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People who smoke or have diabetes may be at increased risk of calcifications in a region of the brain crucial to memory, according to a new study published online in the journal Radiology.
Dementia is a major public health problem that affects tens of millions of people worldwide. One focus of dementia research has been the hippocampus, a brain structure important for both short- and long-term memory storage. Alzheimer's disease, the most common type of dementia, is associated with atrophy of the hippocampus.
Researchers have hypothesized that abnormal buildups of calcium, or calcifications, in the hippocampus may be related to vascular problems that could contribute to hippocampal atrophy and subsequent cognitive deterioration. However, published research on the association between hippocampal calcification and cognitive impairment is limited.
"We know that calcifications in the hippocampus are common, especially with increasing age," said the study's lead author, Esther J.M. de Brouwer, M.D., a geriatrician at the University Medical Center in Utrecht, the Netherlands. "However, we did not know if calcifications in the hippocampus related to cognitive function."
Advances in imaging have provided opportunities to explore the role of hippocampal calcifications in dementia. The development of multiplanar brain CT scans has enabled better distinction between hippocampal calcifications and calcifications in nearby brain structures like the choroid plexus.
"A multiplanar CT scan makes it possible to see the hippocampus in different anatomical planes; for example, from top to bottom, right to left and front to back," Dr. de Brouwer said. "Before multiplanar CT scans, hippocampal calcifications were often mistaken for choroid plexus calcifications. So with multiplanar CT scans, hippocampal calcifications are better distinguished from calcifications in other areas."
[...] The researchers plan to carry out additional studies in different groups of people to better understand possible links between these calcifications and cognitive problems.
(Score: 2) by Snotnose on Monday June 18 2018, @12:10AM (8 children)
I certainly hope I get dementia to make me forget, cuz diabetes is not a disease I want to deal with.
That said, if I ever feel I'm getting dementia I'm smart enough to know lots of ways to go away (cylinder of nitrogen in the bathroom, hibachi in the bathroom, jump off an overpass, suicide by cop, sleep on a train track, jeez this is depressing). My MiL had it, every few weeks she'd wake up and be her normal self. How she was the rest of the time horrified her. My dad had it, he never got cognizant enough (over 2-3 years) to know how bad he'd become.
When the dust settled America realized it was saved by a porn star.
(Score: 0, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Monday June 18 2018, @12:48AM (6 children)
People shouldn't waste their death and suicide. Go out and kill some bad people, such as gangsters, politicians, Westboro Baptist Church, or corrupt businessmen. The dementia will help you forget your fear.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Snotnose on Monday June 18 2018, @01:24AM (1 child)
I'ma thinking you're "bad people".
When the dust settled America realized it was saved by a porn star.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday June 18 2018, @02:22AM
You won't find me before you find the others. Plus it was your idea to die by cop gunfire.
(Score: 2) by SanityCheck on Monday June 18 2018, @02:36AM (1 child)
What's the problem with Westboro Baptist Church?
OH NO MAH HATESPEECH?
You got some problems Comrade if you think that murder is the answer to hearing something you do not like.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Monday June 18 2018, @04:15AM
Different AC but need to clarify something-
Westboro isn't quite your typical hate speech issue. If someone wants to picket a funeral with "God Hates $MINORITY" signs, that's completely OK (though incredibly bad taste...).
I'm nearly certain WB doesn't completely believe the garbage they're spewing, rather they're just a bunch of lawyers trying to incite violence against themselves and sue anyone who assaults them. That's the way they make money.
An offense punishable by death? Probably not. But don't don't expect any tears if a random crazy guy gets tired of their bullshit.
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Monday June 18 2018, @03:06AM
After the above comment, I assure you that your life will be scrutinized very closely from now on.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday June 18 2018, @04:34AM
The problem with that is that the moment you kill someone, everyone will view YOU as the bad guy. It doesn't matter how many children the guy you killed raped, they suddenly become the innocent victim.
You will also likely get caught and locked up before you finish yourself off, and forcibly kept alive until your hair turns gray and you ticker gives out on its own. Similar problem with suicide in the first place, if you fail you will be kept alive but your life will be over.
(Score: 1) by Type44Q on Monday June 18 2018, @03:32AM
Then avoid dairy.