Alzheimer's Disease + Original Articles

Learn how this popular class of cholesterol drugs may help to reduce age-related memory loss. For people with high cholesterol, the availability of statin drugs is a boon to health. Statins, which work on the liver to remove the enzymes that create cholesterol, have lowered the cholesterol levels of many Americans who either are not able or willing to make dietary and lifestyle changes or who have made them but whose cholesterol stays elevated due to genetics.

That daily java habit may help you avoid Alzheimer’s disease as you get older. Here's another item to add to the growing list of caffeine's health benefits: That daily java habit may help you avoid Alzheimer's disease as you get older. Not only that, a recent study of caffeine consumption reveals that drinking the brew actually may reverse any age-related memory loss you already experience.

Studies are showing that even borderline high levels of cholesterol can increase your risk of developing this degenerative disease. For years, researchers have known that elevated cholesterol is tied to a host of diseases and conditions, mostly related to the heart. But a recent study offered up a surprising finding: Even borderline high levels of cholesterol can predict whether or not someone will suffer from Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia as they age.

Study shows that people suffering from depression who have memory problems are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s. If you suffer from depression you've probably noticed that your memory isn't as sharp as it used to be. Now, new research conducted at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) indicates that having these two conditions can increase a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

If you need a reason to break out that bottle of wine this weekend, here it is. If you need a reason to break out that bottle of wine this weekend, here it is: Moderate drinking past the age of 60 may help keep Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia away. A recent analysis of 15 studies that included more than 28,000 people over a period of at least two years revealed that those who drank anywhere from one to 28 drinks each week had lower levels of dementia than those who completely abstained.

Learn more about the important role that glucose plays in brain function. Scientists are only beginning to uncover the brain’s role in normal insulin and glucose control as it relates to diabetes. Likewise, the cognitive deficits associated with the disease are just recently being understood. So what has been discovered so far? Research has revealed that diabetes is associated with impaired cognitive function and an increased risk for dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.

Follow these tips to keep your mind in tip-top shape. Although we've all heard people joke about having a "senior moment" when they can't remember something simple, the truth is that getting older is in no way synonymous with losing our memories. While certain diseases may cause memory impairment and be out of our control, there's plenty we can do to keep our brains sharp and stave off forgetfulness—even if we're genetically programmed to be at higher risk for conditions such as Alzheimer's.

Certain foods really can enhance your memory and overall cognitive function. Are they part of your diet? In general, any food that's good for you is good for your brain. That's because nutritious foods that lower your risk of diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes naturally encourage blood flow to the brain. Your brain, like the rest of your body, needs quality nutrients to work at its highest level.

Alzheimer's Foundation of America calls for national dementia screening. As the nation faces an aging population and an escalating public health crisis related to Alzheimer's disease, the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) released its new research report entitled "Memory Matters".  This report shatters unsubstantiated criticism over the value and utilization of memory screenings; emphasizes the safety and cost effectiveness of these tools; and calls on Congress to develop a national dementia screening policy.

This decadent dessert does more than just please your taste buds—it could benefit your health as well. It may be hard to believe that something as delicious as chocolate could actually be good for you? But it's true. According to a growing body of research, America's favorite sweet treat comes with a host of surprising health benefits-from regulating your blood pressure to reducing your risk of dementia.

As life expectancy increases, so, too, does the prevalence of dementia. Here, a look at the disorder, from symptoms to treatment. For many patientsand the families who love thema diagnosis of dementia can be devastating. A degenerative disease, the condition causes a progressive decline in cognitive function, including memory, attention span, and problem-solving skills. In some cases, dementia patients may suffer from hallucinations or severe disorientation, failing to remember what decade it is, where they are, or even their own names.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of mental decline in older adults. But if caught early and with the right medications, its progression can be slowed. Here, a look at the disease by the numbers. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder named for German physician Alois Alzheiemer, who first described its symptoms in 1906. Since that time, however, understanding of the disease has grown substantiallyto the point where researchers now know a great deal more about risk factors, warning signs, and treatments.

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease can be a challenge. Follow these tips to make it easier. According to the National Alzheimer's Association, more than 10 million Americans are currently caring for a relative with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia. Although the task can be challenging and even overwhelming at times, there are things you can do to ease the process.

Are you concerned that a loved one may be suffering from Alzheimer's disease? Read on to learn about the most common early symptoms. For millions of Americans, it's an all-too-familiar scenario: Suddenly, a loved one will start asking the same question repeatedly, telling the same story continuously, or behaving inappropriately. His or her close friends, spouses, or children notice it but dismiss it simply as "getting old.

A growing body of research suggests that antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent the onset of the disease. There are still many questions surrounding Alzheimer's disease—a degenerative brain disorder and form of dementia that currently has no cure. Although the evidence is not conclusive, several studies, including one conducted by the Alzheimer's Association, suggest that foods rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent the onset of the disease.

Elderly patients often get confused or agitated toward the end of the day. Learn about the symptoms known as sundowning. When the sun goes down, elderly patients can become irritated, irrational, even violent. The phenomenon, known as sundowning or sundowner's syndrome, refers to the extreme agitation and confusion elderly people may suddenly experience during the late afternoons or early evenings.

Caregiving expert Jackie Pinkowitz explains what families need to know when a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.  For many families, determining whether their loved on has age-related memory problems or Alzheimer's disease (AD) can be a challenge. And if their family member is diagnosed with AD, they then face a daunting, open-ended question: "Now what?" Most Alzheimer's caregivers wish that they had known early on what to expect in terms of the disease's progression and their loved one's behaviors.

Caregiving expert Jackie Pinkowitz discusses the difference between age-related memory problems and Alzheimer's disease. If you talked to as many caregivers as I have over the years, you'd know that it's not the least bit unusual for them to wonder, "Is it Alzheimer's or just aging?" This heart-wrenching question hangs over the heads of many, many families for many, many months without ever once being spoken out loud.

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease can be overwhelming. Follow these tips to help deal with the diagnosis and cope with the holidays. Caring for a loved one who has Alzheimer's disease (AD) means that each new day brings a unique set of challenges. Coping with changing levels of ability and new patterns of behavior can become overwhelming at times. Not surprisingly, research has shown that caregivers often are at increased risk for depression and illness, especially if they do not receive adequate support from family, friends, and the community.