Early-Onset Alzheimers and Other Memory Robbing Diseases: March 2019

Monday, March 18, 2019

Living with vascular dementia: Wayne’s story

Wayne Eaton was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2014, ten years after having a heart attack. Wayne explains how vascular dementia affects him and shares his advice for others living with the condition. Read more about vascular dementia at http://www.bhf.org.uk/vasculardementia

Saturday, March 16, 2019

Inside the Mind of Alzheimer's with Greg O'Brien

As someone who has Alzheimer’s, Greg shared these tips and strategies to others who have also been diagnosed with or are progressing with the disease:

Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Be willing to give up control over certain things, but hold on to your essence and strengths.
Physical exercise can really help reboot the brain.
Talk about the disease with your family and your community.
Get involved in clinical trials, telling your story, or advocacy. It will help you realize that you are not alone.
If you are a caregiver with a loved one who has Alzheimer’s, from Greg’s perspective, these are some things that can really make a difference:

It’s not what you say, but how you say it. Body language and keeping your body calm can help a person who may be frustrated or angry.
Don’t challenge a question; just go with the disease.
Say “we” instead of “you” when trying to solve problems.
Be aware that sundown may be the most difficult time of the day and plan ahead for that.
Acknowledge your own anger and frustration.

Richard Grellman speaks about his family’s journey with early onset Alzheimer’s Disease.

My wife Suellen has advanced young onset Alzheimer’s disease having been formally diagnosed in 2011 aged just 61. She has been in Residential Care since early 2014 and requires constant high levels of care and support.

For me, our children, her family and our close friends, we have had to learn to walk this journey with Suellen, all sharing the desolate sense of helplessness, frustration and sadness that comes with knowing that there is currently no known cure.

Any advances in understanding the causes, preventative measures, treatment and care can start the process of confronting this terrible disease and hopefully reduce the number of families that have to endure what Suellen and we are experiencing.

The Dementia Momentum® is a bold attempt to bring the right researchers and corporate donors together to materially increase the pace of clear, clever and relevant work in confronting this disease.

I am delighted to commend this initiative and encourage you to do what you can to assist.
Read more thru any of the links below..

https://cheba.unsw.edu.au/the-dementia-momentum

https://cheba.unsw.edu.au/the-dementia-momentum/spokesman-mr-richard-grellman-am

https://cheba.unsw.edu.au/the-dementia-momentum

https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/seeing-my-mum-with-alzheimers-broke-my-heart/3300818/

https://www.hammond.com.au/about/news/aged-dementia-care/richard-grellman-and-his-family-s-journey-with-early-onset-alzheimer-s-disease

Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease: What Families and Patients Need to Know

UCLA psychiatrist Gary Small, MD, discusses early-onset Alzheimer's disease, its similarities, and differences from late-onset disease, and what patients and families at any age need to know.

Thursday, March 14, 2019

Frontotemporal Dementia Early Onset

Denise Thomas talks about life with her husband of 35 years, Randy, who suffers from a rare form of dementia called Frontotemporal dementia. (December 15, 2013 Video by Tammy Ljungblad | The Kansas City Star)

Early Onset Alzheimer's disease: Jim's Story

When it had only been a single incident, Jim Mann might not have gone to see his doctor. When a series of strange events happened within one month of each other, he knew something was wrong. Because of his age Jim didn't expect to be presented with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, but being only 58 years old people did not believe him; they said he was too young. He now says that finding out was the best thing he could have done; that the knowledge has allowed him to fight the progression of the disease.

Saturday, March 9, 2019

Frontotemporal Dementia

Ashley Campbell - "Remembering"

About Frontotemporal Dementia
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) or frontotemporal degenerations refers to a group of disorders caused by progressive nerve cell loss in the brain's frontal lobes (the areas behind your forehead) or its temporal lobes (the regions behind your ears).

The nerve cell damage caused by frontotemporal dementia leads to loss of function in these brain regions, which variably cause deterioration in behavior, personality and/or difficulty with producing or comprehending language.

READ MORE...

Lewy Body Dementia

Kenny Chesney - While He Still Knows Who I Am - An Alzheimer's Tribute

About Lewy body dementia

Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a type of progressive dementia that leads to a decline in thinking, reasoning and independent function because of abnormal microscopic deposits that damage brain cells over time.

Most experts estimate that Lewy body dementia is the third most common cause of dementia after Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia, accounting for 5 to 10 percent of cases.
Read More...

