Allan Appel: View people as living with, not dying from, Alzheimer's disease

TC Palm
By Allan Appel
The most significant concern of those with the early stage of Alzheimer's is the effect on daily life. The key here is one's independence.
Friends and relatives of people with the early stage of Alzheimer's disease face a major adjustment in their lives. But the patients must deal with their own distinct issues.
The Alzheimer's Association recently released a report entitled "Voices of Alzheimer's Disease: Summary Report on the Nationwide Town Hall Meetings for People with Early Stage Dementia."
The report focuses on the opportunity of those with the early stage of Alzheimer's to actively participate in their own course of treatment. Memory loss and functional decline are well-known aspects of Alzheimer's, but this report focuses on the patients' remaining abilities and especially how they wish to be treated and viewed by medical professionals and by the public.
One of the biggest issues is the stigma of the disease and its impact on relationships. A contrast is drawn between focusing on patients living with the disease, rather than dying from it.
Dealing with the diagnostic process and follow-up care are also major concerns for those with the early stage of Alzheimer's. There seems to be a general lack of direction for those newly diagnosed. There is no "road map," if you will, to guide patients through the maze of medical care.
A diagnosis of Alzheimer's can be really scary. So much is unknown and lack of knowledge results in fear, and that fear extends......read the whole article

Web surfing could keep dementia at bay

MSNBC
By Andrea Thompson
Senior Writer
For middle-aged and older adults, searching the Internet could be a boost to the brain, a new study suggests.

In recent years, several studies have showed a link between pursuing activities that keep the mind engaged, such as crossword puzzles and memory games, and a lowered risk of cognitive decline later in life.

As the brain ages, a number of structural and functional changes occur, including atrophy, reductions in cell activity, and increases in deposits of amyloid plaques and tau tangles (both associated with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias ), all of which can affect...read the whole story

Exercise vs Alzheimer's

—McClatchy Tribune newspapers
September 19, 2008
After putting 160 elderly volunteers through a battery of exercises, researchers at the University of Kansas School of Medicine say exercising and staying physically fit may slow the relentless, mind-robbing progress of Alzheimer's disease. "This offers hope for all of us," said KU neurologist Jeffrey Burns. "Exercise is cheap. Everybody can do it. If it does impact Alzheimer's disease, we should be treating people with exercise."

Implications
About 5.2 million Americans now live with Alzheimer's. By 2050, that number could swell to 11 million to 16 million. If ways can be found to postpone Alzheimer's by as little as two years, nearly 2 million cases of the disease could be avoided.

Brain shrinkage
Burns and his colleagues have found that brain shrinkage, an inevitable consequence of Alzheimer's, was less pronounced in people who had the disease and were physically fit. By doing scans that.....read the whole article

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Expertise counts with deep brain stimulation

Chicago Tribune
Judith Graham

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Expertise counts with deep brain stimulation
With deep brain stimulation, as with many complicated medical procedures, it’s important to evaluate the expertise of physicians and hospitals before signing up as a patient.

This expensive treatment—it costs up to $150,000 or more--is now being offered by more than 300 medical centers across the U.S.

In a story today, I examine how physicians and scientists are exploring the use of the therapy for a variety of neurological and psychological conditions.

Currently, deep brain stimulation is approved by the Food and Drug Administration only for use in patients with Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor. Patients with dystonia can also get the treatment under a FDA humanitarian device exemption.

Hospitals’ experience with this therapy varies widely. Some centers treat up to 100 or more patients a year; others treat only a handful.

Some medical centers do extraordinarily careful workups to identify patients most likely to benefit from deep brain stimulation; others don’t.

Not all physicians carefully monitor patients who’ve had the procedure to make sure they’re deriving the maximum possible benefit.

And not all surgeons are expert at placing electrodes at exactly the right spot in the brains of patients. If the electrode is 1 or 2 millimeters off target.....read the rest of the story and comments

Exercise can slow memory loss in progress

Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Here are more interesting dementiaarticles and activities,

ABC7Chicago

Now a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds exercise can even slow down memory loss in those that are already having difficulty.(Alzheimers)
Doctors followed 170 seniors with mild memory problems. Half were encouraged to exercise a couple hours per week while the other half kept to their normal activities.

Most of the participants in the exercise program chose walking, and after six months they had .... read more of Exercise can slow memory loss in progress

Biological Marker For Alzheimer's Holds Promise For Earlier Diagnosis And Treatment

ScienceDaily (July 12, 2008) — Researchers at Robarts Research Institute at The University of Western Ontario have found clear evidence that increases in the size of the brain ventricles are directly associated with cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.

Ventricles are fluid-filled cavities in the brain. The research, led by Robarts scientist Robert Bartha, shows the volume of the brain ventricles expands as surrounding tissue dies.
Currently, diagnosis for Alzheimer’s relies on neuro-cognitive assessments, such as testing of memory, ability to problem solve, count, etc. Definitive diagnosis is not possible until after death when an autopsy can reveal the presence of amyloid plaques and ‘tangles’ in brain tissue.
Previous research has shown the link between ventricle size and Alzheimer’s over longer time intervals.

