My readers will remember when I reviewed the book, Aging With Grace: What the Nun Study Teaches Us About Leading Longer, Healthier, and More Meaningful Lives
Twenty-two years ago, the School Sisters of Notre Dame (in 7 provinces across the US) agreed to participate in a longitudinal study to unravel the mysteries of Alzheimer’s. Why is this important? 50% of those over age 85 have dementia. It is and will continue to be a major challenge in aging.
This week, University of Minnesota announced it has initiated a new study, using 500 brains donated by these Sisters. The Sisters were chosen for the initial study because they had several key control factors: similar lifestyles, occupation (85% were teachers), same access to health care. There were also detailed records of their birthplaces, family history and even autobiographies hand-written by each nun. I was and still am captivated by the reason the nuns gave for participating and agreeing to donate their brains. They said, “This allows me the opportunity to teach after I die”.
The initial study found a strong correlation between well-developed language skills, healthy lifestyle, and an optimistic outlook on life with a lower incidence of Alzheimer’s. The new study (examination and analysis of the 500 brains and underlying data) will seek to discover why some of the nuns showed little to no signs of dementia at the end of life while their brains show very real physical signs of dementia. Who is at risk for dementia? What are the risk factors? What changes can be made in early childhood to prevent dementia?
It is fascinating research and so very much needed in preparing for our ever-growing, aging population.
View 2 excellent videos at:
http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/nunstudy032509/home.html
