Outaouais Memory Clinic lecture tour on Alzheimers

Reuel S. Amdur

Dr. André Moreau, of the Outaouais Memory Clinic, gave lectures in French and English about Alzheimer’s disease on December 7 at Le District, an Aylmer seniors’ residence.  The clinic has other branches, in Ottawa and Montreal.  It provides information about Alzheimer’s and other dementias and about preventive measures.  As well, it undertakes genetic investigation, participation research, evaluation, and clinical follow-up.

When it comes to prevention, Moreau cautioned that there are no guarantees but there are some things that may help.  One is diet and another is keeping the brain active.  In the matter of food, he recommends the Mediterranean diet.  That diet focuses on five food groups: sea food, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, and fats from olives, olive oil, nuts, and seeds.  One can add to these smaller amounts of dairy, eggs, and poultry, with portions smaller yet of red meat.

He also argues for keeping the brain active.  His position is supported by findings in the Nun Study.  This study began in 1986, in which a group of nuns agreed to donate their brains on death for study.  This project is ongoing.  The nuns were all intellectually active and 75 years old or older.  One nun’s brain showed signs of Alzheimer’s degeneration, but her functioning before death did not indicate dementia. 

There are other factors which are related to development of dementia in general and Alzheimer’s in particular.  High blood pressure is a factor, especially for vascular dementia.  Smoking is implicated, as are type 2 diabetes, obesity, lack of physical activity, heavy alcohol consumption, depression, brain injury, deafness, and isolation.

While there are cases of early onset, Alzheimer’s is typically a disease of old age. According to Moreau, over 65, 10% of people have the condition.  (The Alzheimer’s Society says five percent.)  Over 85, he says one of three.  (Alzheimer’s Society says one of four.)  Two thirds of sufferers are women.

Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disease, in which cells in the brain cease to function and die.  Moreau spoke of symptoms as including confusion and problems with judgment, discrimination, learning, and language ability.  The Alzheimer’s Society includes anxiety as well.  The person may lose appetite, develop weakness in muscles, have cerebral hemorrhages, and falls.

There are certain genes which increase the potential for development of Alzheimer’s.  Moreau reported that we can neither slow the progression of the disease nor cure it, but it is possible to reduce symptoms. At least, that is the situation in Canada—no new medical progress since 2005.  However, there is a new medical advance in the United States which might offer hope in slowing the progression. 

While Dr. Moreau spoke mainly about dementia, he also noted that some conditions mimic dementia, called pseudodementia.  Often these are depression-related.  They will often be more treatable. 

Alzheimer’s is one kind of dementia.  There are others, for example, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Korsakoff syndrome, and mixed types.

For information, call the Memory Clinic at 819-510-1000.