As a person ages, changes often occur within the brain that may influence memory and other cognitive abilities. A large amount of research suggests that a healthy lifestyle and attention to common medical conditions may reduce the risk of developing more serious memory disorders like Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Scientists have speculated…
Dementia is known as a disease that robs people of their memories, but it’s possible to have dementia without memory loss. Dementia refers to any loss of mental functioning that is not part of normal aging. This includes not only losing your memory, but issues with thinking, learning and reasoning. “There are many facets to…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted full approval for use of a new drug, lecanemab, to slow the progress of Alzheimer’s disease. Lecanemab, a monoclonal antibody treatment, dissolves plaques that can build up between brain cells, or neurons, and are widely thought to cause Alzheimer’s symptoms. The drug from Eisai Co. Ltd….
When a loved one is diagnosed with dementia or any memory disorder, the first thought might be that they will begin to forget things. While that is true, there are a host of other symptoms and changes that will occur. “As caregivers, we want to know what is normal and if there’s anything we can…
Driving and aging, dementia or other memory loss conditions are hard topics to discuss with loved ones. When to stop driving is a difficult thing to consider for yourself, as it can mean the loss of independence. It may be harder still when you realize your dementia or memory loss is putting you and others at risk…
Family gatherings might include struggling with many emotionally-charged issues, including a family member with dementia. Nationally-known educator and occupational therapist Teepa Snow, M.S., OTR/L, FAOTA, recently led a virtual presentation through Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Center and shared some tips on coping with family gatherings and dementia patients. Think smaller: People with dementia often have…
Symptoms of dementia in older adults aren’t reflected in the occasional mental slip, but a more substantial decline — the kind of drop in mental ability that interferes with daily activities and affects independence. Misplacing a pen or forgetting someone’s name is a normal loss of memory for someone who is older. Symptoms of dementia…
Drinking coffee is part of many people’s morning routines, but researchers say high levels of coffee consumption could put your brain at risk. A study out of Australia found an association between coffee and dementia. Consuming more than six cups of coffee daily led to a 53% increased risk of developing dementia later in life. While the researchers are…
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, you may have heard the term “sundowning.” The term refers to a state of confusion occurring in the late afternoon and spanning into the night. While the exact cause of sundowning is unknown, health care providers are learning more about the…
Crystal Narcisse, M.D., did not think twice about taking off her new tennis shoes and giving them to the patient in front of her, whose own shoes were falling apart. Rain was pouring on the brisk day in February 2019, and Dr. Narcisse, an internal medicine physician and pediatrician at Norton Community Medical Associates –…
Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor announced last week that she is in the early stages of dementia. What is dementia, and how does it differ from Alzheimer’s disease? Dementia describes symptoms that include memory loss, difficulty performing daily tasks and trouble communicating. It does not have a definitive diagnosis, though it can…
Nearly 6 million people in the United States have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, including more than 90,000 in Greater Louisville. Chances are you know someone with one of these diseases. “Alzheimer’s and other dementias slowly take away a person’s ability to communicate,” said Bradley S. Folley, Ph.D., neuropsychologist with Norton Neuroscience Institute. “These changes in…
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