Dementia news: Seven things we now know about the disease that we didn’t last year
DEMENTIA is a group of related symptoms, and is the ongoing decline of the brain and its abilities, causing memory loss, slower thinking and problems understanding.
One in three people over the age of 65 will develop it, according to the NHS.
It’s currently incurable, but early diagnosis usually means less impact on sufferers’ lives and better support provided to them.
But scientists looking into how to effectively treat or delay onset of the condition have been making a number of important advances.
Proving that a cure may be just around the corner, these are seven recent dementia findings we didn’t know this time last year.
Research published in February found that speaking at least two languages made the brain more resilient.
Feeling dizzy could be an early sign
John Hopkins University found that periods of dizziness could be an indicator that you’ll develop dementia.
They discovered that middle-aged people who experienced temporary drops in their blood pressure, causing dizziness when they stand, may have an increased risk of developing dementia two decades later.
Speaking another language could ward it off
Being bilingual helps delay the onset of dementia by an average of five years.
Research published in February found that speaking at least two languages made the brain more resilient.
Spice in curry could protect against it
A component of turmeric - curcumin - was discovered to potentially prevent age-related cognitive decline.
Research published in Cosmos Magazine found that people who regularly consumed it performed better on memory tests.
Depression doesn’t increase your risk
While those who suffer from dementia are likely to also suffer depression, the latter does not cause it.
According to a study published in JAMA Psychiatry, the connection is due to the impact the brain condition can have on people’s daily lives.
How to spot if someone is suffering from dementia
Having strange dreams may be a symptom
The condition has been recently linked to having violent dreams 15 years earlier.
In research published last week, the University of Toronto found that those suffering REM sleep behaviour disorder - which sees them kick, punch and scream in their sleep - have a heightened risk of neurological diseases.
Eating more salmon and walnuts could help
Consuming more omega-3 - a natural fatty acid found in rich levels on oily fish, eggs and seeds - was found to have anti-inflammatory effects on the brain.
The study by the University of Texas discovered that patients with high amounts of omega-3 in their system had increased blood flow in specific areas of their brain.
Stroke increases risk
Surviving a stroke places you at an increased risk of developing dementia.
Research found that 32 per cent will develop dementia in five years, with 75 per cent being diagnosed with vascular dementia.