appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Anthea Rowan

This is the 73rd instalment in a series on dementia, including the research into its causes and treatment, advice for carers, and stories of hope.
A sobering new report led by the University of Oxford in the UK suggests that having any amount of alcohol may increase the risk of dementia.
Researchers from Yale University in the US and the University of Cambridge in the UK also took part in the research that challenges previous suggestions that light to moderate drinking may have a protective effect against dementia.
The study, published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, combined data from more than half a million participants in two large and diverse population studies: the US Million Veteran Programme and UK Biobank. It assessed whether self-reported alcohol use was linked with the risk of developing a broad range of types of dementia.
The study’s lead author, Anya Topiwala of the Nuffield Department of Population Health at Oxford University and a consultant psychiatrist, explains that alcohol contains the neurotoxin ethanol.
“It kills brain cells,” she stresses.

It does this in several ways.
Ethanol triggers oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain. This leads to damage and the death of neurons, especially in vulnerable brain regions like the hippocampus and cortex.
It creates an imbalance in the brain, which drives inflammation that prevents brain cells from healing. It also boosts the activity of certain enzymes that cause further damage.
It slows neurogenesis – the creation of new brain cells, which are important for memory and cognition. This can lead to brain shrinkage. It activates cell-death pathways – a process known as apoptosis, contributing to the loss of more neurons.
It plays havoc with synaptic functions and mitochondrial health, impairing communication between brain cells and interfering with their energy production.


Researchers also found that ethanol can speed up harmful changes that could already be under way in the brain – such as the build-up of amyloid plaque that is a marker of Alzheimer’s disease.
It is no wonder drinking alcohol makes us lightheaded. When someone has had a few drinks, the frontal lobe does not function as well as it does normally; people say and do things that are out of character.
This is a part of the brain that is also affected by dementia – which is why conditions like Alzheimer’s can also cause a loss of inhibition.
Current “low risk” guidelines for alcohol from the NHS in the UK are to have fewer than 14 units a week, whether you are a man or a woman. It suggests spreading this amount over three or more days during the week and having several drink-free days each week.
The guidelines specify this does not result in “zero” risk but “low risk”. They also fail to take into account the harm that has already been done to the brain.

When asked whether the brain could recover from alcohol if a person chose to give it up, Topiwala said that was not clear. “Some small older studies in very heavy drinkers … [suggest] at least partial recovery is possible.”
Is a younger brain more resilient? Does damage from alcohol accumulate as we age?
That is not clear either, she replied.
“Certainly at older ages we metabolise alcohol less well and often have other conditions [or] take medications that could worsen alcohol’s effects. But younger people’s brains are still developing – up to age 25 – so theoretically they could also be more vulnerable.”
Drinking alcohol is generally associated with liver damage. For good reason: a single night of heavy drinking can cause mild damage to your liver. It is why we are advised not to drink every night, to give the liver time to repair.
But alcohol affects the body badly in so many ways:

It affects the heart and circulatory system by elevating blood pressure.


It affects the pancreas by impairing enzyme function.


It can cause inflammation of the kidneys.


It damages the gut lining, disrupts nutrient absorption and causes stomach ulcers.


It weakens the immune system.

The damage to every one of those systems in turn affects the brain.
The liver removes toxins, including alcohol, from the bloodstream. When the liver is damaged, toxic substances such as ammonia, for example, can accumulate and reach the brain. This can lead to hepatic encephalopathy, a “brain fog” that causes confusion, memory loss and even coma.

