Archives for Alzheimer’s Disease

After the Dreaded Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

After the Dreaded Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

June 17, 2013 | Comments Off on After the Dreaded Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

When the doctor says that fateful word, “Alzheimer’s”, it can be devastating not only to the patient but also to the family.  Once a family member is diagnosed with the condition, the question often is what to do next. cash advance First, get more information.  Write down as many questions as you can think of for the next doctor’s visit.  Are there more tests to be done?  What specialists will be involved?  What is the normal progression?  What are medication options?  The doctor will be happy to get you any information that will help you and the patient. Next, begin to research national, state, and local support
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Food for Thought…and Memory

Food for Thought…and Memory

June 13, 2013 | No Comments

Many seniors are reading and doing crossword puzzles to fight off Alzheimer’s disease.  But is it enough?  A recent study showed links to healthy behaviors and good memory, no matter the age of the participant.  This study, done via telephone survey by UCLA, examined how eating, exercising, and smoking affected memory. The first result was that healthy eating positively affected memory in all age groups.  Although it clearly helped the younger participants, it was most dramatic among the seniors in the study.  Those older participants who did not eat well were much more likely to report memory loss. Also, although
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Science and Theatre Join to Celebrate Alzheimer Day

Science and Theatre Join to Celebrate Alzheimer Day

May 7, 2013 | Comments Off on Science and Theatre Join to Celebrate Alzheimer Day

Northwestern Memorial Hospital is once again hosting its annual Alzheimer Day.  This May 9th event allows the public the opportunity to chat with scientists, hear about new research, and attend a reading of a play by a professional Chicago theatre company. Alzheimer Day kicks off with a keynote speech by the Director of the Mayo Alzheimer’s Research Center, Dr. Ronald Peterson.  Dr. Peterson is a leading researcher in the field of Alzheimer’s and non-Alzheimer’s dementia, focusing on the stage between normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease.  His speech, entitled “The Current and Future National Landscape of Alzheimer’s Disease”, promises to include
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Give Thanks to the Fruit Fly

Give Thanks to the Fruit Fly

April 16, 2013 | Comments Off on Give Thanks to the Fruit Fly

Why should we be thanking fruit flies?  Because they may hold the key to understanding aspects of Alzheimer’s disease. mortgage lenders Research is being done using fruit flies to see if “jumping genes”, or transposons, are responsible for deterioration of brain cells in Alzheimer’s patients. To understand this theory, imagine yourself in a library that has many books, all in perfect order.  When you want to find information, everything is so well organized that it takes not time at all to find the book.  Now imagine someone reorganized the books, leaving no logical order.  It would be nearly impossible to
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Successful Alzheimer's Prevention Study Using Beta-blockers

Successful Alzheimer's Prevention Study Using Beta-blockers

April 15, 2013 | Comments Off on Successful Alzheimer's Prevention Study Using Beta-blockers

Beta-blockers are nothing new.  Doctors have been prescribing them for years as a way to control high blood pressure.  But now, scientists are beginning to believe that beta-blockers may have another health application as well: protecting the brain from Alzheimer’s disease. http://www.refinancehomemortgagee.com mortgage rates today According to LA Times, a recent study performed autopsies on over 700 male brains, and found that those who had taken beta-blockers for hypertension (high blood pressure) had less evidence of brain lesions commonly found in Alzheimer’s disease.  Those men also had less evidence of tiny strokes, called micro infarcts.  So, according to the researchers,
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