2nd International Conference on Alzheimers, Dementia and Related Neurodegenerative Diseases

Prion diseases or transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are a family of rare progressive neurodegenerative disorders that affect both humans and animals. They are distinguished by long incubation periods, characteristic spongiform changes associated with neuronal loss , and a failure to induce inflammatory response. The causative agents of TSEs are believed to be prions. The term “ prions ” refers to abnormal, pathogenic agents that are transmissible and are able to induce abnormal folding of specific normal cellular proteins called prion proteins that are found most abundantly in the brain. The functions of these normal prion proteins are still not completely understood. The abnormal folding of the prion proteins leads to brain damage and the characteristic signs and symptoms of the disease. Prion diseases are usually rapidly progressive and always fatal. Identified Prion Diseases Listed below are the prion diseases identified to date. CDC does not curr...

Migraine is a public health issue with serious social and economic consequences. Healthcare and lost productivity costs associated with migraine are estimated to be as high as $36 billion annually in the U.S. In 2015, the medical cost of treating chronic migraine was more than $5.4 billion, however, these sufferers spent over $41 billion on treating their entire range of conditions. Healthcare costs are 70% higher for a family with a migraine sufferer than a non-migraine affected family. American employers lose more than $13 billion each year because of 113 million lost work days due to migraine. U.S. headache sufferers receive $1 billion worth of brain scans each year. Migraine sufferers, like those who suffer from other chronic illnesses , experience the high costs of medical services, too little support, and limited access to quality care. Beyond the burden of a migraine attack itself, having migraine increases the risk for other physical and psychiatric conditions. ...

Migraine disproportionately affects women. Migraine affects about 28 million women in the U.S. 85% of chronic migraine sufferers are women. Before puberty , boys are affected more than girls, but during adolescence, the risk of migraine and its severity rises in girls. Roughly 1 in 4 women will experience migraine in their lives. Three times as many women as men suffer from migraine in adulthood. About half of female sufferers have more than one attack each month, and a quarter experience 4 or more severe attacks per month. More severe and more frequent attacks often result from fluctuations in estrogen levels. Migraine affects kids, too. Migraine often goes undiagnosed in children. About 10% of school-age children suffer from migraine . Half of all migraine sufferers have their first attack before the age of 12. Migraine has even been reported in children as young as 18 months. Recently, infant colic was found to be associated with childhood migra...

Migraine is an extraordinarily prevalent neurological disease, affecting 39 million men, women and children in the U.S. and 1 billion worldwide. Everyone either knows someone who suffers from migraine or struggles with migraine themselves. Migraine is the 3rd most prevalent illness in the world. Nearly 1 in 4 U.S. households includes someone with migraine. Amazingly, 12% of the population – including children – suffers from migraine. 18% of American women, 6% of men, and 10% of children experience migraines. Migraine is most common between the ages of 25 and 55. Migraine tends to run in families. About 90% of migraine sufferers have a family history of migraine. Most people don’t realize how serious and incapacitating migraine can be. Migraine is the 6th most disabling illness in the world. Every 10 seconds, someone in the U.S. goes to the emergency room complaining of head pain, and approximately 1.2 million visits are for acute migraine attacks. ...

Most people with this type of headache can manage the pain of mild-to-moderate attacks at home by: Using a cold compress on the area of pain Resting with pillows comfortably supporting the head or neck Resting in a room with little or no sensory stimulation (from light, sound, or odors) Withdrawing from stressful surroundings Sleeping Drinking a moderate amount of caffeine What's the Outlook for a Person with Migraines ? Regular follow-up care with a doctor or other health care professional is a must. Keep a pain journal to monitor the frequency of attacks and the medications you use can be very helpful. It may take several doctor visits before an effective treatment plan is found. After the headaches are under control, the prognosis is very good. Patience is key. As noted previously, it may take several attempts before an effective treatment plan is found. No one treatment or drug is effective for every person. A drug that works well for one patient may...

Migraine patients can play a significant role in managing their headache frequency and severity. Keep track of when migraines occur by using a headache diary or log to track pain levels, triggers, and symptoms. This can help identify patterns that precede a migraine , as well as help identify factors that contribute to the development of the headache. Once these contributing factors are known, lifestyle modifications can lessen their impact. These modifications may include: Maintain a regular schedule for eating and sleeping Avoid certain foods that might cause a migraine Keep well hydrated since dehydration has been identified as a migraine trigger for some people Exercise regularly Relaxation strategies and meditation also have been recognized as effective strategies to prevent migraines and decrease their severity. Exercise and Migraine Some people find that exercises that promote muscle relaxation can help manage the pain of migraines. Examples of...

It is important to know the difference between a migraine attack and a headache. Headaches can vary a great deal in how long they last, how severe they are, and why they happen. They may not occur in a recognizable pattern as migraine attacks do. Migraine attacks will present as moderate-to-severe headaches on one side of the head that occur with other symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting. Migraine and non-migraine headaches are different and can indicate different causes. To help identify a migraine headache, it can be useful to keep a diary of symptoms noting the time of onset, any triggers, the duration of the headaches , any noticeable signs or auras leading up to a migraine attack, and any other symptoms. A headache diary should ideally be used for a minimum of 8 weeks and record: the frequency, duration, and severity of headaches any associated symptoms all prescribed and OTC medications taken to relieve headache symptoms possible triggers the rel...