The liver also affects how well we store vitamins, especially thiamine (B1). A B1 deficiency impairs brain function and can lead to the two-stage Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
Wernicke encephalopathy, the acute phase, is marked by confusion and poor coordination; Korsakoff syndrome, sometimes called “wet brain” syndrome, is the chronic, often irreversible stage characterised by severe memory loss and confabulation – the creation of false memories.
A healthy heart and vascular system are vital for maintaining a steady flow of blood and oxygen to the brain. Alcohol-induced heart disease, hypertension or arrhythmias – an irregular heartbeat – increase stroke risk, directly injuring brain tissue and impairing thinking, speech and movement.
Damage to blood vessels can also cause small, repeated injuries to the brain over time, contributing to vascular dementia, the second most common dementia after Alzheimer’s disease.
The pancreas and gut are part of the system that helps absorb and deliver nutrients to the brain. Alcohol damage can result in malnutrition and vitamin and mineral deficiencies, especially those precious B vitamins. This can cause confusion, poor concentration and nerve dysfunction.

Alcohol also disrupts the gut-brain axis by causing an imbalance in the gut microbiome. This triggers inflammatory responses that affect brain function.
The kidneys help regulate blood pressure and chemicals in the blood needed for brain function. Severe impairment adds to the risk of brain swelling and confusion. Poor blood pressure control can lead to hypertension, which can trigger a stroke.
Alcohol weakens the immune system. A single episode of heavy drinking can lower the body’s ability to fight infections for up to 24 hours afterwards. This raises the risk of infections such as meningitis and encephalitis that directly attack the brain.
A big problem with alcohol is that it does not just lower inhibitions, it also lowers resolve. Even with the best intentions, one drink can lead to two, to three, and we often are not aware of how much we really drink.
The UK’s Drinkaware is a charity that offers a handy app to keep better track of what you are drinking.

There has never been a better time to go low or no alcohol. Like most world cities, Hong Kong has a growing selection of low and no-alcohol drinks, including wines, non-alcoholic beers and spirits that allow for an indulgence in a favourite drink without a hangover, and usually with fewer calories, too.
Dry January – a month to take up the challenge to go without booze – might be better known, but Sober October (or “Ocsober” in Australia, where the concept originated) is the older challenge. UK charity Macmillan Cancer Support adopted the campaign to raise awareness of the cancer risks that come with drinking alcohol.
More people are joining these “sober curious” movements, in one or both months. Given alcohol’s now well-documented effect on our brains and its increased risk for dementia, some might want to give it a miss for all 12 months of the year.
Like what you read? Follow SCMP Lifestyle on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also sign up for our eNewsletter here.


Why dementia is preventable – and the new tools that can reduce your risk

A guide to Hong Kong’s bitter herbal teas and how Gen Z is reviving the health tradition

Focused ultrasound could be the next big cancer breakthrough for hard-to-treat tumours

How much sex should a couple have? Focus on quality over quantity, experts say

Wellness

Why alcohol is so bad for the brain and how any amount increases dementia risk

Any amount of alcohol may increase the risk of dementia, according to a new study led by the University of Oxford. Photo: Shutterstock

Anya Topiwala is a researcher in the University of Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Population Health and a consultant psychiatrist. Photo: University of Oxford

Drinking alcohol can affect the frontal lobe, a part of the brain that is also affected by dementia. Photo: Shutterstock

A big problem with alcohol is that it does not just lower inhibitions, it also lowers resolve. Photo: Shutterstock

Alcohol disrupts the gut-brain axis by affecting the gut biome, triggering inflammatory responses. Photo: Shutterstock

With the proliferation of low-alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks, it is possible to celebrate without drinking any alcohol. Photo: Shutterstock

Over 60? Exercising body and mind can ward off dementia, study finds – it’s never too late

Combining physical exercise, cognitive training and lifestyle changes can boost brain health and resilience against dementia in later life, research suggests. Photo: Shutterstock

Laura Baker says it is never too late to start exercising the brain and body to ward off the effects of ageing. Photo: Wake Forest University

In the study, high-intensity exercise was aerobic exercise sustained for 30 minutes. Photo: Shutterstock

A personal trainer at a gym or online can help get you started with strength training. Photo: Shutterstock

Learning new skills, such as aerial yoga, is one way to give your brain and body a good workout to stave off cognitive decline. Photo: Shutterstock

Social engagement is key to preventing cognitive decline. Photo: Shutterstock

Unmarried people have lower risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, study finds

