Disease of the day
?Alzheimer's seems to be the "disease du jour". Several high profile celebrities who, either have been diagnosed themselves or have close family with the condition, have described publicly the devastating effects of this cruel illness.
Alzheimer's seems to be the "disease du jour". Several high profile celebrities who, either have been diagnosed themselves or have close family with the condition, have described publicly the devastating effects of this cruel illness.
A recent study by researchers at the Mayo Clinic in the US suggests that mental stimulation, such as reading, playing computer games, doing crossword puzzles or even knitting could significantly reduce the risk of memory impairment. Watching TV doesn't count, however, and may even speed up memory loss - although whether that is due to the passive nature of the activity or the dumbing down of the programmes is not specified.
In a felicitous juxtaposition, Dutch scientists believe that beta blockers could reduce the impact of memories of traumatic events as a way of overcoming phobias and anxieties. It is ironic that one group is trying to get rid of memories - albeit painful ones - while the other is struggling to hang on to any memory it can.
Now, where did I leave my knitting needles?