The guidelines issued by the National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association, break the disease into three distinct stages. The stages are preclinical Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s dementia. Preclinical, a newly recognized stage describes a time when a person appears healthy, but has amyloid deposits occurring in the brain, a noted hallmark of the disease. Researchers believe this occurs ten years before the onset of symptoms and can be identified by sensitive scans. The guidelines also officially recognize mild cognitive impairment as part of the disease. These stages will not be used in clinical diagnosis at this time, but in the research setting.

Finally, the guidelines expand the criteria for dementia, including impairment in visuals/special function, judgment and reasoning. The former guidelines only recognized declines in memory functions.

The new guidelines will assist researchers in discovering interventions at the earliest stage of this disease, the preclinical one. It is believed the preventative measures and treatments would be most effective at that point in the disease course as compared to later in the illness.

The gazebo overlooking Ice House Pond on the Golden Pond campus

Senior Living Residences is looking forward to hosting friends and colleagues at Compass at Hopkinton for a fantastic Grand Opening Celebration on March 3rd!  After completing extensive building renovations, hand-picking a seasoned management team of experts, and implementing Compass Memory Support programming on all levels, SLR is ready to show off their newest memory support neighborhood!  This is SLR’s first Alzheimer’s care community in the metro-west area.  SLR brings a new approach to Alzheimer’s care within their Compass Memory Support Neighborhoods(R), with programs that are research-based, and proven to actually treat the symptoms of dementia.

Senior Living Residences has proven expertise in the senior housing industry since its inception in 1990.  Through its work with leading academic institutions and clinicians, SLR also enjoys an excellent reputation for its support of research to advance the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, receiving an award from the Boston University School of Medicine’s Alzheimer’s Disease Center for its efforts in this area.

SLR’s Compass Memory Support is unique in that it addresses the needs of seniors exhibiting the early symptoms of memory loss – often diagnosed as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). MCI is marked by memory loss and mild confusion, and is often described as the stage between forgetfulness associated with normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease. Attentive family members may notice the early warning signs of memory loss or dementia: repeating questions; unnecessary worrying about small matters; difficulty following medication instructions; misplacing or not paying bills; and reduced interest in socializing and hobbies. SLR’s innovative research-based programs are designed to treat this group of seniors, and potentially delay the progression of their dementia.

Compass at Hopkinton is located within the well-established Golden Pond Assisted Living campus in Hopkinton, MA and serves the Metrowest area from Framingham to Marlboro and  Worcester,  including the smaller communities of Natick, Norwood, Sudbury, Medway, Millis, Maynard, Franklin, Sherborn, Grafton, Hopedale, Hudson, Wayland, Weston, Shrewsbury, Boylston, Bolton and Northborough.  The building offers a variety of programs, including a geropsych program, on-site rehab gym, traditional assisted living, and a daycare center.  Our Compass residents benefit from access to Golden Pond’s programs.  For instance, residents engage with the daycare children a few times a week, as they share in story-reading, art projects, and music.  We are confident that our new partnership will be beneficial to the entire Golden Pond Community.

On March 3rd, at 5PM, we will open our doors to town officials, elder care professionals, family members, and all who are interested in being a part of the celebration.  Stop in for a beverage and tasty hors d’oeuvres, and learn more about SLR’s Alzheimer’s care difference!  Visit www.compasshopkinton.com

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.”

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.

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.

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.