There are many health benefits to being in a happy marriage, but a new study from Florida State University found that unmarried people are less likely to develop dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia. Photo: Shutterstock

Previous studies have found that married men and married women live longer than singletons. Photo: Shutterstock 

Writer Anthea Rowan with her husband on their wedding day, 36 years ago. Photo: Anthea Rowan

While being married can sometimes mean a better social life, there is also a risk that older married individuals have a smaller social network. Photo: Shutterstock

Florida State University postdoctoral researcher Selin Karakose says divorce can lead to greater happiness and life satisfaction if the marriage has been unhappy, and that widowed individuals may experience an increase in friends after losing a spouse. Photo: Shutterstock

In many Asian joint-family systems in which multiple generations often live together, dementia symptoms are less likely to go unnoticed, Zaidi says. Photo: Shutterstock

How Ann Hui skilfully tackled dementia in Summer Snow, award-winning Hong Kong film

Roy Chiao (left) and Josephine Siao Fong-fong in a still from Summer Snow (1995), directed by Ann Hui, an award-winning film that tackled the subject of dementia. Photo: SCMP

Ann Hui receives her best director award at the 15th Hong Kong Film Awards in 1996. Photo: SCMP

Josephine Siao (left) and Roy Chiao in a still from Summer Snow. Photo: SCMP

Josephine Siao in a still from Summer Snow.

Roy Chiao and Josephine Siao in a still from Summer Snow (1995). Photo: SCMP

(From left) Josephine Siao, Law Kar-ying and Roy Chiao in a still from Summer Snow. Photo: SCMP

Swollen, puffy face? You might have ‘moon face’. Experts explain, share how to reduce it

“Moon face” or “cortisol face”, a condition in which the face appears swollen and puffy, is a health concern that has been popping up online. Photo: Instagram/mamamiaaus

The most common cause of moon face is long-term use of corticosteroid medications. Photo: Shutterstock

Lifestyle

Health & Wellness

Health

Food & Drink

Decoding dementia

How caring for a parent with dementia taught me about symptoms, prevention and why seeking out the latest research is so important

Author Anthea Rowan (right) with her mother.

Author Anthea Rowan (right) with her mother, who has Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia. Photo: Anthea Rowan

Anthea with her mother. Photo: Anthea Rowan

Studies suggest that regular exercise lowers the risk of cognitive decline by 35 per cent. Photo: Getty Images

Staying active can help prevent or delay the onset of dementia, studies suggest. Photo: Shutterstock

Why should you have a brain scan to test for dementia when there’s no cure? Knowing can help you delay its onset, neurologist says

It can be daunting to get a brain scan to test for signs of dementia, but a neurologist behind new research reveals the advantages of knowing early. Photo: Shutterstock

New research has found that dementia can be detected as early as nine years before symptoms manifest, and this could have significant implications for treatment. Photo: Shutterstock

Timothy Rittman, the neurologist who led the dementia research at Cambridge University. Photo: Cambridge University

A brain scan showing signs of dementia. Photo: Getty Images

Lizzie Perry, founder of This is Dementia, with her father, who was diagnosed with the disease at 58. Photo: This is Dementia

The approval in the US of a new drug that slows the onset of Alzheimer’s makes Rittman hopeful about the future of dementia treatment. Photo: Cambridge University

Why women are more likely to have dementia than men as they age, and how exercise and engagement can help lower your risk

Women may be at a greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s than men for a number of reasons: biological, societal or cultural. Experts suggest exercise and social engagement can help offset the risk. Photo: Getty Images

The spread of tau – the protein that clumps into the telltale tangles of dementia – may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. Photo: Shutterstock

Female twins with a male co-twin were less likely to be diagnosed with dementia than female twins with a female co-twin. Photo: Shutterstock

Prenatal care and monitoring pregnant women’s health is key, as it may impact cognition and dementia risk in later life. Photo: Shutterstock

Taking regular exercise is key for women – and men – to reduce the risk of dementia. Photo: Shutterstock

