The bacteria Helibacter pylori has been found to be one of the main cause of ulcers. In an important new study, just published in the Journal of Neurology, it was also found to also be involved with Alzheimer’s disease. If this finding holds up, everyone with memory issues should be screened for the bacteria and treated for it.
Eradication of Helicobacter pylori may be beneficial in the management of Alzheimer’s disease
Abstract Infectious agents have been proposed as potential causes of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recently, we documented a high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection in patients with AD.
We aim to access the effect of Hp eradication on the AD cognitive (MMSE: Mini Mental State Examination and CAMCOG: Cambridge Cognitive Examination for the Elderly) and functional (FRSSD: Functional Rating Scale for Symptoms of Dementia) status parameters.
In the first part of the study, a total of 50 consecutive patients with AD and 30 age-matched anaemic controls underwent an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and gastric mucosal biopsies were obtained to detect the presence of Hp infection by histologic analysis and rapid urease test.
Serum anti-Hp-specific IgG level was analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In the second part, Hp-positive AD patients received a triple eradication regimen (omeprazole, clarithromycin and amoxicillin), and all patients were followed up for 2 years, while under the same treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors.
Hp was detected in 88% of AD patients and in 46.7% of controls (P < 0.001). Hp eradication was successful in 84.8% of treated patients.
At the 2-year clinical endpoint, cognitive and functional status parameters improved in the subgroup of patients where Hp eradication was successful (P < 0.001 and P = 0.049 for MMSE and CAMCOG, respectively; P < 0.001 for FRSSD), but not in the other patients.
Hp eradication may positively influence AD manifestations, suggesting a possible common link between Hp and AD.
http://www.springerlink.com/content/83147756538×7031/
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Dr. Amen,
Please tell me what you know about Fetal Alcohol Effect/Synrome, and if your treatment program can help. I have been raising my 13 y/o granddaughter for 11 years and life has been hell. It has been kicked up a few notches in the last 18 months with the onset of puberty. Rage, violence and 24/7 stuggles about anything and everything. Life has become unbearable, and I dread each new day.
Thanks.
This research really doesn’t seem to be making a case for Hp as a cause of AD, just shows that alleviating a chronic irritation improves the functioning of people with AD.
As an MSW working as a mental health crisis responder, I often talk with nursing facilities about dementia patients who suddenly show worsening of their sx and become unmanageable. The standard response is to ask for a urinalysis to see if they’ve contracted a urinary tract infection. A new or untreated UTI is present in a large majority of these cases. Other health problems (other infections, diabetes out of control, oxygen levels low) are usually found when it’s not a UTI. When the infection is treated the person improves dramatically. They still have AD, but return to their level of functioning before the infection.
I would guess that this study isn’t going to have much impact on prevention of AD, but shows that treatment of even “minor,” subtle infections can help a person with AD feel better and function significantly better.
One of the bigger problems I face in my job is trying to convince ER doctors that “just a bit of a UTI” can still have profound impact on the behaviors of a person with dementia and the patient needs medical treatment, not to be shuttled off to the state psychiatric hospital. I hope studies like this will make health professionals much more aware of how even minor discomfort will show up as beharioral dyscontrol, confusion, and “acting out” in people who lack the capacity to indentify the source of their pain or verbally express a need for help.
I am very much wanting to have a SPECT brain scan. I live in South Texas. Would you possibly know where in Texas I might find a psychiatrist or clinic that can do SPECT scans and read them as your clinics do? I have had brain MRIs which indicate that I have had numerous small strokes. I want to know how to prepare for the future. Can I reverse what has happened? I eat brain foods, exercise, and use self hypnosis as well as do brain fitness work. I have seen an improvement, but sometimes I feel as if my brain is numb. I don’t think I have Alzhiemers but I truly need to know how to prepare for the future. I know that Jean Bolte Taylor recovered from a drastic stroke. There is no doctor here willing to talk to me about your research and your treatment plans. I have gotten Change your Brain; Change Your Mind as well as have copied your talk on PBS Magnificent Mind at Any Age. Thank you. Barbara
I have recently come into contact with a product called Limu – that seems to have strong independent research behind it. It is hard to find anything bad about it on the net. A main ingredient in this is Fucoidan. There was an ABC report where a woman swears this brought her dad back from Alzheimer’s – if this is true I am wondering if it is because it strengthens the immune system and kills the bacteria? Yet, I would love it if you could make some comments on the viability of this product. Thanks.
