On September 11, 2018, Shiu Pong College held a seminar talk entitled “Saving Memory Loss – Current Research on Alzheimer’s Disease”. Prof. LU Jiahong from the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences was invited to introduce the causes and symptoms of the disease, and ways of preventing it. The talk attracted 60 SPC students.
According to Prof. LU, the disease is found mostly among the aged, who gradually lose their memories with other cognitive dysfunctions developing. About half of the population aged above 85 – who amount to more than 46 million people around the globe at present – are likely to suffer from the disease.
In a lively and humorous manner, Prof. LU first illustrated the functions of the human brain and nerve cells. With the aid of comics, Prof. LU explained the causes of the Alzhemer’s Disease: two types of protein accumulate in the brain, eventually killing other brain cells. Obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol level, head injury, depression, low education level and unhealthy living style are found likely increase the risk of getting the disease.
Prof. LU then suggested ways to prevent the disease such as participating in more social activities, having a positive outlook, regular exercise and sufficient sleep. He ended the talk by recommending a tea and a soup with Chinese herbs which are good for the brain.
Students were obviously interested in the Alzheimer’s Disease, as shown by the many questions that they raised.
By organizing seminar-talk series on cutting-edge scientific research findings not yet available in textbooks, Shiu Pong College aims to popularize science among SPCers. One week after Prof. LU’s talk, Prof. SU Huanxing, also from the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, will come to SPC to give a seminar on how Omega 3 (one type of fatty acid often found in fish) helps prevent vein-related memory loss.
9月11日，紹邦書院舉辦了名為“挽救消失的記憶”的專題講座。中華醫藥研究院的路嘉宏教授應邀前來，為同學們介紹了阿茲海默症（亦稱老年癡呆或失智症）的病因、症狀和預防方法。約有60名紹邦學生到場踴躍參與。
阿茲海默症主要見於老年人，會導致記憶和認知功能的緩慢喪失。85歲以上的人，有一半的可能患上此病，目前全球已有4600萬阿茲海默症患者。路嘉宏博士以生動而幽默的方式闡述了人腦與神經細胞的不可思議，並借助動畫來向學生們說明阿茲海默症的成因——兩種蛋白質發生異常變化，聚集在大腦中，殺死腦細胞。肥胖、高血壓、高膽固醇、頭部創傷、抑鬱、受教育程度低和糟糕的生活方式等都會增加患上該病的風險。路嘉宏博士還向同學們介紹了阿茲海默症的預防方法，比如多參加社交活動，保持良好心態，堅持運動，保證充裕睡眠等。最後，路嘉宏教授向大家推薦了有補腦益智作用的中藥心靈智慧藥茶和天麻燉雞藥膳。
同學們對阿茲海默症十分感興趣，在講座結束後陸續提出問題，與路嘉宏教授互動討論，現場氣氛十分熱烈。
紹邦書院致力於通過這樣的一次性講座來拓展同學們的視野，幫助同學們去了解課堂上罕有介紹的科學前沿知識。在這次講座的一周之後，同樣來自中華醫藥研究院的蘇煥興教授將前來介紹“多不飽和脂肪酸OMEGA-3如何幫助我們預防血管性癡呆症”。
路嘉宏教授介紹阿茨海默癥的預防方法
Prof. LU introducing ways of preventing Alzheimer Disease
路嘉宏教授展示大腦的神經網絡與細胞給參與的60位紹邦同學
Prof. LU illustrating the complex functions of human brain and nerve cells to 60 SPC students
同學踴躍提問
Questions from students