Page 17 - Leisure Living Magazine June 2016

Learn About Alzheimer’s
Disease And Dementia
By Theresa Bowen, Ph.D., email theesajb@gmail.com
Is there a difference between Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia? Are they the same thing? Alzheimer’s disease is the most com- mon form of dementia that causes prob- lems with memory, thinking and behavior. Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging as many perceive but age is one of the risk factors. Most people who get Alzheimer’s Disease are over 65 and the risk does dou- ble every 5 years after age 65. As a matter of fact, nearly half of 85-year-olds don’t have it. The main problem that defines Alzheimer’s is trouble planning and handling day-to-day tasks, like paying bills, managing a check- book, or using familiar appliances around the house. Repeating yourself, getting lost, and unsure thinking skills show up after the process of Alzheimer’s has already begun in the brain. It is normal to forget a meeting. It’s a warning sign if you forget many meetings, big events, or where you are. The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease often come on slowly but do get worse over time.
Dementia is not a specific disease. It is a general term for a wide-range of symp- toms associated with learning and memory. Dementia is caused by damage to brain cells. Different types of dementia are linked with particular types of brain cell damage. Types of dementia include: vascular dementia, fronto- temporal dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and Lewy Body. For example, vascular dementia occurs after a stroke and is the second most common type of dementia.
According to the Alzheimer’s Reading Room, “dementia is a symptom, and Alzheimer’s disease is the cause of the symp- tom”. People often think of dementia as a form of memory loss. Usually it does start by affecting people’s short-term memory but it’s more than that, it can also affect the way peo- ple think, speak, recognize things, feel, and behave. Dementia makes it harder to com- municate and do everyday things, but there is a lot that can be done to help. Many people
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with dementia continue to drive, socialize and hold satisfying jobs. Even as dementia progresses you can still continue your favor- ite hobbies, enjoy friendships, and lead an active healthy life.
In 2015 Congress passed a bill to raise research funding to $350 million in 2016. A local Ohioan, Dr. Issac Schiefer, from the University of Toledo’s Health Science Campus thinks the key to slowing or even stopping Alzheimer’s disease could be in a drug. He and his team are testing a new class of molecule that is helping restore brain activ- ity in mice. Dr. Schiefer recently received a $100,000 New Investigator Grant from the Alzheimer’s Association. This grant allows him to further study the drug characteris- tics of the prototype molecule he developed last year. Witnessing his grandfather’s battle with Alzheimer’s Disease drove him to pur- sue better treatment options for Alzheimer’s patients. His lab designs the drugs, makes the drugs, and then tests them to see if they work. His goal is to be sure the drug is a mar- ketable product and not too expensive for consumers to afford.
For more information on Dr. Schiefer’s research read Ohioan on the Forefront of Alzheimer’s Research at www.alz.org/nwohio spring 2016 newsletter. If you have any con- cerns about your memory please consult with your healthcare provider.
Theresa Bowen, Ph.D. is an Educational Consultant and Distance Education professor. She conducts technical training for community colleges, universities, and small businesses. With over thirty-nine years’ experience in education and training she recently completed training for faculty members in Tennessee, Kansas and Arizona. Dr. Bowen has a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Toledo, OH with a minor in research methods, media, and business management. Her Bachelor of Science and Masters of Arts degrees are in education from The Defiance College, Defiance OH. When she isn’t glued to a computer she enjoys playing piano, making videos, and painting.
As an avid reader of Leisure Living Magazine she will keep readers up-to-date on the recent developments and research for Alzheimer’s disease.
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