Aspirin, already one of the most widely used medications in the world, may represent a new avenue for reducing Alzheimer’s disease pathology, according to new research. The discovery, made via a mouse-model study, was published in JNeurosci, a journal of the Society for Neuroscience. The exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease progression still isn’t known, although… Continue reading Aspirin and Alzheimer’s
Category: Alzheimer’s
New Evidence That Viruses May Play A Part in Alzheimer’s
Viral species, especially herpes viruses, may have a role in Alzheimer’s disease biology, according to a new analysis. Researchers funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), made the discovery by harnessing data from brain banks and cohort studies participating in the Accelerating Medicines Partnership – Alzheimer’s… Continue reading New Evidence That Viruses May Play A Part in Alzheimer’s
Talking with a Family Member about Alzheimer’s
Having a conversation about Alzheimer’s is never easy. A new survey from the Alzheimer’s Association found that 76 percent of Americans are concerned about offending and 69 percent worry about ruining their relationship if they confront a family member about observed signs of Alzheimer’s. With June being Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, the Alzheimer’s Association… Continue reading Talking with a Family Member about Alzheimer’s
Sleep Deprivation and Alzheimer’s
Scientists have uncovered an unsettling link between brief episodes of sleep deprivation and Alzheimer’s. Losing just one night of sleep led to an immediate increase in beta-amyloid, a protein in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease, according to a small, recent study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health. In Alzheimer’s disease, beta-amyloid proteins… Continue reading Sleep Deprivation and Alzheimer’s
New Report Reveals Sharp Increases in Alzheimer’s Prevalence, Deaths and Cost of Care
A new report from the Alzheimer’s Association reveals the staggering cost of that illness and other dementias, while an accompanying study emphasizes the personal benefits and long-term cost savings of an early diagnosis. The report also cited a sharp increase in Alzheimer’s deaths – 123 percent – even as deaths from other major causes decrease.… Continue reading New Report Reveals Sharp Increases in Alzheimer’s Prevalence, Deaths and Cost of Care
Money Problems and Alzheimer’s
People with Alzheimer’s disease often have problems managing their money. In fact, money problems may be one of the first noticeable signs of the disease. Here, the experts from the National Institute on Aging tell you how to recognize, and handle, this problem. Early on, a person with Alzheimer’s may be able to perform basic… Continue reading Money Problems and Alzheimer’s
Additional Help Now Available for Alzheimer’s Patients and Caregivers
Thanks to expanded hours for The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA)’s national toll-free help line, patients and caregivers will have additional opportunities to talk about their concerns with the organization. The helpline, which was previously open Monday through Saturday, has added Sunday hours. AFA’s helpline, (866-232-8484), staffed entirely by licensed social workers trained in dementia… Continue reading Additional Help Now Available for Alzheimer’s Patients and Caregivers
Bathing, Dressing, Grooming: Alzheimer’s Caregiving Tips
Expert tips from the National Institute on Aging about some of the most necessary yet difficult activities of caregiving: At some point, people with Alzheimer’s disease will need help bathing, combing their hair, brushing their teeth, and getting dressed. Because these are private activities, people may not want help. They may feel embarrassed about being… Continue reading Bathing, Dressing, Grooming: Alzheimer’s Caregiving Tips
Battling a Deadly Alzheimer’s Protein
Researchers have demonstrated that there is a way to reduce in the brain the amount of amyloid beta – the protein that is believed to be the major cause of Alzheimer’s. Substances that reduce the production of amyloid beta are therefore promising candidates for new drug treatments. A team at the Technical University of Munich… Continue reading Battling a Deadly Alzheimer’s Protein
Making The Home Safe for A Person with Alzheimer’s
Here, from the Alzheimer’s Disease and Education Referral Center (ADEAR), a service of the National Institute on Aging, are some strategies for caregivers to make an Alzheimer’s patient’s home as safe as possible: Over time, people with Alzheimer’s disease become less able to manage around the house. As a caregiver, you can do many things… Continue reading Making The Home Safe for A Person with Alzheimer’s
Communicating with A Person Who Has Alzheimer’s
Here, from the experts at the National Institute on Aging, are some strategies to deal with an often frustrating and heartbreaking issue: communicating with people who have Alzheimer’s. Communication is hard for people with Alzheimer’s disease because they have trouble remembering things. They may struggle to find words or forget what they want to say.… Continue reading Communicating with A Person Who Has Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s Caregiving Tips: Going Out
People in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease may still enjoy going out to places they enjoyed in the past. For example, the person might enjoy going to a favorite restaurant, park, shopping mall, swimming pool, museum, or theater. Keep going on these outings as long as you are comfortable with them. Here, from the… Continue reading Alzheimer’s Caregiving Tips: Going Out
New Help in Fighting Alzheimer’s?
A compound called rapamycin (photo above) may help address neurologic damage such as Alzheimer’s disease, new research shows. A study by Oregon State investigators published in Aging Cell outlines a new understanding of how this compound works. “It’s possible this could provide a new therapeutic approach to neurologic disease,” said Viviana Perez, an assistant professor… Continue reading New Help in Fighting Alzheimer’s?
Bathroom Safety for People with Alzheimer’s
People with Alzheimer’s face substantial difficulties in navigating their home. While they may be altogether restricted from some rooms, such as the kitchen, patients will need to use the bathroom, sometimes on their own. The National Institute of Aging’s experts tell you how you can keep a loved one safe in these circumstances: Do not… Continue reading Bathroom Safety for People with Alzheimer’s
Healthy Eating for Alzheimer’s Patients
Eating healthy foods helps everyone stay well. It’s even more important for people with Alzheimer’s disease. Here are some tips for healthy eating, from the experts at the Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center (ADEAR) of the National Institute on Aging: Buying and Preparing Food When the person with Alzheimer’s disease lives with you: Buy… Continue reading Healthy Eating for Alzheimer’s Patients
Why Glucose Level in Brain Signals Alzheimer’s
One of the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s disease is a decline in glucose levels in the brain. It appears in the early stages of mild cognitive impairment – before symptoms of memory problems begin to surface. Whether it is a cause or consequence of neurological dysfunction has been unclear, but new research at the Lewis… Continue reading Why Glucose Level in Brain Signals Alzheimer’s
Antidepressant Use and Fracture Risk
Antidepressant use nearly doubles the risk of hip fracture among community-dwelling persons with Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study from the University of Eastern Finland. The increased risk was highest at the beginning of antidepressant use and remained elevated even four years later. The findings were published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.… Continue reading Antidepressant Use and Fracture Risk
FDA Facilitates Research on Earlier Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a nightmare haunting many Americans. More than 5 million Americans have been diagnosed with the disease, which is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and the most common cause of dementia among people 60 or older. Alzheimer’s is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and… Continue reading FDA Facilitates Research on Earlier Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease