A new report from the Alzheimer’s Association called Generation Alzheimer’s sheds yet more light on the disease. “Alzheimeräó»s äóñ with its broad ranging impact on individuals, families, Medicare and Medicaid – has the power to bring the country to its financial knees,” said Robert J. Egge, vice president of Public...
Tag: Alzheimer’s
Caregivers Have Both Positive and Negative Views of Their Caregiving
One-half of caregivers of individuals with Alzheimeräó»s disease or dementia surveyed for a new caregiver study find an equal balance of positive and negative experiences in their caregiving.æ One-third (33 percent) say their caregiving experience is more positive than negative. That from the 2011 report, äóìWhat Made You Think Mom...
Widely Used Drug Ineffective for Mild Alzheimer’s
As reported in Health.com, a drug widely used to treat mild Alzheimer’s disease appears to provide no benefit to this group of early stage patients, according to a new analysis of previously conducted research.æ Memantine, also known by its brand name, Namenda, is approved by the Food and Drug Administration...
Alzheimer Caregiver Toll
A USA Today article recently looked at the toll on Alzheimer’s caregivers citing recent reports from the Alzheimer’s Association. Among the highlights: 15 million unpaid caregivers help someone with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia in the USA äóî 37% more than last year. an estimated 5.4 million people are...
Alzheimer’s Often Misdiagnosed
Alzheimer’s disease may not be as prevalent as commonly believed. New research indicates that Alzheimer’s diagnoses often may be wrong. In a research study, only about half of 211 study subjects diagnosed with Alzheimer’s while alive were found during autopsies to have brain conditions commonly association with the disease. While...
Eat Drink and Be Merry – Scientists Said So!
Leave it to German researchers to conduct a study where they found that elderly adults who consume about two alcoholic beverages per day are at a significantly lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia than non-drinkers. Researchers said that study subjects were 30% less likely to develop dementia, and...
Alzheimer’s Plaques Might Begin in the Liver
The brain äóìplaquesäó commonly associated with Alzheimer’s disease might actually originate in the liver, according to scientists at Scripps Research Institute in a study published in The Journal of Neuroscience Research. Researchers evaluated the effect of three different genes on the presence of amyloid-beta plaques in the brain. Lower gene...
Blood Test for Alzheimer’s. Would You Want to Know?
Scientists have developed an antibody-screening blood test that may one day be used to detect diseases such as Alzheimer’s. The test allows scientists to identify biomarkers for any disease to which the immune system reacts. Additional testing needs to be conducted before this can be introduced into mainstream medicine. Independently,...
Alzheimer’s Test Clears Hurdle
From McKnight’s – An advisory committee to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration voted unanimously last week that the FDA should approve a brain scan that can identify the beta amyloid plaques that characterize Alzheimer’s in living persons. The FDA typically follows the advice of the advisory committee. Prior to...
South Korea’s War on Dementia is Something U.S. Should Emulate
The New York Times has reported that South Korea is training thousands of adults and children to become äóìdementia supportersäó as part of the country’s recently launched äóìWar on Dementia.äó These supporters are taught to recognize the symptoms of dementia and techniques for comforting those who are afflicted. Even kids...