ISLAND Newsletter - March 2021 View in browser  |  Print
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Welcome to this edition of the ISLAND Project Newsletter.  I am Dr Katharine Salmon and I am a co-coordinator of the ISLAND Clinic.

I also work in the community as a General Practitioner and have become increasingly aware of a growing number of us living longer with chronic disease and at increased risk of developing dementia. I aim to try to reduce the risk of development of dementia amongst my patients and others and also to achieve an early diagnosis for those who do develop it.

The ISLAND Clinic hopes to help with early assessment and diagnosis by offering a full interdisciplinary team assessment to people who have had a history of more than three months of cognitive decline and where there is no obvious reversible cause and no previous diagnosis or treatment.

The assessment is available to you after a visit to your GP to discuss your concerns and see if you meet the criteria for assessment. We have a specialised referral template that your GP will need to complete and this requires some detailed information and tests and may require several consultations.

The degree of information needed in the referral is so that we can ensure that you are suitable for the Clinic and also that other reversible causes for some symptoms are excluded. We all recognise that dementia is a complex condition and we aim to be as thorough as possible with our assessment.

More information is available to both you and your GP by using the link below.

 The ISLAND Clinic

This month’s newsletter focuses on diabetes - a growing issue in our society and a known risk factor for the development of dementia.  It is estimated that 1.7 million Australians currently have diabetes and with our aging population and ongoing issues with diet, obesity and sedentary lifestyle, this figure is likely to continue to rise.  Although we are getting better at managing diabetes the key issue - as with dementia - is prevention/delay.

Thank you again for participating in our research.

Risk Factor - Diabetes

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition that significantly impairs the body's ability to control glucose levels in the blood.  Glucose is essential fuel for our body and our brain.  Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic condition in Australia, according to Diabetes Australia.

How is diabetes linked to dementia?

Not all people with diabetes will develop dementia but they do have an increased risk.  Dementia Australia states that diabetes can significantly increase your risk of developing dementia by up to a double. 

With approximately 30% of our entire energy input being used by our brain, it is easy to see why alterations to normal glucose metabolism can negatively affect brain function.  High blood glucose levels and high levels of insulin in the blood can damage cells and blood vessels in the brain, as well as the body.  As a result, diabetes represents one of the major vascular risk factors for developing dementia.

Type 1 diabetes

With type 1 diabetes, the body can no longer produce insulin, which moves glucose out of blood and into cells.  As such, blood glucose levels in type 1 diabetes can be challenging to control and can result in episodes of very low blood sugar levels, called hypoglycemia.  These episodes can damage brain cells and any more than four such episodes a year can be associated with a very high risk of cognitive impairment.  Over time and with age, these episodes can lead to impaired brain function and lowered brain capacity, which may not be able to withstand the impact of disease, such as Alzheimer's disease.

Type 2 diabetes

The body is not as sensitive to insulin, or the pancreas cannot make enough insulin in people with type 2 diabetes.  This can lead to a gradual increase in glucose levels in the blood.  As it happens slowly, many people may not feel unwell when they develop type 2 diabetes.  The health of blood vessels and brain cells can be impacted by type 2 diabetes, leading to an increased risk of developing dementia. 

Insulin is also important for brain health, and there has been substantial research on how insulin signalling may have roles in maintaining neuronal function.  Abnormal insulin signalling and processing may also impact the development of specific pathological features of Alzheimer’s disease, such as amyloid plaques. 

I have diabetes.  How can I reduce my risk of developing dementia?

Managing your diabetes is important to reducing your risk of developing dementia.  Regularly visiting your health adviser, taking your medication, and checking your glucose levels will help to achieve this.  Additionally, it is equally important to reduce your risk of developing diabetes and vascular disease by eating well, exercising regularly and keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol levels in check.

 

Blood Collection Update

Thank you to our participants in the Hobart area who have provided a blood sample recently.  We have had a fantastic response to this research activity with more donations to collect.

Throughout 2021, we plan to collect the first round of blood samples from ISLAND participants from across Tasmania.  For those who have previously indicated willingness to give a donation of blood for our research, we appreciate your patience as we are work on the logistics for collections outside of Hobart.

Keep an eye on your email inbox or the ISLAND Home portal for further information and invitations to book a collection appointment when we come to your area.

 

ISLAND Out and About

With community events and gatherings of groups now back in swing, the ISLAND Project team has met with many groups and attended local health and wellbeing events across the state - from the north-west to the far-south - to promote the project and recruit more participants into ISLAND.

If your community group, club or business is looking for a guest speaker or would like information about the ISLAND Project to give to your members/employees, we would love to hear from you!  Contact the ISLAND Project team at island@dementia.utas.edu.au

 

Live Well Live Long - Kingston

Do you live in the Kingston area and are looking for free activities and information on how to live well and live long?

The Kingborough Council has organised a 10 week program through April to June to help you increase your knowledge and get you active.  Topics include:

  • Eat to cheat ageing
  • Healthy feet
  • Bladder and bowel health
  • Eye health
  • How's your hearing?
  • Stroke safe
  • Improve strength and balance
  • Breath easy
  • Nordic walking
  • Get going - staying active in Kingborough

Call the council on 6211 8170 for bookings and enquiries, or contact Julie at: jalderfox@kingborough.tas.gov.au

ISLAND Project Partners

The University of Tasmania received funding from the Australian Government. Views and conclusions expressed in this publication are those of its authors, and may not be the same as those held by the Department of Health.

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