The Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation (ARPF) is dedicated to the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease by funding research studies and providing educational outreach and memory screenings.
INSIDE
On the Cover:
• President’s Message
Page 2:
• Book Review:
“15 Minutes of Fame”
Page 3:
• Outreach Calendar
• What Others Are Saying
Page 4:
• ARPF Outreach Update
Page 5:
• ARPF Research Update
Page 6-7:
• Donor List – Thank You!
Page 8:
• ARPF Store
PRESIDENT/MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D.
VICE PRESIDENT
Randal Brooks, MA, LPC
TREASURER (interim)
Kirti K. Khalsa
SECRETARY
Kirti K. Khalsa
MEMBER
Carolyn Lucz
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Karen Bazinet, PHR
CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Simran S. Stuelpnagel
NEWSLETTER EDITOR
Tryn Rose Seley
SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COUNCIL
Chief Scientific Advisor
Sat Bir Singh Khalsa, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Harvard Medical School
Brigham and Women’s Hospital – Boston, MA
Ma Gloria Borras-Boneu, M.D.
GRD Health Institute – Barcelona, Spain
Karen E. Innes, MSPH, Ph.D.
Western Virginia University School of Public Health – Morgantown, WV
Miia Kivipelto, M.D., Ph.D.
Aging Research Center and Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Karolinska Institute – Stockholm, Sweden
Karen Koffler, M.D.
Medical Director, Canyon Ranch Miami Beach Miami Beach, FL
Helen Lavretsky, M.D., M.S.
Professor, Department of Psychiatry UCLA Semel Institute and Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital – Los Angeles, CA
George Perry, Ph.D.
Dean and Professor, College of Sciences University of Texas at San Antonio – San Antonio, TX
Michelle Sierpina, Ph.D.
Founding Director
UTMB Osher Institute for Lifelong Learning University of Texas Medical Branch – Galveston, TX
N E W S L E T T E R
Exercise and Alzheimer’s Prevention
Dear Friend,There is much research on lifestyle and Alzheimer’s prevention these days, and I am thrilled to see it. A recent study on the effects of exercise on brain function took place at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, in conjunction with the Neuropsychology Service at the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.Dr. O. C. Okonkwo, the lead researcher, and his team examined 317 adults, and determined that those who exercised 5 times a week had fewer age-related changes in their brain and did better on cognitive tests. The lead author of the study said, “What we have shown is that physical activity diminishes the deleterious influence of age.”What’s critically important is that people who exercise accumulate less beta amyloid plaque, the protein that can build up in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s. These subjects also had less shrinkage of the hippocampus, and less reduction in the use of glucose in the brain, two other potential causes of the disease.In this study, the suggested duration is 30 minutes, five days a week. That equals 150 minutes, which I’ve recommended for a number of years, based on my own investigations. What I would add to this prescription is that your physical activity of choice needs to include both strength training and cardiovascular elements; they are both important, and should both be included in your exercise program.Beyond just blood flow, exercise also increases a number of beneficial chemicals such as IGF-1, a good brain nutrient that helps maintain brain cell health, and BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), a protein which helps you grow new brain cells. That’s right! In case you didn’t know it, you can grow new neurons, although it was previously thought not to be the case.Exercise has also been shown to enlarge an important part of the brain, called the dendate gyrus. Why is that important? Because it’s a key area to support for memory loss prevention, and exercise has been shown to boost blood flow directly to this region.On page 5 of this issue, you will see an important update about the FINGER (Finnish Geriatric) study, which your contributions are helping to fund. As you recall, this research examines various lifestyle activities, and exercise is one of them – and it was also proven beneficial to maintain a healthy brain.So I want to encourage you to start, continue, or increase any type of exercise. Not only does it benefit your heart and your looks, but it helps you stay mentally sharp. And that’s what we all want. What’s next in ARPF research? Your ARPF is financially supporting the follow up study of FINGER, and we would be grateful to receive your continued support to carry on this important work. Thank you.May all Your Memories be Great,
Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D.
Founding President/Medical Director
Book Review:
15 Minutes of Fame
Tryn Rose Seley is a professional photographer, musician, and caregiver. She wrote “15 Minutes of Fame: One Photo Does Wonders To Bring You Both Back to Solid Ground” to empower caregivers to support family members or friends living with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia with photos, songs, and stories. She has experienced first-hand how bringing these life-giving elements into daily routines raises positive energy for the caregiver, the one being cared for, and any who join in the circle of care.
