Early detection of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease may be as straightforward as testing patients’ skin, according to new research from scientists at the University of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. The proposed technique would look for abnormal proteins – the same ones found accumulating in the brains of patients with neurological diseases – in skin cells. The work is still in its early stages but could help increase early diagnosis tenfold and prevent brain tissue loss in countless patients, vastly improving their prognosis and quality of life. For years, researchers have been looking for suitable biomarkers in the human body (molecules
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Archives for Alzheimer’s Disease
New Experimental Treatment Could Reverse the Effects of Alzheimer's Disease
As we age, our bodies and minds become unforgiving to the wear of time. Most people accept their physical decline as natural and expected, but the loss of mental faculties can often be one of the scariest, most confusing experiences of a person’s life. With age comes an increase in the risk of dementia, a general term for any decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. People with dementia lose their ability to think cogently and remember, eventually becoming unable to care for themselves. However, a recent scientific breakthrough may finally help people suffering from dementia
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Still Alice, Starring Julianne Moore, Gives Insight to Alzheimer’s struggle
Julianne Moore told Access Hollywood that working on Still Alice was “amazing,” and “a privilege” while on the red carpet for the SAG Awards this week. If you haven’t heard yet, Still Alice is the heartbreaking book-to-film story of professor Alice Howland (played by Moore) who struggles with the discovery she has early onset Alzheimer’s. While tear jerking, Still Alice offers some serious insight into the lives of Alzheimer’s sufferers. Starting with Alice’s descent into forgetfulness alone, she finally confronts the reality her disease in the presence of her family, including her husband (Alec Baldwin), Anna (Kate Bosworth), Tom (Hunter
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Over the Counter Meds Save Time but Cause Long Term Memory Problems
For anyone who goes to over-the-counter medications to cure allergies or the sniffles, this could be bad news: studies now show that medications like Benadryl can increase your chances for Alzheimer’s or long term memory problems. This also applies to some anti-depressants and sleep aids, among other popular OTC products. This data is inferred from the idea that acetylcholine, a key chemical messenger in the brain, can’t travel freely within the body when under the influence of some medications, and long term exposure to these medications can result in dementia. The lead of the study, Professor Shelly Gray of the
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How to Care for a Loved One with Alzheimer's during the Holidays
Image credit: digital-photo-secrets.com At Freedom Home Care, our staff is witnessing the start of holiday celebrations in homes all around the Highland area, and it warms our hearts to see families come together this time of year. We all also know that there is plenty of stress and anxiety associated with family gatherings, and that can be amplified when visiting a loved one with Alzheimer’s during the holidays. But with a little planning and preparation, you can ensure your holiday season to go as smoothly as possible. The first step is to evaluate the current situation and prepare others of what
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How Alzheimer’s Disease Affects Men and Women Differently
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s data the current life expectancy for women is 83 years, and 78 years for men. It is not yet known why women tend to live longer, but experts suggest a combination of factors like genetics and a general partiality of men for riskier behavior like smoking, drinking alcohol, or fighting can be factors in these statistical estimations. With many men and women living longer than ever before, it opens up a larger possibility for more people to develop age related disorders like Alzheimer’s. Here at Freedom Home Care we like other care facilities have
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Scientists Find New Link Between Vitamin D and Dementia
In a previous blog post titled, “The ABC’s of Vitamin D” we mentioned the importance of including Vitamin D in a senior’s diet. We talked about how it is a necessary component in the process of keeping bones strong and healthy. Well, scientists have now found yet another reason to keep vitamin D levels high: it significantly lowers the risk of dementia. Researchers have been thoroughly studying dementia and its causes and progress for years. One study in particular looked for a connection between seniors who didn’t have sufficient levels of vitamin D in their bodies and their risk of
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3 Causes of Memory Loss That Are Not Alzheimer’s
“I can never remember her name. Oh, no! Could this be Alzheimer’s?” “I don’t recall losing my keys so often in my 50’s. Could I have dementia?” As seniors age, they tend to be on the lookout for signs of dementia. And, while it’s important to be diligent in taking stock of potential Alzheimer’s signs, not every memory slip is a major dysfunction of the brain. There are plenty of reasons why people, young and old alike, have trouble remembering simple details. Here are a few reasons why you may have memory loss that is not connected to Alzheimer’s disease.
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Small Steps You Can Take Today to Reduce the Risk of Alzheimer’s
If you’ve watched a parent struggle with dementia, it is natural to wonder if the same path may be in your future. After all, one out of twenty who has a parent with Alzheimer’s eventually gets the condition. But you don’t have to accept that you’ll be one of the 5%. Instead, take these 5 small steps to reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s today. 1. Manage your health. Do you have high blood pressure? Diabetes? High cholesterol? Do everything you can to manage those conditions today to avoid problems in the future. Each one can damage the tiny blood vessels
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Pesticides Linked to Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
Both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease affect the brain severely. While they have strong genetic components, the question remains why these conditions are on the rise. Certainly there must be some environmental factors involved. Well, researchers may have found at least part of the answer: pesticides. Pesticides have long been linked to dangerous health conditions, and now more research is pointing to how they are linked to both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. The Parkinson’s research has been ongoing for the last thirty years when a pair of young adults came to the ER with Parkinson’s-like features. Their bodies seemed “frozen” and not
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