Transcript And So It Is Dementia…

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“Dementia isn’t a specific disease.
Instead, dementia describes a group of
symptoms affecting memory, thinking
and social abilities severely enough to
interfere with daily functioning (19982015 Mayo Foundation for Medical
Education and Research).”
Many people refer to Dementia as
“Senile dementia.” This reference
incorrectly reflects that serious mental
decline is considered a part of “normal
aging.”
 This also used to be known as “the
hardening of the arteries” for our loved
ones prior to the Dementia diagnosis.
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In order for a dementia diagnosis to
occur, there needs to be a least TWO
core mental functions that have a
SIGNIFICANT decline or impairment.
These are as follows:
Memory
 Communication and Language
 Ability to Focus and Pay Attention
 Reasoning and Judgement
 Visual Perception
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http://www.alz.org/what-is-dementia.asp
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Just because someone is experiencing
some form of memory loss, does NOT mean
they have a diagnosis of Dementia.
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There ARE other causes for memory loss or
delirium. If you or a loved one is
experiencing these symptoms, please seek
medical treatment, for these symptoms
could potentially be reversed with
treatment. This could be a reaction to an
infection (i.e. Urinary Tract Infection), or a
medication that is currently being taken.
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Alzheimer’s Disease
Vascular Dementia
Lewy Bodies Dementia
Frontotemporal Dementia
Mixed Dementia
Parkinson’s Dementia
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
Huntington’s Disease
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
Diagnosed through a completed
medical assessment. These tests can
determine the prevelance of dementia,
however not necessarily what type.
 If Alzheimer’s may be an option by the
physician, additional testing may be
required. These are as follows:
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Through a medical history
 Mental Status Testing
 Physical and Neurological Exam
 Tests (such as blood tests and brain
imaging) to rule out other causes of
dementia-like symptoms
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http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_diagn
osis.asp
Find the right doctor!
 It is found that a skilled physician is
around 90% accurate when diagnosing
Alzheimers!
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Contact your primary care physician or
find a doctor you feel comfortable with.
 Many primary care physicians will
oversee the diagnosis process
 Primary care physicians may refer you to
a specialist in dementia.
-Neurologist
-Psychologist
-Psychiatrist
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Importance of Early Diagnosis
Although the onset of Alzheimer's disease cannot yet be stopped or
reversed, an early diagnosis allows people with dementia and their
families:
A better chance of benefiting from treatment
More time to plan for the future
Lessened anxieties about unknown problems
Increased chances of participating in clinical drug trials, helping
advance research
An opportunity to participate in decisions about care, transportation,
living options, financial and legal matters
Time to develop a relationship with doctors and care partners
Benefit from care and support services, making it easier for them and
their family to manage the disease.
http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_diagnosis.asp
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Keeping mentally active. Stimulate your brain!
Keeping socially active
Regular physical activity-maintains regular blood and
oxygen flow to the brain
Heart healthy dieting- low sugar, saturated fats, eat
plenty of fruits, veggies and whole grains.
Wear a seat belt
Wear a helmet during sports
Make your home fall safe!
DENIAL MAKES THINGS WORSE
http://www.alz.org/research/science/alzheimers_preven
tion_and_risk.asp
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Two diets that have been studied and may be
beneficial are the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop
Hypertension) diet and the Mediterranean diet. The
DASH diet emphasizes vegetables, fruits and fat-free
or low-fat dairy products; includes whole grains, fish,
poultry, beans, seeds, nuts, and vegetable oils; and
limits sodium, sweets, sugary beverages, and red
meats. A Mediterranean diet includes relatively little
red meat and emphasizes whole grains, fruits and
vegetables, fish and shellfish, and nuts, olive oil and
other healthy fats.
http://www.alz.org/research/science/alzheimers_preven
tion_and_risk.asp
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Alzheimers Associaiation TrialMatch database
John’s Hopkins University
Georgetown University
1. Alzheimer's Prevention Registry
Purpose: To enroll individuals who are interested in
learning about and possibly participating in Alzheimer's
prevention clinical studies and trials in a national registry.
2. Brain Health Registry
Purpose: To enroll people interested in participating in
brain health research in an ongoing online registry.
3. Caregiver Health-e Brain Study
Purpose: To assess the cognitive health of caregivers of
people with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias.
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1. AC-1204 for Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease
Purpose: To evaluate the effects of AC-1204 on cognition, activities of daily living,
quality of life, pharmacokinetic measures, and safety in people with mild to moderate
Alzheimer's disease.
2. AZD3293 in Early Alzheimer's Disease (AMARANTH)
Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of AZD3293 as a possible treatment for early
Alzheimer´s disease.
3. BAN2401 for Early Alzheimer's Disease
Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of the experimental drug BAN2401 as a possible
treatment for people with mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer's disease.
4. EVP-6124 for Treating Alzheimer's Disease
Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of EVP-6124 as a potential treatment for
mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
5. Lidocaine for Neuroprotection During Cardiac Surgery
Purpose: To see if the drug lidocaine can prevent cognitive decline after heart surgery.
6. MK-8931 for Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (APECS)
Purpose: To assess MK-8931 as a possible treatment for amnestic mild cognitive
impairment due to Alzheimer's disease.
7. MK-8931 for Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease
Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of MK-8931 as a possible treatment for
Alzheimer's disease.
http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/clinical-trials/results?statequery=Virginia
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseasesconditions/dementia/
 http://www.alz.org/dementia/.asp
 http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/clinic
al-trials/results?statequery=Virginia
 http://www.alz.org/research/science/alz
heimers_prevention_and_risk.asp
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