Tryn Rose grew up with a brother with special needs, which helped form her sensitivity to those who can’t say who they are, but who often respond positively when she shares the best stories of life. Tryn is passionate about speaking, writing, and collaborating with others who share a hopeful approach around Alzheimer’s.
This is a wonderful book providing simple but important ways to communicate with those who have Alzheimer’s or other dementias. A professional caregiver, Tryn Rose Seley shows her readers how to make that all-important connection, capable of awakening the interests and abilities that are often “more there” than is apparent at first glimpse. Ms. Seley explains how, even though the patient may not remember their interactions hours, or even minutes later, their mood has been uplifted, and pleasant feelings linger. This book can be a benefit to caregivers and dementia patients everywhere.
Refrigerator? An Explanation of Alzheimer’s Disease for Children”
“Returning to solid ground,” the underlying theme of Seley’s writing, explores the idea of using these resources to familiarize caregivers with their charges, and provide them with tools for defusing difficult moments. Reintroducing the familiar evokes thoughts and memories of things that are comfortable—a personal approach that builds an atmosphere of mutual trust and positive interaction. This approach lightens moments for weary caregivers too, and reminds them of the importance of tending to emotional needs.
Advocate’s Guide for Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias”
www.dementiastrategies.com
Tryn’s book can be purchased for Kindle at Amazon.com, for Nook at BarnesandNoble.com, on her website, www.caregiverheart.com, and for printed copies, email her at trynrose@gmail.com.
To learn more or to join us, visit our website at www.AlzheimersPrevention.org/eventsAPRIL 30, 2015
Teleseminar: Mental Training Tips To Increase
Your Brain Power with guest speaker John
DenBoer, Ph.D., NeuropsychologistMAY CONTEST:
Mother’s Day Contest to Celebrate All MomsMAY 14-16, 2015
ARPF hosts Free Memory Screenings
and an educational booth at the
Life@50+ Convention by AARP
Miami Beach, FLJUNE 4-7, 2015
ARPF exhibits at the Symposium
on Yoga Therapy and Research
Newport Beach, CAJUNE CONTEST:
June 21st is Alzheimer’s Prevention Day
What do you do to ensure healthy aging?JULY 18-23, 2015
ARPF is a proud exhibitor at the Alzheimer’s
Association International Conference
Washington, DCSEPTEMBER 28-30, 2015
ARPF exhibits at the IYAT Symposium
on Yoga Research at The Kripalu Center
for Yoga and Health
Stockbridge, MA
Hello ARPF, I am writing on behalf of the Charles County Department of Social Services, as a Project Home case manager. Our program provides services to vulnerable adults, such as individuals with dementia (including Alzheimer’s), and community support by placing these individuals into certified homes. My job is to certify these homes, and recruit providers who are willing to take in these vulnerable adults.
We are in the process of planning an Adult Symposium for our Project Home providers, and for other adults in the community. When I came across “The Power of Brain Aerobics” brochure, I thought this would be an educational inclusion for our symposium, and be beneficial to the adults that we serve.
We are very thankful and appreciative for the current business with your company for the better enhancement and growth of adult well-being. We look forward to receiving (more) “The Power of Brain Aerobics” brochures.
Best regards,
Ayanna Brown, BA
Project Home Case Manager, LaPlata, MD
Dear ARPF,
On behalf of Senior Ministry, I’d like to thank you for your wonderful presentation yesterday. We had a record turnout! You had great information, a visually great power point, games and recipes.
With gratitude, St. Patrick’s Senior Ministry, Scottsdale, Arizona
Outreach Update
Our calendar on page 3 shows the many ways we are reaching out to the community with our support and programs, both locally in our home state of Arizona, nationally, and internationally at conferences and events around the globe.
We provide a talk on “The Four Pillars of Alzheimer’s Prevention.” At St. Patrick’s Catholic Community in April, 120 attended this talk as part of their Senior Ministry. Cheryl Kervian, Coordinator of Social Justice and Outreach, said “This is the largest turnout we’ve ever had! This tells us something; people are really interested in this topic; it’s something people want to hear about.” When 120 people are gently singing, whispering, and engaging with the Kirtan Kriya meditation (this 12-minute practice contributes to overall health by activating the brain, improving sleep quality, increasing energy levels, and reducing stress), it is beautiful.
