A weekly recap of the latest news about Alzheimer’s and dementia
By Staff Blogger/ June, 2019
Alzheimer’s Orange County compiles a weekly roundup of the latest news stories and developments about Alzheimer’s and dementia to keep you updated on what’s happening locally and all around the world. Check out this week’s headlines below:
Alzheimer’s Genes Might Show Effects in Your 20s
Alan Mozes’ article discusses the genetic risk of Alzheimer’s. An ongoing word memory test called “MindCrowd” was launched in 2013 and has since tested 116,000 recruits. While the test is not a means of diagnosing Alzheimer’s or other related diseases, the test’s results show a clear link between participants’ family history of Alzheimer’s and their elevated risk in developing the disease. Read more here.
New Target For Drug Intervention in Alzheimer’s Disease Identified
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have uncovered an enzyme that they believe to be a possible target for intervention against Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Their studies show that the enzyme known as LIMK1 may, if properly inhibited, protect against damage done onto the brain’s dendritic spines, a telltale sign of Alzheimer’s. Read more here.
A Day in the Life With Mild Cognitive Impairment
Another form of news that we think is important to share with our readers is the real experiences of people living with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other forms of cognitive impairment. This article that follows Dale Rivard, an individual sharing his experiences since being diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). He shares his tips on staying organized and keeping track of daily activity, as well as other valuable advice on how to adapt to life with cognitive impairment. Read more here.
Personal Stories From Dementia Patients
Similar to the article shared above, this collection of experiences compiled by Elaine K. Howley illustrates the process of adapting to life with dementia and cognitive decline, as well as getting diagnoses and treatment. While the individuals in the stories had to face difficulties, many also found comfort in finding the meaning in their diseases and their changed lives.
