Diabetes is a known risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists believe this risk is due to blood vessel problems as well as tissue damage from fluctuating blood sugar levels and insulin resistance. Major depression has also been noted as a risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.

A recent study has found that major depression more than doubles the risk factor for dementia in adults living with diabetes. The study article in the Journal of General Internal Medicine noted that depression is common among people with diabetes and advised clinicians to add appropriate screening and treatment measures. Additionally, the study noted the need for exercise as well as weight and blood sugar control to protect people with diabetes from developing cognitive deficits.

It is not known how diabetes and depression interact to result in the increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.

Noting, the link between exercise, diet, and brain health, Senior Living Residences offers an exercise program in all of its communities as well as an innovative nutrition program.

A recent policy change to the Social Security Administration (SSA) will greatly benefit individuals living with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, marked by symptoms and diagnosis of the disease before the age of sixty-five.
This month, SSA added the diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease to its list of eligible diseases in its Compassionate Allowances Initiative. The addition of the early-onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis enables individuals with the disease to become eligible for SSDI, Social Security Disability Income and receive payments more quickly. Before the addition of the diagnosis, individuals were often denied benefits and endured a long appeal process.

Family members who are dealing with early-onset dementia often face major issues that are not associated with diagnosis at a later age, such as a loss of job due to declining cognitive abilities. For some individuals living with the early-onset type of this disease, SSDI is their main source of income. This change to the SSA will ease the application process for eligible individuals, diagnosed with the early onset form of Alzheimer’s disease and unable to continue with their work.

Whenever I do a family or professional training , I ask the audience members to consider what remains when someone is living with Alzheimer’s disease, as compared to the many losses the individual is experiencing.

This past week I spent some time with residents in the Compass Memory Support at the BayView Assisted Living, a community owned by Senior Living Residences. One of the residents had some difficulty walking into the dining room at lunchtime. The associates quickly offered her assistance and she rested in a chair for a few minutes before continuing in to have her meal.

Another resident, who had watched the scene closely, approached the staff and offered his services. Once he was assured that everything was fine, he went in to have his own lunch.

I spoke to Jennifer Hoadley, the Program Director, about the resident who had approached to offer help, commenting on his composure, true concern, and fast action. She said, “he is a former Boston firefighter and is always right there when anyone needs assistance.” Although he is now living with Alzheimer’s disease, his lifelong call to the service and safety of others remains, unchanged by his disease.

Science Daily, recently reported on new findings regarding neuroimaging and an increased ability to ‘see’ Alzheimer’s disease at its earliest stage. As you’ve read here before, earlier diagnosis will ultimately to improved treatment, possibly slowing the progression of the disease.

Researches at UCLA followed 169 study participants diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), the stage between the cognitive decline associated with normal aging and the more serious changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Over a three year period, they took pictures of the brains of the individuals in the study, using sophisticated imaging and noting subtle changes over time.

After three years, the researches observed that the individuals who converted from MCI to Alzheimer’s disease showed changes in the hippocampus of the brain, specifically a 10-30 percent atrophy. The early changes noted in the brain imaging appeared before participants reported any decrease in functional ability related to Alzheimer’s disease.

Lianna Apostolova, senior author, of the study’s related paper and a member of the UCLA Laboratory of Neuro Imaging stated, ““We feel this is an important finding because it is in living humans.” She went on to say, “Now we have a sensitive technique that shows the ‘invisible’ – this is, the progression of a disease before symptoms appear.”

The early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include decreased judgment, lack of initiative, challenges in solving problems, difficulty completing tasks, and withdrawal from social activities.

Residents at Senior Living Residences' Standish Village organized a fundraiser to benefit Haiti Relief.

I have a different picture of Alzheimer’s for you today, shared with me by Brooke Patterson, Memory Support Neighborhood (MSN) Program Director at Standish Village, a community owned and managed by Senior Living Residences.

Most days Brooke begins her day by encouraging the residents, living on the MSN, to come to her daily activity program. The day after the earthquake in Haiti, she came into the community and asked the residents to do just that. The residents all looked at her and asked, “What are we going to do?” She smiled and replied, “Something fun,” the response she offers on most days. The residents looked at her and said “Don’t you know what is going on in the world? We shouldn’t be having fun, we need to do something to help!”

More residents of Standish Village who are organizing a food and water drive to benefit haiti Relief efforts

Hearing about the tragic earthquake that occurred in Haiti, the residents were driven to action to offer compassionate assistance to those in need like many of us across the globe. Responding to the crisis, they have organized a community-wide food and water drive to donate to the Haitian Relief efforts.

