Dementia affects 5 in 100 people over the age of 65 and 2 in 10 people over the age of 80.  Currently there are 10 million people in the UK over 65 years old, so that indicates that one in six people will be affected by this condition. The number is predicted to increase by 2050 with one in four people suffering from a dementia type condition.

So, what does the future hold? More dementia sufferers or a long awaited cure? Advertisements for research into cancer and heart disease are commonplace, yet dementia costs the economy over £20 billion per year, more than cancer and heart disease combined, but receives 12 times less support than cancer.

Different from what many think, dementia is not a disease. It is a syndrome, an umbrella of signs, of which the obvious symptom is some form of memory decline. People with dementia get confused and disorientated easily and coping with day-to-day tasks may become a challenge.

So, the first step towards a diagnosis is a cognitive assessment that includes testing someone’s memory, and this would usually be carried out in one of the Memory Clinics that Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust run across the county. Once this has been completed, the next stage would be to try and identify the cause of dementia. There are over 50 different types, some are rarer than the others, but some of them are treatable and reversible. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia and accounts for 60-70% of all cases. It is followed by Vascular, Lewy Body and Fronto-Temporal Dementias.

Unfortunately for a lot of dementias there is no cure at present. There are some medicines that may attempt to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease or helping with some troublesome symptoms that may arise, such as low mood or agitation.  A person diagnosed with dementia will have a care plan arranged tailored to the personal needs accounting for the future health and social needs. It is there to ensure the right way of treatment to enable the person to lead an independent life as long as possible. The person will receive more information about the illness and benefits, medical and psychological services to aid memory and will receive help with necessary home adjustments to assist independent living.

We know from research that some cases of dementia can be prevented or delayed in their onset. Keeping cholesterol and blood sugar levels under good control greatly increases chances of keeping the brain healthy. As we all know exercise increases blood flow so not only it flashes ‘bad fat’ out of the blood vessels but it also increases the blood supply of the brain, makes those important small brain vessels flexible and permeable increasing delivery of oxygen and nutrition to the brain tissue.

Many studies have proven that challenging the brain intellectually, engaging in socially and emotionally stimulating activities significantly reduces risk of development of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In those people who already have a dementia stimulating mental activity may significantly slow the process down. Scientific evidence shows that intellectual stimulation promotes development of new brain cells connections even compensating for those areas already damaged by dementia process.

Dr Svetlana Hemsley, will be giving a talk at Science Oxford, London Place, OX4 1BD.  on Tuesday, 29^th May 2012 at 7.30pm on “Aging Gracefully:  An Introduction to Dementia”.  Dr Hemsley will explore the causes and types of Dementia, including brain pathology, treatment and where possible preventative measures.  She will also touch on the current research within Oxford and the hope for the future.

Everyone is welcome to attend and no prior knowledge of the subject matter is needed. People are advised to book a place in advance of the talk by visiting: https://www.scienceoxfordlive.com/whats-on-calendar

Entrance to the events is free for Oxford Health NHS FT Members and also Members of Science Oxford.  Please bring proof of membership with you on the night.  Entrance for all other attendees is £5.  To become a Foundation Trust Member please visit our website where you can find out more information: https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/about-us/foundation-trust/