Latest / Morning Medical with Dr. Chow / Dementia Prevention, Generic Liraglutide, and Holiday Loneliness in Older Adults

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Dementia Prevention, Generic Liraglutide, and Holiday Loneliness in Older Adults · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

• 0:00
  Good morning, everyone, and welcome to Morning Medical with Dr.
• 0:03
  Chow.
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  I'm your host, Dr.
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  Chi-Ming Chow.
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  Today, we're diving into some fascinating topics that touch on both the heart and mind.
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  As always, we're bringing you the latest in medical and health news from around the globe,
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  powered by artificial intelligence.
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  Let's get started with today's first topic: lazy-day activities that can help prevent
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  dementia and bolster brain health.
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  As the year winds down and the holiday hustle fades, many of us might find ourselves tempted
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  to grab the television remote and settle in for a Netflix binge.
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  But before you hit play, consider this: swapping some of that screen time for more
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  mentally engaging activities could help preserve your brain health and potentially
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  stave off dementia in the long run.
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  A recent study involving 397 adults aged 60 and older has shown that intellectual activities
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  like reading, writing, playing or listening to music, chatting with friends, and crafting are
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  more beneficial for brain health than merely watching television.
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  While being sedentary isn't ideal for cognitive health, the study suggests that not all
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  sedentary activities are created equal.
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  Some, like those mentioned, actually enhance mental function, whereas others might impair
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  it.
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  Jessica Corona-Irwin, a registered nurse and certified dementia practitioner, likens
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  mentally stimulating activities to giving your brain a workout.
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  These activities help build what's known as "cognitive reserve," which is essentially your
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  brain's ability to adapt and continue functioning well despite damage or aging.
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  Learning something new or challenging strengthens the connections between neurons,
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  akin to creating multiple paths in a forest.
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  The more paths you have, the better you can navigate even if some paths become blocked or
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  less efficient.
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  Dementia is a condition that affects millions worldwide, with age and genetics being
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  significant risk factors.
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  However, research has identified twelve modifiable lifestyle factors, such as excessive
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  alcohol consumption, smoking, and physical inactivity, that can influence the likelihood
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  of developing dementia.
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  Addressing these factors could potentially prevent or delay up to forty percent of
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  dementia cases.
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  Physical activity is another vital component for maintaining cognitive health.
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  Regular exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of dementia and improve symptoms of
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  depression, anxiety, and agitation in those living with the condition.
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  Dr.
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  Harold Hong, a board-certified psychiatrist, notes that staying physically active increases
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  blood flow to the brain, reduces inflammation, and supports the growth of new brain cells.
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  Guidelines suggest aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly.
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  Mentally engaging sedentary activities, such as crossword puzzles or card games, are more
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  beneficial than time spent as a "couch potato." Dr.
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  Carole Lieberman, a forensic psychiatrist, emphasizes the importance of staying engaged
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  and curious.
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  Activities like joining a book club or playing strategic board games not only benefit
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  cognitive health but also enhance overall quality of life, providing a sense of purpose
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  and fulfillment.
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  Dr.
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  David Perlmutter, a board-certified neurologist, recommends acquiring new skills,
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  taking courses, or learning a new language or musical instrument to promote neuroplasticity.
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  This is the brain's ability to reorganize and form new connections.
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  Arts, crafts, writing, and playing music involve complex brain functions that support
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  cognitive resilience.
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  Additionally, participating in group activities or volunteering helps maintain communication
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  skills and emotional well-being, both protective for brain health.
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  The message is clear: it's never too late to start incorporating mentally stimulating
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  activities into your life.
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  Building cognitive reserve starts in childhood but continues throughout life.
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  Regular cognitive engagement, even in later years, can help maintain memory, attention, and
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  reasoning skills, slowing the rate of cognitive decline.
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  So whether you're in your thirties or seventies, challenging your brain is always
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  worthwhile.
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  On those days when you just don't have the energy or motivation to go for a hike, you can
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  still support cognitive function by choosing "lazy day" activities that are more stimulating
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  than simply watching television.
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  Whether it's picking up a new hobby or engaging in a mentally stimulating game, these
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  activities can be a fun and effective way to support brain health.
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  The United States Food and Drug Administration has recently approved a generic version of the
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  daily injectable GLP-1 medicine, liraglutide, for individuals with type 2 diabetes.
