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Kinesiology

Why is Family History Important?

Posted on September 23, 2021

UNCG’s study, Physical Activity & Alzheimer’s Disease 2 (PAAD-2), differs from most Alzheimer’s studies in that participants are family members of people with the disease but have no symptoms themselves. PAAD-2 researchers believe that measuring the effect of an exercise program for these participants will provide insights into how Alzheimer’s can be delayed or prevented. To better understand why family history is important, it’s helpful to understand what research tells us about risk factors.

The top three nonmodifiable risk factors for Alzheimer’s are age, genetics, and family history. Regarding age, the greatest risk is for people age 85 and older, but changes in the brain can begin decades before symptoms appear when people are only in their 30’s. While there are several genes that scientists believe increase risk, most focus on APOE. An individual can inherit one or two copies of the e4 allele of this gene with the risk of Alzheimer’s increasing with each e4. Family history is also a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease with people who have a first-degree relative (a parent or sibling) with Alzheimer’s being more likely to develop the disease than people without a first-degree relative with Alzheimer’s.

A 2010 study by B.B. Bendlin looked at how combinations of family history and genetics could influence the risk of developing Alzheimer’s:

a person who has a family history and one copy of the e4 allele of APOE has a 46% increased risk
a person who has a family history and two copies of the e4 allele of APOE has a 61% increased risk

In addition to exploring nonmodifiable risk factors, research shows the promise of modifiable risk factors to prevent or delay Alzheimer’s disease. About one-third of Alzheimer’s cases worldwide are related to modifiable risk factors; the largest proportion of cases in the U.S. are attributable to a lack of physical activity.

Therefore UNCG researchers want to learn how physical activity affects mental abilities for those at higher risk of Alzheimer’s due to family history and carrying the APOE e4 allele. They believe family members are critical to understanding the potential of exercise to mitigate mental decline and delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. To accomplish this, the research team needs family members to participate!

Kinesiology

Aptathy and Dementia

Posted on September 23, 2021

There are many characteristics that indicate early signs of dementia. People often look for signs of forgetfulness or an increase in memory lapses as a major indicator. Recent studies have shown that another indicator for dementia is linked to changes in mood, specifically as it relates to apathy.

A recent 2020 study suggests that an unexplained lack of interest in usual activities could be an early indicator of dementia. Apathy, which the authors define as decreased motivation and goal-directed behavior, is separate from but often found in conjunction with depression. Previous research has shown apathy as a common factor across multiple conditions of dementia, but this is the first study to investigate its role as an early symptom signaling the onset of a disease.

A key finding is that people who had severe apathy at the beginning of the study were twice as likely to develop dementia over the 9 years of the study as compared to those not showing signs of apathy at baseline. Even though apathy is not a sole indicator, it still could be an important early warning sign for doctors to consider in caring for patients. Learn more about the study at this link.

Kinesiology

Moving Alzheimer’s Research Forward

Posted on October 25, 2021

ONE STEP AT A TIME!

The PAAD-2 team was thrilled to participate in the Alzheimer Association’s Walk To End Alzheimer’s in Greensboro on Saturday, Oct. 16. Our team’s primary mission is to conduct the PAAD-2 research study that explores the protective benefit of exercise for people with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, we support our fellow research organizations and community partners searching for answers for those with Alzheimer’s and their families.

The NIH (National Institute of Health) estimates that there are currently more than 250 active clinical trials and studies that seek to prevent, treat, or learn more about Alzheimer’s. Those studies need at least 270,000 volunteers to participate! What does all this research accomplish?

Research and Evidence-Based Programming

Alzheimer’s research studies have different goals and protocols but share the fundamental characteristics of being methodical, systematic, and measurable. These studies contribute to discoveries and knowledge that lay the groundwork for evidence-based practice. In this way, research can contribute directly to solutions in programming, healthcare, and government policies to make a difference in the lives of those with Alzheimer’s and their families.

One good example of the potential impact of research is illustrated in the 2018 published report of PAAD, the pilot study for PAAD-2:

“Further, if [physical activity] PA helps to maintain cognitive performance over time in persons with an increased risk of [Alzheimer’s disease] AD due to their familial history, this could have important public health implications. This is because delaying the onset of AD by as little as 6 months can reduce the prevalence of AD by 100,000 people after 10 years.”

