Flurazepam[1] (marketed under the brand names Dalmane and Dalmadorm) is a drug which is a benzodiazepine derivative. It possesses anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative and skeletal muscle relaxant properties. It produces a metabolite with a very long half-life (40250 hours), which may stay in the bloodstream for up to four days.[1] Flurazepam is therefore unsuitable as a sleeping medication for some individuals due to next-day sedation; however, this same effect may also provide next-day anxiety relief. Flurazepam is a "classical" benzodiazepine; some other classical benzodiazepines include diazepam, clonazepam, oxazepam, lorazepam, nitrazepam, bromazepam, and clorazepate.[10] Flurazepam generates an active metabolite with a very long elimination half-life of 40250 hours. Residual 'hangover' effects after nighttime administration of flurazepam, such as sleepiness, impaired psychomotor and cognitive functions, may persist into the next day, which may impair the ability of users to drive safely and increase risks of falls and hip fractures.[11]
Flurazepam is lipophilic, is metabolised hepatically via oxidative pathways. The main pharmacological effect of flurazepam is to increase the effect of GABA at the GABAA receptor via binding to the benzodiazepine site on the GABAA receptor causing an increase influx of chloride ions into the GABAA neuron.[12][13] Flurazepam is a unique benzodiazepine in that it is a partial agonist of benzodiazepine receptors whereas other benzodiazepines are full agonists of benzodiazepine receptors.[14]
Flurazepam is contraindicated in pregnancy. It is recommended to withdraw flurazepam during breast feeding, as flurazepam is excreted in breast milk.[15] A review paper found that long term use of flurazepam is associated with drug tolerance, drug dependence, rebound insomnia and CNS related adverse effects. Flurazepam is best used for a short time period and at the lowest possible dose to avoid complications associated with long term use. Non-pharmacological treatment options however, were found to have sustained improvements in sleep quality.[3] Flurazepam and other benzodiazepines such as fosazepam, and nitrazepam lost some of their effect after seven days administration in psychogeriatric patients.[4] Flurazepam shares cross tolerance with barbiturates and barbiturates can easily be substituted by flurazepam in those who are habituated to barbiturate sedative hypnotics.[5]
After discontinuation of flurazepam a rebound effect or benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome may occur about four days after discontinuation of medication.[6] During the final stage of AD, the person is completely dependent upon caregivers.[27] Language is reduced to simple phrases or even single words, eventually leading to complete loss of speech.[27][31] Despite the loss of verbal language abilities, people can often understand and return emotional signals.[27] Although aggressiveness can still be present, extreme apathy and exhaustion are much more common results.[27] People with AD will ultimately not be able to perform even the simplest tasks without assistance.[27] Muscle mass and mobility deteriorate to the point where they are bedridden, and they lose the ability to feed themselves.[27] AD is a terminal illness, with the cause of death typically being an external factor, such as infection of pressure ulcers or pneumonia, not the disease itself.[27] Flurazepam, similar to other benzodiazepines and nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic drugs causes impairments in body balance and standing steadiness in individuals who wake up at night or the next morning. Falls and hip fractures are frequently reported. The combination with alcohol increases these impairments. Partial, but incomplete tolerance develops to these impairments.[8] An extensive review of the medical literature regarding the management of insomnia and the elderly found that there is considerable evidence of the effectiveness and durability of non-drug treatments for insomnia in adults of all ages and that these interventions are underutilized. Compared with the benzodiazepines including flurazepam, the nonbenzodiazepine sedative-hypnotics appeared to offer few, if any, significant clinical advantages in efficacy in elderly persons. Tolerability in elderly patients, however, is improved marginally in that benzodiazepines have moderately higher risks of falls, memory problems, and disinhibition ("Paradoxical agitation") when compared to non-benzodiazepine sedatives. It was found that newer agents with novel mechanisms of action and improved safety profiles, such as the melatonin agonists, hold promise for the management of chronic insomnia in elderly people. Chronic use of sedative-hypnotic drugs for the management of insomnia does not have an evidence base and has been discouraged due to concerns including potential adverse drug effects as cognitive impairment (anterograde amnesia), daytime sedation, motor incoordination, and increased risk of motor vehicle accidents and falls. In addition, the effectiveness and safety of long-term use of sedative hypnotics has been determined to be no better than placebo after 3 months of therapy and worse than placebo after 6 months of therapy. (NEJM, 1983, 1994, et seq.)[9] The first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress.[5] Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD.[21] These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities.[22] The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information.[21][23]
Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD.[21] Apathy can be observed at this stage, and remains the most persistent neuropsychiatric symptom throughout the course of the disease.[24] Depressive symptoms, irritability and reduced awareness of subtle memory difficulties also occur commonly.[25] The preclinical stage of the disease has also been termed mild cognitive impairment,[23] but whether this term corresponds to a different diagnostic stage or identifies the first step of AD is a matter of dispute.[26] Flurazepam is officially indicated for mild to moderate insomnia and as such it is used for short-term treatment of patients with mild to moderate insomnia such as difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakening, early awakenings or a combination of each. Flurazepam is a long-acting benzodiazepine and is sometimes used in patients who have difficulty in maintaining sleep. Intermediate half-life benzodiazepines are also useful for patients with difficulty in maintaining sleep (e.g. loprazolam, lormetazepam, temazepam). Hypnotics should only be used on a short term basis or in those with chronic insomnia on an occasional basis.[2] Progressive deterioration eventually hinders independence, with subjects being unable to perform most common activities of daily living.[27] Speech difficulties become evident due to an inability to recall vocabulary, which leads to frequent incorrect word substitutions (paraphasias). Reading and writing skills are also progressively lost.[27][31] Complex motor sequences become less coordinated as time passes and AD progresses, so the risk of falling increases.[27] During this phase, memory problems worsen, and the person may fail to recognise close relatives.[27] Long-term memory, which was previously intact, becomes impaired.[27]
Behavioural and neuropsychiatric changes become more prevalent. Common manifestations are wandering, irritability and labile affect, leading to crying, outbursts of unpremeditated aggression, or resistance to caregiving.[27] Sundowning can also appear.[32] Approximately 30% of people with AD develop illusionary misidentifications and other delusional symptoms.[27] Subjects also lose insight of their disease process and limitations (anosognosia).[27] Urinary incontinence can develop.[27] These symptoms create stress for relatives and caretakers, which can be reduced by moving the person from home care to other long-term care facilities.[27][33] In people with AD the increasing impairment of learning and memory eventually leads to a definitive diagnosis. In a small portion of them, difficulties with language, executive functions, perception (agnosia), or execution of movements (apraxia) are more prominent than memory problems.[27] AD does not affect all memory capacities equally. Older memories of the person's life (episodic memory), facts learned (semantic memory), and implicit memory (the memory of the body on how to do things, such as using a fork to eat) are affected to a lesser degree than new facts or memories.[28][29]
Language problems are mainly characterised by a shrinking vocabulary and decreased word fluency, which lead to a general impoverishment of oral and written language.[27][30] In this stage, the person with Alzheimer's is usually capable of communicating basic ideas adequately.[27][30][31] While performing fine motor tasks such as writing, drawing or dressing, certain movement coordination and planning difficulties (apraxia) may be present but they are commonly unnoticed.[27] As the disease progresses, people with AD can often continue to perform many tasks independently, but may need assistance or supervision with the most cognitively demanding activities.[27] The most common adverse effects are dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, and ataxia. Flurazepam has abuse potential and should never be used with alcohol or any other substance that can cause drowsiness. Additive and possibly fatal results may occur. Flurazepam users should only take this drug strictly as prescribed, and should only be taken directly before the user plans on sleeping a full night. Next day drowsiness is common and may increase during the initial phase of treatment as accumulation occurs until steady-state plasma levels are attained. Of all the FTLD syndromes SD is least likely to run in families and is usually sporadic.[13] Hypertension (HTN) or high blood pressure, sometimes called arterial hypertension, is a chronic medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is elevated.[1] This requires the heart to work harder than normal to circulate blood through the blood vessels. Blood pressure is summarised by two measurements, systolic and diastolic, which depend on whether the heart muscle is contracting (systole) or relaxed between beats (diastole) and equate to a maximum and minimum pressure, respectively. Normal blood pressure at rest is within the range of 100-140mmHg systolic (top reading) and 60-90mmHg diastolic (bottom reading). High blood pressure is said to be present if it is persistently at or above 140/90 mmHg.
Hypertension is classified as either primary (essential) hypertension or secondary hypertension; about 9095% of cases are categorized as "primary hypertension" which means high blood pressure with no obvious underlying medical cause.[2] The remaining 510% of cases (secondary hypertension) are caused by other conditions that affect the kidneys, arteries, heart or endocrine system.
Hypertension is a major risk factor for stroke, myocardial infarction (heart attacks), heart failure, aneurysms of the arteries (e.g. aortic aneurysm), peripheral arterial disease and is a cause of chronic kidney disease. Even moderate elevation of arterial blood pressure is associated with a shortened life expectancy. Dietary and lifestyle changes can improve blood pressure control and decrease the risk of associated health complications, although drug treatment is often necessary in people for whom lifestyle changes are not enough or not effective. Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is a class of apolipoprotein found in the chylomicron and Intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDLs) that is essential for the normal catabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein constituents.[1] In peripheral tissues, ApoE is primarily produced by the liver and macrophages, and mediates cholesterol metabolism in an isoform-dependent manner. In the central nervous system, ApoE is mainly produced by astrocytes, and transports cholesterol to neurons via ApoE receptors, which are members of the low density lipoprotein receptor gene family. The majority of patients with SD will have ubiquitin-positive, TDP-43 positive, tau-negative inclusions, although other pathologies have been described more infrequently, namely tau-positive Pick's disease and Alzheimer's pathology.[12] There is currently no known curative treatment for this condition. Supportive care is essential in what is a greatly debilitating problem. The gene, ApoE, is mapped to chromosome 19 in a cluster with Apolipoprotein C1 and the Apolipoprotein C2. The APOE gene consists of four exons and three introns, totaling 3597 base pairs. ApoE is transcriptionally activated by the liver X receptor (an important regulator of cholesterol, fatty acid, and glucose homeostasis) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor?, nuclear receptors that form heterodimers with Retinoid X receptors.[5] In melanocytic cells APOE gene expression may be regulated by MITF.[6] APOE [2] is 299 amino acids long and transports lipoproteins, fat-soluble vitamins, and cholesterol into the lymph system and then into the blood. It is synthesized principally in the liver, but has also been found in other tissues such as the brain, kidneys, and spleen. In the nervous system, non-neuronal cell types, most notably astroglia and microglia, are the primary producers of APOE, while neurons preferentially express the receptors for APOE. There are seven currently identified mammalian receptors for APOE which belong to the evolutionarily conserved low density lipoprotein receptor gene family.
APOE was initially recognized for its importance in lipoprotein metabolism and cardiovascular disease. Defects in APOE result in familial dysbetalipoproteinemia aka type III hyperlipoproteinemia (HLP III), in which increased plasma cholesterol and triglycerides are the consequence of impaired clearance of chylomicron, VLDL and LDL remnants[citation needed]. More recently, it has been studied for its role in several biological processes not directly related to lipoprotein transport, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), immunoregulation, and cognition.
In the field of immune regulation, a growing number of studies point to APOE's interaction with many immunological processes, including suppressing T cell proliferation, macrophage functioning regulation, lipid antigen presentation facilitation (by CD1) [3] to natural killer T cell as well as modulation of inflammation and oxidation.[4] Structural MRI imaging shows a characteristic pattern of atrophy in the temporal lobes (predominantly on the left), with inferior greater than superior involvement and anterior temporal lobe atrophy greater than posterior. This distinguishes it from Alzheimer's disease.[10] Meta-analyses on MRI and FDG-PET studies confirmed these findings by identifying alterations in the inferior temporal poles and amygdalae as the hotspots of disease - brain regions that have been discussed in the context of conceptual knowledge, semantic information processing, and social cognition.[11] Based on these imaging methods, semantic dementia can be regionally dissociated from the other subtypes of frontotemporal lobar degeneration, frontotemporal dementia and progressive nonfluent aphasia. Although 40-65% of AD patients have at least one copy of the 4 allele, ApoE4 is not a determinant of the disease - at least a third of patients with AD are ApoE4 negative and some ApoE4 homozygotes never develop the disease. Yet those with two e4 alleles have up to 20 times the risk of developing AD.[citation needed] There is also evidence that the ApoE2 allele may serve a protective role in AD.[37] Thus, the genotype most at risk for Alzheimer disease and at an earlier age is ApoE 4,4. The ApoE 3,4 genotype is at increased risk, though not to the degree that those homozygous for ApoE 4 are. The genotype ApoE 3,3 is considered at normal risk for Alzheimer disease. The genotype ApoE 2,3 is considered at lower risk for Alzheimer disease. Interestingly, people with both a copy of the 2 allele and the 4 allele, ApoE 2,4, are at normal risk, similar to the ApoE 3,3 genotype. Patients perform poorly on tests of semantic knowledge. Published tests include both verbal and non-verbal tasks, e.g., The Warrington Concrete and Abstract Word Synonym Test,[9] and The Pyramids and Palm Trees task (Howard and Patterson, 1992)
Testing will also reveal deficits in picture naming (with semantic errors being made e.g. "dog" for a picture of a hippopotamus) and decreased category fluency. SD patients often present with the complaint of word-finding difficulties. Clinical signs include fluent aphasia, anomia, impaired comprehension of word meaning, and associative visual agnosia (inability to match semantically related pictures or objects). As the disease progresses, behavioural and personality changes are often seen similar to those seen in frontotemporal dementia although cases have been described of 'pure' semantic dementia with few late behavioural symptoms. The connection between neuron failure in Alzheimer disease and depleted myelin cholesterol (via ApoE deficiency) has also been described in Cholesterol Depletion and consequently is a known adverse drug reaction to statin therapy.[38][39][40][41][42] The pivotal role of ApoE in AD was first identified through linkage analysis by Margaret Pericak-Vance[35] while working in the Roses lab at Duke University[36] Linkage studies were followed by association analysis confirming the role of the ApoE4 allele as a strong genetic risk factor for AD.[20][21] Semantic dementia (SD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of semantic memory in both the verbal and non-verbal domains. The most common presenting symptoms are in the verbal domain however (with loss of word meaning) and it is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia.[1][2][3]
SD patients sometimes show symptoms of surface dyslexia, a relatively selective impairment in reading low-frequency words with exceptional or atypical spelling-to-sound correspondences.[4]
SD is one of the three canonical clinical syndromes associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). SD is a clinically defined syndrome, but is associated with predominantly temporal lobe atrophy (left greater than right) and hence is sometimes called temporal variant FTLD (tvFTLD).[5]
It was first described by Arnold Pick in 1904 and in modern times was characterised by Professor Elizabeth Warrington in 1975,[6] however it was not given the name semantic dementia until 1989.[7] The clinical and neuropsychological features, and their association with temporal lobe atrophy were described by Professor John Hodges and colleagues in 1992.[8] The E4 variant is the largest known genetic risk factor for late-onset sporadic Alzheimer disease (AD) in a variety of ethnic groups.[32] Caucasian and Japanese carriers of 2 E4 alleles have between 10 and 30 times the risk of developing AD by 75 years of age, as compared to those not carrying any E4 alleles. While the exact mechanism of how E4 causes such dramatic effects remains to be fully determined, evidence has been presented suggesting an interaction with amyloid.[33] Alzheimer disease is characterized by build-ups of aggregates of the peptide beta-amyloid. Apolipoprotein E enhances proteolytic break-down of this peptide, both within and between cells. The isoform ApoE-e4 is not as effective as the others at catalyzing these reactions, resulting in increased vulnerability to AD in individuals with that gene variation.[34] If the person's forgetfulness could put them at risk in any way, you may be able to take precautions that can help them live safely. These might include leaving a written reminder by the door so that they don't forget their keys when they go out. Or it could mean fitting a device that cuts off the gas supply if they put a pan on the stove and then forget about it. (For more information on devices to help with memory see factsheet 437, Assistive technology  devices to help with everyday living). However, on the whole, it's important to help a person continue to do things for themselves and to remain independent. Those around the person with memory loss should try to be flexible and patient as far as possible. They should also encourage the person with memory loss to remember what they can without making them feel pressured  using frequent reminders for example.
Although memory loss affects each person differently, there are some characteristics that are relatively common in people with dementia. There are four common areas in which people with memory loss experience difficulty:
remembering events
taking in new information
recognising people and places
separating fact from fiction. Memory loss is often one of the first signs of dementia. Initially, memory lapses may be mistaken for the normal forgetfulness that often increases as people grow older or when they become very stressed. However, in someone with dementia it will gradually become apparent that the memory problems are becoming more severe and persistent. They will also be accompanied by changes in thinking and feeling that make it more difficult to cope with everyday life.
Memory loss, as with any other aspect of dementia, affects each person differently. For example, some people with dementia retain certain skills until quite a late stage. They may recall a surprising range of facts or experiences, especially earlier memories, even though they are very forgetful about other things such as recent events or familiar situations. Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. This factsheet will help you to understand vascular dementia by explaining the causes, symptoms and treatments available.
The term 'dementia' is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. These diseases include Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. Someone with dementia may experience loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with language, reasoning and decision making.
Being told that you or a loved one has vascular dementia can be very difficult and you may experience a range of different emotions as time goes on. There is support available if you need it. Alzheimer's Society's National Dementia Helpline can provide information, support, guidance and signposting to other organisations. Details are at the end of this factsheet. To be healthy and function properly, brain cells need a good supply of blood. Blood is delivered through a network of blood vessels called the vascular system. If the vascular system within the brain becomes damaged and blood cannot reach the brain cells, the cells will eventually die. This can lead to the onset of vascular dementia.
A number of conditions can cause or increase damage to the vascular system. These include high blood pressure, heart problems, high cholesterol and diabetes. This means it is important that these conditions are identified and treated at the earliest opportunity. Effective treatment of these conditions may significantly delay or stop the development of vascular dementia People in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease may experience lapses of memory and have problems finding the right words. As the disease progresses, they may:
become confused and frequently forget the names of people, places, appointments and recent events
experience mood swings, feel sad or angry, or scared and frustrated by their increasing memory loss
become more withdrawn, due either to a loss of confidence or to communication problems
have difficulty carrying out everyday activities - they may get muddled checking their change at the shops or become unsure how to work the TV remote.
As the disease progresses, people with Alzheimer's will need more support from those who care for them. Eventually, they will need help with all their daily activities.
While there are some common symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, it is important to remember that everyone is unique. No two people are likely to experience Alzheimer's disease in the same way. Memory loss is a distressing part of dementia, both for the person with dementia and for those around them. However, there is plenty that can be done to help manage memory problems to enable people to retain their confidence and independence for as long as possible. This factsheet looks at ways to support a person with memory loss and offers some practical tips. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a 'stepped' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. Some symptoms may be similar to those of other types of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease. However, people with vascular dementia may particularly experience:
problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication
depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia
symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis
memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom)
seizures
periods of severe (acute) confusion.
Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include:
visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond)
changes in behaviour (such as restlessness)
difficulties with walking and unsteadiness
hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there) and delusions (believing things that are not true)
problems with continence
psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive.
It is important to note that some of these symptoms may not always be direct consequences of the disease. Other factors can also play a part. For example, visual misperceptions may be the result of poor lighting or the particular way a home has been decorated, and some behavioural changes may be a consequence of care needs not being fully met. Sub-cortical vascular dementia is sometimes referred to as small vessel disease. There is also a specific form of sub-cortical vascular dementia called Binswanger's disease. Sub-cortical vascular dementia is caused by damage to the tiny blood vessels that lie deep within the brain. Symptoms may include difficulties walking, clumsiness, lack of facial expression and speech difficulties. Loss of bladder control early on in the disease is also common. These symptoms, however, are not always present and may come and go. Some people may experience sub-cortical vascular dementia as well as stroke. People with memory problems will find it very hard to absorb and remember new information and events. In some people with dementia, the part of the brain that allows new information to be processed may be damaged and they may have no recollection of hearing a piece of information before. Because their brain has not retained the information they have been given, they may believe that this is the first time they have heard it.
The following tips will help:
Keep information simple, and repeat it frequently.
Break new activities down into small steps.
Try to enhance what is to be remembered by using words, pictures, gestures, calendars and notice boards.
When asking for information give cues and context rather than using vague questions. For example, ask, 'Did you have breakfast this morning?' instead of, 'Have you eaten?'
Routines and keeping things the same are very helpful. Try to begin any new routines as soon as possible, to give the person time to get used to the new way of doing things.
Try to avoid telling the person that they have had this information before. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, affecting around 496,000 people in the UK. The term 'dementia' describes a set of symptoms which can include loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with communication and reasoning. These symptoms occur when the brain is damaged by certain diseases and conditions, including Alzheimer's disease. This factsheet outlines the symptoms and risk factors for Alzheimer's disease, and describes what treatments are currently available. Most people with dementia remember the distant past more clearly than recent events. This is because memories tend to decline in reverse order to when they were experienced. People will often have difficulty remembering what happened a few minutes or hours ago, but can recall, in detail, life when they were much younger. However, as the condition progresses, even these long-term memories will eventually decline.
People with dementia are often understandably anxious about forgetting their past. This is particularly concerning in the early stages of the condition. Those around them should try to provide opportunities to share memories by looking at photographs, letters and souvenirs together. This can help jog the person's memory, and may help them feel more calm and in control. Talking about the past can be enjoyable for the person with dementia. It may also help the person retain their sense of who they are.
Sometimes, a person with dementia may seem to be living in the past and insist, for example, that they have to wait for their mother to take them to school. If this happens, those around them should try to relate to what the person is remembering or feeling, as this is their reality, rather than contradicting what is being said.
Not all memories are happy ones. If the person seems very upset by certain memories they will need the chance to express their feelings, and to feel that they are understood. If they seem sad, it can help to encourage them to talk about it and offer comfort, rather than changing the subject. About 10 per cent of people with dementia have a type known as mixed dementia. A diagnosis of mixed dementia means that Alzheimer's disease, as well as stroke or small vessel disease, may have caused damage to the brain. The symptoms of mixed dementia may be similar to either Alzheimer's disease or vascular dementia, or may be a combination of the two. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. This interruption in blood supply causes permanent damage to the brain. A stroke is usually the result of a burst blood vessel (known as haemorrhagic stroke) or a blood clot (known as an ischemic stroke).
The symptoms that a person experiences as a result of a stroke depend on which area of the brain has been damaged. For example, if the area affected is responsible for movement of an arm or leg, paralysis might occur. If it is responsible for speech, the person might have problems communicating. Equally, damage to particular areas in the brain can cause the symptoms of dementia.
The most common type of vascular dementia is called multi-infarct dementia, which is caused by a series of small strokes. These can be so tiny that the person might not notice any symptoms, or the symptoms may only be temporary.
When vascular dementia develops after an obvious stroke, it is sometimes called post-stroke dementia (or 'single-infarct dementia'). Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, which means that gradually, over time, more parts of the brain are damaged. As this happens, the symptoms become more severe. Someone with dementia may eventually lose the ability to recognise people, places or things. This is because the brain can no longer remember things or put information together. The person may even fail to recognise their own reflection in a mirror and think it is someone else. Or they might worry that a relative or close friend is an intruder in their home. It is common to think that a younger relative is their spouse or parent. Some cases of problems with recognition are linked to family resemblance.
This can be distressing for the person, but it can also be upsetting for those around them. If this happens, try to find tactful ways to give the person reminders or explanations. This will reassure them, and will help them to continue to make some sense of their environment and the people around them. Family and friends can find it distressing if the person with dementia no longer recognises them. In such situations it's important that they talk these feelings through with someone they trust. As dementia progresses, the person may sometimes confuse fact with things they have imagined. If this happens, try to focus on the feelings they are trying to express, and relate to them, rather than correcting the detail. For example, if they think their bag has been stolen when actually they have just put it somewhere and forgotten, this may make them feel that the world is a threatening place which can lead them to feel insecure. The feeling is true (a sense of feeling threatened) even if the details (the bag being stolen) are not.
It may sometimes appear that a person with dementia is making up stories. However, what they believe to be true may be related to some residual, patchy memories and their way of making sense of these.
No one likes being corrected all the time  it may simply be irritating, but it can also severely undermine a person's confidence. If you continually correct the small details of what a person with dementia is saying, they may become reluctant to join in conversation or activities. For this reason, it is important to focus on the emotions behind the statement rather than the facts or details.
There may be some instances where it is important to clarify or correct what the person with dementia is saying  for example, if they incorrectly accuse someone of something. In this case, it must be done sensitively, in a way that does not criticise, undermine or embarrass the person. However, it is also worth remembering that they may not recall the correction and this might need to be repeated. Alzheimer's disease, first described by the German neurologist Alois Alzheimer, is a physical disease affecting the brain. During the course of the disease, protein 'plaques' and 'tangles' develop in the structure of the brain, leading to the death of brain cells. People with Alzheimer's also have a shortage of some important chemicals in their brain. These chemicals are involved with the transmission of messages within the brain. There are different types of vascular dementia. The difference between these types depends on what has caused the damage in the brain, and which part of the brain has been damaged. The speed that vascular dementia progresses varies from person to person. Although the brain damage that causes vascular dementia cannot be reversed, it may be possible to slow the progression of the disease in a number of ways. These include:
taking medication to treat any underlying conditions, such as stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or heart problems
adopting a healthier lifestyle by stopping smoking, taking regular exercise, eating healthily, and drinking alcohol only in moderation
receiving rehabilitative support, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, to help the person maximise their opportunities to regain their lost functions.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued guidelines on drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease (including cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine), but has not recommended these same drugs for treating vascular dementia. These drugs may, however, be prescribed to treat mixed dementia, particularly when Alzheimer's disease is predominant.
For details of Alzheimer's Society services in your area, visit alzheimers.org.uk/localinfo 
For information about a wide range of dementia-related topics, visit alzheimers.org.uk/factsheets If you, or someone close to you, are worried about dementia, the first step is to visit the GP as soon as possible. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the better the chance of treatment to slow the progression of the disease. The GP will need to find out about the person's symptoms, medical history, current health and lifestyle.
Unless another cause can be found for the symptoms, the doctor should refer the person to a specialist for cognitive tests to assess their attention, planning and thinking speed. The specialist may carry out brain scans to help make a diagnosis. Investigations will also aim to identify conditions that may be contributing to the progression of vascular dementia. These conditions include high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes and high cholesterol.
It is often helpful if a close friend or family member accompanies the person  to the first GP appointment. They may be able to describe subtle changes that the person themselves has not noticed.
If the person has any family history of vascular dementia, or related conditions (such as heart problems), they should mention this to the doctor.
Always consult a doctor if you experience any sudden symptoms, such as slurred speech, weakness on one side of the body, or blurred vision - even if they are only temporary. These symptoms may be caused by temporary interruptions in the blood supply within the brain. If left untreated, they can lead to permanent damage. In the early stages of dementia, memory aids such as lists, diaries, clocks and clear, written instructions can help jog the person's memory if they are willing and able to make use of them. As the dementia progresses, the person may become less able to understand what the aids are for.
For more information about memory aids, see factsheet 429, Equipment, adaptations and improvements to the home and factsheet 521, Maintaining everyday skills.
For details of Alzheimer's Society services in your area, visit alzheimers.org.uk/localinfo
For information about a wide range of dementia-related topics, visit alzheimers.org.uk/factsheets Many of the factors that increase the risk of vascular dementia are the same as those that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (for example, smoking). This is because the cardiovascular system (made up of the heart and blood vessels) is responsible for delivering blood to the brain.
Factors that can increase a person's risk of developing vascular dementia include:
a medical history of stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes (particularly type II), heart problems or sleep apnoea (where breathing stops for a few seconds or minutes during sleep)
a lack of physical activity, drinking more than recommended levels of alcohol, smoking, eating a fatty diet, or leaving conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes untreated
a family history of stroke or cardiovascular disease
an Indian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani or Sri Lankan ethnic background - differences in vascular risk factors (such as heart disease) in these communities may contribute to the increased risk
an African-Caribbean ethnic background - more research is needed to know why African-Caribbean people have an increased risk of vascular dementia. If someone is tired, unwell, anxious or depressed, they will find it even more difficult to remember things. The memory problems will also become more apparent if they try to do more than one thing at a time, or if they are distracted by noise or bustle.
Things that will help to reduce a person's stress include:
Making sure they have plenty of emotional support and enough practical help.
Helping them to concentrate on one thing at a time.
Trying to make sure that there are limited distractions, such as background noise or lots of people.
Providing verbal cues rather than asking questions that might make the person feel 'put on the spot'. For example, say: 'Look  here's David, your nephew, who has come to see you', rather than 'Do you remember who this is?'
Making sure the person has enough meaningful activities to do and gets enough exercise, which helps reduce pent-up tension (see factsheet 529, Exercise and physical activity for people with dementia).
Helping the person to get enough sleep, which helps with the formation of new memories. If the person is having problems sleeping, discuss this with the GP. If they are not sleeping because of nightmares and they take their medication at night, have them consider taking it in the morning instead.
If you think that the person seems anxious or depressed, consult the GP. Cognitive stimulation therapy involves activities and exercises that are designed to improve memory and communication skills. The exercises are based on day-to-day interests, reminiscence and information relating to the current time and place. Cognitive stimulation therapy is thought to have particular benefits for language and has been shown to significantly improve quality of life in people with dementia. Current NICE guidance recommends that people with mild to moderate dementia should be given the opportunity to participate in a structured cognitive stimulation programme which is carried out in a group setting. Cognitive stimulation therapy may also be carried out at home by carers.
Creative approaches can take many different forms, including music therapy, art therapy and drama therapy. Approaches such as these can enhance the person's quality of life and communication skills, and provide opportunities for social interaction.
Talking therapies, such as counselling, can also be helpful for people coping with memory loss and coming to terms with a diagnosis of dementia. These therapies give people the chance to speak in confidence to a trained professional about their problems and concerns. For more information see factsheet 445, Talking therapies (including counselling, psychotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy).
To access any of these therapies contact the GP or memory service, or the local Alzheimer's Society office, who may have information about local groups in the area. It is vital that more personalised care is always provided by recognising that each person with dementia is an individual with likes, dislikes, routines and needs that are unique to them and delivering care that acts on this. These tips are designed to help nurses and other hospital staff in their delivery of good, person-centred dementia care. A number of different approaches have been developed to help people with dementia to cope with memory loss and the feelings this can bring, such as frustration and loss of self-esteem. Although most of these techniques require professional input, for example from a therapist, family carers can also use these methods to help someone experiencing loss of memory.
The person's home can be changed in a number of different ways to help them to manage as best as possible. This is known as 'environmental restructuring'. Examples include labelling doors and cupboards (eg plates and cutlery) and the use of 'special places' for important items, such as keys.
Reminiscence therapy is a method that is used to help encourage people to remember events from their past, using reminders such as songs and photographs. This can help to maintain people's confidence and self-esteem. Carers can use these techniques at home, for example by encouraging the person to talk about their past and share memories. Although variety and stimulation are important, too many changes can be confusing for a person with dementia. Setting up a regular routine will help someone feel more secure, and will make it easier to remember what usually happens during the day. It is also a good idea to leave things in the same place, so that they can be found more easily.
People can begin to lose their sense of time quite early on in dementia. If they can't remember what they have done, or what they are going to do that day, they may find it hard to judge how much time has passed or to anticipate what will happen next. Keeping to a regular routine can help with this difficulty, as will tactful reminders of the day and time, and about what is going to happen next. A calendar should be displayed prominently and the person with dementia should be encouraged to refer to it regularly. Your loved one's sleep is important, but so is yours. If you're not getting enough sleep, you might not have the patience and energy needed to take care of someone who has Alzheimer's. If possible, have family members or friends alternate nights with you  or talk with your loved one's doctor, a social worker or a representative from a local Alzheimer's association to find out what help is available in your area. If your loved one wakes during the night and is upset, do your best to stay calm  even though you might be exhausted yourself. Don't argue or demand explanations, and remember that your loved one isn't deliberately trying to annoy you. Instead, ask what your loved one needs. Gently remind your loved one that it's night and time for sleep. If you find your loved one wandering in the house, gently guide him or her back to bed. Sleep problems and Alzheimer's disease often go hand in hand. Understand what contributes to sleep problems in Alzheimer's  and what you can do to promote a good night's sleep. Sleep disturbances can take a toll on both you and your loved one. To promote better sleep:

Think light. Exposing your loved one to a few hours of bright sunlight in the morning may improve his or her sleep at night. Light therapy with a specialized light box might be helpful, too.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Caffeine in soda, tea, coffee or other products might contribute to sleeplessness, and alcohol can contribute to confusion and anxiety. If your loved one insists on having a drink, offer a soft drink in a familiar cocktail glass or serve nonalcoholic beer or wine.
Manage medications. Find out what time of day your loved one should take his or her medications  morning for drugs that have a stimulating effect, and evening for drugs that make your loved one sleepy. Note that sleeping pills are generally discouraged for people who have Alzheimer's. These drugs can increase confusion and the risk of falls.
Encourage physical activity. Plan your loved one's days to include walks and other physical activities, which can help promote better sleep at night. Taper your loved one's activities as the day winds down, however. Physical activity close to bedtime might leave your loved one too energized to fall asleep.
Limit daytime sleep. If your loved one needs a nap, make sure it's short and not too late in the day. Have your loved one nap on the couch or in a recliner rather than in bed. If you think staying in bed too long in the morning contributes to nighttime wakefulness, wake your loved one earlier.
Establish a bedtime routine. Do the same things in the same way every night, such as brushing teeth, using the toilet, listening to soft music and rubbing your loved one's back. If bathing or dressing for bed is difficult, do it earlier in the day. It's also important to create an appealing place for sleeping. Make sure the temperature in your loved one's bedroom is comfortable. Turn on a night light. Place security objects, such as a favorite blanket, within easy reach.
Treat underlying conditions. If you suspect that an underlying condition  such as sleep apnea, depression or pain  is interfering with your loved one's sleep, consult his or her doctor. Treatment might lead to more restful sleep for everyone. Many older adults have problems sleeping, but people who have Alzheimer's often have an even harder time. Alzheimer's may reverse a person's sleep-wake cycle, causing daytime drowsiness and nighttime restlessness. These sleep disturbances often increase as Alzheimer's progresses. Eventually, round-the-clock naps might replace deep, restorative nighttime sleep.

Sometimes other health problems affect sleep as well, such as:

Obstructive sleep apnea, which happens when throat muscles relax during sleep and obstruct airflow through the nose and throat
Restless legs syndrome, a condition that causes discomfort when sitting or lying down, which can make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep
Depression Physical activity seems to help the brain not only by keeping your blood flowing. It also increases chemicals that protect the brain and tends to counter some of the natural reduction in brain connections that occurs with aging.

More research is needed to know to what degree adding physical activity improves memory or slows the progression of cognitive decline. Nonetheless, regular exercise is important to stay physically and mentally fit. Exercising several times a week for 30 to 60 minutes may:

Keep thinking, reasoning and learning skills sharp for healthy individuals
Improve memory, reasoning, judgment and thinking skills (cognitive function) for people with mild Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment
Delay the start of Alzheimer's for people at risk of developing the disease or slow the progress of the disease Yes, it might. Exercise has many known benefits, including reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, strengthening the bones and muscles, and reducing stress. It also appears that regular physical activity benefits the brain. Studies show that people who are physically active are less likely to experience a decline in their mental function and have a lowered risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Some of the symptoms common to both Alzheimer's and depression include:

Loss of interest in once-enjoyable activities and hobbies
Social withdrawal
Memory problems
Sleeping too much or too little
Impaired concentration
With so much overlap in symptoms, it can be hard to distinguish between the two disorders, especially since they so often occur together. A thorough physical exam and psychological evaluation can be helpful in determining a diagnosis. However, many people with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease lack both the insight and the vocabulary to express how they feel. The cognitive side of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia teaches you to recognize and change beliefs that affect your ability to sleep. The behavioral part of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia helps you develop good sleep habits and avoid behaviors that keep you from sleeping well.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia contains one or more of the following elements:

Sleep education. To make effective changes, it's important to understand the basics of sleep  for example, understanding sleep cycles and learning how beliefs, behaviors and outside factors can affect your sleep.
Cognitive control and psychotherapy. This type of therapy helps you control or eliminate negative thoughts and worries that keep you awake. It may also involve eliminating false or worrisome beliefs about sleep, such as the idea that a single restless night will make you sick.
Sleep restriction. Lying in bed when you're awake can become a habit that leads to poor sleep. Limiting the amount of time you spend in bed can make you sleepier when you do go to bed. That way you're more likely to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Remaining passively awake. This involves avoiding any effort to fall asleep. Paradoxically, worrying that you can't sleep can actually keep you awake. Letting go of this worry can help you relax and make it easier to fall asleep.
Stimulus control therapy. This method helps remove factors that condition the mind to resist sleep. For example, you might be coached to use the bed only for sleep and sex, and to leave the bedroom if you can't go to sleep within 15 minutes.
Sleep hygiene. This method of therapy involves changing basic lifestyle habits that influence sleep, such as smoking or drinking too much caffeine late in the day, drinking too much alcohol, or not getting regular exercise. You may be told to avoid napping and taught to maintain a consistent sleep schedule. It also includes tips that help you sleep better, such as ways to wind down an hour or two before bedtime.
Relaxation training. This method helps you calm your mind and body. Approaches include meditation, hypnosis and muscle relaxation.
Biofeedback. This method allows you to observe biological signs such as heart rate and muscle tension. Your sleep specialist may have you take a biofeedback device home to record your daily patterns. This information can help identify patterns that affect sleep.
Sleep diary. To understand how to best treat your insomnia, your sleep therapist may have you keep a detailed sleep diary for one to two weeks. In the diary, you'll write down when you go to bed, when you get up, how much time you spend in bed unable to sleep, total sleep time and other details about your sleep patterns.
The most effective treatment approach may combine several of these methods. Some newer sleeping medications have been approved for long-term use. But they may not be the best long-term insomnia treatment.

Sleep medications can be a very effective short-term treatment  for example, they can provide immediate relief during a period of high stress or grief.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia may be a good treatment choice if you have long-term sleep problems. You may want to try it if you're worried about becoming dependent on sleep medications, if medications aren't effective or if they cause bothersome side effects.

Unlike pills, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia addresses the underlying causes of insomnia rather than just relieving symptoms. But it takes time  and effort  to make it work. In some cases, a combination of sleep medication and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia may be the best approach. To detect depression in people who have Alzheimer's disease, doctors must rely more heavily on nonverbal cues and caregiver reports than on self-reported symptoms. If a person with Alzheimer's displays one of the first two symptoms in this list, along with at least two of the others within a two-week period, he or she may be depressed.

Significantly depressed mood  sad, hopeless, discouraged, tearful
Reduced pleasure in or response to social contacts and usual activities
Social isolation or withdrawal
Eating too much or too little
Sleeping too much or too little
Agitation or lethargy
Irritability
Fatigue or loss of energy
Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness or inappropriate guilt
Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide Early Alzheimer's disease and depression share many symptoms, so it can be difficult even for doctors to distinguish between the two disorders. And many people with Alzheimer's also are depressed.

One important difference between Alzheimer's and depression is in the effectiveness of treatment. While Alzheimer's drugs can only slow the progression of cognitive decline, medications to treat depression can improve a person's quality of life dramatically.

People who have both Alzheimer's and depression may find it easier to cope with the changes caused by Alzheimer's when they feel less depressed. Insomnia is a common problem characterized by trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or getting restful sleep. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is an effective insomnia treatment for chronic sleep problems.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is a structured program that helps you identify and replace thoughts and behaviors that cause or worsen sleep problems with habits that promote sound sleep. Unlike sleeping pills, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia helps you overcome the underlying causes of your sleep problems. Insomnia is linked to a number of physical and mental health disorders and substance abuse. Ongoing lack of sleep increases your risk of illness and infection, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and chronic pain. If you have a condition that's linked to insomnia, it needs to be addressed along with sleep problems.

 There are a limited number of certified Behavioral Sleep Medicine specialists, and you may not live near a practitioner. You may have to do some searching to find a trained practitioner and a treatment schedule and type that fit your needs. Here are two places to look:

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine offers information about finding a Behavioral Sleep Medicine specialist on its website.
The National Sleep Foundation website offers information about finding sleep centers. Many are associated with major hospitals.
The type of treatment  such as group vs. individual  and frequency of sessions can vary, depending on who you see. You may need as few as two sessions or as many as eight or more sessions, depending on your sleep expert, the program and your progress.

When calling to set up an appointment, ask the practitioner about his or her approach and what to expect. It's also a good idea to check ahead of time whether your health insurance will cover the type of treatment you need.

They can't replace meeting with a sleep specialist in person, but you may benefit from books, CDs or websites on cognitive behavioral therapy techniques and insomnia.

They can't provide the same services as sleep specialists, but licensed psychological counselors (psychotherapists) can offer cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to ease psychological concerns linked to sleep problems. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia can benefit nearly anyone with sleep problems. The therapy can help older adults who have been taking sleep medications for years, people with physical problems such as chronic pain and those with primary insomnia, a condition that exists in its own right. What's more, the effects seem to last. There is no evidence that the therapy has negative side effects.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia requires steady practice, and some approaches may cause you to lose sleep at first. Stick with it, and you're likely to see lasting results. Several prescription drugs are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. Treating the symptoms of Alzheimers can provide patients with comfort, dignity, and independence for a longer period of time and can encourage and assist their caregivers as well.

It is important to understand that none of these medications stops the disease itself.

For information about managing medicines for people with Alzheimer's disease, read the tip sheet Managing Medicines (PDF, 625K).

Volunteerspeople with Alzheimer's or mild cognitive impairment and healthy individualsare needed to participate in Alzheimer's clinical research. Learn more about participating in clinical trials. Most cases of Alzheimer's are the late-onset form, which develops after age 60. The causes of late-onset Alzheimer's are not yet completely understood, but they likely include a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that influence a person's risk for developing the disease. APOE e2 is relatively rare and may provide some protection against the disease. If Alzheimer's disease occurs in a person with this allele, it develops later in life than it would in someone with the APOE e4 gene.
APOE e3, the most common allele, is believed to play a neutral role in the diseaseneither decreasing nor increasing risk.
APOE e4 is present in about 25 to 30 percent of the population and in about 40 percent of all people with late-onset Alzheimer's. People who develop Alzheimer's are more likely to have an APOE e4 allele than people who do not develop the disease. Medications called cholinesterase inhibitors are prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimers disease. These drugs may help delay or prevent symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time and may help control some behavioral symptoms. The medications include: Razadyne (galantamine), Exelon (rivastigmine), and Aricept (donepezil). Another drug, Cognex (tacrine), was the first approved cholinesterase inhibitor but is rarely prescribed today due to safety concerns.

Scientists do not yet fully understand how cholinesterase inhibitors work to treat Alzheimers disease, but research indicates that they prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a brain chemical believed to be important for memory and thinking. As Alzheimers progresses, the brain produces less and less acetylcholine; therefore, cholinesterase inhibitors may eventually lose their effect.

No published study directly compares these drugs. Because they work in a similar way, switching from one of these drugs to another probably will not produce significantly different results. However, an Alzheimers patient may respond better to one drug than another. A medication known as Namenda (memantine), an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, is prescribed to treat moderate to severe Alzheimers disease. This drugs main effect is to delay progression of some of the symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimers. It may allow patients to maintain certain daily functions a little longer than they would without the medication. For example, Namenda may help a patient in the later stages of the disease maintain his or her ability to use the bathroom independently for several more months, a benefit for both patients and caregivers.

Namenda is believed to work by regulating glutamate, an important brain chemical. When produced in excessive amounts, glutamate may lead to brain cell death. Because NMDA antagonists work very differently from cholinesterase inhibitors, the two types of drugs can be prescribed in combination.

The FDA has also approved Aricept for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimers disease. The single-gene mutations directly responsible for early-onset Alzheimer's disease do not seem to be involved in late-onset Alzheimer's. Researchers have not found a specific gene that causes the late-onset form of the disease. However, one genetic risk factor does appear to increase a person's risk of developing the disease. This increased risk is related to the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene found on chromosome 19. APOE contains the instructions for making a protein that helps carry cholesterol and other types of fat in the bloodstream. APOE comes in several different forms, or alleles. Three formsAPOE e2, APOE e3, and APOE e4occur most frequently. sing a relatively new approach called genome-wide association study (GWAS), researchers have identified a number of genes in addition to APOE e4 that may increase a person's risk for late-onset Alzheimer's, including BIN1, CLU, PICALM, and CR1. Finding genetic risk factors like these helps scientists better understand how Alzheimer's disease develops and identify possible treatments to study. APOE e4 is called a risk-factor gene because it increases a person's risk of developing the disease. However, inheriting an APOE e4 allele does not mean that a person will definitely develop Alzheimer's. Some people with one or two APOE e4 alleles never get the disease, and others who develop Alzheimer's do not have any APOE e4 alleles. Doctors usually start patients at low drug doses and gradually increase the dosage based on how well a patient tolerates the drug. There is some evidence that certain patients may benefit from higher doses of the cholinesterase inhibitors. However, the higher the dose, the more likely are side effects. The recommended effective dosages of drugs prescribed to treat the symptoms of Alzheimers and the drugs possible side effects are summarized in the table (see below).

Patients should be monitored when a drug is started. Report any unusual symptoms to the prescribing doctor right away. It is important to follow the doctors instructions when taking any medication, including vitamins and herbal supplements. Also, let the doctor know before adding or changing any medications. Dozens of studies have confirmed that the APOE e4 allele increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's, but how that happens is not yet understood. These studies also help explain some of the variation in the age at which Alzheimer's disease develops, as people who inherit one or two APOE e4 alleles tend to develop the disease at an earlier age than those who do not have any APOE e4 alleles. Several studies report that blood pressure is increased in victims of Alzheimer's disease (AD) decades before the onset of the disease. Years before onset of Alzheimer's disease, blood pressure start to decrease and continues to decrease during the disease process. High blood pressure has also been related to pathological manifestations of Alzheimer's disease (senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, hippocampal atrophy). The exact mechanism behind these associations is not clear. Hypertension is also a risk factor for stroke, ischemic white matter lesions, silent infarcts, general atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction and cardiovascular diseases, and often clusters with other vascular risk factors, including diabetes mellitus, obesity and hypercholesterolemia. Also these risk factors have been related to Alzheimer's disease. Hypertension may thus cause cerebrovascular disease that may increase the possibility for individuals with AD encephalopathy to express a dementia syndrome. Hypertension may also lead to vessel wall changes in the brain, leading to hypoperfusion, ischemia and hypoxia which may initiate the pathological process of AD. Finally, subclinical AD may lead to increased blood pressure, and similar biological mechanisms may be involved in the pathogenesis of both disorders. Hypertension is a common disorder and often untreated. Several observational studies have reported that use of antihypertensives decreases risk of AD. Even though hypertension only results in a moderately increased risk of AD, or overall dementia, better treatment of hypertension may have an immense effect on the total number of demented individuals. Stay calm.
Although being called by a different name or not being recognized can be painful, try not to make your hurt apparent.
Respond with a brief explanation. 
Don't overwhelm the person with lengthy statements or reasons. Instead, clarify with a simple explanation. 
Show photos and other reminders.
Use photographs and other thought-provoking items to remind the person of important relationships and places.
Travel with the person to where he or she is in time. 
If the person's memory is focused on a particular time in his or her life, engage in conversation about recollections with an understanding that this is his or her current reality.
Offer corrections as suggestions.
Avoid explanations that sound like scolding. Try: "I thought it was a fork" or "I think she is your granddaughter Julie." 
Try not to take it personally.
Alzheimer's disease causes your loved one to forget, but your support and understanding will continue to be appreciated.
Share your experience with others.
Join ALZConnected, our online support community and message boards, and share what response strategies have worked for you and get more ideas from other caregivers. During the middle and late stages of Alzheimer's, allow the person with dementia to be as independent as possible during meals. Be ready to help, when needed.

Make the most of the person's abilities. 
Adapt serving dishes and utensils to make eating easier. You might serve food in a bowl instead of a plate, or try using a plate with rims or protective edges. A spoon with a large handle may be less difficult to handle than a fork, or even let the person use his or her hands if it's easier.
Serve finger foods. 
Try bite-sized foods that are easy to pick up, such as chicken nuggets, fish sticks, tuna sandwiches, orange segments, steamed broccoli or cauliflower pieces.
Use a "watch me" technique. 
For example, hold a spoon and show the person how to eat a bowl of cereal.
Don't worry about neatness. 
Let the person feed himself of herself as much as possible. Consider getting plates with suction cups and no-spill glasses.


Read more: http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-food-eating.asp#ixzz2lGyJ9G6c During the middle and late stages of Alzheimer's, distractions, too many choices, and changes in perception, taste and smell can make eating more difficult. The following tips can help:

Limit distractions. 
Serve meals in quiet surroundings, away from the television and other distractions. 
Keep the table setting simple. 
Avoid placing items on the table  such as table arrangements or plastic fruit  that might distract or confuse the person. Use only the utensils needed for the meal.
Distinguish food from the plate. 
Changes in visual and spatial abilities may make it tough for someone with dementia to distinguish food from the plate or the plate from the table. It can help to use white plates or bowls with a contrasting color placemat. Avoid patterned dishes, tablecloths and placemats.
Check the food temperature. 
A person with dementia might not be able to tell if something is too hot to eat or drink. Always test the temperature of foods and beverages before serving.
Serve only one or two foods at a time. 
Too many foods at once may be overwhelming. Simplify by serving one dish at a time. For example, mashed potatoes followed by meat.
Be flexible to food preferences. 
Keep long-standing personal preferences in mind when preparing food, and be aware that a person with dementia may suddenly develop new food preferences or reject foods that were liked in the past.
Give the person plenty of time to eat. 
Remind him or her to chew and swallow carefully. Keep in mind that it may take an hour or longer to finish eating.
Eat together. 
Make meals an enjoyable social event so everyone looks forward to the experience. Research suggests that people eat better when they are in the company of others.
Keep in mind the person may not remember when or if he or she ate. 
If the person continues to ask about eating breakfast, consider serving several breakfasts  juice, followed by toast, followed by cereal.


Read more: http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-food-eating.asp#ixzz2lGyGkrFV The main underlying cause of memory loss and confusion is the progressive damage to brain cells caused by Alzheimer's disease. While current medications cannot stop the damage Alzheimer's causes to brain cells, they may help lessen symptoms for a limited time.

Certain situations  such as a change in living arrangements, switch in routine or certain infections  can cause symptoms to worsen. Any time there is a sudden change in behavior, it is important to have a medical evaluation to rule out other causes.



Read more: http://www.alz.org/care/dementia-memory-loss-problems-confusion.asp#ixzz2lkDYQbv1 If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's or a related dementia, you are not alone. The Alzheimer's Association is the trusted resource for reliable information, education, referral and support to millions of people affected by the disease. Proper nutrition is important to keep the body strong and healthy. For a person with Alzheimer's or dementia, poor nutrition may increase behavioral symptoms and cause weight loss.

The basic nutrition tips below can help boost the person with dementia's health and your health as a caregiver, too.

Provide a balanced diet with a variety of foods. 
Offer vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and lean protein foods.
Limit foods with high saturated fat and cholesterol. 
Some fat is essential for health  but not all fats are equal. Go light on fats that are bad for heart health, such as butter, solid shortening, lard and fatty cuts of meats.
Cut down on refined sugars.
Often found in processed foods, refined sugars contain calories but lack vitamins, minerals and fiber. You can tame a sweet tooth with healthier options like fruit or juice-sweetened baked goods. But note that in the later-stages of Alzheimer's, if loss of appetite is a problem, adding sugar to foods may encourage eating.
Limit foods with high sodium and use less salt.
Most people in the United States consume too much sodium, which affects blood pressure. Cut down by using spices or herbs to season food as an alternative.
As the disease progresses, loss of appetite and weight loss may become concerns. In such cases, the doctor may suggest supplements between meals to add calories.

Staying hydrated may be a problem as well. Encourage fluids by offering small cups of water or other liquids throughout the day or foods with high water content, such as fruit, soups, milkshakes and smoothies.



Read more: http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-food-eating.asp#ixzz2lGyD1GNl Alzheimer's has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues. Although current Alzheimer's treatments cannot stop Alzheimer's from progressing, they can temporarily slow the worsening of dementia symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers. Today, there is a worldwide effort under way to find better ways to treat the disease, delay its onset, and prevent it from developing.   In the earlier stages, memory loss and confusion may be mild. The person with dementia may be aware of  and frustrated by  the changes taking place, such as difficulty recalling recent events, making decisions or processing what was said by others.

In the later stages, memory loss becomes far more severe. A person may not recognize family members, may forget relationships, call family members by other names, or become confused about the location of home or the passage of time. He or she may forget the purpose of common items, such as a pen or a fork. These changes are some of the most painful for caregivers and families.

Such types of behavior is sometimes incorrectly referred to as "senility" or "senile dementia," which reflects the formerly widespread but incorrect belief that serious mental decline is a normal part of aging.



Read more: http://www.alz.org/care/dementia-memory-loss-problems-confusion.asp#ixzz2lkDVdjul In the middle and late stages of Alzheimer's, swallowing problems can lead to choking and weight loss. Be aware of safety concerns and try these tips:

Prepare foods so they aren't hard to chew or swallow. 
Grind foods, cut them into bite-size pieces or serve soft foods (applesauce, cottage cheese scrambled eggs).
Be alert for signs of choking. 
Avoid foods that are difficult to chew thoroughly, like raw carrots. Encourage the person to sit up straight with his or her head slightly forward. If the person's head tilts backward, move it to a forward position. At the end of the meal, check the person's mouth to make sure food has been swallowed. Learn the Heimlich maneuver in case of an emergency.
Address a decreased appetite. 
If the person has a decreased appetite, try preparing favorite foods, increase physical activity, or plan for several small meals rather than three large ones. If the person's appetite does not increase and/or he or she is losing weight, consult with the doctor. Keep in mind, as the person's activity level decreases, he or she may not need as many calories.


Read more: http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-food-eating.asp#ixzz2lGyMPZBB Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 50 to 80 percent of dementia cases.  Alzheimer's worsens over time. Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, where dementia symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer's, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment. Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Those with Alzheimer's live an average of eight years after their symptoms become noticeable to others, but survival can range from four to 20 years, depending on age and other health conditions.  Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging, although the greatest known risk factor is increasing age, and the majority of people with Alzheimer's are 65 and older. But Alzheimer's is not just a disease of old age. Up to 5 percent of people with the disease have early onset Alzheimer's (also known as younger-onset), which often appears when someone is in their 40s or 50s. Mild cognitive impairment causes cognitive changes that are serious enough to be noticed by the individuals experiencing them or to other people, but the changes are not severe enough to interfere with daily life or independent function.

Because the changes caused by MCI are not severe enough to affect daily life, a person with MCI does not meet diagnostic guidelines for dementia. However, those with MCI have an increased risk of eventually developing Alzheimer's or another type of dementia. However, not all people with MCI get worse and some eventually get better. This calculator is based on data collected from the Framingham Heart Study, a major investigation of risk factors for heart disease launched in 1948 by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

To estimate your 10-year risk for heart disease:

find your points for each of the five factors below
total your individual scores
find your risk percentage on the Point Total/Percent Risk table. Experts classify Mild cognitve impairment based on the thinking skills affected:

MCI that primarily affects memory is known as "amnestic MCI." With amnestic MCI, a person may start to forget important information that he or she would previously have recalled easily, such as appointments, conversations or recent events. 

MCI that affects thinking skills other than memory is known as "nonamnestic MCI." Thinking skills that may be affected by nonamnestic MCI include the ability to make sound decisions, judge the time or sequence of steps needed to complete a complex task, or visual perception. Mild cognitive impairment is a "clinical" diagnosis representing a doctor's best professional judgment about the reason for a person's symptoms. There are currently no tests or procedures to demonstrate conclusively that a person has MCI. It's also not yet possible to determine the underlying cause of MCI in a specific person.

A medical workup for MCI includes the following core elements:


Thorough medical history, where the physician documents current symptoms, previous illnesses and medical conditions, and any family history of significant memory problems or dementia. 

Assessment of independent function and daily activities, which focuses on any changes from a person's usual level of function.

Input from a family member or trusted friend to provide additional perspective on how function may have changed.

Assessment of mental status using brief tests designed to evaluate memory, planning, judgment, ability to understand visual information and other key thinking skills.

In-office neurological examination to assess the function of nerves and reflexes, movement, coordination, balance and senses.

Evaluation of mood to detect depression; symptoms may include problems with memory or feeling foggy. Depression is widespread and may be especially common in older adults.

Laboratory tests including blood tests and imaging of the brain's structure.
If the workup doesn't create a clear clinical picture, the doctor may recommend neuropsychological testing, which involves a series of written or computerized tests to evaluate specific thinking skills. Current treatment guidelines also recommend goals for lowering LDL based on a persons risk of having a heart attack in the next 10 years, with the lowest level suggested for those at highest risk. Estimates of risk are based on a combination of major risk factors or a score calculated from a risk assessment tool.

If you fall into an increased risk category, you should talk with your doctor about the best way to manage your cholesterol. Management strategies include reduced intake of saturated fats, increased physical activity, weight reduction and certain types of drugs.

Current guidelines establish the following risk categories:

The highest risk level includes individuals who have:

coronary heart disease or
disease in blood vessels in places other than the heart or
diabetes or
a score on the risk assessment tool indicating a greater than 20 percent likelihood of having a heart attack in the next 10 years.
The LDL cholesterol target for this group is less than 100.

The second-highest risk level includes individuals who have:

two or more major risk factors or
a score on the 10-year risk assessment that falls between 10 percent and 20 percent.
The LDL goal for these individuals is less than 130.

The lowest risk category includes individuals with:

zero or one major risk factor. Almost everyone in this group has a 10-year risk less than 10 percent.

The LDL goal for this group is less than 160. Cigarette smoking
High blood pressure, defined as either blood pressure of 140/90 or higher or being on blood pressure medication
HDL cholesterol less than 40 mg/dL. If your HDL is greater than 60, it counts as a negative risk factor, allowing you to subtract one risk factor from your total
A family history of premature heart disease (a father, brother or male child who had coronary heart disease before age 55 or a mother, sister or female child who had heart disease before age 65)
Age (45 or older for men; 55 or older for women)
Having diabetes
The guidelines recognize that other factors not included in the major risk list also influence cardiovascular health. These other factors include obesity, lack of exercise, high-fat diet, and borderline high blood sugar. The causes of mild cognitive impairment are not yet completely understood. Experts believe that many cases  but not all  result from brain changes occurring in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias.

The risk factors most strongly linked to MCI are the same as those for dementia: advancing age, family history of Alzheimer's or another dementia, and conditions that raise risk for cardiovascular disease.  Cholesterol is one type of lipid (fat) found in the body. Its an essential part of the membranes surrounding cells and also plays other important roles.
Cholesterol travels through the bloodstream attached to carrier molecules, including two important ones called high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). A blood test for cholesterol measures the total amount of lipoprotein-bound cholesterol as well as the relative amounts of HDL and LDL.

A relatively high level of HDL, also known as good cholesterol, seems to be somewhat protective against heart disease. High levels of LDL, also known as bad cholesterol, are associated with an increased risk of heart disease.

Current guidelines issued by the National Cholesterol Education Program establish ranges for cholesterol levels and recommend that regular testing begin at age 20. No medications are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat mild cognitive impairment. Drugs approved to treat symptoms of Alzheimer's disease have not shown any lasting benefit in delaying or preventing progression of MCI to dementia.

The following coping strategies may be helpful for those with MCI. Some studies suggest that these strategies may help slow decline in thinking skills, although more research is needed to confirm their effect.  

Exercise on a regular basis to benefit your heart and blood vessels, including those that nourish your brain.

Control cardiovascular risk factors to protect your heart and blood vessels, including those that support brain function.
Participate in mentally stimulating and socially engaging activities, which may help sustain brain function.
Find a clinical trial

Join a clinical study to help improve our understanding of MCI. Find a trial.

Experts recommend that a person diagnosed with MCI be re-evaluated every six months to determine if symptoms are staying the same, improving or growing worse.

MCI increases the risk of later developing dementia, but some people with MCI never get worse. Others with MCI later have test results that return to normal for their age and education.

It's not yet possible to tell for certain what the outcome of MCI will be for a specific person or to determine the underlying cause of MCI from a person's symptoms.

Researchers hope to increase the power to predict MCI outcomes by developing new diagnostic tools to identify and measure underlying brain changes linked to specific types of dementia. Stay informed about research investigating MCI, Alzheimers and related dementias. Sign up for enews today. While symptoms of dementia can vary greatly, at least two of the following core mental functions must be significantly impaired to be considered dementia:

Memory
Communication and language
Ability to focus and pay attention
Reasoning and judgment
Visual perception
People with dementia may have problems with short-term memory, keeping track of a purse or wallet, paying bills, planning and preparing meals, remembering appointments or traveling out of the neighborhood.

Many dementias are progressive, meaning symptoms start out slowly and gradually get worse. If you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don't ignore them. See a doctor soon to determine the cause. Professional evaluation may detect a treatable condition. And even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available treatments and provides an opportunity to volunteer for clinical trials or studies. It also provides time to plan for the future. Aerobic exercise improves oxygen consumption, which benefits brain function; aerobic fitness has been found to reduce brain cell loss in elderly subjects. Walking, bicycling, gardening, tai chi, yoga and other activities of about 30 minutes daily get the body moving and the heart pumping. Dementia is caused by damage to brain cells. This damage interferes with the ability of brain cells to communicate with each other. When brain cells cannot communicate normally, thinking, behavior and feelings can be affected.

The brain has many distinct regions, each of which is responsible for different functions (for example, memory, judgment and movement). When cells in a particular region are damaged, that region cannot carry out its functions normally.


Take our interactive Brain Tour.

Different types of dementia are associated with particular types of brain cell damage in particular regions of the brain. For example, in Alzheimer's disease, high levels of certain proteins inside and outside brain cells make it hard for brain cells to stay healthy and to communicate with each other. The brain region called the hippocampus is the center of learning and memory in the brain, and the brain cells in this region are often the first to be damaged. That's why memory loss is often one of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer's.

While most changes in the brain that cause dementia are permanent and worsen over time, thinking and memory problems caused by the following conditions may improve when the condition is treated or addressed:

Depression
Medication side effects
Excess use of alcohol
Thyroid problems
Vitamin deficiencies Growing evidence shows that physical exercise does not have to be strenuous or even require a major time commitment. It is most effective when done regularly, and in combination with a brain-healthy diet, mental activity and social interaction. Dementia is not a specific disease. It's an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person's ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases. Vascular dementia, which occurs after a stroke, is the second most common dementia type. But there are many other conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia, including some that are reversible, such as thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies.

Dementia is often incorrectly referred to as "senility" or "senile dementia," which reflects the formerly widespread but incorrect belief that serious mental decline is a normal part of aging. Physical exercise is essential for maintaining good blood flow to the brain as well as to encourage new brain cells. It also can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and diabetes, and thereby protect against those risk factors for Alzheimers and other dementias. There is no one test to determine if someone has dementia. Doctors diagnose Alzheimer's and other types of dementia based on a careful medical history, a physical examination, laboratory tests, and the characteristic changes in thinking, day-to-day function and behavior associated with each type. Doctors can determine that a person has dementia with a high level of certainty. But it's harder to determine the exact type of dementia because the symptoms and brain changes of different dementias can overlap. In some cases, a doctor may diagnose "dementia" and not specify a type. If this occurs it may be necessary to see a specialist such as a neurologist or gero-psychologist. Avoid head trauma when exercising

Use protective headgear when engaged in physical activities, such as bicycling, horseback riding, bouldering, skating and so on.
Wear a seat belt.
Guard against falls by using handrails, watching out for tripping hazards and taking other precautions.
Severe head injuries have been associated with increased risk for later development of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Treatment of dementia depends on its cause. In the case of most progressive dementias, including Alzheimer's disease, there is no cure and no treatment that slows or stops its progression. But there are drug treatments that may temporarily improve symptoms. The same medications used to treat Alzheimer's are among the drugs sometimes prescribed to help with symptoms of other types of dementias. Non-drug therapies can also alleviate some symptoms of dementia.

Ultimately, the path to effective new treatments for dementia is through increased research funding and increased participation in clinical studies. Right now, at least 50,000 volunteers are urgently needed to participate in more than 100 actively enrolling clinical studies and trials about Alzheimer's and related dementias. Physical activities that also involve mental activity  plotting your route, observing traffic signals, making choices  provide additional value for brain health. And doing these activities with a companion offers the added benefit of social interaction. Some risk factors for dementia, such as age and genetics, cannot be changed. But researchers continue to explore the impact of other risk factors on brain health and prevention of dementia. Some of the most active areas of research in risk reduction and prevention include cardiovascular factors, physical fitness, and diet.

Cardiovascular risk factors: Your brain is nourished by one of your body's richest networks of blood vessels. Anything that damages blood vessels anywhere in your body can damage blood vessels in your brain, depriving brain cells of vital food and oxygen. Blood vessel changes in the brain are linked to vascular dementia. They often are present along with changes caused by other types of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. These changes may interact to cause faster decline or make impairments more severe. You can help protect your brain with some of the same strategies that protect your heart  don't smoke; take steps to keep your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar within recommended limits; and maintain a healthy weight.

Physical exercise: Regular physical exercise may help lower the risk of some types of dementia. Evidence suggests exercise may directly benefit brain cells by increasing blood and oxygen flow to the brain.

Diet: What you eat may have its greatest impact on brain health through its effect on heart health. The best current evidence suggests that heart-healthy eating patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet, also may help protect the brain. A Mediterranean diet includes relatively little red meat and emphasizes whole grains, fruits and vegetables, fish and shellfish, and nuts, olive oil and other healthy fats. There is no single test or questionnaire to detect depression. Diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a medical professional, especially since side effects of medications and some medical conditions can produce similar symptoms. 

An evaluation for depression will include:

A review of the person's medical history 
A physical and mental examination
Interviews with family members who know the person well Many people with Alzheimers experience changes in their sleep patterns. Scientists do not completely understand why this happens. As with changes in memory and behavior, sleep changes somehow result from the impact of Alzheimers on the brain.

Many older adults without dementia also notice changes in their sleep, but these disturbances occur more frequently and tend to be more severe in Alzheimers. There is evidence that sleep changes are more common in later stages of the disease, but some studies have also found them in early stages.

Sleep changes in Alzheimers may include: Stage 6:	Severe cognitive decline
(Moderately severe or mid-stage Alzheimer's disease)
Memory continues to worsen, personality changes may take place and individuals need extensive help with daily activities. At this stage, individuals may:
Lose awareness of recent experiences as well as of their surroundings
Remember their own name but have difficulty with their personal history
	
Remember:
It is difficult to place a person with Alzheimer's in a specific stage as stages may overlap.


Distinguish familiar and unfamiliar faces but have trouble remembering the name of a spouse or caregiver
Need help dressing properly and may, without supervision, make mistakes such as putting pajamas over daytime clothes or shoes on the wrong feet
Experience major changes in sleep patterns  sleeping during the day and becoming restless at night
Need help handling details of toileting (for example, flushing the toilet, wiping or disposing of tissue properly)
Have increasingly frequent trouble controlling their bladder or bowels
Experience major personality and behavioral changes, including suspiciousness and delusions (such as believing that their caregiver is an impostor)or compulsive, repetitive behavior like hand-wringing or tissue shredding
Tend to wander or become lost Stage 7:	Very severe cognitive decline
(Severe or late-stage Alzheimer's disease)
In the final stage of this disease, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement. They may still say words or phrases.
At this stage, individuals need help with much of their daily personal care, including eating or using the toilet. They may also lose the ability to smile, to sit without support and to hold their heads up. Reflexes become abnormal. Muscles grow rigid. Swallowing impaired. Difficulty sleeping. Many people with Alzheimers wake up more often and stay awake longer during the night. Brain wave studies show decreases in both dreaming and non-dreaming sleep stages. Those who cannot sleep may wander, be unable to lie still, or yell or call out, disrupting the sleep of their caregivers. Because of the complexities involved in diagnosing depression in someone with Alzheimer's, it may be helpful to consult a geriatric psychiatrist who specializes in recognizing and treating depression in older adults. Ask your doctor for a referral.

The National Institute of Mental Health established a formal set of guidelines for diagnosing the depression in people with Alzheimer's. Although the criteria are similar to general diagnostic standards for major depression, they reduce emphasis on verbal expression and include irritability and social isolation.
 Identifying depression in someone with Alzheimer's can be difficult, since dementia can cause some of the same symptoms. Examples of symptoms common to both depression and dementia include:

Apathy
Loss of interest in activities and hobbies
Social withdrawal
Isolation
Trouble concentrating
Impaired thinking
In addition, the cognitive impairment experienced by people with Alzheimer's often makes it difficult for them to articulate their sadness, hopelessness, guilt and other feelings associated with depression.

Depression in Alzheimer's doesn't always look like depression in people without Alzheimer's. Here are some ways that depression in a person with Alzheimer's may be different:

May be less severe
May not last as long and symptoms may come and go
The person with Alzheimer's may be less likely to talk about or attempt suicide
As a caregiver, if you see signs of depression, discuss them with the primary doctor of the person with dementia. Proper diagnosis and treatment can improve sense of well-being and function.



Read more: http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-depression.asp#ixzz2kR4aYApK People with Alzheimers often have problems with sleeping or may experience changes in their sleep schedule. Scientists do not completely understand why these sleep disturbances occur. As with changes in memory and behavior, sleep changes somehow result from the impact of Alzheimers on the brain. When managing sleep changes, non-drug coping strategies should always be tried first. Stage 5:	Moderately severe cognitive decline
(Moderate or mid-stage Alzheimer's disease)
Gaps in memory and thinking are noticeable, and individuals begin to need help with day-to-day activities. At this stage, those with Alzheimer's may:
Be unable to recall their own address or telephone number or the high school or college from which they graduated
Become confused about where they are or what day it is
Have trouble with less challenging mental arithmetic; such as counting backward from 40 by subtracting 4s or from 20 by 2s
Need help choosing proper clothing for the season or the occasion
Still remember significant details about themselves and their family
Still require no assistance with eating or using the toilet Stage 4:	
Moderate cognitive decline
(Mild or early-stage Alzheimer's disease) 
At this point, a careful medical interview should be able to detect clear-cut symptoms in several areas:
Forgetfulness of recent events
Impaired ability to perform challenging mental arithmetic  for example, counting backward from 100 by 7s
Greater difficulty performing complex tasks, such as planning dinner for guests, paying bills or managing finances
Forgetfulness about one's own personal history
Becoming moody or withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations For a person to be diagnosed with depression in Alzheimer's, he or she must have either depressed mood (sad, hopeless, discouraged or tearful) or decreased pleasure in usual activities, along with two or more of the following symptoms for two weeks or longer:

Social isolation or withdrawal
Disruption in appetite that is not related to another medical condition
Disruption in sleep
Agitation or slowed behavior
Irritability
Fatigue or loss of energy
Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness, or inappropriate or excessive guilt
Recurrent thoughts of death, suicide plans or a suicide attempt

 Daytime napping and other shifts in the sleep-wake cycle. Individuals may feel very drowsy during the day and then be unable to sleep at night. They may become restless or agitated in the late afternoon or early evening, an experience often called sundowning. Experts estimate that in late stages of Alzheimers, individuals spend about 40 percent of their time in bed at night awake and a significant part of their daytime sleeping. In extreme cases, people may have a complete reversal of the usual daytime wakefulness-nighttime sleep pattern. Stage 1:	No impairment (normal function)
The person does not experience any memory problems. An interview with a medical professional does not show any evidence of symptoms of dementia. Getting appropriate treatment for depression can significantly improve quality of life.

The most common treatment for depression in Alzheimer's involves a combination of medicine, counseling, and gradual reconnection to activities and people that bring happiness. Simply telling the person with Alzheimer's to "cheer up," "snap out of it" or "try harder" is seldom helpful. Depressed people with or without Alzheimer's are rarely able to make themselves better by sheer will, or without lots of support, reassurance and professional help.
 There are several types of antidepressants available to treat depression. Antidepressants called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are often used for people with Alzheimer's and depression because they have a lower risk than some other antidepressants of causing interactions with other medications.

As with any medication, make sure to ask about risks and benefits, as well as what type of monitoring and follow-up will be needed.
 Stage 3:	

Mild cognitive decline (early-stage Alzheimer's can be diagnosed in some, but not all, individuals with these symptoms)
Friends, family or co-workers begin to notice difficulties. During a detailed medical interview, doctors may be able to detect problems in memory or concentration. Common stage 3 difficulties include:
Noticeable problems coming up with the right word or name

Trouble remembering names when introduced to new people
Having noticeably greater difficulty performing tasks in social or work settings Forgetting material that one has just read
Losing or misplacing a valuable object
Increasing trouble with planning or organizing Stage 2:	Very mild cognitive decline (may be normal age-related changes or earliest signs of Alzheimer's disease)
The person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses  forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. But no symptoms of dementia can be detected during a medical examination or by friends, family or co-workers. Support groups can be very helpful, particularly an early-stage group for people with Alzheimer's who are aware of their diagnosis and prefer to take an active role in seeking help or helping others; counseling is also an option, especially for those who aren't comfortable in groups
Schedule a predictable daily routine, taking advantage of the person's best time of day to undertake difficult tasks, such as bathing
Make a list of activities, people or places that the person enjoys and schedule these things more frequently
Help the person exercise regularly, particularly in the morning
Acknowledge the person's frustration or sadness, while continuing to express hope that he or she will feel better soon
Celebrate small successes and occasions
Find ways that the person can contribute to family life and be sure to recognize his or her contributions
Provide reassurance that the person is loved, respected and appreciated as part of the family, and not just for what she or he can do now
Nurture the person with offers of favorite foods or soothing or inspirational activities
Reassure the person that he or she will not be abandoned


Read more: http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-depression.asp#ixzz2kR4wzsuM Long-term care for people with Alzheimer's disease offers a vast range of medical, personal, and social services that are required to meet the physical, social, and emotional needs of people who have long-term illnesses or are disabled. A nursing home facility may be the best choice for people who require 24-hour medical care and supervision. There are two types of care provided by nursing homes for those with Alzheimer's disease:

Basic care. This provides services that will help to maintain a person's ability to carry out necessary daily functions, like personal care and getting around. They will also ensure that the person is supervised and safe.
Skilled care. This is care that requires the services of a registered nurse for treatments and procedures on a regular basis. Skilled care also includes services provided by specially trained professionals, such as physical, occupational, and respiratory therapists. The services nursing homes offer vary from facility to facility. Services often include:

Room and board.
Monitoring of medication.
Personal care like dressing, bathing, and toileting assistance.
24-hour emergency care.
Social and recreational activities. Are staff members available to provide 24-hour assistance with activities of daily living, if needed? Daily activities include:
Dressing
Eating
Getting around
Hygiene and grooming
Bathing, toileting, and incontinence issues
Using the telephone
Room Features

Are rooms for single and double occupancy available?
Is a 24-hour emergency response system accessible from the room?
Are bathrooms private? Do they accommodate wheelchairs and walkers?
Can residents bring their own furnishings? What may they bring?
Do all rooms have a telephone? How is billing handled for long-distance calls?
Social and Recreational Activities


Is there an activities program?
Are the activities posted for residents?
Do most of the residents at an activity seem to be participating?
Food Service

Does the nursing home provide three nutritionally balanced meals a day, seven days a week?
Is the food hot and appetizing?
Are snacks available?
May a resident request special foods or diets?
Is drinking water always accessible?
Are common dining areas available, or do residents eat meals in their rooms?
May meals be provided at times the resident prefers, or are there set meal times?
How are special diets handled?
Is assistance available for residents who need help with eating? The following checklist will help you and your family to evaluate different nursing homes. Review the checklist before your visit to the facility. Be sure to take this checklist with you.

Nursing Home Checklist

Facility

Does the nursing home provide the level of care needed, such as skilled or intermediate care?
Does the nursing home meet local and/or state licensing requirements?
Does the nursing home's administrator have an up-to-date license?
Does the nursing home meet state fire regulations (including a sprinkler system, fire-resistant doors, and a plan for evacuating residents)?
What are the visiting hours?
What is the policy on insurance and personal property?
What is the procedure for responding to a medical emergency?
Does the nursing home have a Medicare license?
Admission

Is there a waiting period for admission?
What are the admission requirements?

Fees and Financing

Are fees competitive?
Have fees increased significantly in the past few years?
Is the fee structure easy to understand?
What are the billing, payment, and credit policies?
Are there different costs for various levels or categories of services?
Are the billing and accounting procedures understandable?
Does the nursing home reveal what services are covered in the quoted fee and what services are extra?
What governmental financing options are accepted (such as Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, Supplemental Security Income, and others)?
When may a contract be terminated? What is the refund policy?
Needs Assessment

Is there a written plan for the care of each resident?
What is the procedure for assessing a potential resident's need for services? Are those needs reassessed periodically?
Staff

Do the nurses, social workers, and administrators have experience and/or education regarding elderly patients?
Are staff members available to meet scheduled and unscheduled needs?
Do staff members seem to genuinely enjoy working with the residents?
Do staff members treat residents as individuals?
Are staff members available to assist residents who experience memory, orientation, or judgment losses?
Does a doctor or nurse visit the resident regularly to provide medical checkups?
Residents and Atmosphere

Do residents appear happy and comfortable?
Do residents, other visitors, and volunteers speak favorably about the nursing home?
Are residents clean and appropriately dressed?
Are the rights of residents clearly posted?
Facility Design

Do you like the appearance of the building and its surroundings?
Is the decor attractive and home-like?
Is the floor plan easy to follow?
Do doorways, hallways, and rooms accommodate wheelchairs and walkers?
Are elevators available?
Are handrails available?
Are shelves easy to reach?
Are carpets secured and floors made of a non-skid material?
Is there good natural and artificial lighting?
Is the residence clean, odor free, and appropriately heated/cooled?
Medication and Health Care

What is the policy regarding storage of medication and assistance with medication?
Is self-administration of medication allowed?
Who coordinates visits from a physical, occupational, or speech therapist, if needed? If you have a loved one with Alzheimer's disease, finding the right nursing home takes time. It is important to begin the search for a suitable nursing home well before you will need to take the step of moving. There are often waiting periods. Planning ahead can also make the transition of moving into a nursing home much easier.


Family and caregivers should talk about what services will be needed. Take time to consider what services are important to you before calling different nursing homes. Think about what kind of help is needed and how often it's needed.

Before scheduling a visit to the nursing homes you are interested in, ask about vacancies, admission requirements, level of care provided, and participation in government-funded health insurance options. As you and your family evaluate your long-term care needs, it's important to consider financing options. Payment for nursing home care can be made through Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, and personal funds. When evaluating nursing homes, it's important to ask the administrative staff what payment options they accept. Here's a brief summary of some of the financing options:

Medicare is a federal health insurance program providing health care benefits to all Americans age 65 and older. Insurance protection intended to cover major hospital care is provided without regard to income, but only restricted benefits are allowed for nursing home care. In addition, Medicare only pays for skilled care in a nursing facility that has a Medicare license.
Medicaid is a joint federal/state health insurance program providing medical care benefits to low-income Americans who meet certain requirements. Nursing home care is covered through Medicaid, but eligibility requirements and covered services vary widely from state to state.
Private long-term care insurance is a health insurance option that, if purchased, supplements Medicare coverage. Private long-term care insurance policies vary greatly. Each policy has its own eligibility requirements, restrictions, costs, and benefits. Such a model is supported by the finding of Thomas Arendt, MD, and colleagues at the University of Leipzig that 90% of the neuronal cell death observed at autopsy in Alzheimer patients is due to the creation and selective loss of neurons with the wrong number of chromosomes.
Identifying the specific problem caused by cholesterol will lead to completely new approaches to therapy for many human diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis and possibly cancer, all of which show signs of defective cell division. Granic and Potter already have found a potentially simple approach to preventing cholesterol from causing cells to distribute their chromosomes unequally into their new daughter cells. Specifically, when cells in culture were first treated with ethanol, the subsequent exposure to bad cholesterol was without effect on cell division: Each daughter cell received the correct number of chromosomes. High cholesterol levels have long been discussed to increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. "Studies have already shown that cholesterol promotes the formation of so-called senile plaques," said Grimm. These plaques, which are composed of proteins, particularly beta-amyloid proteins, deposit at nerve cells within the brain and are regarded as one of the main causes of Alzheimer's disease. The research team based at Saarland University's medical campus in Homburg collaborated with scientists from Bonn, Finland and the Netherlands to examine how the sterols that we ingest influence the formation of these plaque proteins. It was found that one sterol in particular, stigmasterol, actually inhibited protein formation. "Stigmasterol has an effect on a variety of molecular processes: it lowers enzyme activity, it inhibits the formation of proteins implicated in the development of Alzheimer's disease, and it alters the structure of the cell membrane," explained Dr Grimm. "Together, these effects synergistically reduce the production of beta-amyloid proteins." The research team has been able to confirm the positive effect of stigmasterol in tests on animals. "Plant sterols are present in various combinations in nuts, seeds and plant oils. As plant sterols are the equivalents of animal cholesterol, they can in principal influence metabolic processes, where cholesterol is involved," explained Marcus Grimm, Head of the Experimental Neurology Laboratory at Saarland University. "Because they also lower cholesterol levels, they are extensively used in the food industry and as dietary supplements." In the new study published this week in the on-line journal PLOS ONE, Antoneta Granic, PhD, and Huntington Potter, PhD, show that cholesterol, particularly in the LDL form, called 'bad cholesterol', causes cells in both humans and mice to divide incorrectly and distribute their already-duplicated chromosomes unequally to the next generation. The result is an accumulation of defective daughter cells with the wrong number of chromosomes and therefore the wrong number of genes. Instead of the correct two copies of each chromosome, and thus two copies of each gene, some cells acquired three copies and some only one.
Granic and Potter's study of the effects of cholesterol on cell division included a prominent finding of cells carrying three copies of the chromosome (#21 in humans and #16 in mice) that encodes the amyloid peptide that is the key component of the neurotoxic amyloid filaments that accumulate in the brains of Alzheimer patients. Overall, the researchers were able to demonstrate that the various plant sterols influence different cellular mechanisms and therefore have to be assessed individually. "Particularly in the case of Alzheimer's disease, it seems expedient to focus on the dietary intake of specific plant sterols rather than a mixture of sterols," explained Dr Grimm. In future studies, the research team wants to determine which other cellular processes in the brain are affected by phytosterols. Human trisomy 21 cells are significant because people with Down syndrome have trisomy 21 in all of their cells from the moment of conception, and they all develop the brain pathology and many develop the dementia of Alzheimer's disease by age 50. Earlier studies by Granic, Potter and others have shown that as many as 10% of cells in an Alzheimer patient, including neurons in the brain, have three copies of chromosome 21 instead of the usual two. Thus, Alzheimer's disease is, in some ways, a form of acquired Down syndrome. Furthermore, mutant genes that cause inherited Alzheimer's disease cause the same defect in chromosome segregation as does cholesterol, thus indicating the presence of a common cell division problem in both familial and 'sporadic' (non-familial) Alzheimer's disease.
The new research also found trisomy 21 neurons in the brains of children with what, until now, was thought to be an unrelated neurodegenerative disease (Niemann Pick type C), caused by a mutation affecting cholesterol physiology. This result suggests that neurodegeneration itself might be linked to chromosome missegregation. High levels of blood cholesterol increase the risk of both Alzheimer's disease and heart disease, but it has been unclear exactly how cholesterol damages the brain to promote Alzheimer's disease and blood vessels to promote atherosclerosis.
Using insights gained from studying two much rarer disorders, Down Syndrome and Niemann Pick-C disease, researchers at the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome and the Department of Neurology of the University of Colorado School of Medicine found that cholesterol wreaks havoc on the orderly process of cell division, leading to defective daughter cells throughout the body. Memory Care communities, which include Alzheimer's and Dementia care facilities, consist of specially designed living spaces and supporting environments for those who are living with cognitive challenges brought on by Alzheimer's and dementia. These may include carefully considered flooring to reduce problematic patterns for those with Alzheimer's or dementia and wall colors that help them to find the way. The dementia care environment helps cue its residents in their daily lives. Areas of the community are set up for safe engagement in activities such as gardening, kitchen work, and other life skills that provide purposeful and meaningful successful moments. The Clare Bridge concept was created over 25 years ago and has evolved by continually embracing the latest research in dementia care, coupled with the experience of caring for thousands of people with dementia and their families. Today, Brookdale is one of the leading providers in Alzheimer's care in the United States.

Brookdale Associates are trained in the concept of generating daily moments of success and embrace this promise by offering opportunities for residents to find happiness and meaning that supports their unique needs. The program is deeply rooted in a person-centered approach focused on sustaining feelings of belonging and purpose while seeking to preserve a sense of self. All Clare Bridge associates receive ongoing guidance and teaching on the complex task of providing excellent dementia care. Associates receive initial and on-going training in proper techniques, approach, and care of persons with dementia. In addition, all executive directors attend the Clare Bridge Leadership Competency Training. An established set of protocols and techniques enables associates to better meet the unmet needs that are often triggers of behavioral expressions in persons living with dementia. At Brookdale, we believe in whole-community philosophy that empowers all associates to identify the unmet needs of the resident and their family and be a part of a solution. The Clare Bridge Daily Path offers a gentle daily structure consisting of a minimum of six programs per day, which maintain the resident's abilities and encourage the use of their current skills. This daily routine gives residents a sense of security that they are "right where they need to be." Activities can include:

A morning mental workout with discussions, brain stimulating games, and reminiscing.
Physical activity with a variety of opportunities like Brookdale's Fitness B Fit program, group exercises, walking programs, and dancing.
Daily life skills, which provide a sense of purpose, meaning and belonging.
Person centered programming, which uses the person's social history information as a foundation. By honoring past interests and involvements, these programs tap into current skills and support successful experiences.
We're Keeping Our Promise personal notes are periodically sent to a family member to communicate their daily moments of success. A team of experts specializing in dementia care, culinary arts, and nutrition designed the Clare Bridge Dining Program. This unique dining program gives the residents opportunity to enjoy and master the dining experience with...

Dementia friendly menus that provide diverse offerings that can assist in full engagement in the dining process regardless of the level of dementia. Selections are easy to manage, familiar and are appealing to the senses.
Individualized dining assistance preserves the resident's use of utensils as long as possible.
Small dining rooms with consistent seating, which encourages familiarity and socialization. Music, centerpieces, warm scented wash towels and fresh linens enhance the dining experience. National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners is open to all health care professionals, front line staff and First Responders who qualify for CDPcertification and are interested in learning comprehensive dementia education, who value dementia education training, who are committed to ending abuse and neglect and who value Certified Dementia Practitioner CDP certification.  The Council was formed to promote standards of excellence in dementia and Alzheimer's Disease education training to professionals and other caregivers who provide services to dementia clients. As the number of dementia cases continues to increase nationally and worldwide, there is a great necessity to insure that care givers , front line staff and health care professionals are well trained to provide appropriate, competent, and sensitive direct care and support for the dementia patient. The National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners, LLC was formed in 2001 by a group of professionals with varying work and personal experiences in the field of dementia care. Their backgrounds include Nurses, Regional Managers, Nursing Assistants, Consultants, Geriatric Care Managers, Psychiatry, Dementia Unit Managers, Alzheimer's Disease and related Dementia Care Specialist, Alzheimer's Disease Educators, Dementia Educators, Activity Professionals, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Licensed  Certified Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Speech Therapists, Dietitians, Pharmacists, Alzheimer's Care Specialist, Long Term Care Administration, Support Group Leaders, Administrators, Owners, Elder Law Attorney's and Home Care Administration. These talented and experienced individuals cover the broad spectrum of the health care industry and bring valuable life and professional experiences from Adult Day Care Centers, Assisted Living Facilities, Nursing Homes, Hospice Agencies, Home Care Agencies, Independent Living Facilities, CCRC, Retirement Living, Senior Apartments, Senior Centers, Hospitals as well as professional boards and non profit associations such as the Alzheimer's Association. The Council was formed to promote standards of excellence in dementia and Alzheimer's education to health care professionals, front line staff, caregivers, volunteers and First Responder's who provide services to dementia clients. As the number of dementia cases continues to increase nationally and worldwide, there is a great necessity to insure that care givers, front line staff, health care professionals and First Responders are well trained to provide appropriate, competent, sensitive direct care and support for the dementia patient. Dementia education trains your staff to anticipate, plan and prepare for a crisis and action steps to take for crisis prevention. Across the United States of America, the regulations are different from state to state for Alzheimer's Units, Dementia Units, Memory Centers and Special Care Units. Some have extensive regulations for Nursing Homes and Assisted Living while other states may have no regulations. State regulations governing Nursing Homes, Assisted Living, Adult Day Care are also different in each state for the requirements for Alzheimer's and Dementia Education. Some states have no requirements, some are vague, others require just two hours of education while other's are extensive. The Goal of the NCCDP is to promote national standards for comprehensive and extensive Alzheimer's and Dementia Education, Certified Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care Trainers CADDCT, Certified Dementia Care Managers and Certified First Responders Dementia Trainers and Certified First Responders-Dementia Trained. The NCCDP, LLC established in 2003 the Train the Trainer class. This one day "live" class is recommended for the In-service Director or Educator to obtain certification as a NCCDP Certified Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care Trainer CADDCT. The NCCDP certified trainer will utilize the NCCDP comprehensive Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care curriculum for their staff or student dementia education seminars and in-services. The NCCDP certified trainers believe in the value of "live" training and the impact that training has on the staff to provide compassionate care, decrease incidences of abuse, neglect and educate staff on difficult behaviors, crisis intervention and crisis prevention because they have a better understanding of Alzheimer's disease and many types of Dementia and are than better prepared to deal with the day to day challenges. The Train the Trainer seminars are offered nationwide. Over the course of a 12-week study, researchers tested the mice for cognitive ability and memory retention. Mice that received PMX205 during early stages of Alzheimer's performed nearly as well as normal mice on the tests, but mice receiving no treatment performed very poorly. When the brains of the mice were examined, researchers found up to 50% fewer Alzheimer's-related pathologies in the brains of the mice receiving PMX205 treatment. The report appears in the July 15 edition of The Journal of Immunology. Scientists at the University of California Irvine have successfully recovered the memories of mice bred to develop age-related Alzheimer's symptoms by using an experimental drug that is being tested as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage by congregating in areas of the brain with amyloid plaques, researchers said. Amyloid plaques are one of the most common physical brain characteristics found in Alzheimer's patients. The memories of Alzheimer's patients are forgotten but not gone, to twist a popular phrase. Now, one potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer's developmentespecially when coupled with other treatments, researchers say. From the moment of birth, we humans are constantly learning and compiling more information into our brains memory. The parts of our brain which allow for memory storage and retrieval are primarily comprised of the cortex, the thin wrinkled outer layer of the brain, and billions of brain cells known as neurons. At birth although the cortex and neurons are present, the brain is not completely developed. The brain will continue to grow and expand as the child ages and develops.


A childs skull, however, does not remain flexible forever. Once a childs skull fusion and growth is complete, the brain cannot expand outward anymore. As a result, the brain must grow inward, developing those signature grooves and valleys, called gyri and sulci. These gyri and sulci increase the surface space of the brain and cortex allowing for more information to be stored within the brain and its neurons. Alzheimers disease is distinguished from other forms of dementia by characteristic changes in the brain. These changes include a 50% reduction of acetylcholine, the primary brain chemical used in the retrieval of memory and the formation of plaques and tangles. These plaques and tangles are abnormal growths or accumulation of certain proteins that build within and surround brain cells. As a result of these changes, brain cells are damaged and eventually destroyed, which results in the symptoms of dementia, which include memory loss or confusion, a reduction in cognitive abilities, difficulty with language, perception, personality, judgment, coordination and changes in emotion and personality.


Alzheimers is considered to be a disease of exclusion, meaning that all other possible causes  such as infection, disease, alcohol and drug abuse, vitamin deficiency, as well as mental illness must be ruled out before any probable diagnosis of Alzheimers is given. This is accomplished by undergoing a complete physical, neurological and psychological examination. However, due to the very nature of the Alzheimers disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death. In order to better help your loved one who has Alzheimers, it is important to understand some of the facts surrounding the beginning stages and progression of Alzheimers disease. By understanding Alzheimers and its various stages and symptoms, one is better prepared to help their loved ones.


Understanding the progress of Alzheimers and how it is diagnosed is critical to the Search and Rescue Incident Command Teams that will search for Alzheimers patients who wander, as well as the search teams looking for missing Alzheimers elders. Knowing the signs and symptoms often leads a search and rescue team to the means, methods, tactics and utilization of search resources. Alzheimers disease and its related dementias steal those memories. The American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (1987) characterizes Alzheimers disease as a chronically progressive, global, cognitive loss. The affected individual suffers a loss of capabilities in thinking and learningsufficient impairment to affect daily life, including social and/or occupational functioning.


As Alzheimers disease progresses, the loss of acetylcholine reduces the brains ability to retrieve memories; stated another way, it reduces the retrieval capability memory trail by half. You can use the analogy of removing two of the four tires on your automobile, even on a road we know like the back of our hands. Under those circumstances, how far will your car run on two tires before you have to stop? Memories are stored in a variety of areas and ways. An apple, for example, will not only store as the memory of an apple as we know it, but also as the memory of the taste of the apple, the color of the apple, the crunch of biting an apple, the smell of fresh apples, as well as the associated memories of baking apples and apple pie. The brain also saves the way apple is spelled, the way the ears hears the sound of the world apple, and if the person speaks another language (or more than two languages) the memory of that apple may also be stored there as well.


Each new taste of food, each new word, each new experience is stored in our memory cortex and neurons. As the brain grows and develops, memory storage cannot continue on a single plane. Instead the cortex and those memory-storing neurons develop layers. The earlier the memory, the deeper it is imbedded in the brain. Each time that memory is accessed, the retrieval process lays a trail, and the more times that trail is run, the easier that memory becomes to retrieve. Additionally the protein plaques and tangles that build in and around brain cells interrupt the neurons ability to process glucose into energy, send and receive necessary chemicals, and stop the life-sustaining communication between cells. As those damaged neurons die, they thin the cortex and take away memories.


Because these memory loss changes first occur in the outer layers of the cortex, the memories that dying neurons take away first are the most recent, leaving older memories and skills functioning in the brain. This is often why family members so often overlook Alzheimers disease in the early stages  while Grandma cannot remember where she left her keys, coat or car, she can easily recall events and people from years ago. It should be noted that brain and memory changes are often slow to progress and thus difficult to detect in the early stages. These symptoms may include short-term memory loss, anxiety or irritability, difficulty in conversation or inability to complete involved processes, such as balancing a checkbook or map orientation.


Eventually as the Alzheimers disease progresses, memory impairment becomes more severe and obvious. The Alzheimers person makes glaring mistakes in his or her work, repeats conversation or questions over and over, and loses more and more of the ability to remember persons, places or events. Short-term memory loss deteriorates into severe memory problems. Impaired judgment and radical personality changes may also become evident. The persons physical self remains in the present, but their memory may regress ten, twenty or more years in the past. Because short term memory loss occurs first in the Alzheimers person, it is therefore important and extremely helpful to get a complete detailed life history of that person. This information will provide insight for those who are helping the Alzheimers person, including search and rescue people searching for the missing person if and when they wander and get lost. The life history document is oftentimes helpful to searchers to develop a possible intent or destination for the missing Alzheimers person. Sleeping pills taken by millions are linked to dementia, according to The Daily Telegraph. Given that an estimated 10 million to 11 million prescriptions for benzodiazepines are reported to be issued each year in the UK, could we be at risk of sleepwalking into a public health disaster?
The reports stem from the results of a French study that followed just over a thousand elderly adults (average age of 78) for 15 years. The participants were initially free from dementia but those who started taking benzodiazepines after the first three years of the study were 60% more likely to develop dementia than those who did not use the drugs. The main difficulty in this study is in establishing the exact cause of dementia and what role benzodiazepines play. Benzodiazepines are a commonly used group of sedatives prescribed for sleeping problems and anxiety.
Although the researchers have taken into account several potential confounding factors that may be involved in the relationship, it is difficult to exclude the possibility that the apparent dementia risk may not be caused directly by the drugs themselves. Instead, it could be related to whatever underlying conditions or biological processes in the brain are causing the person to require sleeping tablets in the first place.
Furthermore, disturbed sleep can be an initial sign of dementia, so the use of sleeping tablets may be triggered by early dementia and not vice versa.
The use of benzodiazepines appears to be relatively common in France so the results may not apply to the UK. The study was carried out by researchers from Universit Bordeaux Segalen and other institutions in France, and Brigham and Womens Hospital, Boston, USA. The research received financial support from several sources, including the Institut National de la Sant et de la Recherche Mdicale (INSERM) and Universit Bordeaux Segalen.
The study was published in the peer-reviewed British Medical Journal.
The study was reported accurately by the media and many newspapers should be praised for highlighting the other health risks associated with long-term use of benzodiazepines. The researchers found that during the first six years of follow-up there were 253 new cases of dementia. Dementia affected 23% of non-users of benzodiazepines compared with 32% of those who started using benzodiazepine between three to five years of follow-up.
In the adjusted analyses the researchers found that new use of benzodiazepines (reported at five-year follow-up) was associated with a 60% increased risk of dementia compared with non-use (hazard ratio 1.60, 95% confidence interval 1.08 to 2.38).
The researchers also found broadly similar risk associations when looking at the first report of benzodiazepines at later follow-up points (participants who reported first benzodiazepine use at 8, 10, 13 or 15 years when they were still free of dementia). Looking at all of these risk associations they found that people who used benzodiazepines had, roughly, an almost 50% higher risk of dementia compared with non-users The researchers looked at 1,063 men and women (average age 78) who were free from dementia at the start of the study. People using one of 23 types of benzodiazepines were defined as those who started taking the drugs for the first time somewhere between the first three-year and five-year follow-ups. This was when they were still confirmed to be free of dementia. The researchers collected data on the specific benzodiazepine drugs used.
The researchers then looked at the risk of dementia in follow-up after first reported benzodiazepine use, compared with those with no reported benzodiazepine use.
In their analyses, the researchers took into account potential confounders that could also affect the participants' risks of dementia, such as:
age
gender
school education
marital status
wine consumption
depression
use of blood-pressure medication
use of diabetic medications
use of cholesterol-lowering medications 
use of anti-blood-clotting drugs (such as warfarin) This was a cohort study which aimed to look at the association between benzodiazepine use and risk of new onset of dementia in a group of elderly people followed for six years.
A cohort study is a good way of looking at whether a particular exposure is associated with the risk of developing a particular disease outcome over time.
Some potential limitations of this study are that, despite the researchers attempts to take into account potential confounders, it is difficult to ensure that all of these have been taken into account and to establish that early dementia was not the cause of insomnia.
The researchers tried to offset this by making sure they selected recruits who did not start taking sleeping tablets until at least until the third year.
By using this method, people who may have had initial signs of dementia at the start of the trial, such as insomnia and anxiety, were excluded from the study.
This helped to minimise the potential for what is known as reverse causation from distorting the results of the trial (in other words, people were actually taking sleeping pills because they were developing the first signs of dementia).
Despite the best efforts of the researchers, as little is known about the early stages or pre-symptoms ("prodrome") of dementia, it is unclear whether the three-year gap was long enough to offset this potential completely. The research included participants enrolled into a study designed to look at brain ageing in both normal and diseased states. Adults aged over 65 years old were randomly sampled from the French community between 1987 and 1989. 
At the start of the study and at follow-up interviews every two to three years, trained researchers collected information on:
personal characteristics
sociodemographics
lifestyle
medical conditions
medication use
functional abilities
depressive symptoms
brain function
The presence of dementia was assessed using valid diagnostic criteria which were carried out by psychologists trained to diagnose dementia. The researchers reported that in their cohort study of elderly adults, new use of benzodiazepines was associated with increased risk of dementia. They said: Considering the extent to which benzodiazepines are prescribed and the number of potential adverse effects of this drug class in the general population, indiscriminate widespread use should be cautioned against. This research demonstrates an association between new benzodiazepine use among elderly adults and the risk of developing dementia. The study has several strengths, including its long follow-up period and valid assessment of dementia development. Some limitations are that:
Despite the relatively large sample size, the actual number of new users of benzodiazepines after the third year of study was quite small (95), therefore limiting the ability to detect reliable differences in dementia risk among users and non-users (the smaller a sample size the more likely it is that any detected effects are the results of chance).
The researchers did attempt to adjust for confounders, but it is difficult to exclude the possibility that the apparent dementia risk may not be caused directly by the drugs themselves, but be related to whatever underlying conditions or biological processes in the brain are causing the person to require sleeping tablets. For example, although the study looked at dementia, it did not look at other mental health problems such as anxiety.
People who were excluded from the study because they were taking benzodiazepine during the three-year run-in period tended to be less well-educated and more likely to live alone, so removing these types of people from the study may mean that the results are not representative of the population at large or those who may have higher risk of developing dementia.
It is possible that although a three-year window before drug use was chosen to ensure that  early symptoms of dementia were not appearing, this may not have been long enough. This could have led to reverse causation  a common problem with these studies  in which it is the early symptoms of dementia itself that lead to use of sleeping tablets.
Nevertheless, this is a well-conducted study that adds to the growing body of opinion that benzodiazepines should only be a treatment of last resort for severe acute insomnia or anxiety and should be taken for no longer than two-to-four weeks at a time. Typically, the brain shrinks by about 0.5 percent per year after age 60 and more rapidly in people with vitamin B12 deficiency, MCI, or Alzheimers, Professor Smith told Bloomberg News. If this decline can be slowed, older people may enjoy a higher quality of life.

In fact, some experts estimate that delaying the onset of Alzheimers by even five years could cut deaths from the disease by 50 percent. And an inexpensive vitamin therapy would be a huge boon to both seniors and society, given that Alzheimers disease treatment now costs Americans a staggering $203 billion a year, a figure thats expect to skyrocket to $1.2 trillion annually, according to the Alzheimers Association. Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimers, the memory-robbing disorder that affects 5.2 million Americans. Without a medical breakthrough, the numbers are expected to triple by 2050, according to the Alzheimers Association.

No new drugs for memory loss have been FDA approved for a decade, and those already on the market only modestly ease symptoms for a limited time. Additionally, they dont work for all patients and dont halt progression of the disease. Supplements may interact with certain medications or have harmful effects if taken at high doses, so consult your healthcare provider before taking one. The Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) reports that most healthy people can get enough B vitamins from their diet. The RDAs and best dietary sources are listed below.

Vitamin B12. The RDA for adults and teens ages 14 and older is 2.4 mcg daily. The best dietary sources of vitamin B12 are beef liver and clams, and it is also found in fish, meat, eggs, and other dairy products. However, according to ODS, many older people dont have enough stomach acid to break down and absorb the vitamin B12 naturally present in food. ODS suggests people over 50 get most of their B12 through fortified foods or dietary supplements. Some breakfast cereals and other food products are fortified with B12, which is noted on the nutritional label.
Vitamin B6. The RDA of vitamin B6 for adults ages 19 to 50 is 1.3 mg. If youre 51 or older, the RDA for men is 1.7 mg, and 1.5 mg for women. A wide range of foods contain B6, including fish, beef liver and other organ meats, potatoes and other starchy vegetables, and fruit (other than citrus).
Folic acid. A B vitamin found in many foods, folic acid is particularly important for women who are planning to become pregnant. They should consume 400 mcg from a supplement, in addition to the folic acid they get from their diet, advises the ODS, to help prevent neural tube birth defects. The RDA for adults is 400 mcg daily. Folic acid is found in vegetables, particularly asparagus, Brussels sprouts, and leafy, green veggies like spinach; fruits (particular oranges); nuts, beans, peas, and grains. Another recent study, published in the journal Neurology, linked low levels of vitamin B12 to smaller brain volume and lower scores on cognitive tests in people ages 65 or older. In that study, researchers from Rush University Medical Center tracked 121 seniors for 4.5 years.

The Rush University team reported that as levels of homocysteine rose, scores on cognitive and memory tests fell in the elderly participants.

While these findings suggest that B vitamins may help protect the aging brain, neither study proves this treatment will stave off Alzheimers or delay its onset. Patients should discuss the best brain-protective strategies with their healthcare provider. The vitamin-B treatment turned out to be particularly beneficial for people with high blood levels of homocysteine, an amino acid believed to magnify risk for Alzheimers disease.

The researchers report a protective chain reaction of events. Vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid are known to help break down homocysteine, thus reducing the amount thats circulating in the blood, including in blood vessels in the brain.

This effect, in turn, leads to a decrease in [gray matter] atrophy, thereby slowing cognitive decline, the PNAS study reports.

Its a big effect, much bigger than we would have dreamt of, Professor Smith told Bloomberg News. I find the specificity of this [vitamin treatment] staggering. We never dreamt it would be so specific. The B-vitamin combination used in the study is the first and only disease-modifying treatment thats worked, A. David Smith, professor emeritus of pharmacology at Oxford University and senior author of the study told Bloomberg News. We have proved the concept that you can modify the disease.

The study analyzed data from a 2010 clinical trial involving 156 patients, ages 70 and older, with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a disorder affecting memory and thinking skills, but not severely enough to impair daily life.

For example, people with MCI may start to forget information they previously could recall easily, such as recent events, appointments, or conversations. Up to 20 percent of people ages 65 and older suffer from MCI, studies suggest.

In the clinical trial, 80 patients received high-dose vitamin B supplements that contained 0.8 mg of folic acid, 20 mg of B6, and 0.5 mg of B12, while the other 76 were given a placebo. Both groups were tracked for two years and received brain MRIs at the start and end of the study to measure the amount of gray matter in various brain areas that are susceptible to Alzheimers.

The clinical trial was funded by government agencies, charities, and a Swedish vitamin manufacturer.
alzheimer diagnosis
If you, or someone close to you, are worried about dementia, the first step is to visit the GP as soon as possible. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the better the chance of treatment to slow the progression of the disease.



 Alzheimers is considered to be a disease of exclusion, meaning that all other possible causes  such as infection, disease, alcohol and drug abuse, vitamin deficiency, as well as mental illness must be ruled out before any probable diagnosis of Alzheimers is given. 

Notice that the first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress.

The exclusion is accomplished by undergoing a complete physical, neurological and psychological examination. 

However, due to the very nature of the Alzheimers disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death. 



 Doctors can determine that a person has dementia with a high level of certainty. But it's harder to determine the exact type of dementia because the symptoms and brain changes of different dementias can overlap. In some cases, a doctor may diagnose \"dementia\" and not specify a type.
alzheimer diagnosis
 The first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Apathy can be observed at this stage, and remains the most persistent neuropsychiatric symptom throughout the course of the disease. Depressive symptoms, irritability and reduced awareness of subtle memory difficulties also occur commonly. The preclinical stage of the disease has also been termed mild cognitive impairment, but whether this term corresponds to a different diagnostic stage or identifies the first step of AD is a matter of dispute. However, due to the very nature of the Alzheimers disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death.
alzheimer diagnosis
Alzheimers is considered to be a disease of exclusion, meaning that all other possible causes  such as infection, disease, alcohol and drug abuse, vitamin deficiency, as well as mental illness must be ruled out before any probable diagnosis of Alzheimers is given. Alzheimers disease is distinguished from other forms of dementia by characteristic changes in the brain. These changes include a 50% reduction of acetylcholine, the primary brain chemical used in the retrieval of memory and the formation of plaques and tangles.  However, due to the very nature of the Alzheimers disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Depressive symptoms, irritability and reduced awareness of subtle memory difficulties also occur commonly. The preclinical stage of the disease has also been termed mild cognitive impairment, but whether this term corresponds to a different diagnostic stage or identifies the first step of AD is a matter of dispute.
alzheimer diagnosis
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. 

Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a 'stepped' progression - symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe confusion. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (e.g seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (e.g restlessness), difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations and delusions, problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive.

 The speed that vascular dementia progresses varies from person to person. Although the brain damage that causes vascular dementia cannot be reversed, it may be possible to slow the progression of the disease in a number of ways such as: taking medication to treat any underlying conditions, such as stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or heart problems, adopting a healthier lifestyle by stopping smoking, taking regular exercise, eating healthily, and drinking alcohol only in moderation, receiving rehabilitative support, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, to help the person maximise their opportunities to regain their lost functions.
alzheimer diagnosis
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer\'s disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. This factsheet will help you to understand vascular dementia by explaining the causes, symptoms and treatments available. The term \'dementia\' is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. These diseases include Alzheimer\'s disease and vascular dementia. Someone with dementia may experience loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with language, reasoning and decision making. Being told that you or a loved one has vascular dementia can be very difficult and you may experience a range of different emotions as time goes on. There is support available if you need it. Alzheimer\'s Society\'s National Dementia Helpline can provide information, support, guidance and signposting to other organisations. Details are at the end of this factsheet. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. Some symptoms may be similar to those of other types of dementia, such as Alzheimer\'s disease. However, people with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion.
alzheimer diagnosis
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain.  Someone with dementia may experience loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with language, reasoning and decision making. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems, seizures periods of severe confusion. 

Additional symptoms may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions,changes in behaviour, difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations, and delusions problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive.

Risk factors to dementia are similar to those associated with cardiovascular disease and include  a medical history of stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes (particularly type II), heart problems or sleep apnoea ,a lack of physical activity, high quantities of alcohol drinking, smoking, eating a fatty diet, or leaving conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes untreated a family history of stroke or cardiovascular disease. Some ethnic groups have a higher tendency to dementia. Personalised care must be provided to people with dementia. 
alzheimer diagnosis
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimers, the memory-robbing disorder. No new drugs for memory loss have been FDA approved for a decade. However, new researches strive to find ways to retrieve lost memories. A few of them research the usefulness of vitamin B, but the results are contradictory. According to  A. David Smith, professor emeritus of pharmacology at Oxford University, the B-vitamin combination used in the study is the first and only disease-modifying treatment that's worked. He worked with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a disorder affecting memory and thinking skills, but not severely enough to impair daily life. However, Researchers from Rush University Medical Center proved that vitamin B12 treatment will not stave off Alzheimer or delay its onset.  Nowadays there is an experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer's development especially when coupled with other treatments. Scientists at the University of California Irvine have successfully recovered the memories of mice bred to develop age-related Alzheimer's symptoms by using an experimental drug that is being tested as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage by congregating in areas of the brain with amyloid plaques which is one of the most common physical brain characteristics found in Alzheimer's patients. Other reaches found up to 50% fewer Alzheimer's-related pathologies in the brains of the mice receiving PMX205 treatment. Therefore, PMX205  has potential for treating Alzheimer in the future. 
alzheimer diagnosis
Although most of these techniques to help people with Alzheimer require professional input, for example from a therapist, family carers can also use other methods to help someone experiencing loss of memory while also helping them stay independent. Some examples of these techniques include: leave written reminder by the door so that they don't forget their keys when they go out. Fit a device that cuts off the gas supply if they put a pan on the stove and then forget about it. Encourage the person with memory loss to remember what they can without making them feel pressured using frequent reminders. Don't overwhelm the person with lengthy statements and make sure that your explanations do not sound like scoldings. If the person's memory is focused on a particular time in his or her life, engage in conversation about recollections with an understanding that this is his or her current reality. Use photographs and other thought-provoking items to remind the person of important relationships and places. Provide verbal cues rather than asking questions. Help them concentrate on one thing at a time. Make sure that they get enough sleep, meaningful activities and exercise. It is important to be emotionally supportive of people dealing with memory loss. Also, try to be flexible and patient as far as possible These are just a few suggestions that could help.   
alzheimer diagnosis
Alzheimer's has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues. Current treatments can temporarily slow the worsening of symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers.

A few different approaches have been developed to help people with dementia to cope with memory loss:

* The home can be changed in a number of ways to help them to manage as best as possible. Examples include labeling doors and cupboards and the use of 'special places' for important items.

* Reminiscence therapy is a method used to help encourage people to remember events from their past, using reminders. Encouraging the person to talk about their past and share memories, for example by looking at photographs, letters and souvenirs together can help jog the person's memory.

* Cognitive stimulation therapy involves activities and exercises designed to improve memory and communication skills. The exercises are based on day-to-day interests, reminiscence and information relating to the current time and place.

* Exercising several times a week for 30 to 60 minutes may: Improve memory, reasoning and cognitive function for people with mild Alzheimer's, and delay the start of Alzheimer's for people at risk of developing the disease or slow its progress.

The memories of Alzheimer's patients are not gone. One potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. Scientists have recovered memories of mice bred to develop Alzheimer's symptoms by using an experimental drug. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage. Over the course of the study, researchers tested the mice for cognitive ability and memory retention. Mice that received PMX205 during early stages of Alzheimer's performed nearly as well as normal mice on the tests.
alzheimer diagnosis
 In the earlier stages of alzheimer, memory loss and confusion may be mild. The person with dementia may be aware of  and frustrated by  the changes taking place, such as difficulty recalling recent events, making decisions or processing what was said by others. In the later stages, memory loss becomes far more severe. A person may not recognize family members, may forget relationships, call family members by other names, or become confused about the location of home or the passage of time. He or she may forget the purpose of common items, such as a pen or a fork. These changes are some of the most painful for caregivers and families. Such types of behavior is sometimes incorrectly referred to as \"senility\" or \"senile dementia,\" which reflects the formerly widespread but incorrect belief that serious mental decline is a normal part of aging. While current medications cannot stop the damage Alzheimer\'s causes to brain cells, they may help lessen symptoms for a limited time. Certain situations  such as a change in living arrangements, switch in routine or certain infections  can cause symptoms to worsen. Any time there is a sudden change in behavior, it is important to have a medical evaluation to rule out other causes.
alzheimer diagnosis
Long-term care for people with Alzheimer's disease offers a vast range of medical, personal, and social services that are required to meet the physical, social, and emotional needs of people who have long-term illnesses or are disabled. A nursing home facility may be the best choice for people who require 24-hour medical care and supervision. There are two types of care provided by nursing homes for those with Alzheimer's disease:  

* Basic care: This provides services that will help to maintain a person's ability to carry out necessary daily functions, like personal care and getting around. They will also ensure that the person is supervised and safe.

* Skilled care. This is care that requires the services of a registered nurse for treatments and procedures on a regular basis. Skilled care also includes services provided by specially trained professionals, such as physical, occupational, and respiratory therapists.

It is important to begin the search for a suitable nursing home well before you will need to take the step of moving. There are often waiting periods. Planning ahead can also make the transition of moving into a nursing home much easier.

Memory Care communities, which include Alzheimer's and Dementia care facilities, consist of specially designed living spaces and supporting environments for those who are living with cognitive challenges brought on by Alzheimer's and dementia. These may include carefully considered flooring to reduce problematic patterns for those with Alzheimer's or dementia and wall colors that help them to find the way. The dementia care environment helps cue its residents in their daily lives. Areas of the community are set up for safe engagement in activities such as gardening, kitchen work, and other life skills that provide purposeful and meaningful successful moments.
alzheimer diagnosis
From the moment of birth, we humans are constantly learning and compiling more information into our brains memory. Alzheimer, the most common form of dementia, is a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. The American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (1987) characterizes Alzheimers disease as a chronically progressive, global, cognitive loss. The affected individual suffers a loss of capabilities in thinking and learningsufficient impairment that affects daily life, including social and/or occupational functioning. The greatest known risk factor for  Alzheimer is increasing age, and the majority of people with Alzheimer's are 65 and older. The main underlying cause of memory loss and confusion is the progressive damage to brain cells caused by Alzheimer's disease. Initially, memory lapses may be mistaken for the normal forgetfulness that often increases as people grow older or when they become very stressed. Because these memory loss changes first occur in the outer layers of the cortex, the memories that dying neurons take away first are the most recent, leaving older memories and skills functioning in the brain. Therefore, at first it is difficult do diagnose the disease. However, as the diseases progresses, memory impairment become more severe and obvious. Short-term memory loss deteriorates into severe memory problems. People's memories regress ten, twenty or more years in the past. There are four common areas in which people with memory loss experience difficulty: remembering events, taking in new information, recognising people, and places separating fact from fiction. 
alzheimer diagnosis
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. The main underlying cause of memory loss and confusion is the progressive damage to brain cells caused by Alzheimer's disease. The brain region called the hippocampus is the center of learning and memory in the brain, and the brain cells in this region are often the first to be damaged.

People in the early stages of Alzheimer\'s disease may experience lapses of memory and have problems finding the right words.  As the disease progresses, they may: become confused and frequently forget the names of people, places, appointments and recent events experience mood swings, feel sad or angry, or scared and frustrated by their increasing memory loss, become more withdrawn, due either to a loss of confidence or to communication problems have difficulty carrying out everyday activities.

In the early stages of dementia, memory aids such as lists, diaries, clocks and clear, written instructions can help jog the person\'s memory if they are willing and able to make use of them. As the dementia progresses, the person may become less able to understand what the aids are for.

Alzheimer's does not affect all memory capacities equally. Older memories of the person's life (episodic memory), facts learned (semantic memory), and implicit memory (the memory of the body on how to do things, such as using a fork to eat) are affected to a lesser degree than new facts or memories.
alzheimer diagnosis
 The memories of Alzheimer\'s patients are forgotten but not gone, to twist a popular phrase. Now, one potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s developmentespecially when coupled with other treatments, researchers say. Scientists at the University of California Irvine have successfully recovered the memories of mice bred to develop age-related Alzheimer\'s symptoms by using an experimental drug that is being tested as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage by congregating in areas of the brain with amyloid plaques, researchers said. Amyloid plaques are one of the most common physical brain characteristics found in Alzheimer\'s patients. Over the course of a 12-week study, researchers tested the mice for cognitive ability and memory retention. Mice that received PMX205 during early stages of Alzheimer\'s performed nearly as well as normal mice on the tests, but mice receiving no treatment performed very poorly. When the brains of the mice were examined, researchers found up to 50% fewer Alzheimer\'s-related pathologies in the brains of the mice receiving PMX205 treatment. The report appears in the July 15 edition of The Journal of Immunology.
alzheimer diagnosis
 While current medications cannot stop the damage Alzheimer\'s causes to brain cells, they may help lessen symptoms for a limited time. Certain situations  such as a change in living arrangements, switch in routine or certain infections  can cause symptoms to worsen. Any time there is a sudden change in behavior, it is important to have a medical evaluation to rule out other causes. Although being called by a different name or not being recognized can be painful, try not to make your hurt apparent. Respond with a brief explanation. Don\'t overwhelm the person with lengthy statements or reasons. Instead, clarify with a simple explanation. Show photos and other reminders. Use photographs and other thought-provoking items to remind the person of important relationships and places. Travel with the person to where he or she is in time. If the person\'s memory is focused on a particular time in his or her life, engage in conversation about recollections with an understanding that this is his or her current reality. Offer corrections as suggestions. Avoid explanations that sound like scolding. \"  Try not to take it personally. Alzheimer\'s disease causes your loved one to forget, but your support and understanding will continue to be appreciated.
alzheimer diagnosis
Dementia is not a specific disease. It\s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person\'s ability to perform everyday activities.



 The first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Apathy can be observed at this stage, and remains the most persistent neuro-psychiatric symptom throughout the course of the disease.



So if you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don\'t ignore them. See a doctor soon to determine the cause. Even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available treatments and provides an opportunity to volunteer for clinical trials or studies.
alzheimer diagnosis
 Dementia is not a specific disease. It\'s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person\'s ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer\'s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases. Vascular dementia, which occurs after a stroke, is the second most common dementia type. But there are many other conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia, including some that are reversible, such as thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies. Dementia is often incorrectly referred to as \"senility\" or \"senile dementia,\" which reflects the formerly widespread but incorrect belief that serious mental decline is a normal part of aging. While symptoms of dementia can vary greatly, at least two of the following core mental functions must be significantly impaired to be considered dementia:  Memory Communication and language Ability to focus and pay attention Reasoning and judgment Visual perception People with dementia may have problems with short-term memory, keeping track of a purse or wallet, paying bills, planning and preparing meals, remembering appointments or traveling out of the neighborhood. Many dementias are progressive, meaning symptoms start out slowly and gradually get worse. If you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don\'t ignore them. See a doctor soon to determine the cause. Professional evaluation may detect a treatable condition. And even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available treatments and provides an opportunity to volunteer for clinical trials or studies. It also provides time to plan for the future.
alzheimer diagnosis
There is no one test to determine if someone has dementia. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information.

People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (such as restlessness) . difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren\'t there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. The most common presenting symptoms in Semantic Dementia are in the verbal domain however (with loss of word meaning) and it is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia. SD patients sometimes show symptoms of surface dyslexia, a relatively selective impairment in reading low-frequency words with exceptional or atypical spelling-to-sound correspondences. 

Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of Alzheimer Disease. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. In addition: apathy and depressive symptoms. 
alzheimer diagnosis
The term \dementia\' is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. These diseases include Alzheimer\s disease and vascular dementia.



Memory loss, along with other cognitive defects and apathy, are often one of the first signs of dementia, specially in the case of subjects with Alzheimer. 



 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer\'s disease. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating.  People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion.



Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (such as restlessness) difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren\'t there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. 



Clumsiness, lack of facial expression, speech difficulties, and loss of bladder control are also common symptoms of vascular dementia.
alzheimer diagnosis
 Alzheimer\'s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases. That\s why memory loss is often one of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer\'s.



Other symptoms of  Alzheimer\'s disease include problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments on the semantic memory. Subjects may also suffer from apathy.



Several studies report that blood pressure is increased in victims of Alzheimer\'s disease (AD) decades before the onset of the disease.
alzheimer diagnosis
The term "dementia" describes a set of symptoms which can include loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with communication and reasoning. Memory loss is often one of the first signs of dementia. The person with dementia may be aware of  and frustrated by the changes taking place, such as difficulty recalling recent events, making decisions or processing what was said by others. Initially, memory lapses may be mistaken for the normal forgetfulness that often increases as people grow older or when they become very stressed. However, in someone with dementia it will gradually become apparent that the memory problems are becoming more severe and persistent. Therefore, mild memory lose may not be diagnosed at first but it is one of the first symptoms of dementia. 
alzheimer diagnosis
 Semantic dementia (SD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of semantic memory in both the verbal and non-verbal domains. The most common presenting symptoms are in the verbal domain however (with loss of word meaning) and it is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia. SD patients sometimes show symptoms of surface dyslexia, a relatively selective impairment in reading low-frequency words with exceptional or atypical spelling-to-sound correspondences. SD is one of the three canonical clinical syndromes associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). SD is a clinically defined syndrome, but is associated with predominantly temporal lobe atrophy (left greater than right) and hence is sometimes called temporal variant FTLD (tvFTLD). It was first described by Arnold Pick in 1904 and in modern times was characterised by Professor Elizabeth Warrington in 1975, however it was not given the name semantic dementia until 1989. The clinical and neuropsychological features, and their association with temporal lobe atrophy were described by Professor John Hodges and colleagues in 1992. SD patients often present with the complaint of word-finding difficulties. Clinical signs include fluent aphasia, anomia, impaired comprehension of word meaning, and associative visual agnosia (inability to match semantically related pictures or objects). As the disease progresses, behavioural and personality changes are often seen similar to those seen in frontotemporal dementia although cases have been described of \'pure\' semantic dementia with few late behavioural symptoms.
alzheimer diagnosis
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, which means that gradually, over time, more parts of the brain are damaged. As this happens, the symptoms of the illness become more severe. In its early stages and one of the first symptoms of the illness are mild memory loss and very mild cognitive decline in general. The person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses  forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. The main underlying cause of memory loss and confusion is the progressive damage to brain cells caused by Alzheimer's disease.   


alzheimer diagnosis
 Semantic dementia (SD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of semantic memory in both the verbal and non-verbal domains. The most common presenting symptoms are in the verbal domain however (with loss of word meaning) and it is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia. SD is one of the three canonical clinical syndromes associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). It is a clinically defined syndrome, but is associated with predominantly temporal lobe atrophy (left greater than right) and hence is sometimes called temporal variant FTLD (tvFTLD). Of all the FTLD syndromes SD is least likely to run in families and is usually sporadic.



Clinical signs include fluent aphasia, anomia, impaired comprehension of word meaning, and associative visual agnosia (inability to match semantically related pictures or objects).  As the disease progresses, behavioural and personality changes are often seen similar to those seen in frontotemporal dementia although cases have been described of \pure\' semantic dementia with few late behavioural symptoms. The majority of patients with SD will have ubiquitin-positive, TDP-43 positive, tau-negative inclusions, although other pathologies have been described more infrequently, namely tau-positive Pick\s disease and Alzheimer\'s pathology.



There is currently no known curative treatment for this condition.
alzheimer diagnosis
Dementia is not a specific disease. It is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. One of these diseases is semantic dementia. Semantic dementia was first described by Arnold Pick in 1904. Semantic dementia (SD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of semantic memory in both the verbal and non-verbal domains. It is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia   However, the most common presenting symptoms are in the verbal domain (with loss of word meaning).

Sometimes, SD patients show symptoms of surface dyslexia. They often present with the complaint of word-finding difficulties. Clinical signs include fluent aphasia, anomia, impaired comprehension of word meaning, and associative visual agnosia (inability to match semantically related pictures or objects). As the disease progresses, behavioural and personality changes are often seen similar to those seen in frontotemporal dementia although cases have been described of 'pure' semantic dementia with few late behavioural symptoms. When

structural MRI imaging is performed on SD patients it shows a characteristic pattern of atrophy in the temporal lobes (predominantly on the left), with inferior greater than superior involvement and anterior temporal lobe atrophy greater than posterior.

Based on these imaging methods, semantic dementia can be regionally dissociated from the other subtypes of frontotemporal lobar degeneration, frontotemporal dementia and progressive nonfluent aphasia. Semantic dementia is a form of dementia that is different from other more common forms such as Alzheimer's. 


alzheimer diagnosis
 Dementia is not a specific disease. It\'s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person\'s ability to perform everyday activities. While symptoms of dementia can vary greatly, at least two of the following core mental functions must be significantly impaired to be considered dementia:  Memory Communication and language Ability to focus and pay attention Reasoning and judgment Visual perception People with dementia may have problems with short-term memory, keeping track of a purse or wallet, paying bills, planning and preparing meals, remembering appointments or traveling out of the neighborhood. Many dementias are progressive, meaning symptoms start out slowly and gradually get worse. If you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don\'t ignore them. And even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available treatments and provides an opportunity to volunteer for clinical trials or studies.
alzheimer diagnosis
The early stages of alzheimer are very hard to detect because of saddle symptoms and our lack of knowledge about the disease.  Stage 1: No impairment (normal function) The person does not experience any memory problems. An interview with a medical professional does not show any evidence of symptoms of dementia. Stage 2:	Very mild cognitive decline (may be normal age-related changes or earliest signs of Alzheimer\'s disease) The person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses  forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. But no symptoms of dementia can be detected during a medical examination or by friends, family or co-workers. Stage 3: Mild cognitive decline (early-stage Alzheimer\'s can be diagnosed in some, but not all, individuals with these symptoms) Friends, family or co-workers begin to notice difficulties. During a detailed medical interview, doctors may be able to detect problems in memory or concentration. Common stage 3 difficulties include: Noticeable problems coming up with the right word or name  Trouble remembering names when introduced to new people Having noticeably greater difficulty performing tasks in social or work settings Forgetting material that one has just read Losing or misplacing a valuable object Increasing trouble with planning or organizing. Alzheimer\'s is a progressive disease, which means that gradually, over time, more parts of the brain are damaged.
alzheimer diagnosis
Alzheimer diagnosis also very in different stage of disease but a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death.. In the first stage an interview with a medical professional does not show any evidence of symptoms of dementia. Stage 2 is also hard to detect during a medical examination or by friends, family or co-workers. During a detailed medical interview, doctors may be able to detect problems in memory or concentration during stage 3. Stage 4 could be clear cut diagnosed with  a careful medical interview, Forgetfulness of recent events Impaired ability to perform challenging mental arithmetic for example, counting backward from 100 by 7s Greater difficulty performing complex tasks, such as planning dinner for guests, paying bills or managing finances Forgetfulness about one\'s own personal history Becoming moody or withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations. Stage 5  can be diagnosed by the severe cognitive decline at this stage, those with Alzheimer\'s may: Be unable to recall their own address or telephone number or the high school or college from which they graduated Become confused about where they are or what day it is Have trouble with less challenging mental arithmetic; such as counting backward from 40 by subtracting 4s or from 20 by 2s Need help choosing proper clothing for the season or the occasion Still remember significant details about themselves and their family Still require no assistance with eating or using the toilet.
alzheimer diagnosis
 Several prescription drugs are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. Treating the symptoms of Alzheimers can provide patients with comfort, dignity, and independence for a longer period of time and can encourage and assist their caregivers as well. It is important to understand that none of these medications stops the disease itself. Medications called cholinesterase inhibitors are prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimers disease. These drugs may help delay or prevent symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time and may help control some behavioral symptoms. The medications include: Razadyne (galantamine), Exelon (rivastigmine), and Aricept (donepezil). Another drug, Cognex (tacrine), was the first approved cholinesterase inhibitor but is rarely prescribed today due to safety concerns. Scientists do not yet fully understand how cholinesterase inhibitors work to treat Alzheimers disease, but research indicates that they prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a brain chemical believed to be important for memory and thinking. As Alzheimers progresses, the brain produces less and less acetylcholine; therefore, cholinesterase inhibitors may eventually lose their effect. No published study directly compares these drugs. A medication known as Namenda (memantine), an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, is prescribed to treat moderate to severe Alzheimers disease. This drugs main effect is to delay progression of some of the symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimers. It may allow patients to maintain certain daily functions a little longer than they would without the medication. For example, Namenda may help a patient in the later stages of the disease maintain his or her ability to use the bathroom independently for several more months, a benefit for both patients and caregivers.
alzheimer diagnosis
Alzheimer's is considered to be a disease of exclusion, meaning that all other possible causes, such as infection, disease, alcohol and drug abuse, vitamin deficiency, as well as mental illness must be ruled out before any probable diagnosis of Alzheimer's is given. This is accomplished by undergoing a complete physical, neurological and psychological examination.

