Symposium examines role of obesity in causing dementia

In keeping with this year's Medical Association of Jamaica's 2018 National Symposium theme of obesity, the Partners Interventional Centre of Jamaica (PICJ) and Medical Associates Hospital (MAH) chairman's luncheon focused on the impact of negative vascular change often caused by this disease.

Through a keynote address delivered by Professor Denise Eldemire-Shearer, guests were introduced to the new cutting-edge discoveries in medical science surrounding the effects of obesity on diseases such as dementia.

"The study is looking at the impact of vascular changes that occur in the body as a result of a number of issues, such as high blood pressure and obesity. The impact of these vascular changes can be disease, and so, the study is looking at what diseases are caused by vascular change, such as dementia and stroke, and suggesting how we can avoid some of the very devastating effects of vascular disease," said Eldemire-Shearer.

According to Dr Victor Elliott, managing director at PICJ, "The symposium's focus on obesity was directly in line with us at PICJ because obesity is a metabolic disorder which has impact on cardiovascular disease. It stimulates the sympathetic system which leads to heart failure, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases. So, we are thrilled to be partnering with the Medical Association of Jamaica to talk more about obesity and what we can do about it."

He continued, "Preventative cardiology is a part of our framework. This is why we wanted to lead a discussion on the vascular cause for dementia. As the cardiovascular centre that looks to treating and preventing cardiovascular diseases, if there is a vascular cause for dementia and we can prevent it, then we are eager to seek it out and make it a reality."

The luncheon was a part of the three-day conference hosted recently at The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel for medical professionals and the public to engage in new issues related to obesity and its consequences, medical aspects of obesity and ethical issues in dealing with the obese patient.