The resident-directed drive was organized by individuals who are actively engaged, directed in their purpose, and proud of their compassionate efforts. Each one is living with Alzheimer’s disease.

www.nature.com/.../n1s/full/jcbfm2009170a.html

As with Alzheimer’s disease, there is no simple way to reach a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Individuals who notice symptoms associated with MCI, including forgetting appointments and details of recent events or conversations as well as frequently repeating conversations and information, should speak to their physician.

During the diagnostic process, one can expect to be asked a number of questions about noted changes, history of symptoms and a family health history. In addition, the physician may ask to speak with a family member or close friend, to ask about observation of symptoms.

From there, a number of tests will be conducted to eliminate other potential causes for memory loss including: a complete physical exam, blood tests, an evaluation for depression or other mental illness, brain imaging, and a neuropsychological assessment.

The process is very involved, but once completed offers a clear picture of what is causing memory changes. It is important to note that not all memory change is caused by Alzheimer’s disease. At times, memory loss may be caused by an acute condition that can be treated. Also, as researchers learn more and more about memory loss, recognition of the earliest changes in cognition will lead to the most effective treatment.

A recent study from the University of Central Florida (UCF), provides new information about the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease, where preventative treatment is possible.

Among scientists and many lay people, it is well known that beta-amyloid is a destructive force to nerve cells in people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Beta-amyloid builds up in the brain, clumping in neurons and forming damaging deposits knows as plaque. This plaque is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease.

In the disease process, the beta-amyloid damages and eventually kills neurons, brain cells. Many research studies have focused on the damaged nerve cells in trying to understand this process towards seeking a possible prevention and treatment.

In this new study, researchers from UCF looked at smaller amounts of beta-amyloid and its effect on healthy nerve cells. The scientists found that this more moderate exposure to the beta-amyloid has an effect on the cells, preventing the normal transfer of electronic signals in the brain.

The discovery is important in that it provides evidence that changes are occurring in the brain well before there are any noted changes to memory or behavior, that is, symptoms of the disease. This information may be valuable in the quest for a treatment that works in the earliest stages of the disease, suitable for an individual with the mild cognitive impairment.

More research is needed to fully understand the role of beta-amyloid in Alzheimer’s disease as well as potential treatments.

Have you ever heard the term Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)?

More and more, I see this term used for the general public: to describe newsworthy findings of studies about memory and aging, in educational materials from leading organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association, and from neurologists caring for people experiencing memory loss.

MCI refers to the stage between the cognitive decline associated with normal aging and the more serious changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease, marked by progressive loss of memory and day to day functional abilities.

Researchers and scientist are particularly interested in studying people with MCI as they may be seeing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) at its earliest stage. People with MCI are an important part of research studies seeking information about biomarkers, risk factors, and prevention of AD.

Senior Living Residences, www.seniorlivingresidences, is currently implementing a number of cognitive health initiatives to help people living with the memory changes associated with MCI and the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

Visit this blog again for information on the diagnosis, treatment, and services available for people with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

I have recently been inspired by a group of residents, living with Alzheimer’s disease, at Neville Place, a community managed by Senior Living Residences (www.SeniorLivingResidences.com). The residents have spent the last three months working on an exercise program with two students from Tufts University’s Occupational Therapy Department.

The student interns and the residents worked on building endurance and strength with exciting results. In the exercise group, the students asked the residents to do a little more each week, pushing them towards a new, but reachable goal. Over a period of ten weeks, the residents increased the amount of time they spent exercising, increased their repetitions in the movement group, and enjoyed the results.

Prior to the work with the student interns, the residents had participated in daily exercise, but they were all willing and able to do a little more. Research shows that exercise is an important part of maintaining cognitive health and may slow the progression of cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Having enjoyed all of my holiday celebrations, I now begin to think about the new year. It certainly seems that exercise should be a priority.  And, do I have some motivation!

Today, I heard an interesting interview with Judith Fox, a professional photographer.  Her husband has Alzheimer’s and she has been documenting his disease process in photographs and recently published a book, I Still Do.

Her photos and voice speak to remaining love despite the losses associated with Alzheimer’s disease. You can listen to the interview here, http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120568216&ft=1&f=13, see the photos here, www.judithfox.com , and read her blog here, http://judithfox.wordpress.com/.