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Alzheimer's Disease News
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1 Mar 2010 at 10:51pm HealthDay - MONDAY, March 1 (HealthDay News) -- Noting that brain scans suggest that a new drug reduces plaque deposits in the brains of certain Alzheimer's patients by 25 percent compared to a placebo, researchers say the scans could become a useful tool to study treatments for the disease. 10 Feb 2010 at 10:49pm HealthDay - WEDNESDAY, Feb. 10 (HealthDay News) -- Damage to specific parts of the brain boosted levels of spiritual thinking and feeling in patients, a finding that adds new insight into the connection between religious attitudes and the physical makeup of the mind, researchers say. |
11 Mar 2010 at 6:58pm According to a new study, people who have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease have a higher risk of developing melanoma, the most deadly type of skin cancer. 10 Mar 2010 at 9:00pm Having a purpose in life may help ward off Alzheimer's disease, a new study suggests. 25 Feb 2010 at 5:12pm Data collected over 13 years on 2,929 people suggests that people who were hospitalized for non-critical illnesses were 40 percent more likely to develop dementia than those who were not hospitalized. 24 Feb 2010 at 7:52pm High levels of damaged tau proteins may help doctors predict Alzheimer's disease in healthy adults. 23 Feb 2010 at 2:32pm Diabetics who are under a lot of stress are more at risk for mental decline as they age, researchers have found. 22 Feb 2010 at 9:33pm Taking a long nap in the afternoon appears to prepare the brain to remember things, a new study has found. 11 Feb 2010 at 3:09pm According to new research, high blood pressure may predict dementia in seniors who have problems organizing their thoughts and making decisions. 10 Feb 2010 at 11:19am Eating a Mediterranean-style diet rich in foods such as nuts, olive oil, fish, and fruit can not only protect against heart disease, but it can also help protect the aging brain from damage that causes cognitive decline. 3 Feb 2010 at 2:40pm Many elderly women with cognitive impairment are being given mammograms unnecessarily, a new study has found--particularly if they are married and have a net worth of more than $100,000. 3 Feb 2010 at 2:04pm British researchers say that dementia costs the country 37 billion dollars per year--more than cancer and heart disease combined. 25 Jan 2010 at 11:58am Congressional Democrats' plans to reform the U.S. health care system are uncertain in the wake of a Massachusetts election that delivered the seat long held by the late Senator Edward Kennedy to a Republican. 20 Jan 2010 at 12:08pm According to mental health expert Dr. Dan Tobin, knowing how to tackle eight basic activities can help ease a caregivers stress. 19 Jan 2010 at 11:51am Studies suggest that singing is beneficial for physical health, including for people with Alzheimer's, asthma, and COPD, as well as for mental health, such as depression and anxiety. 15 Jan 2010 at 2:20pm In mice, even small amount of amyloid plaques affected olfactory sense. 15 Jan 2010 at 1:50pm Study found husbands more vulnerable than wives, black men affected most of all. by Dorian Martin 3 Mar 2010 at 1:59pm As I’ve aged, I’ve seen my blood pressure start to go up. I always thought I’d have the low blood pressure that my mom always bragged about, but it seems that I may have a tendency toward my dad’s genetics in this case. At this point, I don’t need medications, but a recent story in the Houston Chronicle gives me every reason to make sure that I remain as proactive as possible in maintaining a healthy... by Dorian Martin 23 Feb 2010 at 3:08pm Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about departures. Part of this is due to my Netflix choices, and part due to my reading list. First, let me tell you about “Departures”, which was the Academy Award winner for best foreign language film in 2008. The movie follows the life of lead character, Daigo Kobayashi, who is left without a job... by Dorian Martin 18 Feb 2010 at 1:25pm Recently, I’ve been sorting through my mom’s clothes, which had been stored since 2006 in plastic tubs in my garage. This activity brought back a lot of memories. I found the clothes that she would wear when we went to the opera in 2000 and the clothes that I would see her in when she was gardening. And as I opened up one of the lids, I saw some of her favorite clothes, ones that she would wear when we were going out to dinner to... by Dorian Martin 17 Feb 2010 at 12:44pm As her Alzheimer’s progressed, Mom would become extremely unhappy when people began to treat her like she was a child or an imbecile. For instance, an allergy doctor talked directly to me about Mom’s condition and just ignored Mom (who was sitting in the room) during a consultation. I could feel Mom’s anger start to bubble like red hot lava ready to exit a volcano. Sure enough, once we left the room she firmly stated her... by Dorian Martin 1 Feb 2010 at 12:43pm My particular exercise class of choice most Saturdays is a group class that involves an hour of lifting weights. The class’s routine hits all of the major muscle groups, which I and my fellow exercisers do to the exaltations of the class instructor and the bouncy songs that take the mind’s focus off of the potential discomfort of doing multiple