Subtle brain abnormalities predict mental decline
June 25th 2008 22:55
Signature Tune
From Reuters and Karla Gale comes the following news:
Briefly, and I have placed the link at the top for you, it used neurological assessments of 506 subjects who were 65 years or older (average age 72.5 years) in 1996. The subjects had no history of stroke, dementia, cognitive impairment, or Parkinson's disease.
The evaluation included measures of muscle strength; physical sensitivity; deep tendon reflexes; plantar reflex (used to evaluate the neural pathways that control the lower limbs); plus the Purdue Pegboard Test, as a measure of executive function. Executive function refers to the ability to control thought processes and behaviors. For example, it is used to organize thoughts, plan activities and initiate goal-directed behavior.
The average number of subtle neurologic abnormalities was 1.1. Ninety-six subjects had a score of two, 38 had a score of three, and 33 had a score of four or higher.
By 2003 follow-up, 113 subjects had died and 62 had been hospitalized for a cerebrovascular event, such as a stroke. Mortality rates correlated with test scores -- as the score increased -- so did the patient mortality rate.
"Some of the specific items of our neurological exam were more prevalent than others and were more strongly associated with both poor physical and cognitive functions," including impaired reflexes and postural instability, Inzitari told Reuters Health. When the neurologic abnormalities were totaled, a score of three or more "was a very strong predictor of future health problems."
"This could mean that a given level of neurological damage, up to a critical threshold, might be required before overt consequences become apparent," he said.
For the full article please use the link given.
| 50 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