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

JAY ALLEN - BLANK STARES (Official Music Video)

About Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

Prion diseases, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, occur when prion protein, which is found throughout the body but whose normal function isn't yet known, begins folding into an abnormal three-dimensional shape. This shape change gradually triggers prion protein in the brain to fold into the same abnormal shape.

Dementia and Alzheimer's: What Are the Differences?

(Video): SOMETIMES by Charlie McGettigan - a song about Alzheimer's/Dementia

Dementia and Alzheimer's: What Are the Differences?

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease aren’t the same. Dementia is an overall term used to describe symptoms that impact memory, the performance of daily activities, and communication abilities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease gets worse with time and affects memory, language, and thought.

While younger people can develop dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, your risk increases as you age. Still, neither is considered a normal part of aging.

Although symptoms of the two conditions may overlap, distinguishing them is important for management and treatment.

TAU-AMYLOID LINK POINTS TO NEW ALZHEIMER’S TARGET

TAU-AMYLOID LINK POINTS TO NEW ALZHEIMER’S TARGET

Researchers have discovered a link between two proteins related to Alzheimer’s disease, tau and amyloid beta, finding that people with more amyloid in their brains also produce more tau.

It’s a paradox of the disease: Plaques of the sticky protein amyloid beta are the most characteristic sign in the brain of the deadly neurodegenerative disease. However, many older people have such plaques in their brains but do not have dementia.

The memory loss and confusion of Alzheimer’s instead is associated with tangles of a different brain protein—tau—that show up years after the plaques first form.

READ MORE...

Chris Mann - Remember Me (An Anthem for Alzheimer's Disease)

SHARE this video if someone you love has been affected by Alzheimer's Disease. Use #RememberMe to raise awareness!

A Connecticut Couple Shares the Story of Early Onset Alzheimer's

Meet his amazing couple who are living a life they didn't foresee, a life with one of the two of them diagnosed with dementia. They are an inspiration. To learn more about Alzheimer's and how to help those dealing with all forms of dementia, head to www.alz.org/ct .

"Hurts So Good" John Melloncamp, Sung by Dave Watson. Support Early Onset Alzheimers.

Early Onset Alzheimer's disease: Jim's Story

When it had only been a single incident, Jim Mann might not have gone to see his doctor. When a series of strange events happened within one month of each other, he knew something was wrong. Because of his age Jim didn't expect to be presented with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, but being only 58 years old people did not believe him; they said he was too young. He now says that finding out was the best thing he could have done; that the knowledge has allowed him to fight the progression of the disease.

If you're concerned about a loved one, take him or her to see their doctor.

Friday, March 8, 2019

Anything That's Part of You as sung by Yours Truly. Support Early Onset Alzheimers.

I have Early -Onset ALZ. That has limited my ability to learn songs, but I still love to sing. So if you notice me looking toward my screen, it to see the words I can't remember. I decide to record as many as I could and put them up for my wife and kids and grandkids, as this is how they have always seen me and always remember me, Singing. I get out of bed singing...LOL

The documentary "Much Too Young" about early onset Alzheimer's

The documentary "Much Too Young" premieres on TVO tonight at 9 p.m. The Agenda takes a look at the making of this documentary and the lives of the people in it. "Much Too Young" is an eye-opening look at a rare form of Alzheimer's, and the young people who have been thrust into the role of caregiver to a parent diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's.

While I'm Still Sue: Early-onset Alzheimers

At 57 Sue Robertson’s life is slipping away as early-onset Alzheimer’s takes over. Her son and now full-time carer, Adam, is desperate to ensure Sue realizes her dreams with the time they have left.
But he is concerned the pressure of completing her bucket list will tip Sue over the edge and force her into full-time care, her worst nightmare.

Monster In The Mind (Alzheimer's Documentary) - Real Stories

Alzheimer’s, 83-year-old CNN veteran Jean Carper Investigates

Shocked to discover she is at high risk of Alzheimer’s, 83-year-old CNN veteran Jean Carper, (also the New York Times bestselling author of Stop Aging Now!, Food Your Miracle Medicine and Your Miracle Brain) embarks on a journey to face her fears and find out everything she can to avoid the disease.

Investigating Alzheimer’s place in the collective conscience, Carper laments that while working as a journalist earlier in her career, she had made a very different type of Alzheimer’s documentary and became “part of the propaganda machinery to sell Alzheimer’s to the public.”