How high or low blood pressure increases the risk of dementia, and why it’s never too late, or early, to adopt a healthy lifestyle to manage it

Having blood pressure that is too high or too low has been linked to a higher risk of dementia, but it’s never too late to start living a healthy lifestyle that will help maintain optimal blood pressure. Photo: Shutterstock


An optimal blood pressure reading, easily measured with a home device, is around 120/80. Photo: Shutterstock

Dr Ruth Peters was lead author of a study looking at the links between blood pressure and dementia. Photo: Dr Ruth Peters

It’s never too late, or too early, to start thinking about brain health and living a healthy lifestyle. Photo: Shutterstock

Problems with reasoning, planning, judgment, memory and other thought processes may result from damage caused by impaired blood flow to the brain – which may be brought on by high blood pressure. Photo: Shutterstock

6 dementia fighting tips from Dr Sanjay Gupta and Marc Milstein, experts on brain health – walk, talk, read, learn, relax, and eat and drink properly

We can protect ourselves against the risk of dementia with some simple lifestyle practices. Exercising (above), eating a good diet, drinking less alcohol, socialising, reading more and trying new things all help keep the brain sharp, say brain experts including Dr Sanjay Gupta. Photo: Shutterstock 

The cover of one of Dr Sanjay Gupta’s book. Photo: Simon & Schuster

The cover of Marc Milstein’s book. Photo: Marc Milstein

Drink alcohol mindfully and ask yourself why you are having that drink. Photo: Shutterstock

Learning new things creates new brain cell connections and helps keep your mind sharp. Photo: Shutterstock

Reading is good for brain health. Try to read a wide range of book styles, and join a book club to discuss with others what you are reading. Photo: Shutterstock

During sleep, our brains are restored and repaired, so relaxing is important if we’re going to get those seven hours of quality sleep. Photo: Shutterstock

Relationships keep us engaged, interested and interesting, and may help prevent dementia. Photo: Shutterstock

‘Like a light switch’: how sundowning syndrome affects dementia sufferers – and their carers; what it is and tips for how to cope

A person with dementia may experience “sundowning” syndrome - towards the end of the day they become more agitated, confused, panicked, resistant to instruction and restless. This affects their carers, too. Photo: Shutterstock

A person in bed, unable to sleep. Conservative estimates suggest about 20 per cent of dementia patients experience sundowning at some point.

Trey Todd is a neuroscientist at the University of Wyoming. Photo: Trey Todd

Sundowning was coined in 1987 by Lois Evans of Penn Nursing at Pennsylvania University. Photo: University of Pennsylvania

The pineal gland in our brain produces melatonin, which is what helps prompt us to sleep and awaken. In a broken system it is disrupted. Melatonin supplements might help fight sundowning. Photo: Shutterstock

Taking a patient with sundowning syndrome for a walk at a consistent time each day, morning or evening, may alleviate symptoms. Photo: Shutterstock

Getting out into the daylight early in the day is good for our sleep patterns, whether we have dementia or not. Photo: Shutterstock

Healthy marriage, healthy mind? Dementia risk lower for people married a long time, studies show; expert suggests why

Research suggests that people who have stayed married for a long time have a lower risk for dementia because they feel less lonely, are more likely to eat well and exercise more, and are more cognitively engaged. Photo: Shutterstock

Vegard Skirbekk is a researcher at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Photo: Norwegian Institute of Public Health

Anthea Rowan’s parents on their wedding day. Photo: courtesy of Anthea Rowan

A long-time married partner represents a security that provides a buffer against stressors. Photo: Shutterstock

Anthea Rowan and her husband on their wedding day. Photo: courtesy of Anthea Rowan

If you live with a partner long term, you are more likely to develop healthy daily patterns, to eat well and exercise more. Photo: Shutterstock

‘Dementia village’ that’s the first of its kind helps residents live normal lives, has a restaurant, theatre and supermarket – and no one wears a white coat

Residents are free to live their lives as they like at the world’s first “dementia village”, The Hogeweyk in The Netherlands. Photo: The Hogeweyk

