as of September 6, 2010
Alzheimer's Disease Corner
OVERVIEW
Alzheimer's disease (AD), one form of dementia, is a progressive, degenerative brain disease. It affects memory, thinking, and behavior.
There are two types of AD -- early onset and late onset. In early onset AD, symptoms first appear before age 60. Early onset AD is much less common, accounting for only 5-10% of cases. However, it tends to progress rapidly.
CAUSES/RISK FACTORS
The cause of AD is not entirely known but is thought to include both genetic and environmental factors. A diagnosis of AD is made based on characteristic symptoms and by excluding other causes of dementia.
The older you get, the greater your risk of developing AD, although it is not a part of normal aging.
In addition to age, risk factors for AD may include:
-Family history of AD
-Longstanding high blood pressure
-History of head trauma
-High levels of homocysteine (a body chemical that contributes to chronic illnesses such as heart disease, depression, and possibly AD)
-Female gender -- because women usually live longer than men, they are more likely to develop AD
SYMPTOMS
In the early stages, the symptoms of AD may be subtle and resemble signs that people mistakenly attribute to "natural aging." Symptoms often include:
-Repeating statements
-Misplacing items
-Having trouble finding names for familiar objects
-Getting lost on familiar routes
-Personality changes
-Losing interest in things previously enjoyed
-Difficulty performing tasks that take some thought, but used to come easily, like balancing a checkbook, playing complex games (such as bridge), and learning new information or routines
In a more advanced stage, symptoms are more obvious:
-Forgetting details about current events
-Forgetting events in your own life history, losing awareness of who you are
-Problems choosing proper clothing
-Hallucinations, arguments, striking out, and violent behavior
-Delusions, depression, agitation
-Difficulty performing basic tasks like preparing meals and driving
At end stages of AD, a person can no longer survive without assistance. Most people in this stage no longer:
-Understand language
-Recognize family members
-Perform basic activities of daily living such as eating, dressing, and bathing
CARE/TREATMENT
Unfortunately, there is no cure for AD. The goals in treating AD are to:
-Slow the progression of the disease.
-Manage behavior problems, confusion, and agitation.
-Modify the home environment.
-Support family members and other caregivers.
The most promising treatments include lifestyle changes, medications, and antioxidant supplements like vitamin E and ginkgo biloba.
PREVENTION
Although there is no proven way to prevent AD, there are some practices that may be worth incorporating into your daily routine, particularly if you have a family history of dementia. Talk to your doctor about any of these approaches, especially those that involve taking a medication or supplement.
-Consume a low-fat diet.
-Eat cold-water fish (like tuna, salmon, and mackerel) rich in omega-3 fatty acids, at least 2 to 3 times per week.
-Reduce your intake of linoleic acid found in margarine, butter, and dairy products.
-Increase antioxidants like carotenoids, vitamin E, and vitamin C by eating plenty of darkly colored fruits and vegetables.
-Maintain a normal blood pressure.
-Stay mentally and socially active throughout your life.
-Consider taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), sulindac (Clinoril), or indomethacin (Indocin).
-Statin drugs, a class of medications normally used for high cholesterol, may help lower your risk of AD. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of using these medications for prevention.
In addition, early testing of a vaccine against AD is underway.
Real Stories, Expert Advice
Health Corner Videos: Alzheimer's Disease
Bouillabaisse: ChefMD® Healthy Recipe
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Servings: 4
Calories: 231 per serving (28% from fat)
ChefMD® Ingredient: Halibut
Food as Medicine Tip:
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Resources
Alzheimer's Association
Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center
American Health Assistance Foundation
In the News: Alzheimer's Disease
Dementia Research Receives £1.5 Million Boost, UK
Mon, 06 Sep 2010 02:00:00 PDT
http://mnt.to/f/3Jmv
Research that could take scientists a step closer to discovering the cause of Alzheimer's and a study on how to improve care for people with dementia in hospitals are two of nine projects announced. The nine research projects have been made possible following a £1.5 million grant jointly from Alzheimer's Society and the Bupa Foundation...
Cancer Drug Model Could Be A Potential Treatment For Alzheimer's - Alzheimer's Society Comment
Fri, 03 Sep 2010 05:00:00 PDT
http://mnt.to/f/3Jgw
Treatments modelled on the cancer drug Gleevec could potentially prevent the formation of amyloid plaques - one of the major hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease according to a study. Treatments modelled on the cancer drug Gleevec could potentially prevent the formation of amyloid plaques - one of the major hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease according to a study published in the journal Nature...