I learned of you Dr. Amen from channel 8 when I was browsing through the tv and seen you on pbs. Wow I finally found someone who could help me and understand MY world. My lonely world of pain. I am a mother of 3 and I’m 36 years. I have been suffering from Depression and Anxiety since my teenage years. I’ve been through counseling with my Pastor and have walked with God for help but never have tried medication. Whaa mistake on my part. I recently had the courage to seek medical help after checking out a book from the library by you on Depression and Anxiety. I am now on Zoloft and so far it has been a God sent to me. I finally realize medication is what I’ve needed all along. Medication is here to help us and it’s great, contrary to what I have been told about depression medications. Thank you for a world full of knowledge on the brain. I have found strength to go get help. So far so good. Janet from TX
Dear Dr Amen,
Reading your article regarding study of link between AD and H-Pylori I came to the question of how do you go about asking your PMD to accept these findings?.The only way they will test for H-Pylori is you fall between certain diagnostic parameters for testing.It’s somewhat like asking for a whole body CT scan. Any ideas?
Germaine Monroy
hi, i started lithium yesterday @38, i read jamison,and lots of books, and saw it in both parents, it’s all io wanted to avoid.que sera…hanks i hear you,
is low testosterone in a 45yr.old male serious? he once was diognosed with high iron in the blood-and then told it was ok He has no motivation although he has high IQ. He is not working at present, because of the economy. He also is extremely overweight. What can I do to encourage him. He is not married.
Where do you find a response to the
question posed by Germain Monroy?
Hi! My name is Roger Favreau.
What do you think of the claims of anti-aging of Resveratrol?
Thank you.
Roger Favreau,
In regards to the letter from Martin Cassidy regarding raising a child with FASD; Human Service Agencies such as Hope, Inc., can be very helpful in assisting you to find help, respite and resources.
RE: The PFC-Depression-Addiction Connection: I did your 4-day $3200 program and my frontal cortex had a chunk missing, probably from a head injury. I’d been taking Zoloft for years. I was told “it’s the worst thing for the prefrontal cortex” and to stop taking it, so I did. I’m still depressed and daily 300 mgs Wellbutrin doesn’t help much. On Zoloft, I was noticeablely more cheerful.
I would like to get a copy of your original letter “The PFC-Depression-Addiction Connection”. It was dated 16 June 2009 at 9:04 am. It sounds liike it may be helpful for our grandson’ drug problem.
A man, a craftsman who lays tile beautifully came home from work one day- went to bed and didn’t get out…. pulled the covers over his head. Wouldn’t leave the house for any thing… couple years pass ( Wife did say they all thought he had dementia that came on him overnight), he gets sick with a respiratory thing. Wife comes to the shop and buys three bottles silver shield. She gives it to him faithfully… after he is better from the respiratory infection she asks if she can continue to give it to him, “sure,” I say!
Well, know he is now working, laughing, back to the way the wife describes to the man she married 29 years ago….. all due to silver shield. What did he have? Maybe his dementia was an infection, well his dementia is GONE! Aren’t they happy he had that respiratory infection!!!…. anyway even the chiropractor is talking about him and his recovery with this patented product that kills fungus, viruses and bacteria-
http://www.mynsp.com/mynsp
I like reading the comments and questions that others post after each topic, however, it would be better to hear your response to the questions as well.
USAF Laser lab proved concentration of Amyloid on cornea and lens that can be detected by a special laser. That was 3y ago. Confirmatory Testing was done on a hjigher number of patients to prove value in early detection of Alzheimer. do you have any news about that?
Have you had many people with Lyme Disease having Spect Brain Scans. My son recently had one and his scan showed white matter lesions, common with encephalopathy. He is currently being treated with antibiotics for his condition. For many years he was diagnosed with Bi Polar Disorder, many psych drugs were used but nothing worked. Recently he tested positive for Lime. We are finding in our area in Massachusetts that many people with similar conditions such as OCD, anger and anxiety disorders, etc. do test positive with bands from the Western Blot Blood test.