I wrote an article on reasons for forgetfulness today for Suite 101. Did you know that Lyme Disease, thyroid problems and a host of other things could cause forgetfulness? I talk to people all the time who fear that they have early onset Alzheimer’s, only to find that their forgetfulness was caused by something else. I wrote this article hoping that someone who was fearful about going to the doctor over their symptoms would realize that it could be good news, or at least something that already has a cure.
According to an article in the San Francisco Chronicle:
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a potentially pathbreaking blood test that, according to preliminary studies, is able to identify patients with Alzheimer’s disease…
It would be great to have some way to diagnose Alzheimer’s quickly and accurately. This would avoid having people with deficiencies mistakenly diagnosed as Alzheimer’s victims.
You’ve packed up the house and moved with as little disturbance to your loved one with Alzheimer’s as possible. You’re settling into your new home and all is well. Then, you realize that you will need a new doctor for the Alzheimer’s patient. Now what?
Ideally, you should prepare for the first visit to the new geriatric doctor well before you move. Begin by visiting the current doctor and getting a final checkup. Explain that you are moving and ask for your loved one’s medical records. Be sure that you have enough of all medications for several weeks.
You may want to check to see if the current doctor can recommend a doctor that specializes in geriatric medicine in your new neighborhood. However, chances are he or she will have no idea who to recommend. In this case, you may need to do a little research. A few places to start are
- Geriatric Mental Health Foundation - Members of this foundation are psychiatrists who specialize in geriatric mental issues, such as dementia.
- Administration on Aging - This is a list of state agencies that help with elder care. Most of these agencies have a list of doctors who specialize in geriatric medicine in their states.
Now, make an appointment with the doctor the Alzheimer’s patient will be seeing to be sure you both like his or her bedside manner and treatment methods. This also helps your loved one begin to be familiar with the new doctor and the new office. If the doctor just doesn’t seem to be right, you’ll have time to find another doctor before actual medical attention is needed.
A promising scientific breakthrough for Alzheimer’s researchers - according to Science Daily:
A special protein can be injected into the body to reverse learning problems in mice that have an animal version of Alzheimer’s disease, Saint Louis University researchers have found.
This is really an important step, since it could actually help people who already have Alzheimer’s. Most of the research I’ve seen lately that seemed promising is geared toward preventing Alzheimer’s or blocking its progress, but this protein seems to be able to actually cause the mental deteriation to reverse.
According to ScienceDaily:
In a study published in the journal Neuron, the scientists report that when A-beta is made, a small bit of protein is also released that can regulate cholesterol levels in the brain. The discovery adds weight to the less prominent theory that abnormal brain cholesterol metabolism plays a role in the mental decline seen in Alzheimer’s patients.
I think I’ll go have a bowl of Cheerios with an oatmeal chaser. Hey, even if it turns out not to be true, low cholesterol won’t hurt us.
