THROW OUT YOUR "PURPLE PILLS" : Proton Pump Inhibitors Possibly Increase Stroke Risk

  PPI's (omeprazole, pantoprazole, lansoprazole, esomeprazole) have been found to be associated with vascular dysfunction including kidney disease, heart attacks and dementia. A recent American Heart Association presentation indicates that a review of records of 244,679 Danish patients with nearly a six year follow up revealed a 21% overall increased risk of ischemic stroke in those taking PPI's. The greatest risk was found with pantoprazole (94%).
  A similar risk was not found in those that took H2 blockers (famotidine, ranitidine).
AHA Meeting Report Presentation: 391-Session: EP.AOS.765

Hope for Alzheimer's Patients and Their Families ?

  As reported by Researchers Against Alzheimer's (RA2) there are 57 drugs in mid-stage testing (phase II) and 23 drugs in late-stage testing (phase III). These drugs could prevent or delay the symptoms of dementia. Phase II/III treatments include AC-1204, an oral drug for patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's whose mechanism of action is to improve mitochondrial metabolism through chronic ketosis. Also, a combination of albumin and immunoglobulin administered IV with possible anti-amyloid antibodies and albumin binding capacity is in mid/late stage development to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.

Cummings J Alzheimers Res Ther. 2016;8;39

Kids Drowsy During the Day ? Don't Allow the Use of a Media Device at Bedtime !

  School-age children between the ages of six and nineteen that used a portable screen-based media device at night were more likely to have inadequate sleep quantity, poor sleep quality and excessive daytime drowsiness.
JAMA Pediatr. 2016;170(12):1202-1208

Short Sleepers Drink More Sugary-Caffeinated Drinks

  People that slept five hours or less have been found to consume 21% more sugar-caffeinated beverages. Long sleepers drank less coffee and water.
Sleep Health Nov 9 2016

Run With Virtual Reality

  Risk of falls in adults 60-90 is decreased in those that use a treadmill in combination with virtual reality than without virtual reality.
Lancet Sept 17 2016

Factors Identified as Increased Risk of ALS at an Earlier Age

  People with a BMI (body mass index) above the highest 1/3 percentile (greater than or equal to 25) have a higher risk of developing ALS at a younger age. People with an IQ above the highest 1/3 percentile have a significantly higher risk of developing ALS at an age of 56 and older. People with physical fitness above the highest 1/3 percentile have a higher risk of developing ALS before age 45.
European Journal of Neurology October 2016

Treat Hypertension Mid-life to Preserve Late-life Brain Function

  According to a review of the literature by a panel of experts, treatment of hypertension in mid-life preserves late-life cognitive function.
  Hypertension disrupts the function and structure of cerebral blood vessels which leads to ischemic damage (as a result of decreased blood flow to brain cell's) of white matter regions critical for cognitive function and may promote Alzheimer pathology.
Hypertension Oct 10 2016
  As previously reported, treatment of elevated blood pressure in the oldest of the old should be more conservative than treatment of younger patients.