To Know or Not To Know: Why Get a Diagnosis for Dementia or Memory Impairment?

If you don’t read past this first sentence, the best advice I can give you is to get a diagnosis as early as possible.  In my years of experience as a clinician, I can relay countless stories of people who did not want to know whether they or their loved ones had Alzheimer’s disease or something like it.  “What good is it?  You can’t cure it anyway.”  Justifiable fear and denial successfully detract people from taking any steps towards diagnosing and/or treating the problem.  I am always saddened to see the many situations in which families are quickly hurled into disaster mode: desperate attempts to get legal documents in place and help for their loved one and themselves.  Here are some of the top

reasons why you should get a diagnosis early:

1)      Experimental treatments for Alzheimer’s disease are increasingly aimed at patients in early phases of memory loss.  Prolonging a diagnosis may translate into lost opportunities for potential treatment interventions.

2)      Some forms of memory impairment are treatable and need to be caught early to minimize long-term effects. Other forms may be indicative of a medical or psychological issue in need of intervention.

3)      Delaying diagnosis will not delay the progression of symptoms.  In fact, as symptoms progress more quickly, patients and families have less and less time to properly plan and get the help and support they need. Rather than managing symptoms and situations in a proactive way, families are forced to react to crisis situations that quickly drain resources and are emotionally exhausting.

4)      Information is power: a diagnosis does not change what is happening. But it provides an opportunity to make active choices.

 

If you are concerned about memory or cognitive impairment, address the issue as soon as possible.  At The Cognitive and Research Center of New Jersey, we are committed to helping you every step of the way.  Contact us today!

Can Nutritional Supplements Ward Off Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Loss?

This is a big question, with a big market.  While some more recent studies have shown that healthy diet and exercise can help reduce cognitive symptoms of old age and dementia, no one nutrient has proved itself as the magic bullet.  It is important to recognize that there is a difference between a single nutrient that works, and a diet or lifestyle that works.  The research thus far points in the direction of diet, exercise, and lifestyle.  All the “common sense” things: eat healthy, exercise, keep active and interactive.  We do not yet have compelling data to suggest that any one nutrient or supplement is effective.  Beware of labels and claims you may read on or about holistic remedies.  These are not subject to the scrutiny of the FDA.  This also does not mean you should not take them. Always consult with your doctor first.  And, if you are interested in nutraceuticals for the treatment of memory loss, research is underway.  Contact The Cognitive and Research Center of New Jersey to find out more.

 

From the desk of Michelle Papka, Ph.D.

Director of The Cognitive and Research Center of New Jersey

Patients and family members often ask me what they can do to help preserve their memory and cognitive functioning.  Most think of crossword puzzles and, now, computer programs as the sure fixes.  What I always say is that it is important to keep the mind active and engaged, but there is no precise prescription for doing so.  I encourage people to do what is interesting, enjoyable, and doable for them, whether it be planting a garden, attending a book group, making a recipe, or even, yes, a puzzle of some sort.

In addition, do not underestimate the power of conversation and reminiscing, even if the words or memories are not exact.  Reminiscent therapy, a type of therapy in which patients are helped to talk about personal memories from the past, usually with the aid of visual and verbal prompts, has been shown to be more effective than cognitive rehabilitation in helping to preserve cognitive functioning in patients with dementia.  So, next time you're looking for an activity, consider taking out a photo album, milling through the attic or boxed up forget-me-nots, and enjoying the many benefits of active reminiscing.  

Healthy Brain vs. Alzheimer’s Brain

Alzheimer’s Disease leads to nerve cell tissue loss and damage throughout the brain. This over time, dramatically shrinks the size of the brain and, in-turn, affects almost all of its functions.

Here are the descriptions for each stage that a brain with Alzheimer’s Disease goes through:

1. Early/Mild Stage
   In the early stage of Alzheimer’s Disease, the cells in the hippocampus degenerate which causes short-term memory to start to diminish. Cortical shrinkage starts to occur, which refers to progressive degeneration of the outer layer of the brain (also known as the cortex) in the back, or posterior, part of the brain. During this time visual tasks become difficult, such as judging distance, identifying or using common objects, and simply reading a line of text becomes hard to do.
2. Moderate Stage
   As Alzheimer’s Disease progresses through the brain and moves into the moderate stage of the disease, plaques and tangles spread throughout the cortex. Individuals develop problems with memories and thought processes and they have a hard time with their social and work life. The plaques and tangles also spread to areas of the brain that affect the individuals speaking ability and their behavioral and emotional state of being.
3. Severe Stage
   In the severe stage of Alzheimer’s Disease the brain has shrunk dramatically, due to nerve cell death, and the cortex of the brain is almost completely damaged. This results in the individual losing their ability to recognize friends or family members. An individual in this stage also loses bodily functions and requires a caregiver 24/7.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms described above or if you have noticed a change in a loved one that exhibit the symptoms above, please consult with your doctor. The earlier you or your loved one can be screened, the better.