Now, 30-years-later, Carper explores the astonishing story of a disease shrouded in mystery and branded by health care professionals with an outsized and undeserved sense of doom. Weaving together imagery from old horror films with her own experiences of high tech testing led by contemporary research leaders in the field, Carper boldly and at times humorously illustrates a societal fear reminiscent of the world’s most sensational science fiction, horror, and disaster movies. What arises is a surprisingly uplifting vision that can help us save ourselves and the world from dementia.

23 Year Old Is Youngest To be Diagnosed With Dementia

A young lad has been diagnosed with early onset dementia and Parkinson's at just 23 after inheriting the diseases from his mum who died at the age of 52. Jordan Adams is thought to be the youngest person ever in the country to be diagnosed with the degenerative conditions and is worried that he could even pass it on if he has children. He was given the crushing news that he had a rare mutation of the MAPT gene by doctor’s last month and has been told that his condition will deteriorate as he gets older and that he could have symptoms at any time. It means that Jordan’s life may end his in his 50s, the same age as his mum and aunt were when they both lost their battle.

Thursday, March 7, 2019

Glen Campbell went public in June 2011 with the news that he has Alzheimer's disease

Glen Campbell went public in June 2011 with the news that he has Alzheimer's disease, and he's marked the twilight of his life with a surprisingly ambitious project. The country singer's final, revealing album, 'Ghost on the Canvas. Country music legend Glen Campbell has died at age 81 following a long battle with Alzheimer's disease, his family announced today. Campbell was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2011, at the age of 75, according to Rolling Stone. Later that year, he announced he was retiring because of his illness, and began a farewell tour that included 151 shows, Rolling Stone said. Although Alzheimer's disease shortens people's life spans, it is usually not the direct cause of a person's death, according to the Alzheimer's Society, a charity in the United Kingdom for people with dementia. Rather, people die from complications from the illness, such as infections or blood clots.

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Early Onset Alzheimer’s – What Everyone Needs to Know

Nearly everyone experiences some forgetful moments from time to time, such as being unable to recall where the keys were placed or not remembering someone’s name. For the most part, these instances are no cause for concern. Everyday stress and lack of sleep could be the underlying reasons for such absentmindedness. However, this is also how most people tend to disregard potential initial warning signs of what may actually be early onset Alzheimer’s (AD).

READ MORE CLICK HERE...

To Help Others, One Couple Talks About Life With Early-Onset Alzheimer's

T o Help Others, One Couple Talks About Life With Early-Onset Alzheimer's

Brian Mann for NPR

When Bella Doolittle heard her diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's last February, she sat in the car outside the doctor's office and cried. "He said, 'Well, we figured out what's going on with you and this is it.' And I'm like, 'No, it's not.' "

Doolittle's husband, Will Doolittle, sits next to her on the couch, recalling how she grilled the doctor. "You asked, 'How long does this take? How long do I have?' And he said, 'On average, eight years.' That really upset you."

The “Silent Epidemic” of Early-Onset Alzheimer’s

by Marco Cáceres Published September 11, 2017 | Health, Immune & Brain Disorders

A study published in the journal Surgical Neurology International in 2015 highlighted a growing trend in the onset of dementia among people under 65 years of age. The study, authored by Colin Pritchard and Emily Rosenorn-Lanng of Bournemouth University in England, found that dementia and other neurological diseases among people in 21 Western countries between the ages of 55 and 74 had dramatically increased during 1989-2010. By 2010, the average age of people developing dementia was 10 years less than in 1989.
READ MORE...

Early-Onset Alzheimer’s

What is early-onset Alzheimer’s disease?
How common is early-onset Alzheimer’s?
How is early-onset Alzheimer’s different from late-onset Alzheimer’s?

LEARN MORE CLICK HERE...

Early-onset Alzheimer's strikes families fast and ferociously

By Céleste Owen-Jones

Alzheimer's is thought of as a disease of the elderly. But the early-onset form of the disease can wreak havoc for young people and their families.
On a fall day in Westbury, New York state, Brandon Henley, 18, hastily opens the front door of his small house. The nurse his mother has been calling all day has finally arrived to deliver urgently needed anti-seizure medicine.

What Are the Signs of Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)?

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affects more than 5 million people in the United States.

Although it’s known to affect adults 65 years and older, up to 5 percent of those diagnosed have early onset AD. This generally means that the person diagnosed is in their 40s or 50s.

It can be difficult to obtain a true diagnosis at this age because many symptoms may appear to be a result of typical life events such as stress.

As the disease affects the brain, it can cause a decline in memory, reasoning, and thinking abilities. The decline is typically slow, but this can vary on a case-by-case basis.

Early Alzheimer’s, the Search for a Cure Begins Within

For a Family With Near-Certainty of Early Alzheimer’s, the Search for a Cure Begins Within

By Odharnait Ansbro

Dr. Francisco Lopera was a young medical resident in Antioquia, Colombia when he encountered his first familial Alzheimer’s patient in the mid 1980s. The patient, a man from a local village, was only 47 years old. Over the next few years, Lopera would meet more and more patients like him—all middle-aged adults with severe memory problems.

Intrigued by this trend, he decided to investigate. What he discovered would revolutionize how science understands familial Alzheimer’s disease and give lead to one of the first Alzheimer’s prevention trials in the world.

They Are Still Here, and They Can Still Contribute”: What He Learned From Alzheimer’s at Age 51

By Esther Kentish | February 8th, 2019

Before being diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer’s in his early 50s, Jeff Borghoff received several misdiagnoses from different doctors and was even put on medication for epilepsy before being accurately diagnosed. As an Alzheimer’s advocate, he believes legislation should be passed that requires physicians to attend education centers where they can learn more about Alzheimer’s to effectively diagnosis people. When it comes to the public, he says people often say to him, “You don’t look like you have Alzheimer’s.” Borghoff takes this statement as an opportunity to educate people about Alzheimer’s and eliminate some of the stereotypes surrounding the disease.

Thought My Family Would Be Better off Without Me

I Thought My Family Would Be Better off Without Me’: Navigating Depression After an Early-Onset Diagnosis

When Peter Berry was first diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at age 50, his first thoughts were that he was a burden to his family and they’d be better off without him. Eventually, he dealt with his depression by thinking about how alone he and his family felt after his diagnosis and choosing to help others going through similar experiences. Now, Berry is an Alzheimer’s advocate who shares his experience on his YouTube channel, social media page and at speaking events.

Understanding Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease by Molli Grossman PhD, Gerontology

The obvious reason that early-onset differs from late-onset is the age when individuals first show signs of the disease. Not so obvious is the fact that this age of onset can be determined by one’s genes, or rather mutations of particular genes. While there are some genes that can put someone at a higher risk for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, most cases of Alzheimer’s disease that occur in the later years seem to be due to a gradual accumulation of age-related malfunctions (plaques and tangles in the brain). However, early-onset Alzheimer’s is more likely to be genetically related and begins at a younger age.

READ MORE...

Early Onset Alzheimer’s (Brain Test)

Before being diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, many individuals aren’t aware that this is not just a disease that affects the elderly. Being the most common form of dementia, it’s assumed by a large percentage of the population that only those in their later years show symptoms. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case.

Although there is truth to this based on the majority of cases, Alzheimer’s can also affect individuals as early as their 30s or 40s. When individuals are diagnosed under the age of 65, this is what’s referred to as early-onset. Approximately 5 percent of those affected with Alzheimer’s suffer from this form.

Pat Summitt's death: What we know about early-onset Alzheimer's

Pat Summitt, the legendary University of Tennessee women's basketball coach who died today at the age of 64, was diagnosed with early-onset dementia five years before her death. In a statement, her son Tyler said she died peacefully, after putting up a fierce fight against the disease. "Since 2011, my mother has battled her toughest opponent, early onset dementia, 'Alzheimer's Type,' and she did so with bravely fierce determination just as she did with every opponent she ever faced," he said. "Even though it's incredibly difficult to come to terms that she is no longer with us, we can all find peace in knowing she no longer carries the heavy burden of this disease." Summit was just 59 years old when she was first diagnosed with early onset dementia, Alzheimer's type, in 2011. Early-onset, also known as younger-onset, refers to cases diagnosed in people younger than 65. Read More...

Mike Henley has Alzheimer's disease.

Mike Henley is 47. What hair he has left is white. He no longer has teeth and is so thin and pale that it seems he could vanish at any moment. He cannot speak, he cannot walk and no-one knows if he can understand what is going on around him.
When he was diagnosed at 36, doctors said he would die within five to seven years. More than a decade later he survives. "Younger people's bodies are stronger," says his wife, Karen.
But young-onset Alzheimer's also progresses faster than the disease in older people. Mike was diagnosed in 2001. By 2004 he was unable to speak and by 2006 he was unable to walk.
Read More...

You got a friend By David Watson Support Early Onset Alzheimer's