Part of our work at Somatic Vision is understanding the links between unmanaged stress and the variety of problems it creates in terms of health and well-being. We also seek to popularize biofeedback, a highly effective way to manage stress and achieve better mental performance outside of the realm of pharamceuticals.

According to reporting by New Scientist, brief periods of stress can cause a rapid rise in the brain proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease, according to a study in mice.

Just three days of stress caused an abrupt 42% increase in brain proteins thought to cause the disease. The study helps to shed light on why people who experience great stress and anxiety appear more prone to this illness, experts say.

Rudolph Tanzi at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts says that some doctors have observed a possible link between stressful experiences — such as the loss of a spouse — and an older person's risk of Alzheimer's disease.

A previous study of nearly 800 Catholic nuns, priests and brothers found that those plagued by negative emotions, such as depression and anxiety, had about twice the risk of Alzheimer's as those who took a more laid-back approach to life.

David Holtzman at Washington University in St Louis, Missouri, US, and colleagues focused their attention on the amyloid beta peptide molecule, known to contribute to the formation of the protein tangles and plaques that are the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. Previous research has linked higher levels of amyloid beta peptide with increased risk of dementia in humans.

Holtzman says the experiment adds to the growing body of evidence that reducing stress in everyday life might lower a person's risk of Alzheimer's disease. He also speculates that anti-anxiety drugs might one day have a role in the control of this illness.

He presented the findings at the Society for Neuroscience meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, US, in October, 2006. These findings are consistent with new research presented this February, "Cortisol, 'the Stress Hormone' is the Cause of Alzheimer’s and Where do We Go From Here?" by Alfred T. Sapse MD(r) President of the firm Endogenous StemCell Activators, Inc (ESAI). Though ESAI focuses on the development of drug Kronos IV to treat stress in Alzheimers patients and those at risk, the findings reinforce the message that stress reduction is key to radically improving Alzheimer's outcomes.

Feb 07, 2010 – The purpose of this presentation is to provide evidence that Cortisol initiates and participates in the main changes in the brain of an Alzheimer's patient.

CORTISOL IS THE CAUSE OF ALZHEIMER’S

Cortisol is a hormone manufactured by the adrenal glands, located on the top of the kidneys. Cortisol helps the individual cope with every day stress by temporarily increasing its synthesis, also increasing glucose and other defense factors and releases them in the circulatory system. When the stress has been dealt with, it returns back to normal levels. However when the stress lasts for weeks, months or longer Cortisol that went up initially, does not go down and becomes a most destructive agent to cells, tissues and organs and next “stress diseases” would set in.