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Alzheimers

Definition of Alzheimers

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, a neurologic disease characterized by loss of mental ability severe enough to interfere with normal activities of daily living, lasting at least six months, and not present from birth. AD usually occurs in old age, and is marked by a decline in cognitive functions such as remembering, reasoning, and planning.

Observational Studies Often Overshadow Clinical Research Even when there's strong contradictory evidence from randomized trials, refuted claims based on observational studies often persist in scientific circles, Greek researchers claim. Randomized trials, where participants are randomized to receive one intervention or another and then followed prospectively, are considered by many experts the "gold standard" for research. Read the Article
Aging Brains Get Out of Sync In a finding that uncovers the biological underpinnings of "senior moments," new research shows that communication between different parts of the brain begins to break down as a person grows older. "We wanted to see how the brain changes in cognition in normal aging," said lead researcher Randy Buckner, a professor of psychology at Harvard University. "We were interested in normal aging, aging that isn't accompanied by even the earliest signs of Alzheimer's disease." Read the Article
Love in the World of Alzheimer's Even when Alzheimer's disease robs them of the life they once knew, some people can still find love among the ruins. And in most cases -- as highlighted by recent news on retired Supreme Court Judge Sandra Day O'Connor -- the spouse or child of the Alzheimer's patient grows to understand and accept the new relationship, experts say. Read the Article
Hypertension Linked to Risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment High blood pressure may be associated with increased risk for mild cognitive impairment, says a study by researchers at the Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. Mild cognitive impairment, which causes learning and thinking difficulties, has "attracted increasing interest during the past years, particularly as a means of identifying the early stages of Alzheimer's disease as a target for treatment and prevention," the study authors wrote. Read the Article
Dulled Sense of Smell Might Predict Alzheimer's Losing your sense of smell might be an early sign of cognitive decline, a new study finds. "It has been reported before that people who already have mild cognitive impairment have difficulty with odors," noted lead researcher Robert S. Wilson, a professor of neuropsychology at the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center in Chicago. Read the Article
Clinical Trials Update: Aug. 10, 2007 People who are 55 years or older with Alzheimer's disease are invited to participate in this research study designed to improve memory. Participants will need to drive during the study. Frequent smokers are not eligible to participate Read the Article
Falling and the Individual with Alzheimer's Disease47 min. 28 sec. Live discussion organized by the Virginia Alzheimer's Commission AlzPossible Initiative and held the 24th of July, noon, EST. The one hour interactive presentation discusses the challenges and implications of falls for the individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Watch the Video
Skin Care and the Individual with Alzheimer's Disease54 min. 17 sec. It is estimated that over 70,000 people in America die each year from wound infections that begin with skin breakdown or "pressure sores." Other names for this injury are pressure ulcers, bed sores or decubitus ulcers. Watch the Video
Incontinence: Challenges and Solutions for the Individual with Alzheimers Disease55 min. 35 sec. The inability to control bladder or bowel function may occur in the later stages of Alzheimer's disease and can be connected to a number of factors including not being able to get to the bathroom quickly, not knowing or recognizing where the bathroom is located, having difficulty getting clothing off quickly enough or being busy and forgetting to go. Incontinence can also be caused by other physical illnesses and is sometimes treatable. Watch the Video
Effective Communication between Physician and Caregiver / Alzheimer's Patient58 min. 30 sec. Webinar focusing on the effective communication between physicians and caregivers/Alzheimer's disease patients. Watch the Video
Boy Writes About Grandmother's Alzheimer's Disease3 min. 51 sec. A Grass Valley, Calif., boy writes a book about his grandmother's Alzheimer's disease. Watch the Video
New Drugs for Alzheimer's Disease Alzheimer's disease is characterized by degeneration of various structures in the brain, with development of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Deficiencies of acetylcholine and other neurotransmitters also occur. Pharmacologic treatment of the disease generally seeks to correct the histopathology, the biochemical derangements or their effects. The only drugs labeled to date for the treatment of cognitive symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's disease are two cholinesterase inhibitors that prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine in the synapse. Both medications are associated with modest improvements in cognitive function. However, all benefit is lost when these drugs are discontinued; the disease then progresses to the level seen in placebo-treated patients. Read the Article
Advances in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease Management of the most common type of dementia--Alzheimer's disease--is becoming increasingly sophisticated. Differentiation of Alzheimer's disease from vascular dementia has become therapeutically important, since the choice of treatments depends on the diagnosis. Two cholinesterase inhibitors, donepezil and tacrine, are labeled for use in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Other therapies, such as estrogen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and vitamin E, are sometimes used and show promise in delaying the progression of this dementia. Behavior problems, which often accompany the disease, can be managed using environmental modification, alterations in caregiving and medication. In the terminal phase of the illness, quality care involves implementing advance directives, communicating with the family, individualizing care and attending to patient comfort. Read the Article
Pharmacologic Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease: An Update The financial and social costs of Alzheimer's disease are staggering. In the United States, the disease accounts for about $100 billion per year in medical and custodial expenses, with the average patient requiring an expenditure of about $27,000 per year for medical and nursing care. In addition, 80 percent of caregivers report stress, and about 50 percent report depression. This article reviews the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease, evidence for the efficacy of various pharmacologic treatments, and guidelines for the use of drug therapy in patients with this devastating disease. Read the Article
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