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Electronic Letters to:

Articles: Nitin Purandare, Clive Ballard, and Alistair Burns Preventing dementia Adv Psychiatr Treat 2005; 11: 176-183 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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Electronic letters published:

Raising awareness of preventive strategies for dementia in relatives.

Geraldine D'Souza   (29 June 2005)

Raising awareness of preventive strategies for dementia in relatives. 29 June 2005
Geraldine D'Souza, Staff grade doctor in old age psychiatry St.Michaels Hospital, St.Michaels road,Warwick. Send letter to journal: Re: Raising awareness of preventive strategies for dementia in relatives. gerry_s_1977{at}yahoo.co.in Geraldine D'Souza	Nitin Purandare et.al. have clearly pointed out the various modifiable risk factors for dementia in their article ‘Preventing Dementia’ (Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, May 2005). This well timed article provides an excellent overview of the various studies to date, that have been associated with reducing the risk of dementia. The prevalence of dementia is said to increase considerably in the next 20 years. The first degree relatives of a patient with dementia are at increased risk of developing the disease. Hence I wish to draw attention to the importance of increasing the awareness of the illness among family members. Vascular risk factors have not only shown to be associated with vascular dementia but also Alzheimer’s dementia (Stewart et al 1998), both of which constitute a lion's share of all dementias. There has been considerable evidence to show that by reducing these risk factors the risk of dementia can be delayed if not minimised. I conduct memory clinics and on numerous occasions family members of patients have approached me being apprehensive about the risk of dementia in themselves. I wonder how many of us actually make use of the opportunity in clinics to provide information leaflets, discuss the risk factors and inform the relatives of measures that can be taken to minimise these in themselves. However small the risk of dementia may be, the opportunity to educate about healthy lifestyle options and risk factor reduction should nevertheless not be lost. Advantages of the treatment of ‘Vascular risk factors’ are obvious and their importance is frequently reinforced by other medical personnel and the media, to the extent of sounding pedantic. However, educating the relatives on the importance of ‘Neuroprotection’ and ‘Building up neuronal reserves’ will provide the family with a means of being proactive about the prevention of dementia and also make it easier for them to cope with the current situation. References – Stewart.R (1998) Cardiovascular risk factors in Alzheimers Disease. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. 65,143-147. Mayeux R et.al. (1991) Risk of dementia in first degree relatives of patients with Alzheimers and related disorders. Archives of Neurology. Mar, 48(3),269-73. Declaration of interest- None. Dr.Geraldine D'Souza St Michaels Hospital St. Michaels Road Warwick-CV34 5QW Tel- 01926 406789.