Cognitive Labs

Even marine mammals can take cognitive tests

Scientists are finding that drops in combined visual and spatial processing skills can be an effective notification for possible onset of Alzheimer's. Visuospatial skills may be assessed through a combination of exercises that require acuity to detect changes in patterns across a field of view, often with lighted stimuli.

Labels: visual

New research by Purdue researchers published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease suggests that polyphenols may be able to cross the blood-brain barrier after 10 or more days of regular, moderate consumption - in that antioxidant compounds were found in the brains of an animal subject group after consistent utilization. On the other hand, irregular, heavy consumption of polyphenols does not seem to provide a corresponding level of benefits. This category of antioxidant is found in red wines/grapes, berries, teas, and certain other natural substances and may inhibit the formation of amyloid plaques. Mastering the quantity, pacing, and variety of antioxidants in the diet appears to be key to optimizing the impact on human health.

Labels: polyphenols

One takeaway from Ken Burns' National Parks...

While National Parks existed prior to 1900, it was Stephen Mather, whose name adorns numerous facilities associated with Yosemite, Grand Canyon, and other parks who invented the business model that attracted additional funding enabling the development of the traditional features in the parks that are known today, such as the tradition of grand lodges (Yellowstone, Yosemite, Crater Lake, Glacier, Grand Canyon, and Death Valley) coupled with the ethos of preservation.

By partnering with interests such as the railroads and creating attractions, Mather achieved his other goal - maintaining vast tracts of land in an undisturbed state.

Here's a little piece on the history of lasers and the predecessor maser at about.com. Among those mentioned, Einstein, Townes, Schawlow, Gould, Maiman, Patel, and Javan.

Labels: gould, javan, laser, maiman, maser, patel, schawlow, townes

photo tagged 'old family photo' on the internet

A family history of the Disease is linked to greater prevalence of known genetic markers that act as signposts for Alzheimer's in some cases.

Furthermore, recent investigative research asserts that children whose parents have a history of Alzheimer's Disease are more likely to be an APOE4 allele carrier (46% vs 21%, p < 0.001) than offspring without such a parental history.

Interestingly, plasma apoE levels strongly decreased from APOE2 to APOE3 to APOE4 carrying individuals (p < 0.001), resulting in the finding that reduced plasma levels were associated with higher occurrence of Alzheimer's.

They conclude logically that lower plasma levels in middle age is linked to Alzheimer's in old age, based on a study of 400 individuals, 203 active research subjects and 197 control subjects.

Genetics potentially offers another perspective on solving the cognitive decline puzzle that aids in analysis, or triangulation, of whatever data might be available in a particular case or set of cases, micro or macro.

Labels: alzheimers, apoe, neurology, plasma