Latest news with #AlzheimersSociety
BBC News
3 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Somerset man commended in Parliament for Alzheimer's charity work
An 86-year-old man has been recognised in Parliament for his dedication to charity work. Brian Standring, who lives in Wellington, Somerset, recently completed his fourth skydive to raise funds for the Alzheimer's Society following his close friend's diagnosis in name was put forward for recognition in the House of Commons by his local MP Gideon Amos, who commended his efforts as a "marvellous achievement".While there, Mr Standring raised a discussion on how Parliament may be able to better support dementia and Alzheimer's diagnoses, social care and treatments. During the trip, he was presented with a printed copy of an Early Day Motion tabled in his honour, recognising his years of voluntary service and recent aerial fundraising feat."It just left me speechless," Mr Standring told BBC Radio Somerset. "It's such a great gift which I appreciated so very much." Mr Standring has spent much of the past decade supporting people with Alzheimer's, as well as raising awareness of has earned awards for his work with the organisation, sat on its volunteer advisory panel and helped organise fundraising efforts at his home."Around one million people in the UK live with dementia. It is the UK's leading cause of death and the economic impact of dementia is profound," he said."One of the main reasons for my visit and meeting with Gideon... was to explore whether and how he may be able to support the importance of dementia, locally, and at Westminster nationally."
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Free dementia friendly cinema screenings taking place in Bolton
Bolton Library is staging dementia friendly cinema screenings. The films are open to everyone but specifically tailored to people living with dementia. The idea is to enjoy classic films and musicals in a safe and welcoming environment. The lighting will be dimmed rather than turned off, and the audience is welcome to talk, move around, and sing along. READ MORE: 'Helpful House' there for people living with dementia Dementia: Alzheimer's Society highlights common symptoms A family member, friend, or carer must also be in attendance at the films. The films are free to attend at Bolton Library and Museum lecture theatre. There is no need to book and the screening are free. The first film will be 'Singin' in the Rain', on Friday, July 25th at 2pm and on August 29 it will be The Railway Children.
The Sun
01-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Common cough medicine could help protect against a form of dementia, new study finds
A COMMON cough medicine could help protect people with Parkinson's against dementia. Around 145,000 people in the UK have Parkinson's, a progressive brain disease that affects movement - but they're also more likely to develop certain forms of dementia. 1 Some people start to have problems with thinking, memory and perception. In fact, about a third with Parkinson's eventually develop dementia, according Alzheimer's Society. Now, researchers at Lawson Research Institute are investigating whether Ambroxol - a cough medicine used safely for decades in Europe - can slow dementia in people with Parkinson's disease. Lead author Dr Stephen Pasternak, a cognitive neurologist, said: "Our goal was to change the course of Parkinson's dementia. "This early trial offers hope and provides a strong foundation for larger studies." Ambroxol is an over-the-counter medicine that breaks up phlegm, making it easier to cough "with an excellent safety record", according to researchers. But it isn't currently approved in the UK, researchers said. The study - published in JAMA Neurology - involved 55 people over the age of 50, who'd had Parkinson's disease for at least a year before developing mild to moderate dementia. They were either given a daily dose of Ambroxol - 525mg or 1,050mg a day - or a placebo. Researchers assessed their memory, psychiatric symptoms, and the blood marker GFAP linked to brain damage. I saw a subtle change in my husband's run but never expected brain diagnosis They found that the drug was safe and well-tolerated among participants. Dementia symptoms worsened in the placebo group, they remained stable in those taking Ambroxol, scientists said. 'Individuals receiving placebo showed a clinically meaningful worsening in neuropsychiatric symptoms, whereas those receiving ambroxol remained stable,' researchers wrote. Ambroxol boosts levels of an enzyme called GCase, which is known to help clear away waste products which have gathered in brain cells. In Parkinson's, a build up of a troublesome protein called alpha-synuclein is often seen in the brain tissue. It's thought that ambroxol may help improve the body's ability to clear away these clumps of alpha-synuclein and prevent damage to brain cells. Participants with high risk variants of a key gene linked to dementia - called GBA1 - showed improved cognitive performance on Ambroxol, researchers added. Markers of brain cell damage, GFAP, also increased in the placebo group but stayed stable in those taking Ambroxol. This suggested the cough medicine may have the potential to protect the brain from Parkinson's-related decline. 'Ambroxol was safe, well-tolerated, and demonstrated target engagement,' scientists wrote, however adding that the drug's clinical effect on cognition was 'not confirmed' in the study. Dr Pasternak said: "Current therapies for Parkinson's disease and dementia address symptoms but do not stop the underlying disease. "These findings suggest Ambroxol may protect brain function, especially in those genetically at risk. It offers a promising new treatment avenue where few currently exist." Scientists hope the study's findings could pave the way for larger clinical trials that test the effectiveness of Ambroxol in slowing dementia symptoms. Dr Pasternak is now is now looking into whether boosting GCase with Ambroxol could help protect the brain in Parkinson's-related diseases. "This research is vital because Parkinson's dementia profoundly affects patients and families," he said. "If a drug like Ambroxol can help, it could offer real hope and improve lives." Ambroxol was first explored as a possible Parkinson's treatment in 2009. A trial supported by Parkinson's UK that's currently taking place will observe 330 people with Parkinson's as they take ambroxol - a placebo drug - over two yeas, to see if it is beneficial in the long-term.
