Study shows Indians have higher dementia risk

WASHINGTON - The first-ever study of dementia in American Indians showed that more than one-fourth of elders suffer from it, the Alzheimer’s Association announced July 19, at its 2015 International Conference.

The incidence of the condition was 5 percent higher than in the non-Indian population. Participants were patients of the Kaiser Permanente Northern California health care system.

"We don’t know what the reasons are about the prevalence," Alzheimer’s Association Director of Medical and Scientific Operations Heather Snyder told the Native Sun News.

Genetics, environment and lifestyle could be factors, she said, adding, "More research is needed. There’s a lot we don’t understand."

She called the 5-percent margin "significant" because it means that more than one in four out of every 100 Indian elders studied developed the condition, while one out of nine develop it in the rest of the population used for comparison.

"You have to consider that dementia is a devastating and fatal disease," Snyder said. It takes a toll not only on the patient, but also on family members and household economy, she noted. An average of three care givers is necessary for every patient, she said.

Leading the public health study were doctors Elizabeth Mayeda of the University of California -- San Francisco, and Rachel Whitmer of Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in Oakland, California.

They reviewed the cumulative incidence of dementia over 14 years to establish that 26.9 percent of Native Americans developed it.

They found that the target group had a high incidence of diabetes and strokes, both of which are well-established risk factors for dementia. Yet the prevalence of dementia was lower than would be expected in a population with that rate of vascular conditions.

"Future studies are needed to understand risk and protective factors of dementia in this high-risk minority population," the authors of the research report concluded.

They followed 4,543 American Indian adults, ages 64 and upward, who had no dementia diagnoses as of Jan. 1, 2000. They collected dementia diagnoses from medical records from then on to Dec. 31, 2013. The mean observation time for subjects was 9.1 years.

The doctors also used four years of medical records, from 1996 through 1999, to track dementia-related risk factors including diabetes, depression, hypertension, stroke, and cardiovascular disease.

They found that 29.6 percent of the target group had diabetes, 14 percent suffered from depression, 54.4 percent from hypertension, 9.5 percent had strokes, and 28.2 percent had cardiovascular disease. Those with depression were 42- percent more likely to develop dementia, they said.

Those with strokes were 32 percent more likely candidates, and those with diabetes were 24 percent more likely.

The final result showed that 1,224 of the Native Americans in the study group developed dementia, while 1,311 died without a diagnosis of dementia.

The study is important to spark ideas of "how we can best help people with Alzheimer’s and dementia," Snyder said. Alzheimers is the most common type of dementia, she added.

In the most recent years, studies of ethnic populations’ health have become more frequent than in the past, when general population data was being established, Snyder noted.

Awareness of dementia’s prevalence in a specific population can encourage its members to manage cardiovascular health for benefits to cognitive wellness, she said.

One of the Alzheimer’s Association’s slogans is: "The brains behind yours."

The organization provides 10 tips to ward off dementia. It says, "Show your brain some love! Your brain is the command center of your body - and just like your heart, lungs and other critical organs, it deserves to be a priority when it comes to your health. Use these 10 tips to help reduce your risk of cognitive decline."

· BREAK A SWEAT. Engage in regular cardiovascular exercise that elevates your heart rate and increases blood flow to the brain and body. Several studies have found an association between physical activity and reduced risk of cognitive decline.

· HIT THE BOOKS. Formal education in any stage of life will help reduce your risk of cognitive decline and dementia. For example, take a class at a local college, community center or online.

· BUTT OUT. Evidence shows that smoking increases risk of cognitive decline. Quitting smoking can reduce that risk to levels comparable to those who have not smoked.

· FOLLOW YOUR HEART. Evidence shows that risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke - obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes - negatively impact your cognitive health. Take care of your heart, and your brain just might follow.

· HEADS UP! Brain injury can raise your risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Wear a seat belt, use a helmet when playing contact sports or riding a bike, and take steps to prevent falls.

· FUEL UP RIGHT. Eat a healthy and balanced diet that is higher in vegetables and fruit to help reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

· CATCH SOME ZZZ’S. Not getting enough sleep due to conditions like insomnia or sleep apnea may result in problems with memory and thinking.

· TAKE CARE OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH. Seek medical treatment if you have symptoms of depression, anxiety or other mental health concerns. Also, try to manage stress.

· BUDDY UP. Staying socially engaged may support brain health. Pursue social activities that are meaningful to you. Find ways to be part of your local community. If you love animals, consider volunteering at a local shelter. If you enjoy singing, join a local choir or help at an afterschool program. Or, just share activities with friends and family.

STUMP YOURSELF. Challenge and activate your mind. Build a piece of furniture. Complete a jigsaw puzzle. Do something artistic. Play games, such as bridge, that make you think strategically. Challenging your mind may have short and long-term benefits for your brain.

(Contact Talli Nauman Native Sun News Health and Environment Editor at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

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