Dementia is a brain disorder that seriously affects a person’s ability to carry out daily activities. The most common form of dementia among older people is Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which initially involves the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language. Although scientists are learning more every day, right now they still do not know what causes AD, and there is no cure.
AD is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German doctor. In 1906, Dr. Alzheimer noticed changes in the brain tissue of a woman who had died of an unusual mental illness. He found abnormal clumps (now called amyloid plaques) and tangled bundles of fibers (now called neurofibrillary tangles). Today, these plaques and tangles in the brain are considered signs of AD.
Scientists also have found other brain changes in people with AD. Nerve cells die in areas of the brain that are vital to memory and other mental abilities, and connections between nerve cells are disrupted. There also are lower levels of some of the chemicals in the brain that carry messages back and forth between nerve cells. AD may impair thinking and memory by disrupting these messages.
The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that 10 million baby boomers will develop Alzheimer’s disease in the United States, according to their new report released last week in 2008 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures
Related Supplements for Dementia (review Natural Standard Database for information)
Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA)
Calcium
Coenzyme Q10
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid (EDTA)
Flaxseed Oil
Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA)
Magnesium
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-6 Fatty Acids
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Vitamin E
Vitamin H (Biotin)
Zinc
Related Herbs (review Natural Standard Database for information on each)
American Ginseng
Evening Primrose
Flaxseed
Ginger
Ginkgo Biloba
Hawthorn
Lemon Balm
Rosemary
Siberian Ginseng
St. John's Wort
Resources
The Better Brain Book, David Perlmutter, MD, FACN and Carol Colman
Alzheimer's Association
Spotlight on Aging Research (SOAR): News and Notes from the National Institute on Aging
Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center to find current, comprehensive Alzheimer's disease (AD) information and resources from the National Institute on Aging (NIA)
National Institute on Aging, U.S. National Institutes of Health
Clinical Trials Index for Brain Health
National Advisory Council on Aging (NACA) Meetings
Working With Your Older Patients: A Clinicians Handbook
Events
Alzheimer's Association, International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease 2008, July 26-31, 2008, McCormick Place, Chicago
16th Annual Alzheimer's Association Dementia Care Conference, August 24–27, 2008, Hyatt Regency, Orange County, California
20th Annual Alzheimer's Association Public Policy Forum, May 12-14, 2008, Washington, D.C.
Alzheimer's Association International Conference on the Prevention of Dementia, Prevention 2009, June 3-6, 2009, Washington, D.C.