Health
MINNEAPOLIS – People who are free of dementia and have high levels of a protein that indicates the presence of inflammation have relatives who are more likely to avoid the disease as well, according to a new study published in the Aug. 15 online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
“In very elderly people with good cognition, higher levels of C-reactive protein, which is related to inflammation, are associated with better memory,” said study author Jeremy M. Silverman, PhD, with Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. “Our results found that the higher the level of this protein in the study participant, the lower the risk for dementia in their parents and siblings.”
For the study, researchers identified 277 male veterans age 75 and older and free of dementia symptoms. They were given a test that measured levels of the protein.
Next, the group was interviewed about 1,329 parents and siblings and whether they had dementia. A total of 40 relatives from 37 families had dementia.
A secondary, independent group of 51 men age 85 and older with no dementia symptoms were given an interview about 202 relatives for dementia. Nine of the relatives had dementia.
Study investigators found that participants who had higher amounts of the protein were more than 30 percent less likely to have relatives with dementia. Similar results were found in the secondary group.
Since the protein levels were not associated with years of education, marital status, occupation and physical activity, these factors could not account for the lower risks seen.
“This protein is related to worse cognition in younger elderly people. Thus, for very old people who remain cognitively healthy, those with a high protein level may be more resistant to dementia,” said Silverman. “Our study shows that this protection may be passed on to immediate relatives.”
The study was supported by the National Institute on Aging, United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the Berkman Charitable Trust and the Alzheimer’s Association.
To learn more about dementia, visit http://www.aan.com/patients.
The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 25,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care.
A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis, brain injury, Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy.
For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube.
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As a result of the Affordable Care Act – the health care law enacted in 2010 – seniors and people with disabilities in California have saved $340.6 million on prescription drugs since the law was enacted, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced Monday.
Seniors in California saved an average of $572 in the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap known as the “donut hole” in 2012.
Overall, 121,587 Californians enrolled in Medicare have saved more than $340 million since 2010, and $69 million from January through July of this year.
Nationwide, nearly 5.4 million seniors and people with disabilities have saved over $4.1 billion on prescription drugs.
In addition, during the first seven months of 2012, the new health care law has helped 2,107,623 people with original Medicare in California get at least one preventive service at no cost to them.
“The health care law has saved people with Medicare over $4.1 billion on prescription drugs, and given millions access to cancer screenings, mammograms and other preventive services for free,” said Secretary Sebelius. “Medicare is stronger thanks to the health care law, saving people money and offering new benefits at no cost to seniors.”
The health care law includes benefits to make Medicare prescription drug coverage more affordable. In 2010, anyone with Medicare who hit the prescription drug donut hole received a $250 rebate.
In 2011, people with Medicare who hit the donut hole began receiving a 50 percent discount on covered brand-name drugs and a discount on generic drugs.
These discounts and Medicare coverage gradually increase until 2020 when the donut hole is closed.
The health care law also makes it easier for people with Medicare to stay healthy.
Prior to 2011, people with Medicare had to pay extra for many preventive health services. These costs made it difficult for people to get the health care they needed.
For example, before the health care law passed, a person with Medicare could pay as much as $160 for a colorectal cancer screening.
Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, many preventive services are offered free of charge to beneficiaries, with no deductible or co-pay, so that cost is no longer a barrier for seniors who want to stay healthy and treat problems early.
In 2012 alone, 2,107,623 with traditional Medicare in California – or 70 percent of those eligible – have received at least one preventive service at no cost to them.
This includes 172,432 who have taken advantage of the Annual Wellness Visit provided by the Affordable Care Act.
In 2011, an estimated 32.5 million people nationwide with traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage received one or more preventive benefits free of charge.
For state-by-state information on savings in the donut hole, please visit www.cms.gov/apps/files/donut-hole-data-chart.pdf .
For state-by-state information on utilization of free preventive services, please visit www.cms.gov/apps/files/preventive-data-chart-first-seven-months-2012.pdf .
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