Brain Degeneration And Dementia In Sub Saharan Africa

Stemming from a 2012 conference entitled Brain Degenerations and Emerging Mental Health Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa, this book is aimed at both the general practitioner interested in CNS disorders, and the specialist who would like to know more about CNS pathology in Africa. By employing a broad defi nition of what brain degeneration means, the authors are able to touch upon everything from dementias and CNS malignancy to traumatic brain injury and CNS infective processes. This book draws from and builds upon the original conference presentations, and incorporates the most up-to-date science behind brain degeneration as well as actual case reports. Each of the book’s six sections off er the reader a deeper understanding of brain degeneration as it exists in Sub-Saharan Africa.

This book provides the reader with a deeper understanding of the symptoms and palliative care needs of patients with dementia and their families. The book addresses the unique role of different cultures throughout the world and how this impacts psycho-social–spiritual healing. By looking at how patients with dementia are cared for in low-, middle-, and high-income countries, we can not only learn about cultures globally but learn from one another about unique and special models of care. Our hope is that by learning from different cultures, care for patients with dementia and their families will improve on a global scale. The book will be very useful for anyone involved in care for patients with dementia and their families, including neurologists, primary care physicians, psychiatrists, and physiotherapists, nurses, nurse practitioners, psychologists, spiritual ministry, social workers and volunteers.

This book synthesizes research on language development and communication disability in Sub-Saharan Africa and highlights best practices for providing speech and language therapy services to individuals with language, communication, and hearing disorders across the lifespan. The book brings together a wide range of international contributions from various disciplines, such as speech-language pathology, audiology, developmental psychology, language education, social work, neurology, neuropsychology, pediatrics, linguistics, pedagogy, and phonetics to provide perspectives on problems, challenges, ideas, concepts, and models to serve the people in Sub-Saharan Africa. Key areas of coverage include: Challenges for speech-language therapists in the health sector. Community awareness and the sustainable delivery of services. Culture-specific support of communication and language development in early childhood. Malnutrition, dysphagia, feeding difficulties, pediatric HIV, and related issues. Communication disability treatments, including assessment and intervention, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and issues specific to bilingualism and biliteracy. Inclusive education of children with communication disorders with case studies from Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, and South Africa. The Handbook of Speech-Language Therapy in Sub-Saharan Africa is an essential reference for researchers, professors, and graduate students as well as clinicians, therapists, and other professionals in developmental psychology, speech-language pathology and therapy, social work, neuropsychology, pediatrics, special education, community based rehabilitation, and all related disciplines.

This Research Topic covers some of the latest research on brain and behavior in health and disease in Africa. With its untapped resources and unique situations, “Neuroscience in Africa” has the potential to contribute to a better understanding of human brain function both in health and disease. The diverse African fauna display a range of specializations in brain structure/function relationships as a result of adaptations to the environment. Exploration of these may lead to insights into coping strategies which could be extrapolated to humans. Africa’s unique flora is being investigated for anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antioxidant, antiepileptogenic and neuroprotective properties to determine its potential for use in the treatment of human brain disorders. There is also research on neurodegenerative and infectious diseases, not only common to the global world, but also neglected tropical diseases and conditions which provide unique avenues of investigations in basic and translational neuroscience on highly debilitating disorders - and on the effects of pathogens and environmental toxins.

The ever-rising increase in the consumption of medicinal herbs and its products and its exposure in the human population have generated concerns about the potential neurotoxicity of several new and existing botanicals. This book offers an accurate, relevant, and comprehensive coverage of a wide variety of medicinal herbs and fungi affecting the central and peripheral nervous system. It includes review articles that thoroughly describe the benefits and adverse effects of some of the most commonly used medicinal herbs and fungi, and the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying them. The book provides an all-inclusive overview of the diverse aspects of medicinal herbs and fungi related to neurotoxicity and/or neuroprotection, ranging from discussions of cellular and molecular processes and pathology to clinical aspects. The rich compilation brings together thorough and extensive research updates on the advances in the field. The chapters have been contributed by the experienced and eminent academicians, researchers, and scientists working in the field across the globe.