The Hogeweyk, a “dementia villlage” in the Netherlands, provides care and a familiar and safe environment in which people with dementia live while retaining their own identity and autonomy as much as possible. Photo: The Hogeweyk

Jannette Spiering is the senior managing adviser and co-founder at The Hogeweyk in the Netherlands, which offers “humanising care for people with dementia”. Photo: The Hogeweyk

Residents relax around the fountain in the theatre square at The Hogeweyk. Photo: The Hogeweyk 

Residents of The Hogeweyk respond positively to their increased autonomy. Photo: The Hogeweyk

Residents at the healthcare facility take part in a painting class. Photo: The Hogeweyk

Hearing loss dramatically raises the risk of dementia, so why are so many people in midlife doing nothing to prevent it? A test is easy to arrange

Hearing loss has been linked to a higher risk of dementia and cognitive decline,  say experts, who recommend testing for preventable hearing problems (above).  Photo: Getty Images

Alison Huang, a senior research associate at the Cochlear Centre at Johns Hopkins, in the US, says hearing loss makes the brain work harder to process sounds. Photo: Johns Hopkins

Jiang Fan from the School of Public Health at China’s Shandong University. Photo: Shandong University

Checking your hearing in midlife is crucial, and can help you stave off cognitive deterioration. Photo: Shutterstock

Can HRT reduce dementia risk? New hormone replacement therapy studies say yes, upending 2002 reports

HRT use has been linked to better cognition, blood flow and brain size and a reduction in all neurodegenerative disease in recent studies. Photo: Shutterstock

HRT (hormone replacement therapy) use has been linked to better cognition, blood flow and brain size and a reduction in dementia and other neurodegenerative disease in recent studies. Photo: Shutterstock

If HRT is started after the age of 65, brain cells will have already been deprived of oestrogen for many years. This could mean there is a decline in neuronal connections – the brain’s messaging system. Photo: Shutterstock

HRT was found to be most effective when introduced early in menopause, says Anne Marie Minihane, director of the UK’s Norwich Institute of Healthy Ageing at the University of East Anglia. Photo: University of East Anglia

Dr Andrea Kwakowsky from at the University of Galway in Ireland believes the “critical period” for starting HRT is within five years of menopause. Photo: University of Galway

How can you prevent dementia? Free brain health online tool teaches the risks and gives essential tips on avoiding it

The new free “Think Brain Health Check-in” online tool from Alzheimer’s Research UK doesn’t test your memory but checks how well you’re looking after your brain and gives tips to help prevent dementia. Photo: Shutterstock

Dr Susan Mitchell is head of policy at Alzheimer’s Research UK. Photo: Dr Susan Mitchell

The Think Brain Health Check-in asks how often you challenge your brain - and then highlights why challenging your brain is key to staving off dementia. Photo: Shutterstock

Getting a good night’s sleep every night is one way to lower the risk of developing dementia. Photo: Shutterstock

Up to 40 per cent of dementia cases could be prevented if people were mindful of the risk factors for the illness and made lifestyle changes to prevent them. Photo: Shutterstock

Can lack of sleep raise dementia risk? Yes, studies say – but with one exception

Having only five hours of sleep a night can increase dementia risk by 30 per cent for adults over 50, one study says. Photo: Shutterstock

One tip to overcome insomnia is to avoid clock-watching. Photo: Shutterstock

Taking a warm shower or bath in the hour or so before bed may help you fall asleep – and stay asleep. Photo: Shutterstock

Professor Roger Wong of the department of public health and preventive medicine at the State University of New York’s Upstate Medical University. Photo: Roger Wong

Sleep aids can heighten dementia risk, Wong says. Photo: Shutterstock

Can’t sleep? Try getting up and engaging in cognitively stimulating activities, like reading or making jam. Photo: Shutterstock

Dementia and ACB scores: how common prescription and over-the-counter drugs raise the risk of memory loss and cognitive decline