repetitions. This particular class tends to be full of women in their 30s-50s, with a... by Dorian Martin 25 Jan 2010 at 5:19pm Now that we’ve got one foot firmly planted into 2010, I thought it would be a good time to add a different take to the Top 10 lists. Since I’m no longer in a formal caregiving role for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, my attention has moved to a different set of concerns – what I can do to prevent this terrible disease since it seems to run on my mom’s side of the family. Therefore, I thought I’d share my own Top... by Dorian Martin 19 Jan 2010 at 4:32pm Alzheimer’s disease was the subject of several television shows last week prior to the continual coverage of the natural disaster in Haiti. Last Tuesday, CBS News featured a report on Alzheimer’s in its “Where America Stands” segment. In addition, Dr. Mehmet Oz featured a segment on Alzheimer’s during his show... by Dorian Martin 13 Jan 2010 at 5:26pm In mid-December, my father passed a copy of the local newspaper to me with a story starred by the headline to catch my attention. The headline stated, “Police: Woman killed ailing mom.” The article said that Jeanne Sevigny, 59, was accused of fatally shooting her mother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, in 2006. Police believe... by Dorian Martin 11 Jan 2010 at 4:07pm In my last post, I shared some figures from the 2009 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures published by the Alzheimer’s Association. This week, I wanted to add some more pertinent information that can help inform those who have the disease as well as caregivers, policymakers and other interested parties. The information below is scary, not only for its impact on the individual and a family, but also the potential drag to the... by Dorian Martin 4 Jan 2010 at 4:28pm As we enter 2010, many people are thinking about New Year’s resolutions. In setting those resolutions, most people often begin with the end in mind and also try to have an idea of the starting place. It’s the same with the battle against Alzheimer’s - we need to know what the current state of affairs is before we move forward in trying to provide support. Therefore, I wanted to share some interesting information from the... by Jacqueline Marcell 2 Feb 2009 at 4:08pm When I began caring for my elderly parents (both with early Alzheimer’s not properly diagnosed), I was shocked to read that family caregivers are often more depressed than those they care for. And caregivers who have a chronic illness have a 63% higher death rate than their peers of the same age. A year later, without a day off with my “challenging” elderly father—I was surprised the statistic was that... by Jacqueline Marcell 23 Dec 2008 at 9:56am Ohhhh, I had this exact situation while I was caring for my parents, so I know how exasperating it is! Actually I went through 40 caregivers that first year—most applicants only there for about ten minutes as my father would be so nasty they’d run out--or he’d just throw them out of the house. Here’s what I unfortunately had to learn the hard way! Keep in mind that any kind of change is often frightening... by Jacqueline Marcell 1 Dec 2008 at 4:23pm At one of my recent seminars, an “at-her-wit’s-end” adult daughter, Sally, rushed up afterward pleading for my advice on how to get her elderly parents to move to Assisted Living before their health deteriorated any further. She lived cross-country and was terrified about them being alone as there had already been a few close calls—like the time her father left the gas stove on without it lighting, filling the house... by Jacqueline Marcell 6 Nov 2008 at 3:07pm My challenging elderly father always said he was feeling a bit chilly, but he’d refuse to put on a sweater or more clothes at home, nor would he wear a jacket over his thin summer clothes whenever he went outside, which of course he also wore in the winter. A wonderful caregiver (Ariana) and I constantly offered warm soups and warm liquids, but he’d refuse, only wanting to eat corn flakes with cold milk. We also constantly... by Jacqueline Marcell 15 Oct 2008 at 5:45am Recently I was so dismayed to see a sweet little elderly lady (obviously suffering from dementia) and her devoted adult daughter, being delayed and searched at an airport checkpoint. The daughter was a bit heavy and apparently her underwire bra kept setting off the alarm, which finally embarrassed her to tears. The mom, seeing her daughter getting so upset, got so frightened and confused that soon she was in a frenzied panic. I... by Jacqueline Marcell 3 Oct 2008 at 2:23pm When my mother had a heart attack and was in a coma for months, the doctor told us that she was without oxygen for far too long and that we should “pull the plug” because if she ever came to, “she’d just be a vegetable.” My father and I were so stunned and furious to be told such a thing and flatly refused. We decided to try an around-the-clock vigil talking, lightly massaging and grooming her. I remember the doctor... by Jacqueline Marcell 22 Sep 2008 at 2:10pm I have spent eight years promoting the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of dementia and am certain that misinformation, denial, and untrained GP’s are still the biggest factors preventing families from getting elderly loved ones properly evaluated. The mild and intermittently odd