The American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias recently reported in an open-label pilot study that apple juice improved behavioral, but not cognitive symptoms in moderate-to-late Alzheimer’s disease patients. Although this was a very small study of only 21 institutionalized patients who drank two 4-ounce glasses of apple juice twice a day for a month, the study suggests that apple juice may be a useful nutritional supplement since, as Alzheimer’s disease (AD)  progresses, the mood of AD patients may decline as well. It may help ease the burden for caregivers.

The study said, “Caregivers reported an approximate 27% (P < .01) improvement in behavioral and psychotic symptoms associated with dementia as quantified by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory, with the largest changes in anxiety, agitation, and delusion.”

Exactly how apple juice might help remains unclear. It’s possible that the antioxidant nutrients in the apple juice reduces the oxidative damage to the brain tissue.

Since this was a very small study funded by the apple industry with no placebo, the conclusions need to be viewed with caution. However, given that apple juice is a healthy and inexpensive beverage, it would seem a positive thing for caregivers to try.

The Alzheimer’s Association issued this today and I received it in an e-mail. If you did not receive it, I am reproducing it here. It is indeed breaking news: Major Advocacy Victory for People with Younger-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced today they have added early-onset/younger onset Alzheimer’s to the list of conditions under its Compassionate Allowance Initiative, giving those with the disease expedited access to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The Alzheimer’s Association, a longtime advocate for those with early-onset Alzheimer’s, has played an integral role in this movement to reduce the length of disability decision process.

Sign our Thank You Card to SSA.

This is a victory for individuals with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and is a direct result of the hard work done by Alzheimer’s Association advocates. Since 2003, the Alzheimer’s Association has been working on behalf of individuals with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease to improve the Social Security disability process. Learn more about our advocacy work.

Many people with early-onset Alzheimer’s or other dementias have faced challenges when applying for Social Security benefits. Individuals are often initially denied but usually win benefits on appeal, a process which can take several years.

Last summer SSA hosted a hearing in Chicago to examine access to social security disability benefits for people with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias through its Compassionate Allowances Initiative.

Over 70 advocates with Alzheimer’s disease, their families and caregivers attended the hearing to hear testimony from people living with Alzheimer’s as well as medical experts. I was honored to be able to testify as well. Since that hearing, over 600 advocates from across the country submitted written testimony and personal stories of their experiences and challenges

Alzheimer’s Association advocates helped SSA understand the impact of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease on individuals and their families and helped influence their decision to add early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias to their list of Compassionate Allowances. Without advocates just like YOU, this wouldn’t have been possible.

Please join us in thanking the SSA for their decision.

Thank you for using your VOICE.

Sincerely,

Harry Johns
President and CEO

PS: Many of you know others who have been affected by this disease. Please forward this message onto them so they can join us in thanking SSA and learn more.

To send this post to your family and friends, use this link: http://aboutalz.com/?p=420

How is dementia different from Alzheimer’s disease? According to ezinearticles.com author Molly Shomer, she says that the term dementia seems to be preferred over Alzheimer’s disease possibly because of the less frightening connotation and that many are using the word interchangeably, but that is not correct. Dementia and Alzheimer’s are different.

Shomer says dementia is a symptom, just as pain is a symptom for something causing the pain. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, memory loss by itself does not mean you have dementia. People with dementia have serious problems with two or more brain functions, such as memory and language. Many different diseases can cause dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and stroke. Drugs are available to treat some of these diseases. For a list of other dementias from the Fischer Center for Alzheimer’s Foundation, click here.

So the actual cause of dementia could be one of a myriad of things where cognitive abilities have been impaired. With dementia, it could simply be a temporary thing if the cause is treated. On the other hand, Alzheimer’s is an actual disease and the disease causes dementia. Many different diseases can cause dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and stroke. Drugs are available to treat some of these diseases.

What we know about Alzheimer’s disease today, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, is that:

1. Alzheimer’s is a progressive and fatal brain disease.
2. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia.
3. Alzheimer’s has no current cure.

In our next post next week, we will specifically look at how Alzheimer’s disease is defined. In the meantime, challenge your brain to something new as was discussed here.

One of the greatest sources of information and a great starting point is the Alzheimer’s Association – http://alz.org. If you accidentally type alz.com instead of alz.org, it will take you to another Web site full of resources, but it is not the official Alzheimer’s Association. There is also an international organization called, Alzheimer’s Disease International, and it is the umbrella organization of all Alzheimer’s Associations in the world. They sponsor World Alzheimer’s Day on September 21st.

Until this year, I had never heard of World Alzheimer’s Day and I did not know anything about Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) until I researched World Alzheimer’s Day. Alzheimer’s has not been in the forefront like cancer and this is where they need to get to. Remember how a few years ago there wasn’t much publicity about cancer either? Look where they are today. And it’s not the Amercian Cancer Society that you hear about, but the Susan G. Komen Foundation is everywhere. This is where Alzheimer’s needs to be … and no doubt, as more and more people are affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementias, they will get there … and funding will follow.

However, the point of this blog is to give you a starting point. While ADI’s aim is to build and strengthen Alzheimer associations (there are currently 71) and raise awareness about dementia worldwide, the Alzheimer’s Association’s mission is three-fold:

1. To eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research
2. To provide and enhance care and support for all affected
3. To reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health

Their vision? A world without Alzheimer’s disease. A vision for us all!

There are many resources available and I’ll be presenting them as time goes on, but the most important thing to remember is that the Alzheimer’s Association has 24/7 help available at 1.800.272.3900. Someone who cares and understands is at the other end of that line.