Practical Management of Dementia, Second Edition remains a comprehensive guide to identifying the challenges faced in caring for patients with dementia. Integrating new research into the diagnosis, detection and management of dementia, this book brings together a wealth of extensive practical experience and knowledge. It answers questions on medical, psychological and social management in an informative, evidence-based manner. Emphasising the need for a variety of pharmacological, psychological and social approaches that can be adapted for individual patients, it also encourages an understanding of the patients' spiritual needs. Reviews of the First Edition: 'This is a highly readable and useful resource.' NURSING STANDARD 'Comprehensive and valuable. Of merit to all healthcare team members from all care setting perspectives.' GERIATRICS TODAY 'Consistent and clear, well written and edited.' THE JOURNAL OF DEMENTIA CARE

Micronutrients and Brain Health addresses cutting-edge research related to processes of oxidative stress that affect brain function, an area of increasing significance for those concerned and involved with public health and translational medicine. Edited by four leading micronutrient researchers, the book brings together the investigative work of more than 70 leading researchers from across the world. Chapters identify brain-specific micronutrients that support function as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying their neuroprotectant activity. These explore age-related metabolic pathways, mitochondrial nutrients, neurodegeneration and micronutrients, cell signaling, and neuronal functions. General chapters are included on brain structure, function, and metabolism, while several other chapters are devoted to the role of specific micronutrients. The book explores how brain micronutrients are found to be both metabolic and redox regulators, thereby establishing a cross-talk between the major pathways involved in modulation of cell signaling and gene expression. Specific areas of research covered include: Uses of nutritional interventions to target age-related neuronal and behavioral deficits Effects of various micronutrients on Alzheimer’s disease, including lipoic acid, green tea, and Ginkgo biloba extracts Nutrients specific to essential mitochondrial functions Cognitive and behavioral consequences of iron deficiency with specific emphasis on women of reproductive age Omega-3 fatty acids and their relation to brain function in the elderly Challenges inherent in the development of neuroprotective-neurorescue drugs This book belongs to the groundbreaking CRC Press Series on Oxidative Stress and Disease. The series now includes more than two dozen volumes that address increasing evidence regarding the multiple ways that oxidative stress initiates and accelerates disease mechanisms. Most importantly, this book, like the series, offers invaluable information regarding nutritional and lifestyle choices, and pharmaceutical interventions that can be employed to prevent, control, and even ameliorate disease processes attributed to oxidative stress.

Food and nutrients are the original medicine and the shoulders on which modern medicine stands. But in recent decades, food and medicine have taken divergent paths and the natural healing properties of food have been diminished in the wake of modern technical progress. With contributions from highly regarded experts who work on the frontlines of disease management, the bestselling first edition of Advancing Medicine with Food and Nutrients, Food and Nutrients in Disease Management effectively brought food back into the clinical arena, helping physicians put food and nutrients back on the prescription pad. Board-certified in General Preventive Medicine, Ingrid Kohlstadt, MD, MPH has been elected a Fellow of the American College of Nutrition and a Fellow of the American College of Preventive Medicine. Guided by Dr. Kohlstadt, this authoritative reference equips clinicians with the information they need to fully utilize nutritional medicine in their practice. New in the Second Edition Toxic exposures such as molds, microbial infections, xenoestrogens, heavy metals, and inert nanoparticles Food safety issues: precautions for patients with preexisting medical conditions, adequate labeling of food allergens such as gluten, potential adverse effects of artificial sweeteners, consequences of applying ionizing radiation to food, food-borne mycotoxins, critical food restrictions following bariatric surgery, precautions for preparing food in the home Consumer advocacy issues on navigating claims of medical foods and dietary supplements Physical forces on nutritional needs, such as ultraviolet light initiating vitamin D synthesis, non-ionizing radiation’s effects on brain glucose metabolism and excess body fat’s effects on inflammation and hydration Preventive medicine and how to preserve resiliency at the individual and public health levels Written by doctors for doctors, Advancing Medicine with Food and Nutrients, Second Edition reunites food and medicine. Buttressed with new evidence, leading physicians on the frontlines of disease management apply the latest scientific advances to the clinical practice of medicine. Each chapter offers adjuncts to standard care, fewer side effects, improved risk reduction, or added quality of life. An article by Ingrid Kohlstadt on education and nutrition appeared in TIME Magazine online on November 12, 2014.