When to Seek Help for Memory Loss

Mild to moderate memory loss is a part of the typical aging process, but did you know it could be the sign of something more? We know that memory loss is a hallmark symptom of Alzheimer’s but can also be the result of other health conditions. Early intervention, in either case, can help identify causes …

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‘Still Alice’ and Alzheimer’s Research

Julianne Moore won an Oscar last night for her heartbreaking portrayal of a woman with early-onset Alzheimer’s in Still Alice. At Brain Matters, we hope the movie will raise awareness about Alzheimer’s research. In that spirit, here is an editorial by Alzheimer’s researcher Dr. Julie Harris, courtesy of the Huffington Post:     “While the …

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Study: Key Molecule Could Slow Alzheimer’s Development

Scientists at the University of Cambridge in the U.K. have found that a specific molecule could slow the development of Alzheimer’s disease. In their study, the Brichos molecule, which occurs in the body naturally, prevented the buildup of beta-amyloid plaque in mice.     Researchers believe that the early stages of Alzheimer’s begin when beta-amyloid …

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Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Everyone Should Know

Alzheimer’s disease affects over 5 million Americans and is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. The National Institute on Aging characterizes the illness as an “irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually even the ability to carry out the simplest tasks of daily living.” Most people …

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Four Tips for Alzheimer’s Caregivers

  Since Alzheimer’s impairs a person’s reasoning and communication abilities, caregivers need to think strategically to meet daily challenges. In conjunction with self-care techniques, these four practical tips can help make a caregiver’s burden a little lighter:     1.    Being logical won’t help:   As humans, we tend to rationalize things that don’t make …

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Alzheimer’s Caregivers: Beverly’s Story

Alzheimer’s caregivers take on a heavy burden. Courtesy of the Alzheimer’s Association, this is Beverly’s caregiver story: “Ironically, my mother’s Alzheimer’s is teaching me that I do not need to remember every little painful specific, not in the manner I once remembered them. What a relief to draw the honest conclusion that I’m no longer …

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Alzheimer’s Association President: We Need Research Now

Harry Johns, president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association, recently wrote an impassioned editorial trying to get people involved in the fight to cure Alzheimer’s. Here are excerpts from that article, courtesy of the Huffington Post:     “More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association 2014 Alzheimer’s Disease …

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Alzheimer’s Caregivers: Amy’s Story

Amy is a caregiver for her father, who has Alzheimer’s. Courtesy of the Alzheimer’s Association, here is Amy’s story:     In 2002, my dad was in a bad car accident with his uncle and two others in Florida. He ended up having eight broken ribs, and a broken collar bone. Not too long after the accident, I noticed …

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Early-Onset Alzheimer’s: What You Need to Know

Julianne Moore’s portrayal in Still Alice of a woman with early-onset Alzheimer’s has already won a Golden Globe and been nominated for an Oscar. Many now hope that the film will raise awareness of this rarer form of Alzheimer’s. In that spirit, here is what you need to know:     Alzheimer’s comes in middle-age, …

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Study Explores Possible Link between Alzheimer’s and Depression, Irritability

A new study has suggested that symptoms of depression could indicate a future Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Over a period of seven years, scientists from the Washington University School of Medicine examined over 2,400 seniors, half of whom developed dementia.     The patients who eventually received a dementia diagnosis exhibited behavioral and emotional symptoms, such as …

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MEMORY LOSS

For those who are struggling with memory loss, a memory screen is a step in the right direction to keeping their minds healthy. Apply for a FREE memory screen today!