Partnering To Inform About Alzheimer’s Research

The PAAD-2 team is always looking to partner with organizations that share our goals to find ways that people can build protection against Alzheimer’s. We believe family members are an influential part of that search. Here are a few examples of our outreach:

Inform people about the latest research findings related to exercise, cognitive abilities, and Alzheimer’s research (Find us on Facebook)
Speak to groups and organizations about fitness, brain health, and our research at UNCG
Support partner organizations in education and research related to Alzheimer’s

We would love to find out more about your organization and how we might work together for the benefit of our community! Please email us at paad2@uncg.edu or call us at 336-334-4765.

Kinesiology

Journey of PAAD

Posted on October 25, 2021

People often ask why our study is called PAAD ’2’, what does the ‘2’ represent?

Well before the PAAD-2 study, there was PAAD (the 1 was implied!). The PAAD study consisted of men and women ages 50-65 with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease. These participants attended an exercise program three times per week consisting of walking and strength training for eight months.

The results of the PAAD study showed that participation in the exercise program was associated with improvements in memory that were greater than expected in the absence of exercise. These improvements were found regardless of a person’s genetic (ApoE) risk of Alzheimer’s disease. This is an exciting discovery because it suggests that moderately intense exercise may reduce the rate of cognitive decline over time, even in people who have a higher risk due to a family history of Alzheimer’s disease or heightened genetic risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

It is our hope that the PAAD-2 study will yield results that are just as important, if not more, for Alzheimer’s research! Click here to read more about the PAAD study outcomes

Kinesiology

Never Stop Learning

Posted on November 29, 2021

One of the factors that may reduce your risk for Alzheimer’s disease is having a formal education. But why is that? Is there a magical safety switch that flips in our brains when we learn the Pythagorean theorem in middle school? Well, not quite! To be honest, researchers have different beliefs as to why education lowers the risk for Alzheimer’s disease. The Alzheimer’s association released an article highlighting 3 main ideas that researchers support.

In summary the 3 ideas are:

Education increases our cognitive reserve which ‘strengthens’ the brain so it has a better chance of defending itself when facing damaging diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Quality of education is just as important as quality. The type of formal education a person receives can affect their risk. For example, someone receiving 12 years of education from a well-funded school system with top-of-the-line resources, and equipment would have more protection against Alzheimer’s disease than a person with 12 years of education in a school located in a low socioeconomic area, with limited resources, and overworked teachers.
It’s not education, it’s where education takes you, or what education keeps you away from. This theory suggests that more education opens the door to higher paying jobs that come with a higher quality of life. The idea is that educational opportunities lead to an economic advantage which then grants the person access to things such as better healthcare and healthy lifestyle choices which can combine to lower the risk for many chronic diseases, including Alzheimer’s.

These ideas mainly focus on how early life education can prevent Alzheimer’s, but some studies show there is still a benefit to learning later in life. Learning doesn’t necessarily mean you need to enroll in an organic chemistry course (unless you want to!). Learning could be reading a book on a topic you’re unfamiliar with, learning to swim, or learning a new language. Obtaining new skills and engaging in new tasks and jobs that require critical thinking has been shown to ‘strengthen’ the brain by increasing cognitive reserve even in adulthood.

So, while researchers plug away at clarifying the relationship between education and Alzheimer’s disease, we at PAAD-2 want to encourage you to keep on learning!

Click this link to see the full Alzheimer’s association article.

Kinesiology

Cleats Raise Alzheimer’s Awareness

Posted on December 15, 2021

Many of us on the PAAD-2 Team have been impacted by Alzheimer’s and dementia. That’s why we study this disease! It makes us happy to see awareness in the media.

During NFL Week 13, players wore customized cleats in honor of their selected cause. Fifteen players and even a coach showed their support for Alzheimer’s awareness during the My Cause My Cleats initiative. Causes included the Alzheimer’s Association, the Alzheimer’s Diversity Outreach, and the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation. Their goal was to honor loved ones and all those impacted by Alzheimer’s and dementia.

We saw cleats worn by the Atlanta Falcons (Moreau), Carolina Panthers (Freeman), Cincinnati Bengals (Allen), Dallas Cowboys (Thompson), Denver Broncos (Crockett, Hinton, Johnson, Surtain), Houston Texans (Collins), Indianapolis Colts (Lewis), Los Angeles Chargers (Norton), Miami Dolphins (Coach Gregory), New England Patriots (Wynn), New York Jets (Van Roten), San Francisco 49ers (Al-Shaair), and Seattle Seahawks (Swain). Players are now auctioning their cleats with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting their chosen cause.

