Mind Your Brain Series: The Cognitive Brain

Memory difficulties are often regarded as part of normal ageing. While this perception could be correct, such difficulties most often signify an abnormal decline of brain function. In view of this matter, a webinar titled “The Cognitive Brain: Dementing Illness at a Glance” was organised as part of the Mind Your Brain Series by UTAR Centre for Corporate and Community Development in collaboration with Malaysia Mental Literacy Movement and Centre for Research on Non-Communicable Diseases under UTAR M. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (MK FMHS) on 16 November 2022 via Zoom and Facebook Live.

Prof Andrew Law

The webinar was delivered by Geriatric Neuropsychiatrist Prof Andrew Law. Prof Andrew Law is also head of the department of Psychiatry under the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland & University College Dublin (Malaysia Campus).

During the webinar, Prof Andrew Law explained dementia and shared the background of Alzheimer’s disease, the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and the treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. He said, “The major risk factor of Alzheimer’s disease is age; as the person gets older the chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease will increase significantly. Besides, a person with a family history, head injury, down syndrome or cardiovascular disease has a high chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease as well.”

The warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease

He also talked about Type III Diabetes and mixed vascular malformations besides explaining how to reduce the risk of dementia. Some of the ways include being physically active, being socially active, challenging the brain; keeping the brain active, eating healthily, managing stress and making conscious and safe choices with safe hobbies, limiting alcohol, stopping smoking, and having regular medical check-ups.

The “Type III” Diabetes

“Getting old does not mean ‘getting senile’ and dementia is an illness. There are different warning signs of dementia, not only ‘forgetfulness’. We cannot cure dementia for the time being, but we can improve and sustain the quality of life of the patient and family. Earlier diagnosis means earlier treatment, leading to better outcomes. Alzheimer’s disease is ‘Type III diabetes’. Cardiovascular health and brain health go hand-in-hand; better the blood, better the brain,” he finally added.

To watch the full webinar, kindly click here.



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