What You Should Know About Early-Onset Alzheimer’s - Health News and Views - Health.com: Alzheimer’s disease is usually thought of as something senior citizens get. While that is often true, it’s not always the case: Up to 5% of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s are under age 65—usually in their 40s or 50s—and are considered to have an “early onset” or “younger onset” of the disease.
Symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer’s are no different than symptoms of more traditional cases, says Mary Sano, PhD, professor of psychiatry and director of Alzheimer’s disease research at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in the Bronx, whom Moore consulted during her research for Still Alice. But because the condition is so rare in adults under 65, the signs may not be recognized as quickly by patients themselves, or by those around them.
“By the time people ask for help, something strange has probably been going on for at least six months,” says Sano. “And often, it’s family members and close friends who can provide a point of view that a change has occurred, which can allow that person to realize something is wrong.”
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
FDA Approves Combo Pill for Alzheimer’s Disease
FDA Approves Combo Pill for Alzheimer’s Disease: The FDA has approved a combination pill for moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease in people already being treated with both drugs.
The pill, called Namzaric, combines memantine hydrochloride extended-release (Namenda) and donepezil hydrochloride (Aricept).
The two drugs are often prescribed together. About 70% of people on Namenda XR are also on Aricept, says David Nicholson, PhD, in a statement. He's the senior vice president of global brands R&D for drugmaker Actavis.
The pill, called Namzaric, combines memantine hydrochloride extended-release (Namenda) and donepezil hydrochloride (Aricept).
The two drugs are often prescribed together. About 70% of people on Namenda XR are also on Aricept, says David Nicholson, PhD, in a statement. He's the senior vice president of global brands R&D for drugmaker Actavis.
Friday, December 19, 2014
Study set for brain stimulation device to help restore memory - The Washington Post
Study set for brain stimulation device to help restore memory - The Washington Post: Has our reliance on iPhones and other instant-info devices harmed our memories? Michael Kahana, a University of Pennsylvania psychology professor who studies memory, says maybe: “We don’t know what the long-lasting impact of this technology will be on our brains and our ability to recall.” Kahana, 45, who has spent the past 20 years looking at how the brain creates memories, is leading an ambitious four-year Pentagon project to build a prosthetic memory device that can be implanted into human brains to help veterans with traumatic brain injuries. He spoke by telephone with The Post about what we can do to preserve or improve memory.
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Sleep Apnea May Raise Risk for Dementia | Everyday Health
Sleep Apnea May Raise Risk for Dementia | Everyday Health: Older men who have breathing difficulties or spend less time in deep sleep may be at greater risk of brain changes that can precede dementia, a new study suggests.
Experts said the findings don't prove that breathing disorders, including sleep apnea, lead to dementia. But they add to evidence that poor sleep may play a role in some older adults' mental decline.
Experts said the findings don't prove that breathing disorders, including sleep apnea, lead to dementia. But they add to evidence that poor sleep may play a role in some older adults' mental decline.
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Stressful relationships tied to mental decline | Fox News
Stressful relationships tied to mental decline | Fox News: Having close personal relationships in middle age that cause stress, problems or worries, may contribute to a decline in thinking ability in older age, according to a new study.
“Any relationship involves both positive and negative exchanges, especially those close relationships that are most likely to evoke ambivalent sentiments,” said lead author Jing Liao of University College London.
“Any relationship involves both positive and negative exchanges, especially those close relationships that are most likely to evoke ambivalent sentiments,” said lead author Jing Liao of University College London.
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Is it really Alzheimer's? Treatable condition mimics symptoms of dementia | Fox News
Is it really Alzheimer's? Treatable condition mimics symptoms of dementia | Fox News: Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a neurological disorder in which an excess of fluid collects in the brain’s ventricles. It usually affects people over the age of 60, and it’s a progressive disease that will worsen over time. But what the doctor didn’t say to the Warners— and what is perhaps the most important part of a NPH diagnosis— is that the condition is treatable, and, in fact, it can be completely reversed.
Not willing to accept the neurologist’s suggested fate, the Warners sought the help of Dr. Norman Relkin, an associate professor of clinical neurology and neuroscience at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City, who has been leading research on NPH and Alzheimer’s disease.
Not willing to accept the neurologist’s suggested fate, the Warners sought the help of Dr. Norman Relkin, an associate professor of clinical neurology and neuroscience at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City, who has been leading research on NPH and Alzheimer’s disease.
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Friday, September 26, 2014
Exercising may improve brain health in old age | Fox News
Exercising may improve brain health in old age | Fox News: The researchers examined the brain scans of the participants to look at how structurally sound the white matter was. One way they did this was by looking for lesions called "white matter hyperintensities," which are common in older people.
The results showed that the more people engaged in moderate or vigorous exercise, the fewer white-matter lesions they had
The results showed that the more people engaged in moderate or vigorous exercise, the fewer white-matter lesions they had
Saturday, August 9, 2014
Healthy living may slow early dementia: study | Reuters
Healthy living may slow early dementia: study | Reuters: A program that emphasizes healthy eating, brain and social engagement, physical activity and heart health may slow dementia among people at risk for Alzheimer’s disease, says a new preliminary report from Sweden.
The findings can’t guarantee that healthy living will prevent Alzheimer’s disease but they add to growing evidence that suggests overall health is tied to dementia risk.
The findings can’t guarantee that healthy living will prevent Alzheimer’s disease but they add to growing evidence that suggests overall health is tied to dementia risk.
Strong vitamin D-dementia link surprises researchers | Endocrinology Update
Strong vitamin D-dementia link surprises researchers | Endocrinology Update: Older people who do not get enough vitamin D may be doubling their risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, according to a large study that has surprised researchers.
“We expected to find an association between low Vitamin D levels and the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, but we actually found that the association was twice as strong as we anticipated,” says Dr David Llewellyn, co-author of the study published in the journal Neurology.
“We expected to find an association between low Vitamin D levels and the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, but we actually found that the association was twice as strong as we anticipated,” says Dr David Llewellyn, co-author of the study published in the journal Neurology.
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