Kinesiology

Holiday Tips for Families Affected by Alzheimer’s

Posted on December 19, 2021

The holiday season is a lovely and memorable time of year, but it can sometimes be a little overwhelming. Many families feel the need to uphold traditions, exchange gifts, attend events, and the list goes on! These activities should be enjoyable for everyone, including caregivers and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease. We have put together a list of seven holiday tips to help everyone enjoy the season.

1. Plan ahead. Decide on the activities and events you would like to participate in and prepare for them ahead of time. Figure out the various logistics and pickup needed items in advance.

2. Take care of yourself. You can go on a walk, practice deep breathing, or wash your hands. Taking care your yourself will also benefit your care recipient; you give the best care when you are feeling your best.

3. Have a quiet place to recuperate. If you plan on hosting or attending large gatherings, prepare a quiet room in case your Alzheimer’s loved one feels overwhelmed.

4. Find some support. Talk with a friend or attend a caregiver support group. A listening ear may be just the support you need to relieve holiday stressors.

5. Involve your Alzheimer’s loved one. The type of activity may vary depending on disease progression but there is always something to do. Involve them in decorating cookies, watching a movie, or singing family favorites. Even a simple hug can go a long way.

6. Check decorations. The holiday season is often filled with highly decorated houses which are beautiful but could also be a trip hazard for some Alzheimer’s patients. Try to keep decorations out of walkways and secure any hanging fixtures that could fall and cause injury.

7. Keep it simple. The holidays aren’t the time to compete with Rachel Ray and her a 3-tiered marzipan fruit cake. It’s a time to enjoy yourself along with your loved ones. Set realistic, meaningful goals for your holiday season. Don’t worry about what other people are doing, do what’s best for you and your care recipient. And most importantly, have fun!

Kinesiology

5 Tips to Improve Air Quality (And Decrease Risk for Dementia)

Posted on January 19, 2022

Existing studies have shown that people in areas with bad air quality are more likely to experience cognitive decline and be diagnosed with dementia. Recent studies have shown that air quality has an impact on a person’s risk for dementia and cognitive decline by increasing the likelihood of plaque building up in the brain.

Air pollution has been shown to cause many health problems in communities all over the world. The term air quality refers to how ‘clean’ our air is, so the less pollutants our air has, the better the quality. Chemicals from factories, car exhaust fumes, or even dust and allergy causing particles from construction sites can pollute the air and decrease air quality.

A recent study has shown that improving air quality can decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. This study followed more than 2000 women, from ages 74-92, for 10 years who had not been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or any other type of dementia. Over the 10 years, researchers monitored the air quality in their communities and administered cognitive tests to the participants. Researchers found that the air quality improved over 10 years in the communities of all the participants, however, participants that lived in communities with the most improved air quality had decreased their risk for dementia by up to 26%.

These findings are very encouraging. In the words of doctoral student Christina Park, “Many other factors that impact dementia are not changeable”, but air quality is a risk factor that we can work towards changing. More research is needed to further understand the relationship between air quality and dementia but in the meantime we can all do our part in advocating for our health by improving air quality in our homes and communities.

Here are 5 things you can do to improve air quality in your home and community:

Vacuum your home regularly. Vacuuming is a great way to improve air quality in your home by removing dust and particles from your carpets and floor. This reduces the amount of dust that could circulate through the air in your home.
Change your air filters. Our homes are filled with everyday equipment that uses filters, these filters collect dust and other allergy causing particles. AC systems, clothes dryers, vacuum cleaners, and bathroom vents are just a few examples of household equipment that have filters. Changing your filters will greatly reduce air pollutants in your home and reduce potential health risks.
Invest in a snake plant or two. Indoor plants are a great way to spruce up your home office or bedroom while removing toxins from the air. Snake plants are easy to care for (they don’t require much watering) and improve air quality by removing toxins that come from cleaning products and aerosols. There are plenty of other indoor plants that also improve air quality. However, if indoor plants just aren’t your thing, and if you want an excuse to go to Target, you can always buy an air purifier for your home.
Take a walk. Cars are a major source of air pollution. Taking an opportunity to walk or ride your bike somewhere is a step towards improving air quality in your community. Look for opportunities to use your car less such as walking across a shopping center instead of driving to the other side. Or, if it’s an (safe) option, try carpooling or taking public transportation. You will also benefit from the extra exercise.
Stay smoke free. Smoking, whether in your home or in your community, greatly reduces air quality. Smoking in your home is dangerous for your entire household because it is an enclosed area. The toxins from tobacco smoke are very difficult to remove from your home because they easily settle into furniture and air filters, which allows them to remain for a long time in your home. Click here if you or someone you know would like some resources to quit smoking.