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  This approval marks a significant step towards making diabetes treatment more affordable and
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  accessible, especially amid ongoing shortages.
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  Liraglutide, previously marketed under the brand name Victoza, belongs to the same class
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  of drugs as semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, both produced by Novo Nordisk.
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  The approval of this generic form of liraglutide by Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA is
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  expected to provide a lower-cost alternative to the branded version, although the exact pricing
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  details remain undisclosed.
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  The company anticipates that the generic drug will be available nationwide by the end of the
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  year, potentially alleviating some of the financial burden faced by patients.
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  Dr.
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  Harlan Krumholz, a cardiologist at Yale University, emphasized the benefits of having
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  another generic version available, especially for those unable to afford more expensive
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  options.
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  However, he also pointed out that newer GLP-1 medications, which are administered weekly
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  rather than daily, have demonstrated superior benefits, particularly for patients with
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  obesity.
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  These newer drugs, like Ozempic and Wegovy, are not yet available in generic form and can be
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  quite costly.
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  The introduction of this generic liraglutide could potentially create a two-tier system,
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  where individuals with limited financial means might only have access to drugs with less
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  robust evidence of benefit.
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  Nevertheless, the availability of generics is a crucial step in providing more treatment
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  options and enhancing patient accessibility.
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  Teva Pharmaceuticals has already introduced an authorized generic version of liraglutide,
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  manufactured by Novo Nordisk, which is sold at a discount compared to the branded Victoza.
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  This version is priced about 14% lower than the branded drug, offering some relief in terms of
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  cost.
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  The approval of this new generic underscores the FDA's dedication to increasing patient
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  access to safe and effective medications.
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  Dr.
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  Iilun Murphy from the FDA highlighted that generics typically offer more affordable
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  treatment options, and this approval is part of their ongoing effort to prioritize drugs in
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  shortage.
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  Dr.
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  Aaron Kesselheim, a professor at Harvard Medical School, noted that significant price
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  reductions typically require multiple manufacturers producing generics.
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  He indicated that the introduction of the first generic is a positive step toward a more
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  competitive market, potentially leading to greater price reductions in the future.
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  The shortage of liraglutide in the United States since July 2023 has been a pressing
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  issue, and the FDA's prioritization of generic drug applications for such medications aims to
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  improve access for patients.
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  Dr.
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  Jody Dushay from Harvard Medical School expressed hope that the generic will be priced
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  significantly lower than the branded options and reach pharmacies quickly to benefit
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  patients in need.
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  The holiday season, while often filled with joy and celebration, can also amplify feelings of
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  loneliness, especially among older adults.
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  This time of year, the absence of social connections becomes more pronounced as the
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  world around them buzzes with festive activities that they might not be able to
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  participate in.
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  The sights, sounds, and smells of the season can serve as stark reminders of the connections
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  they once had or wish they still had.
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  Loneliness is not just a temporary feeling; it is a significant health issue that affects
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  older adults all year round.
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  In fact, loneliness has been found to influence health more profoundly than obesity, and it is
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  statistically more damaging than smoking over fifteen cigarettes a day or alcoholism.
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  Dr.
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  Monica Williams-Farrelly, a research scientist at the Regenstrief Institute, emphasizes that
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  the health impacts of loneliness are greater than those associated with alcoholism, physical
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  inactivity, and obesity combined.
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  Older adults who experience loneliness are less likely to engage in physical activities,
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  consume nutritious foods, or engage in behaviors that lead to better health.
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  This lack of engagement can lead to a decline in overall quality of life, making loneliness a
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  serious issue that needs to be addressed.
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  Depression and anxiety are more prevalent among those who are lonely, further impacting their
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  mental and physical well-being.
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  Dr.
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  Williams-Farrelly points out that the holidays can be particularly challenging for older
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  adults who are missing social connections, especially if they've recently experienced a
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  loss.
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  However, the pandemic has taught us that virtual interactions can help mitigate these
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  feelings.
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  Technologies like Zoom or FaceTime can provide a way to connect with older adults who might be
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  geographically distant.
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  It's important to remember that older adults may need assistance with technology.
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  Having someone tech-savvy to help them connect with family and friends can open the door to
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  meaningful communication and help reduce feelings of isolation.