behaviors that gradually increase year after year continue to get chalked up to advancing age and nothing more. And even when it becomes very... by Jacqueline Marcell 30 Jul 2008 at 9:29am When people hear about what I went through during the year of caring for my elderly parents, they often ask what I would do differently if I had to relive the experience with the knowledge I have now. I sigh and say, "Ohhh, if only I could! I'd know exactly what to do to help my parents much sooner and I would be able to save so much time, money, and a fortune in Kleenex!" If you are heading into the eldercare years, please learn from my... by Jacqueline Marcell 15 Jul 2008 at 9:12am Alzheimer's Disease makes up 65% of all dementias, but there are many other diseases that cause dementia which can mistakenly be diagnosed as Alzheimer's. Therefore, a thorough evaluation by a dementia specialist is important to assure an accurate diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Here are the most common diseases that have been misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's: 1. Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD): A rare, fatal brain disease caused by... by Jacqueline Marcell 3 Jul 2008 at 11:38pm Are you one of millions experiencing those pesky senior moments, which seem to occur more frequently with each advancing year? We whisper to our friends with a gallows laugh about the silly thing we have done now, secretly worrying we may be starting to get Alzheimer's or something. Then there's that anxious moment waiting for our friends to validate our experience by sharing their own senior moment, which makes us feel so much better that we... |
by Lippa, C. F. 3 Mar 2010 at 6:55pm by Chemali, Z., Withall, A., Daffner, K.R. 3 Mar 2010 at 6:55pm We present the case of a 39-year-old patient with frontotemporal dementia. This case depicts the complexities in the process leading to the diagnosis, treatment, and placement of young patients presenting with severe psychiatric symptoms as the first signs of an underlying neurological disease. Obstacles in the health care system and residential placement process that hinder the optimal and timely care of such difficult cases are discussed. Practical solutions are offered that center upon better awareness and education and the provision of additional resources. These interventions are likely to provide a positive return on investment for the medical system and could be used as strong levers for new health policies relevant to younger patients with neurological illness. by Jones, J. M., Jones, J. L. 3 Mar 2010 at 6:55pm As life expectancy continues to increase, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has become much more prevalent and as yet there is no cure. This has given rise to the situation Tithonus faced in Greek mythology of living longer but not staying young. In this article, the authors explore this phenomenon while reviewing some notable people and AD. by Sevigny, J. J., Yahong Peng, , Lian Liu, , Lines, C. R. 3 Mar 2010 at 6:55pm We explored the association of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) Assessment Scale (ADAS-Cog) item scores with AD severity using cross-sectional and longitudinal data from the same study. Post hoc analyses were performed using placebo data from a 12-month trial of patients with mild-to-moderate AD (N = 281 randomized, N = 209 completed). Baseline distributions of ADAS-Cog item scores by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) sum of boxes score (measures of dementia severity) were estimated using local and nonparametric regressions. Mixed-effect models were used to characterize ADAS-Cog item score changes over time by dementia severity (MMSE: mild = 21-26, moderate = 14-20; global CDR: mild = 0.5-1, moderate = 2). In the cross-sectional analysis of baseline ADAS-Cog item scores, orientation was the most sensitive item to differentiate patients across levels of cognitive impairment. Several items showed a ceiling effect, particularly in milder AD. In the longitudinal analysis of change scores over 12 months, orientation was the only item with noticeable decline (8%-10%) in mild AD. Most items showed modest declines (5%-20%) in moderate AD. by Gliebus, G. 3 Mar 2010 at 6:55pm Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) is a neurodegenerative disorder initially presenting with progressive language imapirment. This article provides a clinically oriented review of PPA. Different clinical presentations and imaging findings of 3 subtypes, agrammatic, semantic and logopenic, are presented. Underlying neuropathology, medical and social management aspects of these patients are reviewed. by Bei Hu, , Ross, L., Neuhaus, J., Knopman, D., Kramer, J., Boeve, B., Caselli, R. J., Graff-Radford, N., Mendez, M. F., Miller, B. L., Boxer, A. L. 3 Mar 2010 at 6:55pm Objective: There are no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications indicated for the treatment of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). We sought to determine the most commonly used drugs used to treat behavioral variant FTD (bvFTD) in specialized dementia clinics. Methods: Medication and demographic data from the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers of California (ARCC) and a multicenter FTD natural history study (NHS) data set were compared in bvFTD