MRI Can Detect Cognitive Decline in Parkinson’s Patients

General Posted by anthony Date February 17, 2012

An MRI scan that detects atrophy patterns in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients also can detect cognitive decline in Parkinson’s patients.

Thirty patients with Parkinsonäó»s disease and 22 control subjects underwent 3-T magnetic resonance imaging. Compared with control subjects, patients with Parkinsonäó»s disease displayed significantly higher imaging resolution.

These findings demonstrate that magnetic resonance imaging of the brain’s grey matter structures is useful for the evaluation of Parkinsonäó»s disease.æ

Investigators say this technology can predict which patients with Parkinson’s disease will experience long-term cognitive decline or develop dementia in the future. Close to 80% of Parkinson’s patients develop dementia as the disease progresses.

“Diagnostic tests like this can help us determine which patients would benefit from future clinical trials of medications aiming to stave off or prevent dementia progression in Parkinson’s disease,” the study’s lead author, Daniel Weintraub, M.D., said.

The study was published online in the journal Brain.

Sexual Satisfaction for Elderly Women Linked to Quality of Life (VIDEO)

General Posted by anthony Date February 16, 2012

Sexual Satisfaction for Elderly Women Linked to Quality of Life

General Posted by anthony Date February 15, 2012

Write whatever you would like here!

@Jacobs Stock Photography, Getty Images

The University of California at San Diego published a study we should all like. It’s about sex. Sex when you get older.

In elderly women, successful aging and positive quality of life indicators are linked to sexual satisfaction even when their physical health is declining.

Seniors, especially those who have high levels of physical and mental health, can enjoy sexual activity well into old age, which has a ripple effect on other aspects of life.

The scientists studied 1,235 women in three different age cohorts: ages 60 to 69, 70 to 79 and 80 to 89.

Sexual activity and functioning does decline along with physical and mental health as a woman ages. But overall satisfaction with their sex life was not statistically unusual throughout the age groups.

äóìFeeling satisfied with your sex life äóî whatever your level of sexual activity äóî is closely related to your perceived quality of life,äó the study’s co-author, Wesley K. Thompson, Ph.D., told Medical News Today.

For Profits and Private Investor Nursing Homes Have More Deficiencies (VIDEO)

General Posted by anthony Date February 14, 2012

For-Profit Nursing Homes – Yet Another Study Suggests Poorer Quality than Counterparts

General Posted by anthony Date February 13, 2012

Profit or patient?

Yet another study, this one by the University of California at San Francisco research team led by Charlene Harrington, RN, Ph.D., and backed by the Service Employees International Union, suggests that lower levels of nursing staff in large for-profit nursing home chains have resulted in substantially lower quality of care when compared to government-owned or non-profit nursing homes.

Researchers compared staffing levels and facility deficiencies received by the United States’ 10 biggest nursing home chains, versus facilities run by five other types of ownership groups.

Between 2003 and 2008, the for-profit facilities had fewer nurse “staffing hours,” researchers said.
The 10 largest nursing home chains received 36% more deficiencies from regulators, according to the study.
Additionally, the for-profit sites received more deficiencies after being purchased by private equity groups than before the purchases.

We have said this before. When investigating care options for your loved one, this is yet one more factor to consider. Ask about their profit status and probe to find who really owns the facility. These are becoming increasingly important factors.

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