Certain common drugs, including antihistamines, antacids, antidepressants and anti-anxiety medicines, can disrupt the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, dubbed the “memory molecule” increasing the risk of dementia. Photo: Shutterstock

The writer, Anthea Rowan, with her mother. Photo: Anthea Rowan

Taking medications that block the action of acetylcholine can lead to memory loss, problems with spatial awareness, and cognitive decline. Photo: Shutterstock

Studies have found that anticholinergic drugs carried “significant’ dementia risk” for the over-65s. Photo: Shutterstock

Doctors need to be mindful of the risks posed by anticholinergic drugs, especially to an already at-risk population: the over 65s. Photo: Shutterstock

How to safeguard your ageing brain: build ‘cognitive reserve’ with mental and physical exercise, and stay active and socially engaged

The phrase ‘use it or lose it’ is not just a hypothesis, it’s a basic biological fact that holds as true for our brains as our muscles or bones. Photo:
Shutterstock

Our brains, like our muscles need regular use to stay healthy and flexible, say experts, and keeping our brains active builds our ‘cognitive reserve’, helping us to stave off dementia. Photo: Shutterstock

Geriatric psychiatrist Dr David Merrill recommends the active pursuit of activities that keep the brain sharp to stave off dementia. Photo: Dr David Merrill

Dorina Cadar says cultural and social engagement, reading, doing crossword puzzles, visiting art galleries, clubs and cinemas, and volunteering all increase our cognitive reserve. Photo: Dorina Cadar

Visiting an art gallery or doing something new and different are good ways to build up cognitive reserve. Photo: Shutterstock 

How yoga benefits dementia patients: new study uncovers brain-health boosts, supporting earlier research

Yoga has health benefits including better brain neuroplasticity, improved sleep quality, and more robust cardiorespiratory fitness, all of which help people experiencing cognitive decline or dementia. Photo: Shutterstock

Dr Diana Karamacoska is a research support programme fellow in healthy ageing and dementia at the NICM Health Research Institute at Western Sydney University. Photo: Courtesy of Diana Karamacoska

Yoga could be helpful in managing brain inflammation, particularly with its mindfulness component. Photo: Shutterstock

Wendy Du is the founder of Shan Studios in Hong Kong. Photo: Wendy Du/Shan Studios

Du has maintained a daily yoga practice for 10 years. Photo: Courtesy of Shan Studios

5 nutrients good for brain health that can delay dementia, or prevent it, and foods to eat with a high concentration of them

Research has identified some key nutrients we need in our diets to maintain good cognitive function and delay or prevent the onset of dementia. Photo: Shutterstock

Eating healthy isn’t just good for our bodies, it’s good for our brains, too. Photo: Shutterstock

Zahinoor Ismail, of the O’Brien Institute for Public Health at the University of Calgary. Photo: University of Calgary

Kale with pine nuts is a dish high in magnesium, and so good for brain function. Photo: Shutterstock

Oatmeal, and other wholegrain foods such as brown rice and quinoa, are rich in magnesium. Photo: Shutterstock

Mackerel is a fish that is especially high in magnesium. Photo: Shutterstock

Why you have to keep smiling at a dementia patient – you’ll feel better and it could evoke a positive response

A smile can bring a smile in return from a dementia patient, and may make them more amenable to your requests. Photo: Shutterstock

Author Anthea Rowan with her mother, who suffered from dementia. As a carer you’ve got to keep smiling, an expert on the condition tells her - and it’s not for the reason you might think. Photo: Anthea Rowan

Timothy Kwok, professor of geriatric medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Director of the Jockey Club Centre for Positive Ageing. Photo: Timothy Kwok

Dementia sufferers cannot be reasoned with, and their emotions can run the gamut from highly positive to negative in the course of a day. Photo: Shutterstock

Many dementia sufferers end up in residential care homes because caring for them is difficult and time-consuming – especially for family members with jobs. Photo: Shutterstock

The living room at Jockey Club Centre for Positive Ageing, in Hong Kong. Photo: Jockey Club Centre for Positive Ageing

