Epilepsy Talk
Two Tests Could Aid in Risk Assessment and Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s | January 19, 2011
From “The New York Times”, published January 18, 2011…
“Researchers are reporting major advances toward resolving two underlying problems involving Alzheimer’s disease: How do you know if someone who is demented has it? And how can you screen the general population to see who is at risk?
One study, reported in The New York Times, evaluated a new type of brain scan that can detect plaques that are uniquely characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease.
The second study asked whether a blood test could detect beta amyloid, the protein fragment that makes up Alzheimer’s plaque, and whether blood levels of beta amyloid were associated with a risk of memory problems.”
For full information, go to:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/19/health/research/19alzheimers.html…
Tags: alzheimer's, diagnosis, mental decline, predict, risks, tests
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Hi Phylis,
That’s Great News. But, ya mite want to try posting the URL’s again. 🙂
I have noted that my AARP bulletin & sites on the net have all reported More Research & possible Solutions. And, hopefully, these tests & Solutions will be invaluable to not Only those w/ possible Alzheimer’s, but, us too. 🙂
Here’s the latest from AARP: Build a Better Brain. ‘ Research now suggests you have a good chance of keeping your brain sharp if you commit to the right kind of concentrated effort.’
“Research Suggests that building brain fitness means more than one specific activity, such as doing crossword puzzles.” They agree that activities must be both stimulating & challenging. You should challenge your current skill levels in different areas.
7 Tips: 1. Learn to play a new instrument. Exercises several brain functions, related to sight, hearing and movement.
2. (Love This one 🙂 🙂 )Eat dark chocolate. 🙂 releases dopamine, a chemical that improves memory & overall brain function. SOOOO, should we eat Chocolate B4 implementing ‘brain exercise’? HEHE
3.Play Catch. Throw a ball into the air or try juggling Both activities improve eye/hand coordination & offer other brain health benefits.
4. Make your hobbies harder. Makes you concentrate harder & re-engage your brain’s learning ability.
5. Use your other hand. Practice activities, such as brushing your teeth w/ your non-dominant hand.
6. Walk on a Rocky Road. (well, figuratively we already do. 🙂 ) Walking on uneven surfaces. like cobblestone, improves the vestibular system of the inner ear, which translates to better balance.
7. Rest Up. (I wish) Getting enough shut-eye is critical to both brain function & memory. 🙂 (And, in our case, Relieves Stress 🙂 )
Love Candi
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Comment by candi — January 19, 2011 @ 11:41 PM
I like the dark chocolate best!!! 😉
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — January 20, 2011 @ 2:59 AM
Other activities & to test your brain fitness visit:
BTW: Hartford, also, has available a computer game that can build a better brain for Driving. 🙂 But it costs quite a bit to download. 😦 Over $100. 😦
hartfordauto.com/brain
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Comment by candi — January 19, 2011 @ 11:46 PM
My last job was doing pre-dementia work-ups on patients. It was dealing with all dementia not just Alzheimer’s.
We would do Mini-mental states on patients, EEG’s, and MRI’s, and other tests that the patient and family would contribute their information to.
It was interesting to meet the patient each year. We would find out other causes that might cause the dementia too, as the patient would grew older.
When they passed we would have permission do to a biopsy.
Now, I realize the importance of stimulating ourselves daily! Reading, stretching our minds in one form like an example crossword puzzles. Walking, volunteering, taking classes! Stimulating out minds in way where we do not know the answer. We have to dig for the answer!
Cooking, traveling, in our neighborhood, across the city, across the state, across the country.
Sleeping is necessary to feed our mind so our memory will remember.
My friends that cook, share and help each other are great examples.
WE took a class on writing w/ our non-dominating hand. THE POWER OF YOUR OTHER HAND by Lucia Capacchione, Ph.D.
Classes are great!
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Comment by Toni Robison — January 20, 2011 @ 12:14 AM
Toni,
You have such a wealth of personal experience. Thanks for sharing it all with us!
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — January 20, 2011 @ 3:01 AM
I am over whelmed by everyone’s knowledge. I will learn from everyone about Alzheimer’s. Everyone has such wisdom about it.
This is a great post, Phylis. Thank you very much for all of your different posts.
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Comment by ruth brown — January 23, 2011 @ 1:53 PM