Alzheimer's Disease, Dementias and Healthy Aging

February Newsletter

Indigenous Historical and Intergenerational Trauma

Training for Community Healthcare Providers, Mental Healthcare Providers and First Responders

This training will provide a general overview of indigenous historical and intergenerational trauma and how this trauma directly impacts the indigenous community’s overall health and wellness. The presenters for this training will be Kheya Ganguly, the Director of Trauma Prevention and Resilience Development for the Agency of Human Services and Dr. Frederick Wiseman, a citizen of the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi and Coordinator of the Vermont Indigenous Heritage Center. Please note — this training contains materials that may be disturbing or upsetting for some attendees.

February 15, 2023 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Click here to join the meeting

February 22, 2023 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Click here to join the meeting

This training will be provided in a virtual format only.

This training is being presented by the VT Department of Mental Health thanks to

Health Equity grant funding from the VT Department of Health.

Printable flyer

What is Vascular Dementia?

Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It's caused when decreased blood flow damages brain tissue. Symptoms of vascular dementia can begin gradually or can occur suddenly, and progress over time, with possible short periods of improvement. It can occur alone or be a part of a dual diagnosis with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. When an individual is diagnosed with vascular dementia, their symptoms can be similar to the symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease.

Learn more

National Institutes of Health: Research Matters

Alzheimer’s tied to cholesterol utilization & abnormal nerve insulation

Researchers have found evidence that an Alzheimer’s related gene (APOE4) disrupts cholesterol manufacturing and transport in certain brain cells, called oligodendrocytes. These cells use cholesterol to make myelin - which insulates nerve cells. APOE4 caused these cells to accumulate cholesterol rather than utilize it to make myelin. This helps explain thin, weakened myelin noted in post mortem examination of the brains of individuals affected by Alzheimer's Disease.

Blood test for early Alzheimer’s detection

One of the first stages of Alzheimer’s disease involves formation of small toxic compounds related to the protein amyloid beta (Aβ). Formation of these proteins can start more than a decade before symptoms appear and before other known disease markers form. Researchers developed a blood test that could detect Alzheimer’s disease-promoting compounds in the blood long before symptoms emerged. The ability to detect these compounds would permit earlier disease diagnosis.

February is National Heart Month

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, causing one in four deaths each year. But there’s a lot we can do to live a heart-healthy life—and connecting with others can make our efforts even more successful. Click here for fact sheets from the NIH to promote heart health in your community. Good news - steps we can take to protect our heart protects our brain too!

Cartoon image of a heart pointing to the month of February on a calendar

In 2022 Vermont adults ages 65+ had the highest suicide death rate among all age groups at 21.8 per 100,000 residents.

Monthly Suicide Report

The Center for Health & Learning's Umatter® Suicide Prevention Awareness and Skills Training Series offers 90-minute virtual live sessions structured to enhance knowledge, comfort, and skills to identify those at risk for suicide in your organization or community. Trainings provides the fundamental knowledge to build a suicide prevention-aware community or workplace, including resources to help.

For your convenience, the webinar is being offered on multiple dates:

Wednesday, Feb. 8th, 2022: 10-11:30 am

Tuesday, Mar. 7th, 2022: 10-11:30 am

Wednesday, Apr. 12th, 2022: 10-11:30 am

Wednesday, May 10th, 2023: 10-11:30 am

Wednesday, June 14th, 2023: 10 - 11:30 am

Registration deadline is one week before the training date. Questions?

Please contact Karen Carreira at the Center for Health and Learning karen@healthandlearning.org.

Beyond Seizures and Epilepsy Training

Seizures and epilepsy can occur with other neurologic and psychological disorders including stroke, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer’s disease, brain tumors, migraine, multiple sclerosis, autism, anxiety, and depression.

Learn about epilepsy, its treatment, its relationship to other common neurologic conditions, challenges individuals and families with epilepsy face and how to assist people to better manage their disease and lifestyle to lessen the impact of epilepsy.

Further details & Registration Link

Alzheimer's Disease and Healthy Aging Program

February 2023 Newsletter