Category Archives: Alzheimer Overview

Improving apathy in Alzheimer patients with brain stimulation

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Alzheimer; News from the web:

Twenty Veterans with Alzheimer’s disease and apathy took part in a pilot study. Half received repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a type of brain stimulation. The others received sham stimulation, basically a placebo.

Through patient and caregiver interviews, the VA team documented “significantly greater improvement” in apathy levels in those who received brain stimulation compared with the control group. The positive effects continued up to three months.

Besides improvements in apathy, the researchers also noted “significantly greater improvement” in memory, attention, and cognition in the rTMS patients compared with the sham treatment group.

Read all about it HERE

Helping Alzheimer’s Patients Bring Back Memories

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Alzheimer; News from the web:

The writer of the post in our link for today  developed an approach that allowed us to activate the neurons that store memory information, referred to as memory engrams, through optogenetics—that is, introducing a gene that is light sensitive into the memory engram cells of “Alzheimer’s” mice, then delivering blue light pulses to activate them—and measuring memory recall strength directly. To our surprise, we found comparable numbers of engram cells in normal healthy animals and Alzheimer’s animals, suggesting that the initial memory storage process is intact. Targeting the recall process in Alzheimer’s animals led to an improvement in their memory, which reached the performance level of normal animals.

Read all about it HERE

Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 helpline open for you

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Alzheimer; News from the web:

In this time, where resources and support are either not available, or, have restrictions that make them difficult to access, the Alzheimer’s Association® 24/7/Helpline (800.272.3900) is available around the clock, 365 days a year. Through this free service, specialists, and master’s – level clinicians offer confidential support and information to people living with the disease, caregivers, families, and the public.

The Holidays and caring for someone with Alzheimer

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Alzheimer; News from the web:

Navigating the Holidays with someone who has Alzheimer’s can be tricky. The current pandemic is certainly not helping either. But Pam Myers, program director for the Alzheimer’s Association Northwest Ohio Chapter, said caregivers need to look for ways to de-stress by creating new traditions and finding new ways for their family members to help make this season satisfying for all. See her tips in our link for today.

Read all about it HERE