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E-Newsletter • January 2023 |
Editor's E-Note
Individuals with normal-tension glaucoma are 52% more likely than those without the condition to develop Alzheimer’s disease, according to a large, nationwide study from Taiwan.
In addition to reading our e-newsletter, be sure to visit Today’s Geriatric Medicine’s website at www.TodaysGeriatricMedicine.com, where you’ll find news and information that’s relevant and reliable. We welcome your feedback at TGMeditor@gvpub.com. Follow Today’s Geriatric Medicine on Facebook and Twitter, too.
— Kate Jackson, editor |
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Risk of Alzheimer’s in People With Glaucoma
A large, nationwide study from Taiwan shows that people with a specific type of glaucoma, called normal-tension glaucoma, are at high risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers say people with this type of glaucoma should be screened for Alzheimer’s disease. The study was presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s 2022 annual meeting.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, the tissue that connects the eye to the brain. The most common types of glaucoma involve abnormally high pressure inside the eye. But normal-tension glaucoma, also known as low-tension glaucoma, is a form of glaucoma in which damage occurs to the optic nerve even though eye pressure is within the normal range.
Previous studies evaluating the link between glaucoma and Alzheimer’s disease offer mixed results, but few studies focused only on normal-tension glaucoma.
To learn more, researchers analyzed data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database collected over a 12-year period. They compared the incidence of Alzheimer’s in 15,317 people with normal-tension glaucoma and 61,268 age- and gender-matched people without glaucoma.
After adjusting for diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease, and stroke, they found that people with normal-tension glaucoma were 52% more likely to develop Alzheimer’s compared with those without glaucoma. Those who were older, female, or had a history of stroke had the highest incidence. Additionally, they found that use of glaucoma eye drops did not protect against Alzheimer's disease or increase the incidence.
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The Tough Decision About Driving
No one wants to talk about it, but it’s an essential conversation for patients with dementia and their caregivers. Driving and Dementia Roadmap is a website created by two gerontologists to help assess whether driving skills are impaired and facilitate discussion about the emotional impact of the decision to stop driving.
The Benefits of an Experimental Alzheimer’s Drug
Results of a clinical trial of lecanemab indicate that the drug may slow cognitive decline in patients in the early stages of the disease. However, as The New York Times reports, the drug may also cause brain swelling or bleeding.
Statins and a Reduced Risk of Stroke
According to a study published in an online issue of Neurology, those taking statin drugs may not only have a lower risk of stroke from blood clots but also be less likely to experience an intracerebral hemorrhage, and their lower risk may decrease still further with long-term use.
Gene Editing for High Cholesterol
What’s CRISPR got to do with cholesterol? Time magazine reports on research suggesting that gene editing using CRISPR technologies may have an application for a variety of conditions, including cancer and neurological disease, as well as for lowering low-density lipoprotein. |
Removing Barriers to Cognitive Care
BrainCheck Inc, developer of a digital cognitive assessment and care management platform, has received a $1.5M grant award from the Small Business Innovation Research program to fund a new study to deploy BrainCheck CARE in diverse patient populations and measure its ability to improve health outcomes and quality metrics for health systems and payors. BrainCheck CARE provides clinicians with an easy-to-use digital workflow that guides patients, care partners, and other providers through the collaborative process of creating and implementing a cognitive care plan. Learn more » |
CaptureProof
Syncing with a patient’s existing smartphone camera, CaptureProof’s proprietary Smart Medical Camera software tracks changes in walking and gait, whether the patient is at home, in a doctor’s office, or in a medical facility such as a nursing home. The HIPAA-compliant tool provides a near-instant fall-risk assessment via photos, video, and data that are automatically captured, analyzed, and organized by the patented “compare carousel” and delivered in a clear and easy to read fall-risk indication of minimal risk, potentially at risk, or at risk. Learn more »
Intellihealth
Recognizing the unmet need for effective obesity treatment, Intellihealth has developed a highly scalable digital platform that can be integrated into any practice. Its services enable providers to administer clinically proven medical obesity treatment to patients, both remotely and in person. Its Evolve software-as-a-service platform streamlines all aspects of the obesity treatment process, while its Flyte Medical care team can help deliver treatment when providers need extra support. Learn more » |
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Patients and providers often avoid conversations about urinary incontinence, but there are simple solutions and support for those affected.
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