European Federation of Neurological Associations’ Post

Recently, an insightful report was published by the #EconomistImpact, supported by Roche, on the value of action in mitigating the impact of neurological disorders in the United Kingdom. This comprehensive study 📑 reveals that neurological conditions affect one in six people in 🇬🇧, with a significant economic burden of over 4.3% of GDP 💷 The good news is that existing interventions - preventative, therapeutic, or rehabilitative - can reduce the human and economic expenses by about 1/3. The innovative therapies for #SMA (spinal muscular atrophy) when combined with physiotherapy and respiratory support, have shown evidence of improved motor function and respiratory status. The study shown that treatments caused a reduction in overall health service demands for treated patients, as well as a significant drop in caregiver burden. The economy-wide benefits from access to treatment can results in an 11% reduction in the baseline costs. Check the full report for more insights https://rb.gy/qxu84n. Change is necessary, so let’s work together to improve outcomes for those affected by neurological disorders 🌏 #NeurologicalDisorders #Healthcare #Research

🥁 Did you know that countries investing in treating Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and other neurological disorders are not only improving health outcomes but also boosting their economies? Here's a report which serves a great example of it! Recent research highlights that neurological disorders, including MS, impose a substantial economic burden on the UK, costing approximately £96 billion annually. However, by implementing existing treatments and preventative measures, these costs can be significantly reduced. For example, optimizing care for neurological conditions could potentially save the UK economy over £30 billion each year by minimizing healthcare costs and improving productivity. Investing in comprehensive neurological care not only enhances the quality of life for millions but also drives economic growth by reducing the indirect costs associated with lost employment and caregiving responsibilities. Learn more about the impact and the call for a Neuro Taskforce to enhance care and support: The Value of Action: Mitigating the Impact of Neurological Disorders in the UK. https://lnkd.in/dxMKPfq7 Together, we can drive positive change and economic benefits by prioritizing neurological health! #HealthEconomics #Neurology #MultipleSclerosis #HealthcareInvestment #EconomicGrowth

According to this report by Paul Ian Cross, PhD, in Medical News Today, a recent statement from the American Medical Association (AHA) highlights a significant link between heart health and brain function, revealing that cardiovascular diseases like heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and coronary heart disease can increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Maintaining heart health early in life is crucial, as conditions such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes contribute to cognitive issues. The report suggests that adopting a healthy lifestyle may help preserve brain function and reduce dementia risk, especially since heart failure affects around 50% of people with cognitive problems. Additionally, a new study indicates that the blood thinner heparin may delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease by disrupting harmful protein interactions in the brain. Researchers found that patients treated with heparin received their Alzheimer’s diagnosis about a year later than those who did not. While these findings are promising, experts caution that heparin should not be seen as a definitive treatment for Alzheimer’s, and further research is needed to understand its potential benefits. Overall, these studies emphasize the importance of cardiovascular health in maintaining cognitive function and exploring new treatment avenues for Alzheimer’s. #HeartHealth #CognitiveFunction #Alzheimers #AHA #DementiaResearch #ENDALZ

📣 #JCM Volume 13, Issue 20 is online! 📚 Welcome to read all 266 published articles! ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dSPuFRAm 📜Cover Article: "Association of Hypertension with Different Cognitive Disorders" 📎 https://lnkd.in/dZ7fy6tK 📑 Cover story: Hypertension is emerging as a modifiable risk factor for major neurocognitive disorders, contributing to neurodegenerative processes through vascular damage, inflammation, and blood–brain barrier disruption. However, the role of antihypertensive treatments in preventing or treating cognitive decline remains unclear, with mixed evidence varying by antihypertensive class and the type of neurocognitive disorder, including delirium, Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. The complex, bidirectional relationship between hypertension and these disorders—along with variations in hypertension definitions, diagnostic criteria, and confounding factors like medication adherence—underscores the need for long-term studies to clarify the potential therapeutic benefits of antihypertensive treatments.

Mak Adam Daulatzai put together an excellent publication on the pathogenesis of neurological disorders in people with non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). The paper, “Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity Triggers Gut Dysbiosis, Neuroinflammation, Gut-Brain Axis Dysfunction, and Vulnerability for Dementia” details how NCGS can cause gut dysbiosis, inflammation and intestinal barrier dysfunction, which leads to the dislocation of lipopolysaccharides and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which ignites systemic inflammation, which opens the blood-brain barrier and contributes to oxidative stress, which ultimately leads to hippocampus/cerebellum dysfunction. This explains why people with NCGS are at higher risk for cerebellar ataxia, cerebellar dysfunction, dementia, hippocampus dysfunction and delirium. [https://lnkd.in/gYKvzcVp) #glutensensitivity #glutenintolerance #celiacdisease #gutbrainaxis #lipopolysaccharides #bloodbrainbarrier #dementia

