Latest / Morning Medical with Dr. Chow / Alzheimer's Trends, AI in Therapy, and Dance for Cognitive Health

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Alzheimer's Trends, AI in Therapy, and Dance for Cognitive Health · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

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  Welcome to Morning Medical with Dr.
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  Chow, your go-to podcast for the latest updates in medical and health news from around the
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  globe.
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  I'm Dr.
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  Chi-Ming Chow, and today we have some important topics to cover, starting with a significant
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  and concerning development in Alzheimer's disease.
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  Today, we're discussing a report from the Alzheimer's Association that reveals a
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  troubling milestone: the number of people living with Alzheimer's dementia in the United
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  States has topped seven million for the first time.
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  Specifically, the new data indicates that 7.2 million Americans aged 65 and older are
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  affected by this condition, marking an increase from 6.9 million just last year.
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  It's important to note that nearly seventy-four percent of these individuals are aged 75 and
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  older.
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  While there's limited data on younger individuals, researchers estimate that about
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  200,000 Americans between the ages of 30 to 64 are grappling with young-onset dementia.
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  The findings were released alongside a special report that included a survey of over 1,700
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  adults aged 45 and older.
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  This survey revealed that a staggering eighty-three percent of respondents expressed
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  some level of concern about developing Alzheimer's, with twelve percent expressing a
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  significant level of worry.
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  One of the more interesting aspects of this survey is the public's openness to early
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  detection.
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  A striking ninety-one percent of respondents would want a simple biomarker test, like a
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  blood test, to detect Alzheimer's before symptoms appear, and ninety-five percent would
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  want testing if they experienced early symptoms.
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  The primary motivation for wanting these tests is the access to early treatment and care.
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  Ninety-two percent of those surveyed said they would be willing to take medication to slow the
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  disease's progression, even if it meant accepting moderate to high levels of risk
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  associated with the medication.
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  The Alzheimer's Association is taking note of these attitudes and is preparing new guidelines
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  on blood biomarker tests and cognitive assessment tools, expected later this year.
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  However, the association does not currently advocate routine diagnostic testing for
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  asymptomatic individuals, as there are no approved interventions for such cases yet.
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  As the prevalence of Alzheimer's rises, research funding is unfortunately facing
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  significant setbacks.
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  The Trump administration has cut or delayed funding for dementia research, impacting
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  projects at fourteen Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers and the National Institutes of
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  Health Intramural Center for Alzheimer's and Related Dementias.
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  These funding cuts have led to the elimination of positions and uncertainty surrounding
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  ongoing clinical trials.
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  It's crucial for us to recognize the impact of these decisions on the future of Alzheimer's
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  research and the development of new treatments.
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  The rising numbers of Alzheimer's cases, coupled with reduced research funding, present
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  a significant challenge.
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  As we continue to discuss these issues, it's imperative to advocate for increased support
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  and resources to tackle this growing public health concern.
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  At the recent Asembia's AXS25 Summit, the discussion centered around the potential roles
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  of robots and other advanced technologies in healthcare.
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  George Van Antwerp, Senior Vice President of product innovation and strategic planning at
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  Prime Therapeutics, shared his insights on this evolving landscape.
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  Van Antwerp highlighted that the future of healthcare might not be solely about artificial
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  intelligence but also about integrating technologies like robots, drones, and augmented
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  and virtual reality.
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  For instance, Cedars-Sinai is already exploring virtual and augmented reality for pain
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  management and weight loss, under the leadership of Brennan M.
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  Spiegel, M.D., Director of Health Services Research.
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  He mentioned that robots are being used in various capacities outside the United States,
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  such as serving as caregivers for patients with limited mobility.
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  However, in pharmacies, robots are being designed to handle more straightforward tasks
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  like filling bottles or screwing caps, which can significantly enhance efficiency.
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  Van Antwerp also discussed the future potential of drones in healthcare, particularly in
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  delivering prescriptions.
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  He envisions temperature-controlled "intelligent mailboxes" for drone deliveries,
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  which could revolutionize how medications are distributed, especially in rural areas.
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  While drones might not initially transport expensive cancer medications, they could start
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  with lighter, more affordable medications.
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  During the summit, Van Antwerp co-hosted a session titled "Beyond AI: What Other
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  Technologies Will Affect Pharmacy?" His insights provide a glimpse into a future where
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  healthcare delivery is reshaped by innovative technologies, promising more efficient and
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  accessible care.
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  Alzheimer's disease has reached a staggering new milestone, affecting more than seven
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  million people in the United States.
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  This significant increase calls for urgent changes in how we approach the disease,
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  according to experts.
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  The Alzheimer's Association's annual report, "Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures,"
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  highlights that nearly four in five Americans express a desire to know if they have the
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  disease before symptoms emerge.
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  This shift in public sentiment is largely due to advancements in technology that have made
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  early detection more accessible.
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  Dr.
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  Elizabeth Edgerly, senior director for Community Programs and Services for the
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  Alzheimer's Association, noted in an interview that the stigma surrounding Alzheimer's is
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  changing.
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  More people are recognizing the value of early detection and are willing to undergo testing.
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  Traditionally, pre-symptom testing involved costly and invasive procedures like PET scans
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  and spinal taps.
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  However, new developments have introduced a blood test that can predict the likelihood of
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  Alzheimer's developing before symptoms begin, making the process more affordable and
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  accessible.