The Guardian
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Arlene Phillips: ‘My biggest disappointment? Being let go from Strictly'
Born in Lancashire, Arlene Phillips, 82, created the dance group Hot Gossip in the 1970s. She went on to become a world-renowned choreographer, and was a judge on Strictly Come Dancing from 2004-8. In 2021, she was made a dame for her services to dance and charity and in 2024 received an Olivier award for her work on Guys and Dolls. Her current shows include Starlight Express and A Midsummer Night's Dream in London. She is an ambassador for the Alzheimer's Society and is supporting its Forget Me Not appeal. She lives with her partner in London and has two daughters. What is your most treasured possession? An old biscuit tin, which was my mum's jewellery box – she passed away when I was a teenager. Describe yourself in three words Loving, creative, demanding. What has been your biggest disappointment? Being let go from Strictly. Would you choose fame or anonymity? Fame, because I had a taste of it. Who is your celebrity crush? It's always been, since I first met him, David Tennant. What is your guiltiest pleasure? Sneaking cheese from the fridge. Aside from a property, what's the most expensive thing you've bought? A Biba dress when I really couldn't afford it. It was every scrap of my money and I've never parted with it. What is your most unappealing habit? Never sitting still at a meal: if anybody drops a crumb or spills a bit of sauce I go and get the kitchen roll and wipe it up. What is the worst thing anyone has said to you? In school, I was 11, and we had to paint a picture of family life. My painting was held up to the class and I was told it looked like a spider with ink on its feet had walked across the page. It was done so viciously – humiliating. What is the worst job you've done? In a Dagenham factory at 6am, picking soldiers' greatcoats from wars around the world to sell at the market in Chelsea. I smelled like mothballs, and no one would come near me. Which book are you ashamed not to have read? The Bible. What is your greatest fear? Dying. What does love feel like? Like you've got hot-water bottles all over you. Sign up to Inside Saturday The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. after newsletter promotion What has been your closest brush with the law? I was travelling late at night from Strictly to a country cottage. I thought someone was following me, and the faster I drove, the more this follower was shining lights on me. Then I realised it was a police car! They laughed. It didn't occur to me that I had been speeding in the first place. What do you consider your greatest achievement? My daughters and granddaughters. What keeps you awake at night? One after the other, thoughts come banging in – and it's no sleep for you tonight, dearie. What would your superpower be? Good health for all. Which words or phrases do you most overuse? I'm just coming. When did you last cry, and why? I play Classic FM in the car – emotional music brings me to tears thinking about people I've loved and lost. What is the most important lesson life has taught you? Life is never fair. How would you like to be remembered? Kind, thoughtful and gave damn good advice.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Dementia risk 'can be reduced' by herb that's easy to grow in kitchens and gardens
Dementia affects millions of people worldwide, and the numbers are increasing. There is currently an estimated 982,000 people with dementia in the UK, and it is predicted that 1.4 million people will be living with dementia by 2040, according to the Alzheimer's Society. However, new research has emerged that suggests that a common herb that's easy to grow in your kitchen or garden can actually reduce the risk of getting the brain disorder. Rich in natural compounds that support memory and protect brain cells, this everyday plant is gaining attention as a simple yet powerful ally in the fight against dementia. The secret weapon: rosemary. The herb has long been associated with sharper memory and improved mental clarity, and even appeared in Shakespeare's Hamlet, where Ophelia stated: "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance." READ MORE: Scientist reveals that eating this one fruit a day will lower inflammation READ MORE: Early dementia symptom that could show up when you're on holiday But now modern science is exploring whether rosemary can be linked to aiding Alzheimer's disease. In a 2025 study published in Antioxidants, researchers explored the benefits of carnosic acid, which is a natural compound found in rosemary and sage. Carnosic acid is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which activate the body's natural defence enzymes. However, "pure carnosic acid" is too unstable for direct use as a drug, so a more stable form called diAcCA was developed, which converts to carnosic acid in the gut, reported Scripps Research. Research showed "that when diAcCA was used to treat mouse models of Alzheimer's disease, it achieved therapeutic doses of carnosic acid in the brain and led to enhanced memory and synaptic density, or more synapses (representing the connections between nerve cells), in the brain. "Because the decline of neuronal synapses is also closely correlated to dementia in Alzheimer's disease, this approach could counteract the progression of cognitive decline." A health expert at the Independent also shared that rosemary can enhance mental clarity by boosting blood flow to the brain, delivering more oxygen and nutrients. Its calming aroma has also been linked to reduced anxiety and better sleep, both key for focus and memory. Another study conducted by a team at Northumbria University found a link between rosemary oil, lavender oil and memory performance. A doctor who participated in the study spoke to the BBC and shared: "It turns out that there are compounds in rosemary oil that may be responsible for changes in memory performance. "One of them is called 1,8-cineole - as well as smelling wonderful (if you like that sort of thing) it may act in the same way as the drugs licensed to treat dementia, causing an increase in a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine." The compound 1,8-cineole helps preserve acetylcholine, a vital brain chemical for learning and memory. By protecting this neurotransmitter, rosemary may support cognitive performance, even when we age. The doctor concluded: "The implications of this kind of research are huge, but they don't mean you need to spend your days smelling of rosemary and your night sleeping on a pillow of lavender. "The effects were measurable but modest, and they give us a clue that further research into some of the chemicals in essential oils may yield therapeutics and contribute to our understanding of memory and brain function."