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Links to related stories

Scientists unlock Alzheimer's riddle

Potential shortcut to diagnosing Alzheimer's developed in London

MRI scan may offer faster way to detect Alzheimer's

This information shows we are getting closer to an earlier diagnosis, better treatment, and a potential cure.

What do you think?

New promising findings in Alzheimers research

By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID

WASHINGTON (AP) — Researchers have uncovered a new clue to the cause of Alzheimer's disease. The brains of people with the memory-robbing form of dementia are cluttered with a plaque made up of beta-amyloid, a sticky protein. But there long has been a question whether this is a cause of the disease or a side effect. Also involved are tangles of a protein called tau; some scientists suspect this is the cause.

Now, researchers have caused Alzheimer's symptoms in rats by injecting them with one particular form of beta-amyloid. Injections with other forms of beta-amyloid did not cause illness, which may explain why some people have beta-amyloid plaque in their brains but do not show disease symptoms.

The findings by a team led by Dr. Ganesh M. Shankar and Dr. Dennis J. Selkoe of Harvard Medical School were reported in Sunday's online edition of the journal Nature Medicine.

The researchers used extracts from the brains of people who donated their bodies to medicine.

A lot of work needs to be done," Morrison-Bogorad said. "Nature keeps sending us down paths that look straight at the beginning, but there are a lot of curves before we get to the end."
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The Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center Web site will help you find current, comprehensive Alzheimer's disease (AD) information and resources from the National Institute on Aging (NIA

Successful Communication Tips for Dementia

As dementia progresses, it becomes more difficult for individuals to express their thoughts and feelings, as well as to understand what is being communicated to them. In order to enhance communication with your loved one, try the following tips:

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Staving off dementia in older women

It has been difficult to make a solid connection between social separation, dementia, and cognitive function. Women, in particular, become socially isolated as they age.

This study shows that women who are more socially active display less dementia

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An Amber Alert for seniors?

Early on the afternoon of Feb. 26, Mary Zelter signed out of her assisted living facility in Largo, Fla., and slipped behind the wheel of her white Sebring convertible for a quick run to the store.
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Interacting with those affected by dementia

Senior News
Caring for an elder with Alzheimer's disease or related disorders may be challenging. Communication is impaired and most older adults with dementia experience and demonstrate unusual behaviors. The way in which the caregiver acts or reacts to their behavior can make the difference between the elder being calm or agitated.

Whether they are resisting care or showing apathy or aggression, the person with dementia is attempting communication. Caregivers must try to "hear" their language and consider the person's environment, personality, history, likes, dislikes, and potential unmet needs. Caregiver actions which emphasize understanding and accommodate the persons' needs are much more successful than those which emphasize control. The overall goal should be to enhance self-respect by promoting comfort and dignity.

During the recent caregiver's conference, Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Merritt Andruss taught the following principles of dementia care:

1) The two golden rules of dementia care are as follows: Rule One: If the person is not doing anything to hurt themselves or others, let them do it. Rule Two: The person with dementia can't change; therefore, you (the caregiver) must change or change the environment.

2) The three "Cs" of communication (consistent, concise

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Special gifts for the man with dementia on Father's Day

Finding the right gift for the man with dementia this Father's Day is easy. There are many wonderful items you can buy or make that will make the time you spend together meaningful.

First on the list of gifts is a book by Susan Berg called: "Adorable Photographs of Our Baby -- Meaningful, Mind-Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals". This book features baby photographs that men with dementia will love. This book shares a plethora of ideas and resources for you, the gift-giver. Men with dementia do love babies.

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Nature’s Bounty Vs. Dementia- More News

Is there promise of antioxidants from fruits and vegetables reversing Alzheimer's disease? Another study showing essentially the same thing. Titled "Molecules in Plants May Have Beneficial Effect on Alzheimer's Disease," this report was found on newswise.com. The article cites a study led by researchers the University of South Florida and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center which was published in Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine.
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Top Rejuvenating Spring Activities For Those With Dementia

Over 5 million people in the US now have Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. Countless others are affected by this. Spring is the perfect opportunity to continue to stimulate their minds and bodies Follow these tips to make the life of a person with dementia more meaningful for him/her. The relationship they have with their family will also improve.

Of course, person appropriate offerings are the best. This means matching the activity to a person's interests and abilities, However, there are some pursuits that will make them smile no matter what.

Here are some easy fun, yet mind stimulating activities anyone can do with someone who has dementia.

Connect to nature

In spring flowers start to bloom. This is the perfect time to arrange flowers and discuss the favorite flowers of all. You can talk about flower colors scents, where flowers grow as well as any other characteristics about flowers that seem appropriate. This discussion and activity will stimulate their mind and give a dementia person a feeling of self worth

Go outdoors as often as possible. The fresh air is an elixir to creative and fun feelings. It is almost like being reborn. If you cannot go outside, open the windows and let the fresh air in.