On April 30th, Dr. John DenBoer, neuropsychologist for seniors and elite athletes, led a teleseminar titled “Discover Mental Training Tips to Increase Your Brain Power and Prevent Alzheimer’s.” He is the author of the S.M.A.R.T. (Strategic Memory and Alzheimer’s Rehabilitation Trainers) program, which is currently being investigated as an effective intervention tool in individuals with mild dementia. Your ARPF is delighted to be one of the funders of this research. Access all our teleseminars on our Youtube channel.
On May 14-17, we provided free Memory Screenings to seniors attending the AARP Life@50+ annual convention in Miami Beach, Florida. It’s an important step to raise awareness about memory loss, and educate our beloved elders about the importance of the 4 Pillars of Alzheimer’s Prevention: Diet, Stress Management, Physical and Mental Exercise, and Spiritual Fitness. We posted great pictures and inspiring testimonials on ARPF’s Facebook page. Please “Like” us to read and watch those videos at www.Facebook.com/preventAD.
We always enjoy meeting you. We hope to see you at an event in the near future. Please go to our website, www.AlzheimersPrevention.org or call us at 1-888-908-5766 to sign up for future events, to volunteer with ARPF, or to schedule a presentation with your organization.
Part of your volunteer team that made the AARP booth possible (L to R): Kirti Khalsa, Maria Teresa Vicar, Dr. Saynur Vardar, Roz Jacobi, Dr. Sarah Di Perna, Jane Stelboum, Roseann Pascale, Dr. Khalsa, and Jane Levin.
Special thanks to all our wonderful volunteers!
ARPF Research Update
Lifestyle Interventions Really Do Slow Cognitive Decline: Excerpts From the FINGER Study Report
The Lancet: Healthy Eating, Exercise, and Brain-Training: program results in slower mental decline for older people
The Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER), published online in The Lancet on March 12, 2015, was led by Professor Miia Kivipelto, M.D., Ph.D., at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. Professor Kivipelto presented findings at the World Health Organization in Washington, DC, and at the New York Academy of Sciences.
“This is the first time that it has been shown in a longitudinal study that it is possible to reduce the risk of cognitive decline with lifestyle changes,” Professor Kivipelto told Medscape Medical News.
Targeting multiple lifestyle factors, including physical activity, diet, vascular risk factors, and brain training, slowed cognitive decline among at-risk individuals in the first randomized, controlled trial of its kind. The study included 1260 individuals from ages 60-77 years, all deemed vulnerable to developing dementia, based on their standardized test scores.
“We have seen epidemiological studies suggesting associations between various risk factors and cognitive impairment or dementia, but now we actually have a randomized study showing that lifestyle interventions can reduce the risk. That is a real breakthrough and feels very exciting.
“It has been very difficult to prove anything works for reducing dementia or cognitive impairment in a randomized trial. Now we have done it. Our results suggest prevention is key. We can do things before memory problems develop to lower the risk,” she added. “And our interventions are not difficult to do — they are very simple and pragmatic.”
The study participants will now be followed for seven more years to determine whether the diminished cognitive decline seen in this trial is followed by reduced levels of dementia and Alzheimer’s diagnoses.
The study was funded by the Academy of Finland, La Carita Foundation, The Alzheimer’s Association, The Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation, Juho Vainio Foundation, Novo Nordisk Foundation, Finnish Social Insurance Institution, Ministry of Education and Culture, Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, Axa Research Fund, EVO funding for University Hospitals of Kuopio, Oulu, and Turku and for Seinäjoki Central Hospital and Oulu City Hospital, Swedish Research Council, Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare, and af Jochnick Foundation.
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for items like these:
ARPF research reveals that doing the Kirtan Kriya yoga meditation for 12 minutes a day improves memory, concentration, and attention. This exercise also increases mental energy, improves your genes, and decreases depression and inflammation.
Minimum Donation: $20ARPF BRACELET WITH ELEPHANT MEDALLION
“An elephant never forgets.” ARPF has a memory band with an elephant charm to remind us of the kind of mind we can have – a sharp mind, if we follow the 4 Pillars of Prevention™. This bracelet reminds you that you can not only prevent or delay Alzheimer’s disease, but help eradicate it as well. Join us in our mission by purchasing a memory band for yourself and those you love.
Minimum Donation: $25S&H is included for both items within the USA
Discover all the exciting activities the ARPF has in store for you by visiting us on the web at
www.alzheimersprevention.org,
following us on Twitter at
https://twitter.com/PreventAD,
or ‘Liking’ us on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/PreventAD
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