Kinesiology

Physical Activity in the Prevention of Cognitive Decline and Dementia

Posted on February 23, 2022

ACAP (Adult Children of Aging Parents) offers podcasts providing informative and insightful discussions with experts in aging, family dynamics, and adult-child caregiving. Their February 2022 podcast discussed physical activity in the prevention of cognitive decline and dementia. Host, Frances Hall, and intern, Alexis Richmond, welcomed two experts from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro: Dr. Jenny Etnier and gerontologist Ann Marie DiSerafino, MS.

During the podcast, Dr. Etnier explains that there is a well-developed body of evidence telling us exercise can benefit cognitive performance and reminds us that one of the powerful things about exercise is that you can see immediate benefits. Even a 10-minute walk can boost your mood and improve cognitive performance.

We’re reminded that if you’ve been sedentary for a long time, the first time you exercise may not feel that great. There is no reason to push yourself too hard. Do something that’s reasonable for your first time. Then, slowly start to increase it. For example, start with a 10-minute walk and then increase it to a 12-minute walk. Dr. Etnier suggests that the most important thing about physical activity is to find something that you like so that you can keep up with it. If you like to be outside, you can go for a walk. If you like to dance, join a dance class or try a dance aerobics video. The goal is to make exercise a regular part of your life over the long term because, as Dr. Etnier says, “Then you’re going to accrue some really important physical and mental health benefits.”

Throughout the podcast, Dr. Etnier and Mrs. DiSerafino also discuss their on-going study, which explores the protective benefit of exercise for people with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Dr. Etnier says, “At the end of the study, if we do find benefits in response to exercise, we’ll be able to say with confidence that it was the physical activity that caused cognitive benefits.” Mrs. DiSerafino provides exercise instruction to participants in the study and says, “Resiliency and coping skills are obviously very important, for both older adults and caregivers. I see how these are built within an exercise format.”

Click here to listen to the full podcast to hear more from Dr. Etnier and Mrs. DiSerafino. Listen through to the end to learn how to stick with exercising.

Lastly, consider the take home message from the host, Frances Hall, “Take care of you and move. Get some activity every day.” How are you going to move today?

Kinesiology

New Goal Added to National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease

Posted on February 25, 2022

In 2012, the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease was released. This plan included five goals aimed to achieve a better quality of life for those living with Alzheimer’s disease as well as to prevent new Alzheimer’s disease diagnoses.

Now, 10 years later, a new goal has been added to that plan. This sixth goal aims to advance our understanding of healthy aging by promoting research that can identify strategies to reduce risk factors. The plan also includes ways to communicate research findings to the public so that they can incorporate them into daily living.

Since the release of the National Plan, an increasing number of research studies, such as the PAAD-2 Study, have shown how some risk factors can be addressed to decrease the risk of cognitive decline. Modifiable risk factors such as inactivity, smoking, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes influence the risk of cognitive decline and changes to these behaviors can mitigate decline. For example, studies have shown that research participants who increase their physical activity or quit smoking experience reduced cognitive decline over time.

Results like these illustrate the importance of risk reduction as a prevention strategy. These types of studies reflect the sixth goal of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease, the goal to “Accelerate Action to Promote Healthy Aging and Reduce Risk Factors for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias”.

Research efforts of several on-going studies are consistent with the strategies in the 6th goal. For example, the PAAD-2 study, FINGER study, and POINTER study have worked to show how lifestyle changes have benefits to brain health. Click here to read more about this new goal.

Why is Family History Important?

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Aptathy and Dementia

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Moving Alzheimer’s Research Forward

ONE STEP AT A TIME!

Research and Evidence-Based Programming

Partnering To Inform About Alzheimer’s Research

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Journey of PAAD

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Never Stop Learning

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Cleats Raise Alzheimer’s Awareness

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Holiday Tips for Families Affected by Alzheimer’s

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5 Tips to Improve Air Quality (And Decrease Risk for Dementia)

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Physical Activity in the Prevention of Cognitive Decline and Dementia

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New Goal Added to National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease

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