By
Ethan Sulliva
A recent study suggests an intriguing connection between dementia and liver disease. The research implies that some cases of dementia may be linked to liver health, suggesting that this connection could be treatable and potentially reversible. This new understanding could be a game-changer in the management and treatment of dementia cases linked to liver health.
Undiagnosed Cirrhosis and Dementia
A recent study found that up to 10% of dementia patients may have undiagnosed cirrhosis. Cirrhosis can cause reversible neurological problems as it prevents the liver from clearing toxins from the blood. This can lead to hepatic encephalopathy, which can be treated with antibiotics or lactulose. The challenge, however, lies in early detection, as liver disease is often overlooked in its early stages by primary care providers.
Lifestyle Factors in Late-Life Cognition
Another study published in JAMA Neurology found a significant association between healthy lifestyle choices and cognition in the later years of life. Factors such as physical activity and a balanced diet were associated with a lower cognitive decline, regardless of vascular disease’s influence. This suggests that maintaining a healthy lifestyle can significantly lower age-associated cognitive decline in older adults, independent of neuropathologies related to dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
Unveiling the Hidden Connection
A study published by JAMA Network Open found that some patients diagnosed with dementia could have undiagnosed cirrhosis, potentially leading to hepatic encephalopathy. The study tested veterans with a diagnosis of dementia for advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis, discovering that more than 10% had advanced fibrosis, while 5.3% had cirrhosis. This important finding suggests that clinicians treating patients with dementia should investigate reversible factors associated with cognitive decline, including undiagnosed cirrhosis.
Early Detection of Liver Cancer
Recent research in Genes & Cancer has highlighted the urgent need for blood-based biomarkers for the early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis. By using machine learning methods with blood levels of 108 proteomic markers, researchers found a pattern that differentiates HCC from non-HCC. This could potentially lead to the development of a set of markers that can stratify the risk for HCC.
Reversible Cognitive Decline in Veterans
A study from the Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Medicine and the Richmond VA Medical Center suggests that as many as 10% of older U.S. veterans diagnosed with dementia may actually have reversible cognitive decline caused by advanced liver disease. This signifies that early detection of liver issues could potentially improve the lives of these patients. The study also revealed that dementia disproportionately affected Black and Hispanic veterans which underlines the importance of inclusive medical research and diagnostics.
In conclusion, the connection between liver health and dementia provides a new avenue of understanding and managing this debilitating condition. By focusing on the early detection of liver diseases and promoting healthy lifestyle choices, there is a potential to not only slow down cognitive decline but also reverse some of its effects in certain cases.
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