ALZHEIMER’S: BEYOND MEMORY LOSS

Mimi Osaayaye Osamwonyi urges tighter blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol control alongside consistent physical activity. Every year, numerous Nigerian families witness loved ones gradually lose their memories, often dismissed as a natural part of aging. This decline is frequently a sign of neurodegenerative disease, most commonly Alzheimer's.

Dementia is a medical condition characterized by a significant decline in cognitive abilities such as memory, attention, executive function, language, perceptual-motor function, and social cognition. These impairments can severely impact a person's independence and daily activities. Alzheimer's is the leading cause of dementia, a progressive neurodegenerative condition that gradually damages brain cells and their connections, affecting memory, thinking, reasoning, language, judgment, and eventually daily activities.

Other types of dementia include vascular, Lewy body, and frontotemporal dementia. While age is the strongest risk factor, factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, lack of physical activity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, untreated hearing loss, depression, social isolation, and limited education also influence dementia risk.

Dementia affects not only the individual but also their caregivers, families, and communities, placing significant physical, emotional, and financial burdens on all involved. A 2019 study estimated that roughly 4.9% of older Nigerians have dementia, with the number of Nigerians aged 60 and above living with dementia increasing from 63,500 in 1995 to 318,000 in 2015.

Alzheimer's disease is the most prevalent subtype, accounting for around 64% of all dementia cases in a study conducted in Ibadan. Despite progress in diagnosing and managing dementia, there is still a lack of comprehensive data to fully understand the scale of the problem in Nigeria. Recent policy developments include the establishment of a Brain Health Desk under the National Mental Health Programme and the creation of a National Brain Health Agenda, which aims to prioritize dementia care, prevention, and support.

Key to addressing dementia in Nigeria is improving early recognition and diagnosis by families and primary healthcare workers. Prevention strategies should focus on addressing modifiable risk factors through better management of blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, obesity, smoking, and alcohol use, alongside promoting regular exercise, a healthy diet, cognitive engagement, restorative sleep, hearing care, and lifelong learning.

Primary healthcare providers must receive adequate training to identify warning signs, screen for dementia, investigate reversible causes, and coordinate appropriate care for patients and caregivers.