You may have spoken with someone living with Alzheimer’s disease today and not known it. That’s because there are three distinct stages of the disease. In the first, called early stage or mild Alzheimer’s disease, a person may function independently. He or she may still drive, work and be part of social activities. Despite this, the person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses, such as forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. Friends, family or others close to the individual begin to notice difficulties. During a detailed medical interview, doctors may be ..read more

With the growth in public awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, the proliferation of marketing communications related to research and purported treatments, and regular reports about new findings and regulatory actions, many people have questions about the genetics of Alzheimer’s disease and the value of genetic testing for Alzheimer’s risk – for themselves and for loved ones. Here are some things to know. The genetics of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (such as frontotemporal dementia, Lewy Body dementia, etc.) varies from one disorder to another. At this time, gen ..read more

Remember in the TV show “Star Trek” how Dr. McCoy could simply scan someone with a hand held device and get a diagnosis? We’re not there yet, but a new brain scanning technique is giving researchers more clues into Alzheimer’s disease. It’s now possible to predict with some degree of accuracy where in the brain areas will decrease due to Alzheimer’s disease, simply by identifying where tangles of tau protein have gathered. Tau proteins are crucial to the development and stabilization of what’s called “microtubules” which are essential to healthy brain and body function. When tau proteins ..read more

We all know what Alzheimer’s is – but how many of you know who Alzheimer was? Like Crohn’s disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, or Hodgkin disease, Alzheimer’s disease bears the name of the man who first documented it back in 1901 – Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German psychiatrist and neuropathologist born in Bavaria in 1864. Just after the turn of the century, Dr. Alzheimer, who had been studying senile illnesses, crossed the path of a woman named Auguste Deter, who was a patient at the asylum in Frankfurt, Germany. Deter was 51 years old, and suffering from a variety of strange symptoms, in ..read more

As we greet 2020, a lot of us will make resolutions that we may or may not keep. No matter your goals for the coming year, the Alzheimer’s Association® encourages everyone to include brain health. Did you know that research has shown healthy lifestyle choices may reduce the risk of cognitive decline, and also help reduce the risk of dementia? So, while you ponder that last slice of fruitcake and glass of eggnog, take a look at these tips for brain health. 10 Ways to Love Your Brain Break a sweat. Engage in regular cardiovascular exercise that elevates your heart rate and increases blood ..read more

Just in time for the holidays – a pair of nice presents from drug trials. First, data presented recently at the Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s Disease (CTAD) conference in San Diego focused on the drug Aducanumab. New treatment data will be submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for review for the first time in over a decade. Back in October, the drug’s maker, Biogen, announced plans to pursue approval by the FDA of Aducanumab as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. This decision by the company was based on an analysis of Phase 3 clinical trial results that found a signific ..read more

We’ve been talking about gift giving and the holidays the past couple of weeks. One other item to consider at this time – and actually throughout the year – is the safety of an individual with Alzheimer’s within the home. With care, people living with Alzheimer’s can remain in their homes safely for a longer period of time if safety issues are addressed. However, safety issues will evolve as the disease progresses, so always be sure to re-evaluate safety periodically. The holidays bring extra people into the home, changing a familiar environment. Small children and possibly a visiting dog can ..read more

A Texas holiday tradition is the Nieman-Marcus fantasy gift. Past items have included a yacht and matching his and hers Rolls Royce Coupes. This year’s big item is a James Bond Aston-Martin DBS Superleggera, designed by 007 agent/actor Daniel Craig. The price is $700,007. Naturally, there had to be a 007 in the price somewhere; I think I have the seven dollars in my pocket if someone else has the 700 thousand. Anyone? Anyone? All right, since there are no takers out there to put me in the driver’s seat, we’ll move on to the topic of this week’s column – gifts for those living with Alzheime ..read more

She closed the book, placed it on the table, and finally, decided to walk through the door. “That book was useless” she thought as she pushed open the hospital door leading to her mother’s bed. It did not help her understand why her mother had turned into as she saw it mind a raging lunatic, seeing dead people and forgetting the living. “Mindy?” her mother said in a wavering voice, so unlike the strong booming voice she was used to. “Mindy is your sister Mama, she has been dead for years” “No ” she began to wail, like the forlorn shriek of a bird and the Alzheimer’s nightmare began again. “Mam ..read more

Alzheimer’s disease is devastating – not only for the more than 5 million Americans living with the disease, but also for the more than 16 million family and friends serving as caregivers. The caregiving needs for someone living with Alzheimer’s are extensive and increase over time – on average four-eight years following a diagnosis. Many family caregivers juggle competing priorities including work and other family responsibilities. These caregivers are stretched thin. Many are overwhelmed. Most could use help. Here in Texas there are 1,429,000 family caregivers. During November – National ..read more