Under natural conditions, non-human primates sleep from sunset to dawn, thus about 10–12 hours. Humans might be expected to show this same pattern but a 2015 study of hunter-gatherer groups in South America and Africa concluded that they sleep for 6–8 hours. This finding refutes the common assumption that sleep duration in industrialized societies has… Read more »
The health benefits of moderate coffee or tea intake are well-documented. But what if you drink both? According to a new study, the benefits are more than doubled. Those who drank both 2–3 cups of coffee and tea had a reduction in stroke and dementia risk by about 30%. Coffee alone reduced these risks by… Read more »
The largest human exposure to trichlorethylene (TCA) in this nation’s history came from the drinking water at Camp Lejeune between 1956 and 1987. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2002 allows those who were harmed by TCA and other similar toxicants at the camp to seek compensation from the US government. TCA was synthesized in… Read more »
Is there a higher risk of suicide after a diagnosis of dementia? And can it be prevented? In a recent study from the UK, young age at diagnosis (<65), a recent diagnosis (less than 3 months) and psychiatric comorbidities were each independent risk factors. In that group, the risk was almost 7 times higher than… Read more »
The evidence is now overwhelming that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) causes MS. The “hit-and-run” theory is based upon molecular mimicry. This means the virus fools the immune system into making an immune reaction against myelin which resembles the virus’ proteins or antigens. A second theory is that EBV is the “driver of MS” by continually cycling… Read more »
Women with cognitive symptoms ask whether they should start or continue hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to prevent dementia. Ten years ago, my advice to them was that they should. But times change as does the best available research. A new 12-year study looked at 35,000 women on HRT and compared them to 70,000 controls. The risk… Read more »
Of the 50 million people over age 65 living in the US, 20% have cognitive impairment and 50% of the impaired group have difficulty managing finances. They are at great risk of financial mismanagement. For them, financial well-being really matters. The costs of long-term care can be substantial and this burden often falls on their… Read more »
An implanted (read invasive) spinal cord stimulator has recently been approved by the FDA for refractory painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN). The approval was based on a clinical trial of patients who did not respond to at least two classes of medications used to treat neuropathic pain. Most had suboptimal control of their diabetes. Jack H…. Read more »
Is it possible? You can’t eliminate costly clinical trials but you might be able to avoid drug development costs, now that the amyloid theory is circling the drain. The trick is to re-purpose existing drugs, but it’s not easy. Jack H. Florin MD | Your Neurologist in Orange County. The Alzheimer’s research landscape is littered… Read more »
There are more questions than answers. Jack H. Florin MD | Your Neurologist in Orange County. Research in anti-amyloid beta monoclonal antibodies has been ongoing for 15 years. In the pipeline are 16 anti-amyloid and 11 anti-tau antibodies in clinical trials. What we do know: 1. All the antibodies are effective in removing amyloid or… Read more »
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