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, irreversible brain disorder that affects memory, thinking, and language skills. Over time, people living with Alzheimer’s disease may become unable to carry out daily activities Alzheimer’s disease causes brain cells to stop functioning, lose connections with other brain cells, and die over the course of many years. Exactly why this happens is unknown. In advanced stages, a person living with Alzheimer’s disease will experience dementia: a decline in brain function severe enough to interfere with daily life Age is the best known risk factor for Alzheimer's disease with symptoms usually appearing after age 60. You may also be at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease if you: . Are a woman. . Have ever had a moderate or severe head injury. . Have heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity. . Have an immediate family member with Alzheimer’s disease. . Engage in few physical, mental, or social activities. Although there is no cure, several FDA-approved medications are available to help people maintain mental function and slow or delay the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Your health care provider may also recommend treatments to help manage behavioral symptoms such as anxiety and other health conditions like high blood pressure. Stage 1: Patients with characteristic pathophysiological changes of AD but no evidence of clinical impact. These patients are truly asymptomatic with no subjective complaint, functional impairment, or detectable abnormalities on sensitive neuropsychological measures. The characteristic pathophysiological changes are typically demonstrated by assessment of various biomarker measures. • Stage 2: Patients with characteristic pathophysiological changes of AD and subtle detectable abnormalities on sensitive neuropsychological measures or subjective complaints of mild cognitive symptoms but no functional impairment : This may be considered a transitional stage in which slight cognitive symptoms first appear. The emergence of subtle functional impairment signals a transition to stage 3 . • Stage 3: Patients with characteristic pathophysiological changes of AD, generally more apparent detectable abnormalities on sensitive neuropsychological measures, and mild but detectable functional impairment: Thefunctional impairment in this The stage is not severe enough to warrant a diagnosis of overt dementia. This stage roughly corresponds with the syndrome of “mild cognitive impairment”; however, it is noted that the term “mild cognitive impairment” may also encompass patients in late Stage 2 or early Stage 4. #fda #usfda #alzheimersdisease #medicaleducation #medical #regulatoryupdates

🧠New findings using TriNetX real-world patient data and published in the @Clinical Kidney Journal emphasises the link between cognitive health and chronic kidney disease (CKD) The research reveals that cognitive impairment worsens outcomes in CKD and highlights the need for routine comprehensive cognitive assessments in patients at any stage of the disease. Dr. Lino Merlino, a PhD student at the The University of Manchester Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health and nephrologist at Salford Royal Hospital led the analysis supervised by our theme lead for dementia, Dr. Ross Dunne (Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust) alongside Prof. Phil Kalra from Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust. #CKD #CognitiveHealth #Research Read more on our website👇 https://lnkd.in/erMAu3yi

"In conclusion, this study unveils a potentially promising finding that even in cognitively normal individuals, tooth loss may be intricately linked to brain atrophy and shifts in dietary patterns, potentially laying a foundation for future cognitive decline and dementia. This is especially significant in the context of the established understanding that neuropathological alterations, including changes in brain volume, precede the clinical symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by many years. This highlights a potential preventative pathway in which attention to oral health may be a significant step in preventing the early neuropathological shifts associated with AD. This revelation holds substantial implications for clinicians, policymakers, and patients alike, underscoring the imperative of sustaining good oral health and a balanced diet as proactive measures to forestall cognitive decline and dementia." https://lnkd.in/gFD9sHAh

The Silent Connection: Depression, Genetics, and Heart Disease in Women A groundbreaking study has unveiled a startling truth: a genetic predisposition to major depression significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in women—but not men—even in the absence of a formal diagnosis or psychiatric medication. As a functional cardiologist passionate about helping women recover from and prevent heart disease, I find these findings both alarming and illuminating. The research reveals that traditional CVD risk factors, like body mass index and smoking, cannot fully explain this disparity. In fact, the risk becomes especially pronounced post-menopause, highlighting a unique vulnerability among women with a genetic predisposition to depression. This isn’t just a medical insight—it’s a wake-up call. Women’s heart health continues to be underdiagnosed and undertreated. It's time to rethink how we assess cardiac risks, integrating mental health factors to create a more proactive and personalized approach to care. 💬 How can we bridge the gap in cardiac care for women? Let’s spark a discussion and drive change. #HeartHealth #WomenInMedicine #MentalHealthAwareness#AmericanHeartAssociation

The American Heart Association's statement highlights the critical link between heart health and brain health. With stroke and dementia on the rise, research shows that cardiovascular diseases like heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and coronary heart disease are linked to cognitive decline. Addressing heart health early in life may reduce stroke risk and slow cognitive impairment, emphasizing the heart's role in protecting brain function. Link to the article: https://lnkd.in/gt2jjXdg #CardiovascularHealth #BrainHealth #HeartDisease #CognitiveDecline #StrokePrevention #DementiaAwareness #HeartBrainConnection #AtrialFibrillation #HeartFailure #CoronaryHeartDisease #NeurologicalHealth #PublicHealth #HealthyAging #PreventativeCare #CognitiveHealth #CardiacCare #MedicalResearch #HeartAndBrain #HealthcareInnovation #LifespanHealth