Medical, Research, Science

Flu jab offers hope in fight against dementia

FLU VACCINE

Intro: Having vaccine for six years in a row cuts risk of developing incurable illness by 14%

HAVING the flu vaccine every winter could significantly reduce the risk of dementia, a study suggests.

The jab lowered the chances of developing the incurable condition by 14 per cent.

But the analysis by scientists says it seems to work only when patients have had it for at least six years in a row.

Researchers believe the vaccines – given to tens of millions in the UK last winter – gradually strengthen the ageing immune system to the point where it can prevent the underlying damage in the brain that causes dementia.

Britain faces an epidemic of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia because of an ageing population.

Alzheimer’s Scotland estimates that by 2031, there will be between 102,000 and 114,000 people in the country with dementia.

There has been no major breakthrough in treatment for decades – but now scientists believe vaccines such as the flu jab could play an important part in decreasing the surge in patients.

Researchers from Saint Louis University School of Medicine in the US tracked nearly 70,000 individuals aged 60 or over. They monitored how many had an annual flu vaccine and whether they subsequently developed dementia.

The findings, first published in the journal Vaccine, showed little difference between those who had received no jab and those immunised annually for the previous four or five years. But once they got to six years or more, the risk dropped by an average of 14 per cent. Scientists said there is no suggestion that catching flu causes dementia. Instead, the benefit comes from having a vaccine later in life.

Animal studies suggest vaccinations such as the one for flu increase the activity of immune system cells in the central nervous system that are responsible for repairing damage that can lead to dementia.

The study says: “Flu vaccines could be a cheap, low-risk intervention against dementia.”

A spokesperson for Alzheimer’s Research UK called the results intriguing, adding: “Understanding why this is the case is an important avenue for further research.”

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Arts, Drama

Drama: The murder of Fred Henderson

WHODUNIT MURDER MYSTERY

SCENE

FRED HENDERSON died on Friday night. Several witnesses in the area heard the gunshot, placing the time of death at shortly after ten o’clock. Inspector McIntyre wasn’t particularly surprised by the news. A low-rent career criminal, Henderson had been violent, and although he had managed to avoid any murder convictions, he had never been likely to enjoy a long life. Appearances suggested that Henderson had been going to a meeting of some sort. There was a note in his breast pocket, and although the bullet had ripped through it and blood had turned it into a soggy mess, the time 10:15 could still be made out.

The bullet that had been extracted out of him was a .38, and it matched the revolver the police had found in an individual trash container a block away. It had been wiped down, but the lab was going over it to see if anything useful came up. In the meantime, three likely candidates had been brought in for questioning, and were waiting for McIntyre in separate interview rooms.

Lorenzo Holbrook was a local restaurateur with unproven ties to the mob. He was in his fifties and medium height with a stocky build. Bushy grey eyes did nothing to disguise his calculating eyes.

Inspector McIntyre introduced himself and slapped a photo of the victim in front of Holbrook. “Do you know this man?”

Holbrook nodded. “Yeah. Fred Henderson, ain’t it? He comes in the Olive Grove sometimes. Lousy tipper.”

“Can you think of anyone who might wish Mr Henderson harm?”

“Nah. Can’t say I know anyone who wishes him well either, mind.”

“He was murdered last night.”

Holbrook shrugged. “Is that so? Tragic. Tragic.”

“What were you doing around 10pm last night?”

“Washing dishes,” said Holbrook. “What else? I got three staff will vouch for it. I saw someone run down the alley behind my place, though. Little ferrety guy in a hat. It was dark. That’s the best I can do, Inspector.”

Toby Black was a cab driver who had done a stint in prison for armed robbery years before. “I was waiting for a fare who never showed,” he explained. “Dispatch will tell you that. I saw your guy, must’ve been. He hung around for a bit, then checked the time and walked into an alley. It was just across the road from me. A moment later, a tall man in a heavy coat walked in behind him. I remember, because the newcomer was as bald as an egg. There was a pop, and your vic just collapsed. Poor guy never even got the chance to turn round. Then the bald man sprinted off past him, down the alley. I was going to go and see if I could help, really I was, but I was scared in case the bald guy decided to come back to doublecheck. If there’s one thing driving a cab has taught me, it’s that you don’t go looking for trouble. Not in this town.”

The final interviewee, Jesse Hamby, worked in a local bar. Tall and muscular with short hair, he didn’t bother hiding his resentment at being called in by the police. When McIntyre showed him the photo, he shook his head silently.

“Are you sure?” asked McIntyre.

“Sure? Heck, no,” Hamby sneered. “I see four hundred different guys in the bar every week.”

“What were you doing around 10pm last night?”

“Walking home.”

“Did you see or hear anything unusual?”

“You mean apart from a chunky old guy who almost smacked into me, and what looked like a dead man huddled in an alley? Nope.”

McIntyre sighed. “What can you tell me about the dead man?”

Hamby tapped the photo. “You got his picture already.”

“Thank you, Mr Hamby. I’ll be back shortly.” Inspector McIntyre rose and left the room.

Outside, he turned to the officer guarding the interview rooms.

“Make sure no one leaves. I have an arrest warrant to finalise.”

Who is the murderer and how does McIntyre know?

HINT: Wound

– Detection level of difficulty: 5/6

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