Hello, I'm fortunate no one in my immediate family has dementia, but I am at that stage where I can't find my car in the parking lot and I wonder whether it's stress, distraction or something more serious, and it scares me. Almost 70% of new Alzheimer's sufferers will be women. What makes this fact even more alarming is that there is little understanding of why this is the case, and there are no studies currently being undertaken to explore the discrepancy. We, at the Women's Brain Health Initiative, intend to change that. Welcome to the first issue of "better thinking", the Women's Brain Health Initiative Newsletter. I hope that the information that we share will be useful to you in re-thinking your own brain health and that of your loved ones. It's never too late for better thinking. Our grey matter. Matters. I hope that you'll join us. Lynn Posluns Founder, Women's Brain Health Initiative Our promise is a simple one — We cannot and will not forget the women in our lives. We will not forget that women are twice as likely to become victims of aging brain disorder, the most significant health and social crisis facing the world. We cannot forget that there is neither a theory to explain this nor a will to find one. And we will not stand idly by and wait for this oncoming disaster to strike without raising a finger to stop it. Our mandate is therefore clear and resolute. We will raise awareness of this imminent crisis, as well as raise money to combat it. We will focus on the stories of those affected instead of just those afflicted, and will raise a global movement inspired to combat women's brain aging disorders through investment in focused and innovative research. Age-Proof Your Brain 10 Easy Ways to Keep Your Mind Fit Forever Alzheimer's isn't inevitable. Many experts now believe you can prevent or at least delay dementia — even if you have a genetic predisposition. Reducing Alzheimer's risk factors like obesity, diabetes, smoking and low physical activity by just 25 percent could prevent up to half a million cases of the disease in the United States alone. Here are 10 new ways you can boost your brain health now. Read more... Brain Function Can Start Declining 'As Early As Age 45' Previous research had suggested that cognitive decline does not begin much before the age of 60, but it could in fact begin in middle age. This new finding is important, because dementia treatments are more likely to work at the time when individuals start to experience mental impairment. Other studies have suggested that our health in mid-life affects our risk of dementia as we age, and the new findings give us all an extra reason to adopt healthy lifestyle practices at an earlier age. Read more... Soon, Blood Test May Identify Those Likely to Get Alzheimer's Disease Kiwi researchers are on the verge of developing a blood test, which would help in early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. According to team leader, Professor Cliff Abrahams, treatments for the disease would perhaps be developed in the near future, but to be useful, they would need to be administered while the disease was in its early stages, before causing considerable brain damage. A blood test that could identify biomarkers for those at risk would contribute to an early diagnosis and aid treatment. Read more... A Gut Check for Your Brain Could the size of your jeans be inversely related to the size of your brain? A recent study, published in the medical journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience found that healthy elderly adults with more visceral fat around their middles had smaller brains and performed more poorly on memory tests than those with slimmer waistlines. Low brain volume often indicates a greater risk of dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Read more... If a vitamin supplement tackles dementia, why is the drug industry spending billions? The fundamental problem with Alzheimer drug research is that it is almost entirely based on the 'amyloid hypothesis', a theory about what causes Alzheimer's disease that appears increasingly invalid. Billions have been spent, and every single trial has failed. Some drugs even made the symptoms of dementia worse. Vitamin B supplements, however, were proven better in that they slow the disease progression rather than ease the symptoms as the drugs did. Read more... Is it Alzheimer's or Depression? When it comes to the aging mind and forgetfulness you should consider whether it is Alzheimer's or whether it could be something that is managed, or even cured. You have to rule out depression. Depression can include symptoms that look like Alzheimer's, such as concentration problems, memory impairment, and difficulty making decisions. While a depressed person may have difficulty concentrating and be forgetful, they usually are aware of it. Alzheimer's patients generally are not. Read more...   Researchers estimate one in six women are at risk for developing Alzheimer's but risk for men is one in ten. There are nearly 15 million Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers providing 17 billion hours of unpaid care valued at $202 billion. Another American develops Alzheimer's disease every 69 seconds. In 2050, an American will develop the disease every 33 seconds. Total estimated worldwide cost of dementia in 2010 US$604 million. About 70% of the costs occur in Western Europe & North America Women bear the brunt of Alzheimer's disease. They are most often diagnosed and most often Caregivers.       Send a personalized tribute card in honour or memory of someone while supporting research and education to combat women's aging brain disorder. Choose from a variety of electronic or mailed printed options. Make a Donation Now Charitable No.: 80099 3206 RR0001   Tweet this Newsletter |  Follow WBHI on Twitter | Like WBHI on Facebook Fundraising Considerations