09 October 2022
09:35
Those suffering from memory problems can visit a special memory clinic in Brussels. “We want to help people with Alzheimer’s, but also to do prevention”. This sometimes means: taking a dog on the advice of the doctor.
About 200,000 Belgians are estimated to have dementia. About 6% are under the age of 65, and just one in five has a formal diagnosis. “Correct diagnosis is a complex issue for memory problems,” says Professor Sebastiaan Engelborghs, head of neurology at UZ in Brussels. ‘Sometimes there are psychological problems. Depression can cause symptoms similar to dementia. Sometimes there is a vitamin deficiency or the use of drugs. Sometimes they herald the onset of dementia. It’s important to make this distinction: In depression, you shouldn’t use sophisticated biomarkers to detect Alzheimer’s, the most common cause of dementia. You have to treat the depression yourself. ‘
The essence
- The Bru-BRAIN memory clinic in Brussels is recognized as a European center of excellence for Alzheimer’s.
- People with memory problems can go there for a diagnosis and follow-up.
- The intention is to focus more on prevention, including through a healthy lifestyle.
To do something about it, last year Engelborghs, together with Siddhartha Lieten, head of the geriatrics department, and Nathalie Vanderbruggen, head of the psychiatry department, started Bru-BRAIN, an initiative at UZ Brussel for people with memory problems. «It’s a tailor-made job. We started with half a day of consultations a week, the three of us. We discussed each patient together. ‘
The need turned out to be great. The center has grown steadily. Caregivers and a number of research projects have been added. A new manager arrived in May, Peggy Papeleu. And right now a European recognition has followed. Since the end of September, Bru-BRAIN has been an official member of the European Alzheimer’s Disease Consortium (EADC), a network of European Alzheimer’s Competence Centers.
“But there’s a reason why we didn’t include the word Alzheimer’s or dementia in our center’s name,” says Engelborghs. ‘We want to evolve much more in the direction of prevention. There are more and more people with memory problems. People who come to us and say: ‘I was answering an email and in the meantime I was listening to the secretary who came to give me a message on the threshold, but it is no longer possible. I can’t process it. “
Memory problems don’t necessarily indicate brain disease. However, with age, our memory becomes less efficient. “Sometimes you notice it from the age of 40. If you want to find someone’s name, the search engine falters in your brain. The name is on the tip of your tongue, yet you can’t think about it. An hour later it comes to them. suddenly in mind. We have a hard time dividing attention. That kind of thing, “says Engelborghs.
But being vigilant pays off. There may be underlying causes of memory problems that need to be addressed, such as depression or difficulty sleeping. “This is very underestimated. We identify many unknown sleep disorders during our consultations. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, in which breathing stops during the night, can lead to problems with concentration and memory. ‘
Memory problems can also trigger the onset of dementia even before observable symptoms occur. Responding quickly can make a difference. ‘We thought: there is nothing we can do about dementia. But it’s not true. We can certainly reduce our risk of dementia. The general rule is: what’s good for the heart is good for the brain. The risk will never be zero, but if we can delay the age of onset or reduce the chances of getting it by a few percent, that’s no small feat. ‘
Hearing aid
Dementia prevention reads as the ABCs of a healthy lifestyle: avoid excess weight, watch out for high blood pressure, diabetes and too much cholesterol, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, don’t smoke, get enough exercise – ‘You shouldn’t run a marathon, half an hour three times a week, walking is good’ – and moderate alcohol consumption – ‘Don’t drink more than ten units a week’.
Staying intellectually active is important. ‘You don’t need to take a philosophy class at university, go to the theater or just meet people. It’s about getting new incentives. In this context, a relatively new insight is that hearing loss is a risk of dementia. If you go deaf, you get less stimulation. We are now involved in a study to see if we can reduce the risk of dementia with a hearing aid. ‘
We collaborate with psychologists, occupational therapists, doctors, nurses. We work with a patient from different angles.
Sebastian Engelborghs
Head of neurology UZ Brussels
Even if the first symptoms appear, it still makes sense to take measures. “We can’t cure Alzheimer’s right now – maybe brake soon – but every little part helps. ‘
This sometimes requires a creative approach. Like a woman with dementia whose husband is often away from home. “She was mostly indoors. But since she loves dogs, we thought, why not buy one? Then she has to go out twice a day. She goes for a walk, she sees people, she chats. They are cognitive stimuli. I’ve been seeing those people recently. The dog made an incredible difference. This is what makes Bru-BRAIN so fascinating: we work with psychologists, occupational therapists, doctors, nurses. We work with a patient from different angles. ‘