If you or a loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease and are interested in learning more about clinical research, please visit http://www.thecrcnj.com/CurrentStudies.html.

Alzheimer’s Disease – Nutrition & Proper Diet/Tips

For people living with Alzheimer’s Disease, eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet is nothing but beneficial. Proper nutrition is important to keep the body healthy and strong. For a person living with Alzheimer’s Disease, an unhealthy diet may worsen their cognitive function and increase their behavior symptoms.

Here are some nutrition and diet tips to follow to maintain cognitive function and an overall healthy state of mind:

• Cut down on refined sugars
• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Get a good balance of exercise
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
• Limit foods with high saturated fat and cholesterol
• Limit foods with high sodium and use less salt
• Construct a diet with foods high in antioxidant content
• Eat a variety of foods from each category
• Eat slowly
• Do not talk with food in your mouth
• Minimize distractions in the area where you eat
• Cut your food into small pieces and chew it thoroughly 
• Prepare meals that are easy to make and eat

As Alzheimer’s Disease progresses, loss of appetite and weight loss may become more of a concern and your doctor may suggest adding supplements between meals to get extra calories incorporated into your diet. Staying hydrated can be tough at times in Alzheimer’s patients so try to drink small cups of water throughout the day and consume foods with high water content. All in all, with the proper diet, your body will work more efficiently, you will have a lot more energy and your medications will work properly.

If you or a loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease and are interested in learning more about clinical research, please visit http://www.thecrcnj.com/CurrentStudies.html.

Clinical Studies 101

Here at The Cognitive Research Center of New Jersey, we are committed to excellence in clinical research. We want to make sure that you are educated as to what clinical research studies are, how they can help you, and where to go for more information.

What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a set of procedures conducted in medical research and drug development to make sure a new drug or device is safe and effective for a particular condition. These are the steps followed before the FDA will approve the new drug or device.

Participation in clinical trials allows access to medications and medical treatments that are not yet available to the general public. If you are going through treatment for a condition and are not satisfied with the results, a clinical trial might be a good option for you. Generally, the medication and examinations are provided at no cost and you may be reimbursed for your time and travel expenses.

Each clinical trial is unique. The physician conducting the clinical trial will be able to give you more detail on how many visits will be required, what you’ll need to do at home, etc., during the initial consultation.

It is important that you know as much about the trial as you can. Plan ahead and prepare a list of questions to ask in order to feel comfortable about participating in the clinical trial. Tests, exams, and follow up are very common procedures done throughout a clinical trial to ensure the safety of participants.

Benefits:

• Gain access to advanced medical care, new medications, and treatments not yet available to the general public
• Play an active role in your own health care
• Help others by contributing to medical research
• Get reimbursed for your time and expenses (available for some clinical trials)

Risks:

• Side effects can potentially be unpleasant and in some cases serious
• The treatment or medication may not prove to be effective
• The clinical trial may require a significant amount of time

Where Can I Go to Learn More?

To learn more about clinical research, visit CISCRP (The Center for Information & Study on Clinical Research Participation).

To learn more about clinical studies going on at The Cognitive Research Center of NJ, please visit or contact us to let us know which Alzheimer’s studies you are interested in. We’ll then notify you when a study becomes available.

Alzheimer's Disease - Treatment & Care

There are currently no methods of preventing or curing Alzheimer’s Disease. Researchers continue to pursue options to reverse the changes in memory loss and prevent the disease. However, there are treatment options for people living with the disease.

Here are five options to help treat and care for someone living with Alzheimer’s Disease:

1. Medications: Cholinesterase Inhibitors – these inhibitors help strengthen the way nerve cells respond to acetylcholine (which helps cell-to-cell communication) which may help stabilize the symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease. Also Memantine is a drug that slows down the progression of symptoms for individuals suffering from moderate to severe Alzheimer’s Disease.
2. Non-Drug Therapies: sensory therapies such as music therapy can help improve the simple daily functions in an individual with Alzheimer’s Disease. Some of these functions include mood, behavior, and attitude.
3. Nutrition: as the disease progresses, and individual’s memory fades quickly and remembering to eat also diminishes. This can lead to under or overeating. Additionally, individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease sometimes forget to drink water, which leads to dehydration. 
4. Exercise: exercise is important to improve and maintain healthy joints, muscles and most importantly, individuals’ hearts. It also helps keep the agitation and aggression away and can help with sleep.
5. Environment: it is important to adapt the living situation of the individual suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease to make it safe and comfortable. Make sure your loved one has comfortable footwear, a clean environment, and make sure proper handles and support railings are in place. 

Medications won’t stop Alzheimer’s Disease, but they can help slow the progression of symptoms. Getting the proper balance of diet, exercise, and environment allows the individual to keep the disease stable. New treatments aimed at halting, reversing, and possibly stopping the disease process, and others geared towards improving functioning are being tested in clinical research studies.

If you or a loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease and are interested in learning more about clinical research, please visit http://www.thecrcnj.com/CurrentStudies.html.