and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and effects of demographic variables were assessed using logistic regression. Results: Overall, the percentage of patients taking one or more FDA-approved AD or psychiatric medications was similar in bvFTD and AD; however, after controlling for demographic variables, acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChI) use was less common in bvFTD, whereas memantine use remained similar in the 2 groups. Conclusions: Despite lack of evidence for efficacy, the use of AChIs and memantine is common in bvFTD. Clinical trials should be pursued to determine the optimal therapeutic interventions for bvFTD. by Landreville, P., LeBlanc, V. 3 Mar 2010 at 6:55pm Background/rationale: Various interventions are available to manage verbal agitation (VA), but our understanding regarding their acceptability is limited. The purpose of this study is to compare the acceptability of 3 interventions from the point of view of elderly individuals: direct interaction (DI), differential reinforcement of incompatible behaviors (DRI), and risperidone (RIS). Methods: Participants (N = 69) evaluated the acceptability of each treatment according to the description of a fictional person who demonstrated aggressive or nonaggressive VA. Results: There is an interaction between the type of intervention and the severity of VA. For nonaggressive VA, DI is the most acceptable intervention followed by DRI and RIS. For aggressive VA, DI and DRI are more acceptable than RIS, but there is not a significant difference between them. The acceptability of each intervention is not associated with the participants’ characteristics. Conclusion: The results of this study highlight the acceptability of DI for managing VA. by Harvey, P. D., Ferris, S. H., Cummings, J. L., Wesnes, K. A., Hsu, C., Lane, R. M., Tekin, S. 3 Mar 2010 at 6:55pm Disease-specific assessments are not currently available for patients with Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD). This study evaluated the criterion-related validity and test—retest reliability of the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment scale cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog) in terms of sensitivity for differentiation between mild and moderate severity impairment in PDD. Six other dementia rating scales and cognitive tests were also examined. A total of 113 patients with PDD or Alzheimer disease were recruited into this 4-week, multicenter study, segregated into 2 severity groups based on Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score. Mean ADAS-cog scores showed a statistically significant separation between mild and moderate severity patients in both dementias (P < .001). For the ADAS-cog, test—retest Spearman correlation coefficients were significant for each dementia type and severity. This study demonstrated the criterion-related validity and test—retest reliability for ADAS-cog in patients with PDD and strong correlations with MMSE. This supports the validity of previous results obtained with these measures in studies of patients with PDD. by Lippa, C. F., Rosso, A., Hepler, M., Jenssen, S., Pillai, J., Irwin, D. 3 Mar 2010 at 6:55pm Cognitive impairment and seizures are common in our aging population. Anticonvulsant treatment is problematic due to sedation, cognitive slowing, and behavioral changes. Levetiracetam has favorable pharmacokinetics, good efficacy in elderly individuals, a favorable side effect profile, and lacks major drug interactions. We conducted a prospective, uncontrolled, phase 4, open label, 12-week study of levetiracetam to better profile its efficacy, safety, and impact on cognitive/behavioral status in 24 cognitively impaired, elderly individuals. In total, 69% were seizure free for the duration of the study; the remaining participants had satisfactory seizure control. Fatigue was the most common side effect (5 participants). Significant overall improvements were observed for the Folstein’s Mini-Mental State Examination and the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale—Cognitive. No significant changes were seen in behavioral or functional measures. Levetiracetam is an effective antiepileptic drug in elderly individuals with cognitive impairment. At 3 months, participants who remained on levetiracetam showed excellent cognitive tolerability. by Doody, R. S., Ferris, S., Salloway, S., Yijun Sun, , Goldman, R., Yikang Xu, , Gao, J., Murthy, A. K. 3 Mar 2010 at 6:55pm Following a 48-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of donepezil in 821 patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), safety and tolerability of donepezil (10 mg) were further evaluated in a 28-week extension study. Of 499 participants who completed the double-blind phase, 145 enrolled in the open-label study. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded throughout. Overall, 57.4% of participants in the donepezil/donepezil group and 62.3% in the placebo/donepezil group experienced an AE, with the most frequent treatment-emergent AEs being diarrhea, muscle spasms, insomnia, and nausea. Most were mild to moderate in severity and were more common in the first several weeks after treatment initiation. More participants in the placebo/donepezil group (22.1%) discontinued donepezil due to an AE compared with the donepezil/donepezil group (10.3%). These findings support the safety of donepezil in patients with aMCI. When compared with other studies, however, the data suggest that patients with Alzheimer’s tolerate donepezil better than patients with MCI. by Williams, C. L., Tappen, R. M., Rosselli, M., Keane, F., Newlin, K. 3 Mar 2010 at 6:55pm Objective: The purpose was to describe (a) individuals’ reasons for participating in cognitive screening and (b) reasons to pursue testing after screening across 4 ethnic groups: African American, Afro-Caribbean, European American, and Hispanic American. Methods: Prior to memory screening, 119 adults were interviewed regarding their thoughts about memory screening and follow-up testing. Interviews were coded and differences between ethnic groups were compared. Results: More African Americans and European Americans were concerned about their memory. More Hispanic Americans planned to seek professional help if needed. Hispanic Americans were most optimistic about treatment. Conclusions: Future research is needed to better understand cultural factors that influence older adults’ willingness to be screened for cognitive impairment and to pursue follow-up testing when recommended. by Nakaoka, A., Suto, S., Makimoto, K., Yamakawa, M., Shigenobu, K., Tabushi, K. 3 Mar 2010 at 6:55pm Wandering is a complex behavior, and defining wandering has been challenging. The current study used the integrated circuit (IC) tag monitoring system to describe the distance moved per day and the spatial movements of patients with dementia. The study was conducted in a 60-bed semiacute dementia care unit in a general hospital in Japan over a 3-month period in 2006. The distance moved per day, the numbers of pacing and lapping movements, and the proportions of the distance moved that was paced or lapped were tabulated in 23 patients diagnosed with dementia. The distance moved per day and the numbers of pacing and lapping movements varied greatly within and among study participants. The median distance moved per day was inversely correlated with participants’ age and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores (adjusted r2 = .34, P = .01). Consecutive lapping and pacing movements were rare patients with in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), while 2 patients with frontotemporal dementia paced or lapped repeatedly. 3 Mar 2010 at 6:55pm 18 Feb 2010 at 12:18pm Is middle aged spread increasing your risk for Alzheimer’s? It may be, according to a new study from Sweden that found that women who store fat on their waist in their 40s and 50s are more than twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease... 29 Jan 2010 at 11:12am Most people think of memory loss when they think of Alzheimer’s. But the disease can cause a wide range of behavioral and personality changes as well... 27 Jan 2010 at 12:17pm Older men and women with high levels of leptin, a hormone made by fat cells and linked to appetite regulation, may have a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared to those with low levels of the hormone, a new study reports. 27 Jan 2010 at 11:50am Aricept, the widely prescribed drug for early to middle stages Alzheimer’s disease, is now available in a generic form that dissolves on the tongue, after the Food and Drug Administration approved the generic drug for sale in the United States... 19 Jan 2010 at 11:00pm A new study will look at the effects of cataract surgery for people with Alzheimer’s disease. Cataracts, one of the most common ailments of old age, cause a clouding of the lens of the eye... Men and women whose cholesterol levels were mildly elevated in middle age are at increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease as they grow old... 19 Jan 2010 at 11:00pm A quick and simple mental agility quiz may help detect Alzheimer’s disease more easily and accurately... 5 Jan 2010 at 1:00pm More good news for those who like to do crossword puzzles: A new study adds to a growing body of evidence that mentally challenging activities like word games, playing cards, reading and writing may delay the rapid memory loss that occurs with Alzheimer’s disease. 5 Jan 2010 at 1:00pm There’s more good news on the fish front: A large study conducted in developing countries found that a diet rich in fish may lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia... 5 Jan 2010 at 1:00pm People with Alzheimer’s disease tend to die earlier than their mentally intact, age-matched peers. Both whites and blacks seem to be equally affected... 23 Dec 2009 at 9:00am Being overweight or obese leads to brain shrinkage in old age and, researchers say, an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease... 23 Dec 2009 at 9:00am Would you want to know your risk for Alzheimer’s disease? That is a long-simmering debate in the Alzheimer’s field, as new genetic tests make it possible... 23 Dec 2009 at 9:00am Sleep deprivation may be bad for the brain, a new study in mice suggests... 16 Nov 2009 at 11:00am Men and women who drink moderately may have a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia than those who abstain from alcohol altogether... 23 Nov 2009 at 8:58am Various studies suggest that a heart-healthy Mediterranean style diet, rich in fruits and vegetables and low in meat, may lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease... |
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