3 things to avoid to protect against dementia!

What has this got to do with cats!? Answer: if you have dementia you can't look after a cat properly. Right, that's that out of the way. So, what are the three things that help prevent dementia?

Here they are courtesy a study published in the journal Nature Communications and led by Professor Gwenaëlle Douaud.

"We have now found that of all common modifiable risk factors for dementia, the most harmful to this weak spot [fragile regions of the brain] are diabetes, traffic-related pollution and alcohol consumption."

A recent study published in the journal Nature Communications sheds light on three modifiable risk factors that can help protect the brain from dementia. Let’s delve into the findings:

1. Diabetes: Managing diabetes effectively is crucial. The study highlights that this condition significantly impacts a vulnerable brain region associated with dementia risk.

2. Traffic-Related Pollution: Exposure to air pollution from busy roads can be detrimental to brain health. Taking steps to minimize exposure may help protect against dementia.

3. Alcohol Consumption: Reducing alcohol intake is essential. The study indicates that excessive alcohol consumption affects the same vulnerable brain area.

Researchers at the University of Oxford examined brain scans of over 40,000 people aged 45 and older to identify these risk factors. By understanding and addressing these modifiable factors, we can potentially reduce the risk of dementia and safeguard brain health.

Remember, while genetics play a role, lifestyle choices also significantly impact our brain health. Prioritizing sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, and staying socially active are additional steps we can take to promote cognitive well-being.

Stay informed and take care of your brain—it’s a precious asset! 🧠💙

My thanks to Bing copilot for summarising the study.

P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins.

Do cats get dementia?

Yes, as you may well know, domestic cats can suffer from dementia but we are unsure how commonplace it is because not enough studies have been carried out on domestic cats (although see below). It can be quite difficult to tell whether a cat is suffering from dementia because they compensate so well for disabilities. Vets call this condition Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS).

My beloved cat who suffered from mild dementia when at the end of her life. Photo: Michael

One reason why we might be seeing it more often nowadays than before is because domestic cats live longer lives thanks to better nutrition and health care. Spotting behavioural changes is the way to detect feline dementia symptoms. You may see CDC in cats older than 10 years of age.

Domestic cats with CDC can become disorientated, interact with people in different ways than normal, have alterations to their sleep-wake cycle, urinate and defecate inappropriately, have lower activity levels, and they may howl at night due to confusion.

Domestic cats with early-stage dementia may show confusion, anxiety and restlessness, irritability, a decreased desire to play, forget their usual routines with which you will no doubt be familiar, groom less often, have a loss of appetite leading to anorexia, vocalise more often including as mentioned above howling at night and changes in their sleep cycle.

A study found that almost 1/3 of cats between the ages of 11 and 14 showed one behavioural symptom caused by CDS. For domestic cats in the age bracket 15 over, it is believed that 50% will suffer to some degree from cognitive dysfunction.

The observant and conscientious cat owner will be able to deal with their cat if they do have dementia. It simply requires greater sensitivity and awareness of their cat's needs and to meet those needs. A diet supplemented with omega-three and antioxidants such as vitamin E and C, selenium, flavonoids, carotenoids like beta-carotene and carnitine may be recommended by your veterinarian.

Caring For an Old Cat

I am caring for a very old cat. She is 20 years old. This is a short post about what it is like. It is a labor of love. It is no different as far as I am concerned to caring for an old person. You don't get a lot of feedback. You have to do things that your old cat does not like in order to keep them alive and out of pain and discomfort.

For example, I have to administer antibiotics twice a day every day for the rest of her life to manage a massive infection on her right kidney. Her left kidney is hard I am told. She has a heart murmur and is anemic. She has kidney failure. She is somewhat anorexic. She is very static all day and night and demands to be static outside. She is outside about 10 paces from my home, day and night, 24/7 (except for eating and drinking and going to the toilet). She is so static that flies have laid eggs in her fur. I have to comb these out and she hates it because it is at her rear end.

Binnie - old cat - she looks quite good but is dying. Taken ten minutes ago (1-11-11)

So, I am doing things for her that she dislikes. This does not help the relationship. Because of her dementia I have already lost most of her. In other words this is one way traffic and my actions are altruistic. I do it all for her. I give her the best food, plenty of cuddles, flea combing and general combing. You will need unconditional love.

For this reason I can understand why cat owners euthanize their old cats before they should do it. You have to look into your heart and ask am I euthanizing my cat because she is inconvenient and troublesome? Or am I euthanizing my cat for her, to stop the discomfort, and because the quality of her life has deteriorated so much that is it pointless.

In other words there should be the same standards for our cat and a person when it comes to decide how to administer care. Let's not fool ourselves many very old people are quietly euthanized in care homes and hospitals.

That said we should not apply overly zealous rules about euthanasia that govern our behavior towards people. Death is not something to be feared. It should be treated as just another part of life; the final moment.