Vitamin D Deficiency Increases Risk of Cognitive Impairment

It is now becoming known that for those over 60 years of age Vitamin deficiency is a major health problem.

clipped from www.alzheimersreadingroom.com David Llewellyn, PhD, of the University of Exeter Peninsula Medical School (UK), and colleagues examined information from 3,325 adults aged 65 years and older from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), a study that was carefully designed to accurately represent the U.S. non-institutionalized population. Vitamin D levels were measured from blood samples and compared with performance on a measure of general cognitive function that incorporated tests of memory, orientation in time and space, and ability to maintain attention. Original content Bob DeMarco, the Alzheimer's Reading Room

Four Researchers Given Lifetime Achievement Awards By the Alzheimer's Association

clipped from www.alzheimersreadingroom.com The Alzheimer's Association recognized four scientists for their extraordinary achievements in advancing Alzheimer research at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease 2010 (AAICAD 2010) in Honolulu, Hawaii. Honorees for their professional and scientific contributions to Alzheimer research are: Takeshi Iwatsubo, MD, Department of Neuropathology, Graduate School of Medicine at the University of Tokyo. Karen H. Ashe, MD, PhD, Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Director at the University of Minnesota. Marsel Mesulam, MD, Dunbar Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry and Director of the Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center at Northwestern University. Marilyn Albert, PhD, Director of the Division of Cognitive Neuroscience in the Department of Neurology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Original content Bob DeMarco, the Alzheimer's Reading Room

Alzheimer's Caregiver Lament -- This is Not the Person I Knew (Audio)

By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room

In order to communicate effectively with a person suffering from Alzheimer's disease you need to come to an understanding that they are now living in a new world -- I often refer to this as Alzheimer's world....

Conquering Urinary Incontinence -- The First Bladder Infection of the Year

Last year my mother had five bladder infections. This is a common occurrence amongst people suffering from Alzheimer's disease and dementia....

By Bob DeMarco

Beginning in 2008, I came upon a solution that not only allowed me to detect my mother's frequent bladder infections, it also allowed us to cut down her urinary incontinence to near zero.

In 2008, I made a simple observation, my mother seemed to be warmer when I held her hand. I also noticed that she seemed to be perspiring a bit.

Alzheimer’s Patients Have Muted Emotions

Perspective on Alzheimer's behavior.

clipped from www.alzheimersreadingroom.com “One important implication of this work is that when an Alzheimer’s patient appears emotionally blunted, the clinician or caregiver should not assume the patient is depressed and automatically treat with antidepressants, as other organic factors could be at work,” said Todd Feinberg, M.D., a professor of clinical neurology and psychiatry at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, who did not participate in the research. Watching a loved one struggle with Alzheimer’s disease can be a painful process, but for the patient, the experience may be a muted one. Alzheimer’s patients can appear withdrawn and apathetic, symptoms often attributed to their memory problems or difficulty finding the words to communicate.

Original content Bob DeMarco, the Alzheimer's Reading Room