Dr. Gary Small, M.D.

2 Weeks To a Younger Brain
Misplacing your keys, forgetting someone's name at a party, or coming home from the market without the most important item — these are just some of the many common memory slips we all experience from time to time.


The Memory Bible
The international bestseller that provides pioneering brain-enhancement strategies, memory exercises, a healthy brain diet, and stress reduction tps for enhancing cognitive function and halting memory loss.

Gary Small, M.D., is Chair of Psychiatry at Hackensack University Medical Center, and Physician in Chief for Behavioral Health Services at Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey’s largest, most comprehensive and integrated healthcare network. Dr. Small has often appeared on the TODAY show, Good Morning America, and CNN and is co-author (with his wife Gigi Vorgan) of 10 popular books, including New York Times bestseller, “The Memory Bible,” “The Small Guide to Anxiety,” and “The Small Guide to Alzheimer’s Disease.”

Tags: inflammation | Alzheimers | dementia | amyloid
OPINION

Inflammation Attacks Brain Health

Dr. Small By Thursday, 09 April 2020 02:52 PM EDT Current | Bio | Archive

One reason for the lack of success in developing anti-amyloid treatments has been that even though the presence of brain amyloid partly defines Alzheimer’s, it’s not clear whether its accumulation causes the disease or is the result of another underlying abnormality.

Considerable research suggests that other age-related brain abnormalities — such as inflammation and oxidative stress — contribute to the cognitive impairments that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Although inflammation is a natural process for repairing tissue damage, as people age their brains undergo heightened inflammation that may damage normal cells.

An older brain also suffers from oxidative stress, which involves the buildup of highly reactive molecules called free radicals, which can cause wear and tear on brain cells.

I became interested in the connection between mind health and brain inflammation several years ago when I led a National Institutes of Health (NIH) study that tested whether an anti-inflammatory drug benefitted age-related memory decline.

Because it’s easier to protect a healthy brain than to repair damage that has already been done, our research team focused on treating people with mild age-related memory issues, who were at risk for developing Alzheimer’s dementia in the future.

We found that the anti-inflammatory medicine celecoxib (Celebrex) offered memory benefits compared to an inactive placebo.

But unfortunately, extensive use of anti-inflammatory drugs can lead to many side effects.

In fact, other studies have indicated that anti-inflammatory drugs can actually worsen memory function in patients with the more advanced cognitive decline (dementia).

© 2024 NewsmaxHealth. All rights reserved.


Dr-Small
Although inflammation is a natural process for repairing tissue damage, as people age their brains undergo heightened inflammation that may damage normal cells.
inflammation, Alzheimers, dementia, amyloid
244
2020-52-09
Thursday, 09 April 2020 02:52 PM
Newsmax Media, Inc.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 
Find Your Condition
Get Newsmax Text Alerts
TOP

The information presented on this website is not intended as specific medical advice and is not a substitute for professional medical treatment or diagnosis. Read Newsmax Terms and Conditions of Service.

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
NEWSMAX.COM
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved