Brain experts have a pretty good handle on some of the major risk factors that contribute to Alzheimer’s—from a person’s genes to their physical activity levels, how much formal education they’ve received, and how socially engaged they are. But one promise of AI in medicine is that it can spot less obvious links that humans […]
Alzheimer's and Dementia
Adapting Activities for People With Alzheimer’s Disease
Doing things we enjoy gives us pleasure and adds meaning to our lives. People with Alzheimer’s disease need to be active and do things they enjoy. However, it’s not easy for them to plan their days and do different tasks. People with Alzheimer’s may have trouble deciding what to do each day, which could make them fearful […]
A Simple Blood Test for Alzheimer’s? ‘It’s Not That Far Away’
A blood test that is being used in research studies but is not yet available in doctors’ offices was found to be highly accurate at detecting two defining characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease, a new study shows. Health experts say the findings suggest we’re getting closer to having an easier, less expensive way to tell if […]
How Is Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosed?
Doctors use several methods and tools to help determine if a person with thinking or memory problems has Alzheimer’s disease. To diagnose Alzheimer’s, doctors may: • Ask the person experiencing symptoms, as well as a family member or friend, questions about overall health, use of prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diet, past medical problems, ability to […]
Tips for Caregivers and Families of People With Dementia
A caregiver, sometimes referred to as a caretaker, refers to anyone who provides care for another person. Millions of people living in the United States take care of a friend or family member with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Sometimes caregivers live with the person or nearby, other times they live far away. For […]
The Extraordinary World of Music and the Mind
In 2007, a young man named Colin Huggins began playing music on the streets of New York using a battered upright piano he’d bought on Craigslist. He was a former accompanist for the American Ballet Theatre, but playing and singing pop songs outdoors had convinced him of the almost mystical power of music to soothe, delight […]
