Category Archives: Alzheimer Overview

Alzheimer gene may cause blood leak in brains

Posted on by

News from the web:

Researchers at the University of Rochester have identified a gene linked to Alzheimer`s disease which they say also causes a cascade of events that end with leaky blood vessels in the brain, pouring large amounts of toxic substances into brain tissue.

The scientists found that the gene, called ApoE4, works through cyclophilin A, known to be bad for the cardiovascular system, causing inflammation in atherosclerosis and other conditions.

Read all about it HERE

visit us at AlzheimerHeadlines.com

Alzheimer’s Patients Turn To Stories Instead Of Memories

Posted on by

News from the web:

Ask family members of someone with Alzheimer’s or another dementia: Trying to talk with a loved one who doesn’t even remember exactly who they are can be very frustrating.

But here at a senior center in Seattle, things are different.

On one recent day, 15 elderly people were forming a circle. The room is typical — linoleum floors, cellophane flowers on the windows, canes and wheelchairs, and walkers lined up against the wall.

Linda White is leading a session based on a program called TimeSlips. The idea is to show photos to people with memory loss, and get them to imagine what’s going on — not to try to remember anything, but to make up a story.

Storytelling is one of the most ancient forms of communication — it’s how we learn about the world. It turns out that for people with dementia, storytelling can be therapeutic. It gives people who don’t communicate well a chance to communicate. And you don’t need any training to run a session.

Read all about it HERE

visit us at AlzheimerHeadlines.com

New Alzheimer’s Caregiver Website by MindStart Keeps Minds Active

Posted on by

News from the web:

The http://www.mind-start.com website for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias and their caregivers, is the only one of its kind, providing both products for dementia care and educational content and support. The focus of the website is to keep people with dementia active by offering tools and resources to caregivers, both family and professional.

Read all about it HERE

visit us at AlzheimerHeadlines.com

The Faces of Alzheimer’s

Posted on by

News from the web:

The prevailing view of people with Alzheimer’s is often a depressing one: the patient slumped in a chair or parked in front of a television set. But a new book and photo exhibition this month in New York show another side of the disease, one in which people with dementia can still be engaged, lead active lives and experience love and joy.

The book, “Love, Loss and Laughter: Seeing Alzheimer’s Differently,” was written by Cathy Greenblat, a professor emerita of sociology at Rutgers University who found a second career as a photographer. The exhibition has toured the world and is currently on display at the Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts at Pace University in Manhattan.

Read all about it HERE

visit us at AlzheimerHeadlines.com

Alzheimers drug Amyvid raises ethical questions

Posted on by

News from the web:

Last Friday, the FDA approved Amyvid, a drug for Alzheimer’s diagnosis that was created and developed by Penn faculty Daniel Skovronsky and Hank Kung. It dyes brain deposits of amyloid plaque, which are correlated with Alzheimer’s disease.

However, the FDA has treaded cautiously, approving Amyvid only for limited uses. If brains scanned with Amyvid test negative, then the patient will be deemed Alzheimer-negative.

Cases where the Amyvid scans test positive will only signify the patient has significant levels of plaque, but will not confirm an Alzheimer’s Disease diagnosis.

Since there is no drug on the market that successfully removes amyloid plaque, Saboury said there should be no rush to market the tracer. How useful can it be for patients to know they are at risk when there is no cure or treatment?

Read all about it HERE

visit us at AlzheimerHeadlines.com

Alzheimer’s Disease: Music Brings Patients ‘Back to Life’

Posted on by

News from the web:

Henry Dryer sits slumped over the tray attached to his wheelchair. He doesn’t speak, and rarely moves, until a nursing home worker puts his headphones on.

Then Dryer’s feet start to shuffle, his folded arms rock back and forth, and he sings out loud in perfect sync with his favorite songs.

“I feel a band of love, dreams,” said Dryer, 92, who has dementia. “It gives me the feeling of love, romance!”

Henry is one of seven patients profiled in the documentary “Alive Inside,” a heartwarming look at the power of music to help those in nursing homes.

Read all about it HERE

visit us at AlzheimerHeadlines.com