Earlier this year in my other blog, I wrote about ways to boost your brain power. It was a simple list of seven things that might help counteract age-related changes in the brain and perhaps stave off Alzheimer’s disease (AD). One was to play Sudoku. You may be a pro at Sudoku or you may be a beginner like me or somewhere in-between. In any case, Web Sudoku is an amazing Web site where you can find Sukoku for every level from easy to evil. You can download the puzzles as well. The best part? They have a cool button that says, “How Am I Doing?” so if you really need to find out if you’re on the right track, you could, let’s say, cheat, no, I meant get some assistance. Click here.

According to Wikipedia, Sudoku was popularized in 1986 by the Japanese puzzle company Nikoli, under the name Sudoku, meaning single number. It became an international hit in 2005.

With this being the week of Christmas and all the hustle and bustle, it would be refreshing to stop for a few minutes and work on a puzzle. Interested in playing with someone else? Check out the two-player Sudoku Combat.

From AboutAlz.com, Happy Holidays! Although many of you are facing the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease, know someone who is, or is a caretaker, I ask you to take care of yourself as your health is the greatest gift you can give to yourself and to those you love. I leave you with this question: If health were your top priority, what would you be doing differently today? If your answer is, “I have no time,” what one tiny change can you make?

Although there is still no conclusive test for the determination of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), there is hope and occasionally, new information. Last month, Science Daily reported that:

Elderly people exhibiting memory disturbances that do not affect their normal, daily life suffer from a condition called “mild cognitive impairment” (MCI). Some MCI patients go on to develop Alzheimer’s disease within a few years, whereas other cases remain stable, exhibiting only benign senile forgetfulness. It is crucial to develop simple, blood-based tests enabling early identification of these patients that will progress in order to begin therapy as soon as possible, potentially delaying the onset of dementia.

A group of investigators, led by Professor Massimo Tabaton of the University of Genoa, Italy, have data that sheds light on this issue. The results of their research are published in the October issue of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

The investigators report that the concentration in blood of amyloid beta “42,” the toxic molecule that is believed to be the main cause of Alzheimer’s disease, is, on average, higher in MCI cases that went on to develop Alzheimer’s disease approximately three years later. The values of amyloid beta in blood vary considerably among the patient groups examined (MCI that develop Alzheimer’s disease; MCI stable; normal subjects). “This variability is likely very important,” Dr. Tabaton noted and went on to add, “but means that this needs further work before we can use this test for a definitive diagnosis.” For example, the scientists are going to set up a test that picks up a variant of amyloid beta potentially more specific of the disease.

There’s progress, but we still have a long ways to go to find an effective test. A conclusive blood test would certainly be ideal. But even if we were to have a conclusive test, doctors still have very few effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. And still, as it has been for a long time, only an autopsy will reveal definitively whether or not a person truly had Alzheimer’s.

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.

Author's Parents (Dorothy and Mark Murakami) with Oldest Grandson (Brian)

Welcome to aboutalz.com — Learning About Alzheimer’s Disease Together. I have a lot of questions about Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and perhaps you do, too. September 21st was World Alzheimer’s Day. The numbers are staggering — today there are about 35 million people in the world living with AD or a related dementia. In just 20 years, the number is expected to double. I am passionate about this topic because I am afraid … afraid that I might one day find myself in my late father’s shoes. The day I heard the words … Dad has Alzheimer’s … froze me in my tracks and is etched in my mind forever. I’m not the only one afraid. Approximately two-thirds of adults 55 and over also have the fear. See http://budurl.com/uvkl.

I’ve been blogging for almost a year … http://noranagatani.com — Helping Seniors Live Happily Ever After … on senior topics that have touched me or my relatives and friends. It’s been a lot of fun. However, in listening to my mentor, Richard Dennis, the message is clear — I need to find a niche. A few months ago, I didn’t know; now I know that niche is Alzheimer’s.

I dedicate this blog in memory of my father who had AD and my mother who was his primary caretaker and in hope for all of us. I’m grateful for your visit and I hope my research will enhance your knowledge about this ravaging disease. I invite you on this journey with me.  I also invite you to read my story on my About Nora page on the tab above.

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