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Celery's Brain-Saving Pigment May Fight Alzheimer's, Study Says

Do you like celery?
continue reading for another reason to eat celery
May 19 (Bloomberg) -- A chemical in celery reduced brain inflammation linked to Alzheimer's disease in a study of mice that suggests some plants help protect the brain.

Mice that drank water spiked with the chemical, an antioxidant called luteolin also found in hot peppers, parsley and chamomile tea, had less inflammation than other rodents when researchers tested them with a bacteria, according to a study in the May 27 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Brain inflammation has been linked in other studies to Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis and memory loss. This study, the first to focus on luteolin's brain-protecting properties, showed the substance modulates the body's response to diseases that inflame the brain. Luteolin and other plant chemicals, called flavonoids, also reduce cardiovascular disease and stroke in humans.

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Dementia, brain health and blueberries

Studies show that blueberries protect the brain against the effects of age-related
short-term memory loss found in folks with dementia. This is due to the antioxidant actions of flavonoids found in blueberries

In one study, Jim Joseph, Director of the neuroscience laboratory in the USDA Human Nutrition Center found that blueberry-fed mice performed better than their control group counterparts in motor behavioral learning and memory, and increased in exploratory behaviour

Preliminary results show that people who ate a cup of blueberries a day have performed 5-6% better on motor skills tests than the control group

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Exercise Now Can Help Lessen Dementia Later

Developing dementia is a common fear, especially for those who have seen a loved one go through the agonizing and progressive mental decline that Alzheimer's brings. We all want to maintain great memory, mental clarity and brain power throughout our life. Given that, here are three studies on Alzheimer's recently in the news:

High cholesterol in your 40's may increase your risk of developing Alzheimer's. A study researching the link between middle-age cholesterol and Alzheimer's risk looked at more than 9,000 people in northern California. It found that those with high cholesterol levels between ages 40 and 45 were about 50 percent more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease decades later.

This study highlights why prevention is so important _ and that it is never too early to start thinking about making lifestyle changes. Forty-year-olds with elevated cholesterol may not feel that it is terribly important to decrease their cholesterol _ especially if they are in otherwise good health. But the young age of 40 may be exactly the time to start preventing Alzheimer's disease.

Exercising in your 50s and 60s can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's. Mayo researchers looked at more than 800 people as part of the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging. They found that moderate physical exercise between the ages of 50 and 65 was associated with a reduced risk of cognitive impairment

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Dementia Caregiver? 4+ Ways You Can Take a Break

You may know about art therapy for people with Alzheimer's and other dementias. But caregivers can benefit by using the arts, too -- as a break. It's an often-overlooked, quick pick-me-up, handy if a vacation is only a daydream and you're not into meditative breathing.

Gay Hanna, executive director for the National Center for Creative Aging, which offers a resource directory on arts programs, says the benefits of art definitely work to heal cared-for and caregiver alike. So....

WRITE

Keep a diary. Write a letter. Pour your heart out on looseleaf and burn it up after. Or join this online study by Dr. Howard Butcher at the University of Iowa, who's researching the effects of writing as stress relief for dementia caregivers specifically. Lots of studies have shown that writing has mental and physical health benefits for people in other stressful situations.

Or, of course, blog! Nikki of Dementia... Read more

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Dementia facts and figures

In the current issue of Alzheimer's & Dementia, the Alzheimer's Association released their report on 2008 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures. According to the report, approximately 1 in 8, or 10 million, baby boomers in the United States will develop Alzheimer's disease in their lifetime. The report also estimated that as many as 5.2 million people in the United States are currently living with Alzheimer's, including up to a quarter of a million people under the age of 65.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, or cognitive deterioration and memory loss, in the United States. It is the fifth leading cause of death for Americans over the age of 65, and it represents a significant source of disability, as well as healthcare costs of nearly 150 billion dollars each year. Alzheimer's disease can be devastating both to the individual and to his/her caregivers
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Memory Loss in Hyperactive State With Alzheimer's

FRIDAY, March 7 (HealthDay News) -- Memory loss, where the brain deletes inconsequential information, is in a hyperactive state in people with Alzheimer's disease, a new study suggests.

Researchers at California's Buck Institute for Age Research analyzed human brain tissue and found that people with Alzheimer's disease (AD) showed more signs of cleavage of a molecule called amyloid precursor protein (APP) than people without the disease.

But when they analyzed the brains of younger people without Alzheimer's, the researchers were surprised to find that they had about 10 times as much APP cleavage as Alzheimer's patients. However, younger brains make memories faster than they lose them.

The Buck Institute team believes that the malfunction of a biochemical switch associated with APP cleavage causes the brains of Alzheimer's patients to get stuck in the process of deleting memories. They added that this suggests the disease affects the plasticity or malleability of the brain.

The study was published in the March 7 issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
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courtesy of alzheimersideas