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  This creates a new social connection and is a valuable step in diminishing loneliness.
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  Clinicians are encouraged to screen older adults for loneliness and provide
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  age-appropriate resources.
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  Despite whether they live alone or not, older adults are more susceptible to loneliness due
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  to changes in social interactions that come with aging.
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  Many have experienced the loss of spouses, partners, or other family members, which
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  reduces their opportunities for social interaction.
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  A recent study led by Dr.
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  Williams-Farrelly found that 53% of older adults report experiencing loneliness.
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  This highlights the need for greater awareness and intervention to help improve their quality
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  of life.
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  Encouraging physical activity and healthy eating, even in the face of loneliness, can
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  help mitigate some of the negative health outcomes associated with it.
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  In the whimsical world of Disney, where magic and happily-ever-afters abound, one might think
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  that being a Disney princess is nothing short of a dream come true.
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  However, a recent study published in the British Medical Journal's annual Christmas
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  issue suggests otherwise, highlighting some real-world health hazards that these iconic
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  characters might face.
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  Take, for instance, Princess Jasmine from "Aladdin." While she seems to lead a charmed
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  life, the study points out that Jasmine's social isolation poses significant health
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  risks.
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  Without a network of friends, Jasmine could be at a heightened risk for mental health problems
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  such as anxiety and depression, and even an impaired immune system.
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  Her only companion, the tiger Rajah, could potentially be a source of danger, as his
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  natural instincts might lead to serious or fatal injuries, a scenario the researchers
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  describe as "a true Arabian nightmare."
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  The study doesn't stop there.
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  Belle, from "Beauty and the Beast," might face rabies risks from her interactions with
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  enchanted animals, while Pocahontas could suffer severe injuries from her cliff-diving
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  exploits.
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  Despite these alarming possibilities, the researchers humorously note that these
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  princesses seem to live "happily ever after."
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  While the study is presented in a lighthearted manner, it cleverly underscores the importance
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  of recognizing potential health risks in various scenarios, even those as fantastical as
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  a Disney tale.
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  It serves as a reminder that in the real world, social connections and safety precautions are
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  vital for maintaining both mental and physical health.
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  So, the next time you watch a Disney movie, remember that while the magic is enchanting,
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  the realities of health and safety are just as important, if not more so, in our everyday
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  lives.
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  Our final story today highlights a remarkable journey of perseverance and success in the face
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  of medical challenges.
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  Sandra Sio, a 35-year-old dental office manager and single mother of two from San Diego, faced
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  an uphill battle with her weight.
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  Weighing 300 pounds, she sought bariatric surgery as a solution after years of
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  unsuccessful dieting.
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  However, her doctor initially recommended trying GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as
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  semaglutide and liraglutide, which are prescribed for weight loss and have been widely
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  praised for their appetite-suppressing capabilities.
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  Unfortunately, Sandra's experience with these medications was less than ideal.
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  She endured constant nausea from semaglutide, and while liraglutide was somewhat better, it
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  still left her feeling unwell.
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  Despite these challenges, she managed to lose just 14 pounds, which wasn't enough for her to
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  abandon the idea of surgery.
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  Compounding the issue was the shortage of these drugs, making them difficult to obtain.
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  Sandra also faced a significant hurdle with her insurance provider, initially requiring her to
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  jump through numerous hoops, including 12 weekly appointments with a dietitian, to
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  qualify for bariatric surgery.
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  However, a change in employment and insurance to Kaiser Permanente expedited her path to
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  surgery.
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  After completing a 10-week program via Zoom and consulting with Dr.
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  William Bertucci, Sandra underwent a sleeve gastrectomy at Scripps Mercy Hospital in
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  September.
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  The outcome has been transformative.
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  By early December, she had lost 66 pounds, achieving the results she had long hoped for
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  without the side effects of medication.
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  Sandra's story is a testament to the importance of personalized medical care and the potential
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  of surgical interventions when pharmaceutical options fall short.
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  It also underscores the critical role of insurance in accessing life-changing
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  treatments.
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  Her journey reminds us that while medications can offer significant benefits, they are not a
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  one-size-fits-all solution.
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  As we conclude today's episode, I hope these stories have provided you with insights into
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  the diverse landscape of medical treatments and the ongoing efforts to improve patient
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  outcomes.
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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.