LONDON (Reuters) - A slow, chronic reduction of blood sugar to the brain could trigger some forms of Alzheimer’s disease, U.S. researchers said on Wednesday.

The study of human and mice brains suggests a reduction of blood flow deprives energy to the brain, setting off a process that ultimately produces the sticky clumps of protein researchers believe is a cause of the disease, they said.

The finding could lead to strategies such as exercise, reducing cholesterol and managing blood pressure to keep Alzheimer’s at bay, Robert Vassar and colleagues at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago reported.

A new poem written for Review by Carol Ann Duffy. Illustrated by Posy Simmonds

Carol Ann Duffy

Our resident closet thinker, Justine Picardie, explains how to search for the perfect party dress this Christmas…

Perfect party wear: (from left to right) Satin prom dress, £50, by topshop (0845 121 4519). Silk off-the-shoulder dress, £560, by marc jacobs, from net-a-porter.com and Satin sleeveless dress, £175, by whistles (whistles.co.uk) Photo: FULL STOP

It might seem inappropriate to be discussing party dresses in an era of economic gloom; but even so, having just enjoyed a night out at a friend’s birthday party, I was reminded of the pleasure to be had in getting dressed up after several months of downcast anxiety.

A family in Dorset has fitted a monster 35ft Christmas tree which extends several feet above the roof of their house.

The tree, which cost £250, is decked out in 160 big baubles, 2,000 LED lights Photo: BNPS

The 35ft tree was cut into three sections which were positioned on different floors of the house Photo: BNPS

Greig Howe, 35, needed to cut the huge tree into three parts to get it into his house in Bournemouth.

He put one part in the living room, one in the bedroom and one on the roof.

The largest Christmas tree in Europe (more than 230 feet tall)
can be found in the Praça do Comércio in Lisbon, Portugal.
Thousands of lights adorn the tree, adding to the special enchantment of the city during the holiday season

‘Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree’: Even in its humblest attire, aglow beside a tiny chapel in Germany’s Karwendel mountains,
a Christmas tree is a wondrous sight.

Ooh la la Galeries Lafayette! In Paris, even the Christmas trees are chic.
With its monumental, baroque dome, plus 10 stories of lights and high fashion, it’s no surprise this show-stopping department store draws more visitors than the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower

LADIES, welcome to the world of swishing… a fashion soiree with a difference.

 Swishing is for eco-conscious fashionistas and their cash-strapped sisters who want to keep their wardrobes looking chic in the recession.

 The popularity of the concept soared after ’60ssupermodel Twiggy set up her own version on TV.

 Here’s how it works: Each woman brings at least five items of chic but unloved clothing or fashion accessories to the party.

 Then they go on the prowl to see what’s on offer.