Aging Maldives Dictator Medically Unfit to Govern: Suffers from Multiple-infarct Dementia Secondary to Microvascular Disease :: Maldives News :: Dhivehi Observer

DO Exclusive
Aging Maldives Dictator Medically Unfit to Govern: Suffers from Multiple-infarct Dementia Secondary to Microvascular Disease

Dhivehi Observer, 8 November 2006

A very reliable source within Dictator Gayyoom's family has confirmed that he had been diagnosed with a serious chronic illness some years ago. The condition is known as Multiple-infarct Dementia Secondary to Microvascular Disease. According to the source very few trusted doctors in Male' know about this condition and Golhaabo's frequent visits to Singapore is also related to this. Furthermore, when and if he falls ill, a team of specialist doctors are always flown in from Singapore, as we found out yesterday.

Multi-infarct dementia (MID), a common cause of dementia in the elderly, occurs when blood clots block small blood vessels in the brain and destroy brain tissue. Probable risk factors are high blood pressure and advanced age. CADASIL (cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy) is an inherited form of MID. This disease can cause stroke , dementia, migraine-like headaches, and psychiatric disturbances.

According to a British Consultant Neurologist, those who suffer from this condition would be unable to make executive decisions because of lack of functioning neurons and because there will not be adequate brain tissue to process such functions. The Consultant also confirmed that patients with this condition could subsequently have lacunar infarct which are mini-strokes. In this light, he said that it can be assumed that the medical emergency that Golhaabo had yesterday was in deed a stroke rather than a heart attack. The seriousness of the issue was obvious as specialist doctors were flown in urgently from Singapore last night. Also experts say that one can quickly recover from these strokes and that is the reason why Golhaabo was able to be seen in public today. Let's not forget that Dictators like Golhaabo always try to hide the truth from the public, especially about their health. They want people to think they are immortal. In recent months we heard the news about how Cuban authorities were keeping the medical condition of Castro as a close guarded secret. Gayyoom is playing the same game and the people around him are happy to play along with him, for power and money.

According to the Consultant, patients with this condition will also have Parkinsonism features, such as short shuffling steps, mask-like face with staring eyes with no expression. A team of international specialists in fact inquired quite recently whether Gayyoom was suffering from Parkinson's disease, after viewing video footage of him in addition to analysing him psychologically.

In light of this revelation, it is important for the Maldives Parliament to investigate this matter further and get hold of Gayyoom's medical reports. It is of course quite dangerous and detrimental to the health of the nation to have a sick man like Gayyoom in charge of the not only the state but head of government and judiciary, and in control of the police and armed forces. Legal and constitutional experts believe that he should now be removed from office as per the constitution of the Maldives. Article 47 (b), he can be removed from office if "The President becomes permanently incapacitated to discharge the functions of his office by reason of mental or physical infirmity." [Constitution of Maldives]

Brain Iron Distribution as a Potential Biomarker for Neurodegenerative Diseases (NDD)

Thin-slice, T2-weighted coronal images demonstrate increased distribution of pixels with short effective T2 (here less than 46 msec) in brain of dementia patient as compared to normal volunteer.
Although much work remains to be done, endogenous brain iron is an attractive potential biomarker for NDD as it is already present behind the blood-brain-barrier and it is well demonstrated by high field MRI.

What are the symptoms of multi-infarct dementia?

Symptoms of MID, which often develop in a stepwise manner, include: confusion, problems with recent memory, wandering or getting lost in familiar places, loss of bladder or bowel control (incontinence), emotional problems such as laughing or crying inappropriately, difficulty following instructions, and problems handling money.

Usually the damage is so slight that the change is noticeable only as a series of small steps. However over time, as more small vessels are blocked, there is a gradual mental decline. MID, which typically begins between the ages of 60 and 75, affects men more often than women.

Is there any treatment for multi-infarct dementia?

Currently there is no treatment for MID that can reverse the damage that has already occurred. Treatment focuses on prevention of additional brain damage by controlling high blood pressure.

What is the prognosis for multi-infarct dementia?

Prognosis for patients with MID is generally poor. Individuals with the disease may improve for short periods of time, then decline again. Early treatment and management of blood pressure may prevent further progression of the disorder.

Definition of Microvascular disease

Microvascular disease: Disease of the finer blood vessels in the body, including the capillaries. In contrast to macrovascular disease. The microvascular complications of diabetes such as neuropathy can lead to loss of sensation and the development of foot ulcers.

For additional information, please visit the following MedicineNet.com areas: