearing loss, physical activity and sleep habits, among others. Hypertension and high blood pressure are considered modifiable risk factors, which African American adults are more susceptible to than Caucasian adults.
A healthy body includes a healthy brain, and ensuring these habits are in order may be a factor in preventing a memory disease.