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  The growing transparency and openness in discussing Alzheimer's could be attributed to
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  the rising costs associated with caregiving.
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  The Alzheimer's Association projects that by 2025, the national cost of caring for
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  individuals with Alzheimer's and other dementias will reach 384 billion dollars, which
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  is a 24 billion dollar increase from just a year ago.
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  Family members and friends contribute significantly, providing 19.2 billion hours of
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  unpaid care, valued at an additional 413 billion dollars.
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  Dr.
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  Edgerly emphasized the importance of lifestyle choices in potentially reducing the risk of
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  Alzheimer's.
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  She recommended a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, such as the Mediterranean diet,
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  along with regular exercise and managing conditions like high blood pressure.
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  Despite the increasing prevalence of the disease, there is a sense of optimism due to
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  the over 140 treatment options currently in development.
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  This optimism is fueled by a higher recognition and diagnosis rate of Alzheimer's, as more
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  people seek early testing and intervention.
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  Today, let's delve into the fascinating world of dance and its profound impact on our
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  wellbeing.
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  DJ Annie Mac, a prominent figure in the music industry, has been advocating for the mental
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  and physical benefits of dancing.
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  She recently launched a series of club nights designed to offer the joy and freedom of
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  dancing without the late-night commitment, emphasizing the importance of integrating dance
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  into our daily lives.
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  According to Annie Mac, dancing is not just an art form but a vital component of a healthy
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  lifestyle.
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  She points out that dancing allows people to express themselves, release pent-up energy, and
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  connect with others in a meaningful way.
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  These club nights are crafted to be inclusive and accessible, providing a space where
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  attendees can enjoy the music and movement without the pressure of staying out all night.
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  The initiative aligns with broader efforts to promote mental health and wellbeing, as
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  highlighted during BBC Wellbeing Week.
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  Dance, as a form of exercise, has been shown to improve mood, reduce stress, and even enhance
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  cognitive functions.
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  By encouraging people to dance, Annie Mac is tapping into these benefits, offering an
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  enjoyable way to boost mental and physical health.
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  Annie Mac's club nights are particularly appealing because they cater to those who love
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  the atmosphere of a club but prefer an earlier end time.
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  This approach not only makes dancing more accessible but also supports a balanced
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  lifestyle, allowing participants to enjoy the benefits of dance without compromising their
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  sleep schedules.
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  The enthusiasm for dance as a wellbeing tool is supported by various studies that highlight its
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  positive effects on the brain and body.
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  Engaging in dance routines can lead to increased endorphin levels, providing a natural
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  high that enhances mood and reduces anxiety.
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  Additionally, the social aspect of dancing fosters community and connection, which are
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  crucial for emotional health.
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  In conclusion, DJ Annie Mac's initiative to create early evening club nights underscores
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  the significant role dance can play in enhancing our wellbeing.
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  By making dance more accessible and aligning it with healthier lifestyle choices, she is
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  contributing to a movement that recognizes the profound impact of music and movement on our
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  lives.
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  As we explore the intersection of technology and healthcare, a fascinating question arises:
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  can artificial intelligence chatbots make good therapists?
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  This topic has been gaining attention as technology journalist and broadcaster Lara
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  Lewington delves into the pros and cons of artificial intelligence therapy applications.
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  Artificial intelligence chatbots, like Woebot and Wysa, are designed to provide therapeutic
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  support through conversational interfaces.
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  These applications use natural language processing to engage users in dialogue,
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  offering cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, mindfulness exercises, and mood
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  tracking.
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  The appeal of artificial intelligence therapy lies in its accessibility and affordability,
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  providing support to those who may not have easy access to traditional therapy.
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  One of the primary advantages of artificial intelligence chatbots is their availability.
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  Unlike human therapists, these applications are available 24/7, allowing users to access
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  support whenever they need it.
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  This can be particularly beneficial for individuals with busy schedules or those living
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  in areas with limited mental health resources.
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  However, there are limitations to consider.
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  While artificial intelligence chatbots can offer valuable support, they are not a
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  substitute for professional therapy.
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  They lack the ability to understand complex emotions and provide personalized insights that
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  a human therapist can offer.
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  Moreover, there are concerns about privacy and data security, as users share personal
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  information with these applications.
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  Despite these challenges, artificial intelligence therapy applications have shown
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  promise in complementing traditional mental health services.
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  They can serve as an initial step for individuals hesitant to seek therapy or as a
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  supplementary tool for those already in treatment.
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  By fostering self-awareness and offering coping strategies, artificial intelligence chatbots
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  can play a role in enhancing mental wellbeing.
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  It is important to approach artificial intelligence therapy with an understanding of
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  its capabilities and limitations.
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  While it can provide valuable support, it should not replace professional mental health
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  care.
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  As technology continues to evolve, the integration of artificial intelligence in
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  therapy may become more refined, potentially offering even greater support in the future.
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  As we conclude today's episode, it's clear that the landscape of healthcare and mental health
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  is rapidly changing with the advent of new technologies.
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  From the increasing prevalence of Alzheimer's disease to the potential of artificial
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  intelligence in therapy, these developments call for continued innovation and adaptation.
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  Thank you for joining me on Morning Medical with Dr.
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  Chow.
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  Until next time, stay informed and take care of your health.