Doctors diagnose Alzheimer's and other types of dementia based on a careful medical history, a physical examination, laboratory tests, and the characteristic changes in thinking, day-to-day function and behavior associated with each type. Doctors can determine that a person has dementia with a high level of certainty. But it\'s harder to determine the exact type of dementia because the symptoms and brain changes of different dementias can overlap. In some cases, a doctor may diagnose "dementia" and not specify a type. 

Due to the very nature of the Alzheimer's disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimer's can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death. Alzheimer's disease is distinguished from other forms of dementia by characteristic changes in the brain. These changes include a 50% reduction of acetylcholine, the primary brain chemical used in the retrieval of memory and the formation of plaques and tangles. These plaques and tangles are abnormal growths or accumulation of certain proteins that build within and surround brain cells.
alzheimer diagnosis
alzheimer's symptoms include: cognitive difficulties in remembering things (especially recent memory), attentiveness, planning, flexibility, abstract thinking, and language; apathy; depressive symptoms; irritability; difficulties in movement coordination and planning;delusional symptoms; and urinary incontinence.
alzheimer diagnosis
Several prescription drugs are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. It is important to understand that none of these medications stops the disease itself.

Medications called cholinesterase inhibitors are prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimers disease. These drugs may help delay or prevent symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time and may help control some behavioral symptoms. The medications include: Razadyne (galantamine), Exelon (rivastigmine), and Aricept (donepezil). Another drug, Cognex (tacrine), was the first approved cholinesterase inhibitor but is rarely prescribed today due to safety concerns. Because they work in a similar way, switching from one of these drugs to another probably will not produce significantly different results. However, an Alzheimers patient may respond better to one drug than another. As Alzheimers progresses, the brain produces less and less acetylcholine; therefore, cholinesterase inhibitors may eventually lose their effect.

A medication known as Namenda (memantine), an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, is prescribed to treat moderate to severe Alzheimers disease. This drugs main effect is to delay progression of some of the symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimers.

The FDA has also approved Aricept for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimers disease.

Doctors usually start patients at low drug doses and gradually increase the dosage based on how well a patient tolerates the drug.
alzheimer diagnosis
There are different stages of Alzheimer and each stage have mildly different symptoms  Stage 1:	No impairment (normal function) The person does not experience any memory problems. Stage 2:	Very mild cognitive decline (may be normal age-related changes or earliest signs of Alzheimer\'s disease) The person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses  forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. Common stage 3 difficulties include: Noticeable problems coming up with the right word or name  Trouble remembering names when introduced to new people Having noticeably greater difficulty performing tasks in social or work settings Forgetting material that one has just read Losing or misplacing a valuable object Increasing trouble with planning or organizing. Stage 4:	 Moderate cognitive decline (Mild or early-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) Stage 5:	Moderately severe cognitive decline (Moderate or mid-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) Gaps in memory and thinking are noticeable, and individuals begin to need help with day-to-day activities. Stage 6:	Severe cognitive decline (Moderately severe or mid-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) Memory continues to worsen, personality changes may take place and individuals need extensive help with daily activities. Stage 7:	Very severe cognitive decline (Severe or late-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) In the final stage of this disease, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement.
alzheimer diagnosis
Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, where symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years.

Stage 1: The person has no memory problems.

Stage 2: Individuals may feel as if they are having small memory lapses. No symptoms can be detected during a medical examination or by friends or family.

Stage 3: Can sometimes be diagnosed. Friends and family begin to notice difficulties. These include: Noticeable difficulty finding the right word, forgetting recently acquired information, losing valuable objects and trouble with planning or organizing.

Stage 4: A careful medical interview should be able to detect clear-cut symptoms: Forgetfulness of recent events, impaired ability to perform challenging mental arithmetic, difficulty performing complex tasks, forgetfulness about personal history, becoming moody or withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations.

Stage 5: Gaps in memory and thinking are noticeable, and individuals begin to need help with daily activities. At this stage, individuals may: Be unable to recall personal information, become confused about their environment, have trouble with easier mental arithmetic, need help choosing clothing for the season or the occasion.

Stage 6: Memory continues to worsen, personality changes occur and individuals need extensive help with daily activities. At this stage, individuals may: Distinguish familiar and unfamiliar faces but have trouble remembering the name of familiar people, need help dressing to avoid mistakes (e.g. shoes on the wrong feet), experience major changes in sleep patterns, need help handling details of toileting, have frequent trouble controlling their bladder or bowels.

Stage 7: In the final stage of this disease, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement. At this stage, individuals need help with much of their daily personal care, including eating or using the toilet. They may also have trouble with simple physical activities. Reflexes become abnormal. Muscles grow rigid. Swallowing is impaired.
alzheimer diagnosis
Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD.

At the first and second stages of Alzheimer, it's hard to detect any symptoms of dementia. Mild cognitive decline (in memory, or concentration)can be diagnosed in some individuals at the third stage. At the fourth stage moderate cognitive decline can be clearly detected in several areas: Forgetfulness of recent events impaired ability to perform challenging mental arithmetic for example, counting backward from 100 by 7s Greater difficulty performing complex tasks, such as planning dinner for guests, paying bills or managing finances Forgetfulness about one\'s own personal history Becoming moody or withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations.


alzheimer diagnosis
Several prescription drugs are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease.

No new drugs for memory loss have been FDA approved for a decade, and those already on the market only modestly ease symptoms for a limited time. Additionally, they do not work for all patients and do not halt progression of the disease. 

Some studies showed that B vitamins may help protect the aging brain, though they couldn't prove that this treatment will stave off Alzheimers or delay its onset.

Medications called cholinesterase inhibitors such as: Razadyne (galantamine), Exelon (rivastigmine), and Aricept (donepezil), which prevent the breakdown of a brian chemical believed to be important for memory and thinking, are prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimers disease. They may help delay or prevent symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time and may help control some behavioral symptoms. Patients may respond better to one drug than another.

A medication known as Namenda (memantine), an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, which works differently from cholinesterase inhibitors thus can be perscribed in combination with it, is prescribed to treat moderate to severe Alzheimers disease. It delays progression of some of the symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimers, and may allow patients to maintain certain daily functions a little longer than they would without the medication.

Doctors usually start patients at low drug doses and gradually increase the dosage based on how well a patient tolerates the drug. 
It is important to follow the doctors instructions, report any unusual symptoms, and let the doctor know before adding or changing any medications.


alzheimer diagnosis
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. If the vascular system within the brain becomes damaged and blood cannot reach the brain cells, the cells will eventually die.Although the brain damage that causes vascular dementia cannot be reversed, it may be possible to slow the progression of the disease in a number of ways. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a 'stepped' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (such as restlessness) difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. It is important to note that some of these symptoms may not always be direct consequences of the disease. 
alzheimer diagnosis
 About 10 per cent of people with dementia have a type known as mixed dementia. A diagnosis of mixed dementia means that Alzheimer\'s disease, as well as stroke or small vessel disease, may have caused damage to the brain. The symptoms of mixed dementia may be similar to either Alzheimer\'s disease or vascular dementia, or may be a combination of the two. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued guidelines on drug treatments for Alzheimer\'s disease (including cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine), but has not recommended these same drugs for treating vascular dementia. These drugs may, however, be prescribed to treat mixed dementia, particularly when Alzheimer\'s disease is predominant.
alzheimer diagnosis
Brain cells need a good supply of blood in order to function properly. Blood is delivered through a network of blood vessels called the vascular system. If the vascular system within the brain becomes damaged and blood cannot reach the brain cells, the cells will eventually die. This can lead to the onset of vascular dementia. Meaning, it occurs after a stroke. Vascular dementia is the second most common dementia type. The different types of vascular dementia are a result of the different causes that damaged the brain, and which part of the brain has been damaged. Moreover, it affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. Some symptoms of vascular dementia may be similar to those of other types of dementia. However, people with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, visual mistakes and misperceptions, changes in behaviour, difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations and delusions  problems with continence and psychological symptoms. Some of these symptoms may not always be direct consequences of the disease. A number of conditions can cause or increase damage to the vascular system. These include high blood pressure, heart problems, high cholesterol and diabetes. Effective treatment of these conditions may significantly delay or stop the development of vascular dementia. 
alzheimer diagnosis
 The first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Apathy can be observed at this stage, and remains the most persistent neuropsychiatric symptom throughout the course of the disease. Depressive symptoms, irritability and reduced awareness of subtle memory difficulties also occur commonly. The preclinical stage of the disease has also been termed mild cognitive impairment, but whether this term corresponds to a different diagnostic stage or identifies the first step of AD is a matter of dispute. In a small portion of them, difficulties with language, executive functions, perception (agnosia), or execution of movements (apraxia) are more prominent than memory problems. AD does not affect all memory capacities equally. Older memories of the person\'s life (episodic memory), facts learned (semantic memory), and implicit memory (the memory of the body on how to do things, such as using a fork to eat) are affected to a lesser degree than new facts or memories. Language problems are mainly characterised by a shrinking vocabulary and decreased word fluency, which lead to a general impoverishment of oral and written language.
alzheimer diagnosis
Both vascular dementia and Alzheimer are forms of dementia. Alzheimer is the most common form of dementia and vascular dementia is the second. Despite some  apparent similarities they are also different from each other. One example of these differences can be seen in the symptoms. Some symptoms of vascular dementia may be similar to those of Alzheimer's disease, however, there are some different symptoms such as problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression etc. Generally, dementia is caused by damage to brain cells. In Alzheimer's protein 'plaques' and 'tangles' develop in the structure of the brain, leading to the death of brain cells. People with Alzheimer's also have a shortage of some important chemicals in their brain. These chemicals are involved with the transmission of messages within the brain. However, vascular dementia occurs after a stroke. In fact, the most common type of vascular dementia is called multi-infarct dementia, which is caused by a series of small strokes. Therefore, the causes for Alzheimer and vascular dementia rather different. Even some of the treatments for the illnesses are different. For example, The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued guidelines on drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease, but has not recommended these same drugs for treating vascular dementia. Therefore, there are some differences between    Alzheimer and vascular dementia despite the fact that they are both forms of dementia. 
alzheimer diagnosis
The causes of cognitive impairment are different types of demetia,Alzhimerand others.The causes of Mild Cognitive Impairment are not yet completely understood. Experts believe that many cases result from brain changes occurring in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. There are two types of MCI based on the thinking skills affected: affects memory is known as "amnestic MCI." and affects thinking skills other than memory is known as "nonamnestic MCI.  MCI causes cognitive changes that are serious enough to be noticed by the individuals experiencing them or to other people, but the changes are not severe enough to interfere with daily life or independent function.Currently there is no way to demonstrate conclusively that a person has MCI or determine the underlying cause of MCI in a specific person. Symptoms may include problems with memory or feeling foggy. This condition causes depresion. The doctor may recommend neuropsychological testing, which involves a series of written or computerized tests to evaluate specific thinking skills. Experts believe that many cases result from brain changes occurring in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. The causes of MCI are not yet completely understood. The risk factors most strongly linked to MCI are the same as those for dementia: advancing age, family history of Alzheimer's or another dementia, and conditions that raise risk for cardiovascular diseases. It is possible to modify the disease.  The study analyzed data from a 2010 clinical trial involving 156 patients, ages 70 and older, with MCI, a disorder affecting memory and thinking skills, but not severely enough to impair daily life. For example, people with MCI may start to forget information they previously could recall easily, such as recent events, appointments, or conversations. Up to 20 percent of people ages 65 and older suffer from MCI.
alzheimer diagnosis
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an illness which causes cognitive changes that are serious enough to be noticed by the individuals experiencing them or to other people, but the changes are not severe enough to interfere with daily life or independent function. Because of this reason. a person with MCI does not meet diagnostic guidelines for dementia. However, experts believe that many cases of MCI, result from brain changes occurring in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. The risk factors most strongly linked to MCI are the same as those for dementia: advancing age, family history of Alzheimer's or another dementia and conditions that raise risk for cardiovascular disease. However, unlike Alzheimer's or dementia not all people with MCI get worse and some eventually get better. There are currently no tests or procedures to demonstrate conclusively that a person has MCI. Moreover, it is not yet possible to determine the underlying cause of MCI in a specific person. The diagnoses of MCI includes the following core elements: thorough medical history, assessment of independent function and daily activities, input from a family member or trusted friend to provide additional perspective on how function may have changed, assessment of mental status using evaluation tests, in-office neurological examination and evaluation of mood to detect depression. If the workup doesn't create a clear clinical picture, the doctor may recommend neuropsychological testing. MCI is an illness that is both liked to Alzheimer's and yet it can be separate from it.  
alzheimer diagnosis
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer\'s disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. The term \'dementia\' is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. Someone with dementia may experience loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with language, reasoning and decision making. Being told that you or a loved one has vascular dementia can be very difficult and you may experience a range of different emotions as time goes on. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behavior (such as restlessness) difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren\'t there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. It is important to note that some of these symptoms may not always be direct consequences of the disease.
alzheimer diagnosis
One of the first difference between vascular dementia and Alzheimer are the causes. While Alzheimer causes are not yet completely understood, but they likely include a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. vascular dementia is caused by damage in the vascular system that prevents blood from reaching brain cells that will eventually die. Other differences are in the symptoms. Alzheimer is related with memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Vascular dementia However, people with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion. Some of  the symptoms are very similar.  About 10 per cent of people with dementia have a type known as mixed dementia. A diagnosis of mixed dementia means that Alzheimer\'s disease, as well as stroke or small vessel disease, may have caused damage to the brain. The symptoms of mixed dementia may be similar to either Alzheimer\'s disease or vascular dementia, or may be a combination of the two.
alzheimer diagnosis
 Memory loss is often one of the first signs of dementia. Initially, memory lapses may be mistaken for the normal forgetfulness that often increases as people grow older or when they become very stressed. However, in someone with dementia it will gradually become apparent that the memory problems are becoming more severe and persistent.



 The memories of Alzheimer\'s patients are forgotten but not gone, to twist a popular phrase. Now, one potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s developmentespecially when coupled with other treatments, researchers say.



 Scientists at the University of California Irvine have successfully recovered the memories of mice bred to develop age-related Alzheimer\'s symptoms by using an experimental drug that is being tested as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage by congregating in areas of the brain with amyloid plaques, researchers said. Amyloid plaques are one of the most common physical brain characteristics found in Alzheimer\'s patients.


alzheimer diagnosis
 However, there is plenty that can be done to help manage memory problems to enable people to retain their confidence and independence for as long as possible. This factsheet looks at ways to support a person with memory loss and offers some practical tips. In the early stages of dementia, memory aids such as lists, diaries, clocks and clear, written instructions can help jog the person\'s memory if they are willing and able to make use of them. As the dementia progresses, the person may become less able to understand what the aids are for. For more information about memory aids, see factsheet 429, Equipment, adaptations and improvements to the home and factsheet 521, Maintaining everyday skills. For details of Alzheimer\'s Society services in your area, visit alzheimers.org.uk/localinfo For information about a wide range of dementia-related topics, visit alzheimers.org.uk/factsheets The memories of Alzheimer\'s patients are forgotten but not gone, to twist a popular phrase. Now, one potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s developmentespecially when coupled with other treatments, researchers say.
alzheimer diagnosis
Memory loss, as with any other aspect of dementia, affects each person differently. 



If the person's memory is focused on a particular time in his or her life, engage in conversation about recollections with an understanding that this is his or her current reality. 



Offer corrections as suggestions. 



Avoid explanations that sound like scolding. 



Helping them to concentrate on one thing at a time. 



Trying to make sure that there are limited distractions. 



Making sure the person has enough meaningful activities to do and gets enough exercise. 



Helping the person to get enough sleep. 



Keeping to a regular routine can help with this difficulty, as will tactful reminders of the day and time, and about what is going to happen next. 



A calendar should be displayed prominently and the person with dementia should be encouraged to refer to it regularly. 



Keep information simple, and repeat it frequently. 



Break new activities down into small steps. When asking for information give cues and context. 



Try to begin any new routines as soon as possible.



Reminiscence therapy is a method that is used to help encourage people to remember events from their past, using reminders such as songs and photographs. 

Carers can use these techniques at home.  



There was a  B-vitamin combination  found that is the first and only disease-modifying treatment thats worked. 



An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s development especially when coupled with other treatments.
Vascular Dementia
If you, or someone close to you, are worried about dementia, the first step is to visit the GP as soon as possible. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the better the chance of treatment to slow the progression of the disease.



 Alzheimers is considered to be a disease of exclusion, meaning that all other possible causes  such as infection, disease, alcohol and drug abuse, vitamin deficiency, as well as mental illness must be ruled out before any probable diagnosis of Alzheimers is given. 

Notice that the first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress.

The exclusion is accomplished by undergoing a complete physical, neurological and psychological examination. 

However, due to the very nature of the Alzheimers disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death. 



 Doctors can determine that a person has dementia with a high level of certainty. But it's harder to determine the exact type of dementia because the symptoms and brain changes of different dementias can overlap. In some cases, a doctor may diagnose \"dementia\" and not specify a type.
Vascular Dementia
 The first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Apathy can be observed at this stage, and remains the most persistent neuropsychiatric symptom throughout the course of the disease. Depressive symptoms, irritability and reduced awareness of subtle memory difficulties also occur commonly. The preclinical stage of the disease has also been termed mild cognitive impairment, but whether this term corresponds to a different diagnostic stage or identifies the first step of AD is a matter of dispute. However, due to the very nature of the Alzheimers disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death.
Vascular Dementia
Alzheimers is considered to be a disease of exclusion, meaning that all other possible causes  such as infection, disease, alcohol and drug abuse, vitamin deficiency, as well as mental illness must be ruled out before any probable diagnosis of Alzheimers is given. Alzheimers disease is distinguished from other forms of dementia by characteristic changes in the brain. These changes include a 50% reduction of acetylcholine, the primary brain chemical used in the retrieval of memory and the formation of plaques and tangles.  However, due to the very nature of the Alzheimers disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Depressive symptoms, irritability and reduced awareness of subtle memory difficulties also occur commonly. The preclinical stage of the disease has also been termed mild cognitive impairment, but whether this term corresponds to a different diagnostic stage or identifies the first step of AD is a matter of dispute.
Vascular Dementia
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. 

Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a 'stepped' progression - symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe confusion. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (e.g seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (e.g restlessness), difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations and delusions, problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive.

 The speed that vascular dementia progresses varies from person to person. Although the brain damage that causes vascular dementia cannot be reversed, it may be possible to slow the progression of the disease in a number of ways such as: taking medication to treat any underlying conditions, such as stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or heart problems, adopting a healthier lifestyle by stopping smoking, taking regular exercise, eating healthily, and drinking alcohol only in moderation, receiving rehabilitative support, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, to help the person maximise their opportunities to regain their lost functions.
Vascular Dementia
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer\'s disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. This factsheet will help you to understand vascular dementia by explaining the causes, symptoms and treatments available. The term \'dementia\' is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. These diseases include Alzheimer\'s disease and vascular dementia. Someone with dementia may experience loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with language, reasoning and decision making. Being told that you or a loved one has vascular dementia can be very difficult and you may experience a range of different emotions as time goes on. There is support available if you need it. Alzheimer\'s Society\'s National Dementia Helpline can provide information, support, guidance and signposting to other organisations. Details are at the end of this factsheet. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. Some symptoms may be similar to those of other types of dementia, such as Alzheimer\'s disease. However, people with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion.
Vascular Dementia
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain.  Someone with dementia may experience loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with language, reasoning and decision making. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems, seizures periods of severe confusion. 

