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No Evidence of Magic Bullet
Nothing Proven to Ward Off Alzheimer’s, Panel Says |
| By Carla Garnett |
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Panel chair Dr. Martha Daviglus delivers the conference state-of-the-science statement. |
It wasn’t the news anyone wanted to hear: Currently, there’s no conclusive evidence that taking any substance or engaging
in any activity can prevent or delay Alzheimer’s disease or cognitive decline, according to an independent panel convened
by the NIH Office of Medical Applications
of Research. The panel, however, also concluded that interventions such as exercise or diabetes control—already known to benefit healthy aging—might be a productive line of study.
The state-of-the-science group announced
its findings Apr. 28, after hearing 2 full days of medical experts discuss both Alzheimer’s and age-related cognitive decline.“It is tragic that just as we have succeeded in extending lifespan and decreasing disability
due to so many other causes that we now face an increasing urgency in addressing the problems of Alzheimer’s disease and age-related cognitive decline, changes that rob older men and women of the ability to fully enjoy life in its later years,” said National Institute
on Aging director Dr. Richard Hodes, who opened the conference Apr. 26 in a packed Natcher auditorium. NIA was a primary sponsor
of the conference with OMAR.
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Reinventing Himself Yet Again
Hard of Hearing Computer Whiz Revives His Passion for Guitar |
| By Valerie Lambros |
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Music has almost always been a part of Charles Mokotoff’s life—almost, because for many years the highly skilled musician kept his guitar
and talents tucked in the back of a closet.
He began reading music in third grade when he learned to play the French horn. Later, in high school, he did what many young men in the 1970s did: he grew his hair long and played guitar in a rock band.
But one day, at age 15, he woke up and could barely hear. He had experienced a profound hearing loss, overnight. Doctors said it may have been due to a virus or to taking antibiotics
to combat ear infections. Whatever the cause, his hearing was not coming back. He used his long hair to cover the hearing aid he wore in order to hear much of anything at all, and continued to play guitar, practicing over and over to be sure he got it right.
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