Demans – Kısa Bir Giriş

Very Short Introductions #643

by Kathleen Taylor, Yonca Aşçı Dalar (Translator)

“Beynimizi korumak için atacağımız küçücük adımlar, özellikle erken yaşta bunları alışkanlık haline getirir ve sürdürürsek bizi nörodejenerasyondan koruyabilir. Hepimiz, demansa yakalanma riskimizi azaltmak ve bu hastalığa yakalanmış olanların hayatını kolaylaştırmak için daha fazlasını yapabiliriz.”

Yaşam sürelerimiz uzadıkça, yaşlılığımızda demans gibi beyin hastalıklarına yakalanma korkumuz artıyor. Güncel verilere göre demans dünyada en yaygın beşinci ölüm nedeni durumunda, dolayısıyla bu hastalıkların anlaşılması, önlenmesi ve nihayetinde iyileştirilmesinin artık küresel bir öncelik haline gelmesi şaşırtıcı değil. Peki, öyleyse beyin araştırmalarında yaşanan onca gelişmeye karşın neden hâlâ etkili bir tedavi yok? İlerleme neden bu kadar yavaş? Hastalığa yakalanma ihtimalimizi azaltmak için neler yapabiliriz?

Oxford Üniversitesi’nin cep kitapları serisinden yayımlanan bu kitabında yazar Kathleen Taylor bize demansın tarihçesi ve tanımını, farklı tipleri ve belirtilerini, tanı ve tedavisini içeren kapsamlı bir rehber sunuyor. Demans hastalığına neden hâlâ bir çare bulunamadığını açıklarken, yakında bu durumu değiştirebilecek güncel araştırmaları değerlendiriyor. Beyin hastalıklarının topluma olan maliyetlerini tartışırken, bunu yaşanan insani güçlüklerin üzerinden atlamadan yapmayı başardığı gibi, bu vesileyle kendimize ve etrafımızdakilere değer vermenin önemini hepimize bir kez daha hatırlatıyor.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Psychology, Audiobook, Medicine, Biology

192 pages, Paperback

First published July 31, 2020

About the author

Kathleen Taylor is a an Oxford University researcher and author specializing in neuroscience.

Reviews

[Baylor Heath · Rating 3 out of 5]

These stars don’t reflect the quality of the information here, because it’s pretty extensive, but instead reflective of my mind’s ability to grasp brain science (which is the majority of this book).

[Muriel Unseth · Rating 5 out of 5]

oof

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a fine introduction to a complex and rather horrifying topic. The main takeway seems to be that if you have to come down with dementia, best to do it as far into the future as possible, when science may have finally caught up to the problem. At present the options don't look good. The author tries to put a brave face on it with various hopeful and perhaps PC utterings, as well as with some attempt to euphemize the devastating toll on victims and caregivers, but nothing in the book persuades me that gradually losing one's brain doesn't rank among the worst of human experiences.

The book does mention exercise as a non-pharmaceutical intervention, but barely more than in passing. In particular there was nothing at all about the intensity of exercise.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes a complicated topic and a complex disease into a comprehensible learning experience. I learned so much from this book and it really gave me insight to the biology, sociology, and molecularity of dementia.

[Berni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do not listen to the audio book. Worst, false, manufactured voice ever.

[J_BlueFlower · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine introduction to dementia and Alzheimers. Science knows surprisingly little about what causes dementia. Even “well-known truths” are up for discussion: “earlier retirements, less intellectually demanding careers, and lack of hobbies have all been linked to a greater chance of developing dementia. This could be because the lack of stimulation leads to unused synapses withering away. …. Yet there could be another explanation. Dementia diagnoses are usually preceded by a long, slow accumulation of cognitive difficulties. These might be forcing people to retire earlier, switch to less effortful careers, or cut down on other activities.”

”Amyloid-beta …. Like other proteins, when it reaches the liver it is broken down for recycling, if the liver is healthy. Dysfunction in other organs, like the lungs and kidneys, is also increasingly linked to neurodegeneration, and this is changing how scientists perceive dementia. It used to be seen as a mental illness, caused by a brain disorder. These days it is looking more and more like a whole-body problem.”

”James E. Galvin wrote in 2017, ‘dementia may be a disorder that develops over a lifetime’”

[Simona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dementia: A Very Short Introduction was an interesting read for me, especially since I didn’t know much about the science behind the disease. It gave a helpful overview of the different types of dementia and how they impact the brain. However, I found that some parts of the book were a bit hard to fully grasp without a background in medical or scientific terminology. There were moments when I had to slow down and reread sections to really understand the details.

That being said, I appreciated how the book didn’t just focus on the medical side but also discussed the emotional and societal effects of dementia, which made it more relatable. It’s a great starting point for anyone who wants to learn more about dementia, though I feel like I would need to do more reading to fully grasp some of the more complex ideas.

[Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprehensive and concise; covers all levels of dementia, from the molecular all the way up to the epidemiological, with plenty of anecdotes to slap a human face on the disease.

We haven't gained enough understanding about it on the molecular level to do much about it, but we've found what things are strongly correlated with dementia. And we know the link too: there's a blood-brain barrier that's breached that can cause dementia, and that's why diabetes can give you dementia. It gets from your bloodstream into your brain. There is also this gene named APOE that's correlated with dementia.

[j · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting listen… we have suspicions of a family member having dementia so wanted to do a little research. I think the narrator was a bit unnerving which knocks this down, but it was interesting ! I like the bit talking about why amyloids are BS 😌

[Bab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rather than very short, I'd say concise and to the point(s). Very well researched, up to date, informative, and considerate towards everyone affected (not just the patients). Great read for everyone.

[Jb · Rating 3 out of 5]

So many things we don’t know, including if everyone will have dementia if they live long enough.
-1 for the terrible choice of tone in the audiobook (read like a teenager poetry, wtf ?)

[Thomas Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the technical side, but still very informative, with examples everyone can understand. Clearly defined the different of dementia and how they are normally diagnosed and treated.

[Ciaran Mulhair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the overview of this topic. Some chapters unsuitable for people without a scientific background imho.

[Lehane Masebo]

Great book for understanding basics of Dementia

[Thaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read for those who have no prior knowledge about how it attacks the human system.

[Julia Quattrociocchi · Rating 4 out of 5]

honestly good! touched on a lot of interesting perspectives and approaches

[Helen Geng · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read June 2022

NYPL book

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is packed full of information that I did not fully take in because I listened to it through audiobook, but it was very interesting regardless. I will likely go back to reread it physically. A great introduction that is heavily scientific.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid book, and one of the much better Very Short Introductions I've read. Does an admirable job of balancing what causes dementia, what dementia looks like, and background knowledge that helps understand the subject better.