‘An attack by aliens’: how to deal with a dementia patient’s delusions – experts’ tips for carers

Carers often find it challenging to calm a dementia patient down when they suffer from paranoia, hallucinations and delusions. Experts offer advice on what to do. Photo: Shutterstock

It can be heartbreaking for a carer, especially if they are a family member, when a dementia patient cannot recognise them. Photo: Shutterstock

Disinhibition, poor control or restraint over emotions or actions, is common in patients with advanced dementia. Photo: Shutterstock

Professor Fiona Kumfor is a neuropsychologist at the University of Sydney in Australia. Photo: Fiona Kumfor

When a dementia patient cannot remember where they put something, they might jump to the conclusion that it has been stolen. Photo: Shutterstock

Dementia begins in the memory centres, the hippocampus and the medial temporal lobe, then moves to other parts of the brain like the temporal lobes and then into the frontal lobe and the parietal lobes. Photo: Shutterstock

Sometimes dementia patients lose the ability to recognise loved ones’ faces, and so they may say they have never met them before. Photo: Shutterstock

Timothy Kwok is a professor of geriatric medicine at Chinese University of Hong Kong. Photo: Timothy Kwok

Unravelling 2 Alzheimer’s markers: what are amyloid plaques and tau tangles, how do they form and what do they do to the brain?

“Sepia galactic storms”: the rust coloured clumps are the stained amyloid plaques, the little black squiggles are the tau tangles. Photo: Andrew Lee

Amyloid plaques and tau tangles found in Alzheimer’s sufferers’ brains are caused by build-ups of proteins that block electrical messages. 
Photo: Shutterstock

Dr Andrew Lees, author of “The Silent Plague”, is a professor of neurology at the National Hospital in London and University College London. Photo: Dr Andrew Lees

Lee’s image of “sepia galactic storms”: the rust-coloured clumps are stained amyloid plaques, the little black squiggles are tau tangles. Photo: Andrew Lee

Two neurons: a healthy one and one with Alzheimer’s disease – with tangles and disintegration of the microtubules. Photo: Shutterstock

Daniele Vigolo and his team were able to monitor the change from liquid to solid in “fused in sarcoma” proteins, and study their internal structure. Photo: Daniele Vigolo

5 Alzheimer’s experts’ lifestyle advice on avoiding and delaying the onset of the most common form of dementia

Lifestyle tips for avoiding or delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, include staying active and socially engaged. Photo: Shutterstock

Keep your brain active throughout your lifetime – particularly by learning new skills as you age. Photo: Shutterstock 

Regular physical activity – even having a daily walk – can help delay the onset of dementia. Photo: Shutterstock

Dr Andrew Lees is professor of neurology at the National Hospital in London, and University College London. Photo: Dr Andrew Lees

Professor Timothy Kwok is professor of geriatric medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. 

Professor Craig Ritchie is professor of the psychiatry of ageing at the University of Edinburgh. Photo: Professor Craig Ritchie

Dr David Merrill is an adult and geriatric psychiatrist and director of the Brain Health Centre at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute in California. Photo: courtesy of David Merrill

David Robinson is a consultant geriatrician at St James’s Hospital in Dublin. Photo: David Robinson

At risk for Alzheimer’s disease? 2 new blood tests could detect it early – here’s how they do it

New blood tests developed in Hong Kong and the US deliver an easier, less invasive and more cost-effective way to detect Alzheimer’s disease early. Photo: Shutterstock

Professor Amy Fu is on the Cognitact team at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Photo: Professor Amy Fu

Previously, Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis relied on costly MRI scans. Photo: Shutterstock

Simulated results of Quest’s AD Detect Test for Alzheimer’s Disease. Photo: Quest

Why alcohol is so bad for the brain and how any amount increases dementia risk

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}A sobering new report challenges previous suggestions that light to moderate drinking may have a protective effect against dementia

A sobering new report challenges previous suggestions that light to moderate drinking may have a protective effect against dementia