Additional symptoms may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions,changes in behaviour, difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations, and delusions problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive.

Risk factors to dementia are similar to those associated with cardiovascular disease and include  a medical history of stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes (particularly type II), heart problems or sleep apnoea ,a lack of physical activity, high quantities of alcohol drinking, smoking, eating a fatty diet, or leaving conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes untreated a family history of stroke or cardiovascular disease. Some ethnic groups have a higher tendency to dementia. Personalised care must be provided to people with dementia. 
Vascular Dementia
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimers, the memory-robbing disorder. No new drugs for memory loss have been FDA approved for a decade. However, new researches strive to find ways to retrieve lost memories. A few of them research the usefulness of vitamin B, but the results are contradictory. According to  A. David Smith, professor emeritus of pharmacology at Oxford University, the B-vitamin combination used in the study is the first and only disease-modifying treatment that's worked. He worked with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a disorder affecting memory and thinking skills, but not severely enough to impair daily life. However, Researchers from Rush University Medical Center proved that vitamin B12 treatment will not stave off Alzheimer or delay its onset.  Nowadays there is an experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer's development especially when coupled with other treatments. Scientists at the University of California Irvine have successfully recovered the memories of mice bred to develop age-related Alzheimer's symptoms by using an experimental drug that is being tested as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage by congregating in areas of the brain with amyloid plaques which is one of the most common physical brain characteristics found in Alzheimer's patients. Other reaches found up to 50% fewer Alzheimer's-related pathologies in the brains of the mice receiving PMX205 treatment. Therefore, PMX205  has potential for treating Alzheimer in the future. 
Vascular Dementia
Although most of these techniques to help people with Alzheimer require professional input, for example from a therapist, family carers can also use other methods to help someone experiencing loss of memory while also helping them stay independent. Some examples of these techniques include: leave written reminder by the door so that they don't forget their keys when they go out. Fit a device that cuts off the gas supply if they put a pan on the stove and then forget about it. Encourage the person with memory loss to remember what they can without making them feel pressured using frequent reminders. Don't overwhelm the person with lengthy statements and make sure that your explanations do not sound like scoldings. If the person's memory is focused on a particular time in his or her life, engage in conversation about recollections with an understanding that this is his or her current reality. Use photographs and other thought-provoking items to remind the person of important relationships and places. Provide verbal cues rather than asking questions. Help them concentrate on one thing at a time. Make sure that they get enough sleep, meaningful activities and exercise. It is important to be emotionally supportive of people dealing with memory loss. Also, try to be flexible and patient as far as possible These are just a few suggestions that could help.   
Vascular Dementia
Alzheimer's has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues. Current treatments can temporarily slow the worsening of symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers.

A few different approaches have been developed to help people with dementia to cope with memory loss:

* The home can be changed in a number of ways to help them to manage as best as possible. Examples include labeling doors and cupboards and the use of 'special places' for important items.

* Reminiscence therapy is a method used to help encourage people to remember events from their past, using reminders. Encouraging the person to talk about their past and share memories, for example by looking at photographs, letters and souvenirs together can help jog the person's memory.

* Cognitive stimulation therapy involves activities and exercises designed to improve memory and communication skills. The exercises are based on day-to-day interests, reminiscence and information relating to the current time and place.

* Exercising several times a week for 30 to 60 minutes may: Improve memory, reasoning and cognitive function for people with mild Alzheimer's, and delay the start of Alzheimer's for people at risk of developing the disease or slow its progress.

The memories of Alzheimer's patients are not gone. One potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. Scientists have recovered memories of mice bred to develop Alzheimer's symptoms by using an experimental drug. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage. Over the course of the study, researchers tested the mice for cognitive ability and memory retention. Mice that received PMX205 during early stages of Alzheimer's performed nearly as well as normal mice on the tests.
Vascular Dementia
 In the earlier stages of alzheimer, memory loss and confusion may be mild. The person with dementia may be aware of  and frustrated by  the changes taking place, such as difficulty recalling recent events, making decisions or processing what was said by others. In the later stages, memory loss becomes far more severe. A person may not recognize family members, may forget relationships, call family members by other names, or become confused about the location of home or the passage of time. He or she may forget the purpose of common items, such as a pen or a fork. These changes are some of the most painful for caregivers and families. Such types of behavior is sometimes incorrectly referred to as \"senility\" or \"senile dementia,\" which reflects the formerly widespread but incorrect belief that serious mental decline is a normal part of aging. While current medications cannot stop the damage Alzheimer\'s causes to brain cells, they may help lessen symptoms for a limited time. Certain situations  such as a change in living arrangements, switch in routine or certain infections  can cause symptoms to worsen. Any time there is a sudden change in behavior, it is important to have a medical evaluation to rule out other causes.
Vascular Dementia
Long-term care for people with Alzheimer's disease offers a vast range of medical, personal, and social services that are required to meet the physical, social, and emotional needs of people who have long-term illnesses or are disabled. A nursing home facility may be the best choice for people who require 24-hour medical care and supervision. There are two types of care provided by nursing homes for those with Alzheimer's disease:  

* Basic care: This provides services that will help to maintain a person's ability to carry out necessary daily functions, like personal care and getting around. They will also ensure that the person is supervised and safe.

* Skilled care. This is care that requires the services of a registered nurse for treatments and procedures on a regular basis. Skilled care also includes services provided by specially trained professionals, such as physical, occupational, and respiratory therapists.

It is important to begin the search for a suitable nursing home well before you will need to take the step of moving. There are often waiting periods. Planning ahead can also make the transition of moving into a nursing home much easier.

Memory Care communities, which include Alzheimer's and Dementia care facilities, consist of specially designed living spaces and supporting environments for those who are living with cognitive challenges brought on by Alzheimer's and dementia. These may include carefully considered flooring to reduce problematic patterns for those with Alzheimer's or dementia and wall colors that help them to find the way. The dementia care environment helps cue its residents in their daily lives. Areas of the community are set up for safe engagement in activities such as gardening, kitchen work, and other life skills that provide purposeful and meaningful successful moments.
Vascular Dementia
From the moment of birth, we humans are constantly learning and compiling more information into our brains memory. Alzheimer, the most common form of dementia, is a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. The American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (1987) characterizes Alzheimers disease as a chronically progressive, global, cognitive loss. The affected individual suffers a loss of capabilities in thinking and learningsufficient impairment that affects daily life, including social and/or occupational functioning. The greatest known risk factor for  Alzheimer is increasing age, and the majority of people with Alzheimer's are 65 and older. The main underlying cause of memory loss and confusion is the progressive damage to brain cells caused by Alzheimer's disease. Initially, memory lapses may be mistaken for the normal forgetfulness that often increases as people grow older or when they become very stressed. Because these memory loss changes first occur in the outer layers of the cortex, the memories that dying neurons take away first are the most recent, leaving older memories and skills functioning in the brain. Therefore, at first it is difficult do diagnose the disease. However, as the diseases progresses, memory impairment become more severe and obvious. Short-term memory loss deteriorates into severe memory problems. People's memories regress ten, twenty or more years in the past. There are four common areas in which people with memory loss experience difficulty: remembering events, taking in new information, recognising people, and places separating fact from fiction. 
Vascular Dementia
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. The main underlying cause of memory loss and confusion is the progressive damage to brain cells caused by Alzheimer's disease. The brain region called the hippocampus is the center of learning and memory in the brain, and the brain cells in this region are often the first to be damaged.

People in the early stages of Alzheimer\'s disease may experience lapses of memory and have problems finding the right words.  As the disease progresses, they may: become confused and frequently forget the names of people, places, appointments and recent events experience mood swings, feel sad or angry, or scared and frustrated by their increasing memory loss, become more withdrawn, due either to a loss of confidence or to communication problems have difficulty carrying out everyday activities.

In the early stages of dementia, memory aids such as lists, diaries, clocks and clear, written instructions can help jog the person\'s memory if they are willing and able to make use of them. As the dementia progresses, the person may become less able to understand what the aids are for.

Alzheimer's does not affect all memory capacities equally. Older memories of the person's life (episodic memory), facts learned (semantic memory), and implicit memory (the memory of the body on how to do things, such as using a fork to eat) are affected to a lesser degree than new facts or memories.
Vascular Dementia
 The memories of Alzheimer\'s patients are forgotten but not gone, to twist a popular phrase. Now, one potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s developmentespecially when coupled with other treatments, researchers say. Scientists at the University of California Irvine have successfully recovered the memories of mice bred to develop age-related Alzheimer\'s symptoms by using an experimental drug that is being tested as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage by congregating in areas of the brain with amyloid plaques, researchers said. Amyloid plaques are one of the most common physical brain characteristics found in Alzheimer\'s patients. Over the course of a 12-week study, researchers tested the mice for cognitive ability and memory retention. Mice that received PMX205 during early stages of Alzheimer\'s performed nearly as well as normal mice on the tests, but mice receiving no treatment performed very poorly. When the brains of the mice were examined, researchers found up to 50% fewer Alzheimer\'s-related pathologies in the brains of the mice receiving PMX205 treatment. The report appears in the July 15 edition of The Journal of Immunology.
Vascular Dementia
 While current medications cannot stop the damage Alzheimer\'s causes to brain cells, they may help lessen symptoms for a limited time. Certain situations  such as a change in living arrangements, switch in routine or certain infections  can cause symptoms to worsen. Any time there is a sudden change in behavior, it is important to have a medical evaluation to rule out other causes. Although being called by a different name or not being recognized can be painful, try not to make your hurt apparent. Respond with a brief explanation. Don\'t overwhelm the person with lengthy statements or reasons. Instead, clarify with a simple explanation. Show photos and other reminders. Use photographs and other thought-provoking items to remind the person of important relationships and places. Travel with the person to where he or she is in time. If the person\'s memory is focused on a particular time in his or her life, engage in conversation about recollections with an understanding that this is his or her current reality. Offer corrections as suggestions. Avoid explanations that sound like scolding. \"  Try not to take it personally. Alzheimer\'s disease causes your loved one to forget, but your support and understanding will continue to be appreciated.
Vascular Dementia
Dementia is not a specific disease. It\s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person\'s ability to perform everyday activities.



 The first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Apathy can be observed at this stage, and remains the most persistent neuro-psychiatric symptom throughout the course of the disease.



So if you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don\'t ignore them. See a doctor soon to determine the cause. Even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available treatments and provides an opportunity to volunteer for clinical trials or studies.
Vascular Dementia
 Dementia is not a specific disease. It\'s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person\'s ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer\'s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases. Vascular dementia, which occurs after a stroke, is the second most common dementia type. But there are many other conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia, including some that are reversible, such as thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies. Dementia is often incorrectly referred to as \"senility\" or \"senile dementia,\" which reflects the formerly widespread but incorrect belief that serious mental decline is a normal part of aging. While symptoms of dementia can vary greatly, at least two of the following core mental functions must be significantly impaired to be considered dementia:  Memory Communication and language Ability to focus and pay attention Reasoning and judgment Visual perception People with dementia may have problems with short-term memory, keeping track of a purse or wallet, paying bills, planning and preparing meals, remembering appointments or traveling out of the neighborhood. Many dementias are progressive, meaning symptoms start out slowly and gradually get worse. If you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don\'t ignore them. See a doctor soon to determine the cause. Professional evaluation may detect a treatable condition. And even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available treatments and provides an opportunity to volunteer for clinical trials or studies. It also provides time to plan for the future.
Vascular Dementia
There is no one test to determine if someone has dementia. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information.

People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (such as restlessness) . difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren\'t there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. The most common presenting symptoms in Semantic Dementia are in the verbal domain however (with loss of word meaning) and it is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia. SD patients sometimes show symptoms of surface dyslexia, a relatively selective impairment in reading low-frequency words with exceptional or atypical spelling-to-sound correspondences. 

Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of Alzheimer Disease. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. In addition: apathy and depressive symptoms. 
Vascular Dementia
The term \dementia\' is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. These diseases include Alzheimer\s disease and vascular dementia.



Memory loss, along with other cognitive defects and apathy, are often one of the first signs of dementia, specially in the case of subjects with Alzheimer. 



 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer\'s disease. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating.  People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion.



Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (such as restlessness) difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren\'t there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. 



Clumsiness, lack of facial expression, speech difficulties, and loss of bladder control are also common symptoms of vascular dementia.
Vascular Dementia
 Alzheimer\'s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases. That\s why memory loss is often one of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer\'s.



Other symptoms of  Alzheimer\'s disease include problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments on the semantic memory. Subjects may also suffer from apathy.



Several studies report that blood pressure is increased in victims of Alzheimer\'s disease (AD) decades before the onset of the disease.
Vascular Dementia
The term "dementia" describes a set of symptoms which can include loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with communication and reasoning. Memory loss is often one of the first signs of dementia. The person with dementia may be aware of  and frustrated by the changes taking place, such as difficulty recalling recent events, making decisions or processing what was said by others. Initially, memory lapses may be mistaken for the normal forgetfulness that often increases as people grow older or when they become very stressed. However, in someone with dementia it will gradually become apparent that the memory problems are becoming more severe and persistent. Therefore, mild memory lose may not be diagnosed at first but it is one of the first symptoms of dementia. 
Vascular Dementia
 Semantic dementia (SD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of semantic memory in both the verbal and non-verbal domains. The most common presenting symptoms are in the verbal domain however (with loss of word meaning) and it is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia. SD patients sometimes show symptoms of surface dyslexia, a relatively selective impairment in reading low-frequency words with exceptional or atypical spelling-to-sound correspondences. SD is one of the three canonical clinical syndromes associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). SD is a clinically defined syndrome, but is associated with predominantly temporal lobe atrophy (left greater than right) and hence is sometimes called temporal variant FTLD (tvFTLD). It was first described by Arnold Pick in 1904 and in modern times was characterised by Professor Elizabeth Warrington in 1975, however it was not given the name semantic dementia until 1989. The clinical and neuropsychological features, and their association with temporal lobe atrophy were described by Professor John Hodges and colleagues in 1992. SD patients often present with the complaint of word-finding difficulties. Clinical signs include fluent aphasia, anomia, impaired comprehension of word meaning, and associative visual agnosia (inability to match semantically related pictures or objects). As the disease progresses, behavioural and personality changes are often seen similar to those seen in frontotemporal dementia although cases have been described of \'pure\' semantic dementia with few late behavioural symptoms.
Vascular Dementia
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, which means that gradually, over time, more parts of the brain are damaged. As this happens, the symptoms of the illness become more severe. In its early stages and one of the first symptoms of the illness are mild memory loss and very mild cognitive decline in general. The person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses  forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. The main underlying cause of memory loss and confusion is the progressive damage to brain cells caused by Alzheimer's disease.   


Vascular Dementia
 Semantic dementia (SD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of semantic memory in both the verbal and non-verbal domains. The most common presenting symptoms are in the verbal domain however (with loss of word meaning) and it is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia. SD is one of the three canonical clinical syndromes associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). It is a clinically defined syndrome, but is associated with predominantly temporal lobe atrophy (left greater than right) and hence is sometimes called temporal variant FTLD (tvFTLD). Of all the FTLD syndromes SD is least likely to run in families and is usually sporadic.



Clinical signs include fluent aphasia, anomia, impaired comprehension of word meaning, and associative visual agnosia (inability to match semantically related pictures or objects).  As the disease progresses, behavioural and personality changes are often seen similar to those seen in frontotemporal dementia although cases have been described of \pure\' semantic dementia with few late behavioural symptoms. The majority of patients with SD will have ubiquitin-positive, TDP-43 positive, tau-negative inclusions, although other pathologies have been described more infrequently, namely tau-positive Pick\s disease and Alzheimer\'s pathology.



There is currently no known curative treatment for this condition.
Vascular Dementia
Dementia is not a specific disease. It is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. One of these diseases is semantic dementia. Semantic dementia was first described by Arnold Pick in 1904. Semantic dementia (SD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of semantic memory in both the verbal and non-verbal domains. It is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia   However, the most common presenting symptoms are in the verbal domain (with loss of word meaning).

Sometimes, SD patients show symptoms of surface dyslexia. They often present with the complaint of word-finding difficulties. Clinical signs include fluent aphasia, anomia, impaired comprehension of word meaning, and associative visual agnosia (inability to match semantically related pictures or objects). As the disease progresses, behavioural and personality changes are often seen similar to those seen in frontotemporal dementia although cases have been described of 'pure' semantic dementia with few late behavioural symptoms. When

structural MRI imaging is performed on SD patients it shows a characteristic pattern of atrophy in the temporal lobes (predominantly on the left), with inferior greater than superior involvement and anterior temporal lobe atrophy greater than posterior.

Based on these imaging methods, semantic dementia can be regionally dissociated from the other subtypes of frontotemporal lobar degeneration, frontotemporal dementia and progressive nonfluent aphasia. Semantic dementia is a form of dementia that is different from other more common forms such as Alzheimer's. 


Vascular Dementia
 Dementia is not a specific disease. It\'s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person\'s ability to perform everyday activities. While symptoms of dementia can vary greatly, at least two of the following core mental functions must be significantly impaired to be considered dementia:  Memory Communication and language Ability to focus and pay attention Reasoning and judgment Visual perception People with dementia may have problems with short-term memory, keeping track of a purse or wallet, paying bills, planning and preparing meals, remembering appointments or traveling out of the neighborhood. Many dementias are progressive, meaning symptoms start out slowly and gradually get worse. If you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don\'t ignore them. And even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available treatments and provides an opportunity to volunteer for clinical trials or studies.
Vascular Dementia
The early stages of alzheimer are very hard to detect because of saddle symptoms and our lack of knowledge about the disease.  Stage 1: No impairment (normal function) The person does not experience any memory problems. An interview with a medical professional does not show any evidence of symptoms of dementia. Stage 2:	Very mild cognitive decline (may be normal age-related changes or earliest signs of Alzheimer\'s disease) The person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses  forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. But no symptoms of dementia can be detected during a medical examination or by friends, family or co-workers. Stage 3: Mild cognitive decline (early-stage Alzheimer\'s can be diagnosed in some, but not all, individuals with these symptoms) Friends, family or co-workers begin to notice difficulties. During a detailed medical interview, doctors may be able to detect problems in memory or concentration. Common stage 3 difficulties include: Noticeable problems coming up with the right word or name  Trouble remembering names when introduced to new people Having noticeably greater difficulty performing tasks in social or work settings Forgetting material that one has just read Losing or misplacing a valuable object Increasing trouble with planning or organizing. Alzheimer\'s is a progressive disease, which means that gradually, over time, more parts of the brain are damaged.
Vascular Dementia
Alzheimer diagnosis also very in different stage of disease but a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death.. In the first stage an interview with a medical professional does not show any evidence of symptoms of dementia. Stage 2 is also hard to detect during a medical examination or by friends, family or co-workers. During a detailed medical interview, doctors may be able to detect problems in memory or concentration during stage 3. Stage 4 could be clear cut diagnosed with  a careful medical interview, Forgetfulness of recent events Impaired ability to perform challenging mental arithmetic for example, counting backward from 100 by 7s Greater difficulty performing complex tasks, such as planning dinner for guests, paying bills or managing finances Forgetfulness about one\'s own personal history Becoming moody or withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations. Stage 5  can be diagnosed by the severe cognitive decline at this stage, those with Alzheimer\'s may: Be unable to recall their own address or telephone number or the high school or college from which they graduated Become confused about where they are or what day it is Have trouble with less challenging mental arithmetic; such as counting backward from 40 by subtracting 4s or from 20 by 2s Need help choosing proper clothing for the season or the occasion Still remember significant details about themselves and their family Still require no assistance with eating or using the toilet.
Vascular Dementia
 Several prescription drugs are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. Treating the symptoms of Alzheimers can provide patients with comfort, dignity, and independence for a longer period of time and can encourage and assist their caregivers as well. It is important to understand that none of these medications stops the disease itself. Medications called cholinesterase inhibitors are prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimers disease. These drugs may help delay or prevent symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time and may help control some behavioral symptoms. The medications include: Razadyne (galantamine), Exelon (rivastigmine), and Aricept (donepezil). Another drug, Cognex (tacrine), was the first approved cholinesterase inhibitor but is rarely prescribed today due to safety concerns. Scientists do not yet fully understand how cholinesterase inhibitors work to treat Alzheimers disease, but research indicates that they prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a brain chemical believed to be important for memory and thinking. As Alzheimers progresses, the brain produces less and less acetylcholine; therefore, cholinesterase inhibitors may eventually lose their effect. No published study directly compares these drugs. A medication known as Namenda (memantine), an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, is prescribed to treat moderate to severe Alzheimers disease. This drugs main effect is to delay progression of some of the symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimers. It may allow patients to maintain certain daily functions a little longer than they would without the medication. For example, Namenda may help a patient in the later stages of the disease maintain his or her ability to use the bathroom independently for several more months, a benefit for both patients and caregivers.
Vascular Dementia
Alzheimer's is considered to be a disease of exclusion, meaning that all other possible causes, such as infection, disease, alcohol and drug abuse, vitamin deficiency, as well as mental illness must be ruled out before any probable diagnosis of Alzheimer's is given. This is accomplished by undergoing a complete physical, neurological and psychological examination.

Doctors diagnose Alzheimer's and other types of dementia based on a careful medical history, a physical examination, laboratory tests, and the characteristic changes in thinking, day-to-day function and behavior associated with each type. Doctors can determine that a person has dementia with a high level of certainty. But it\'s harder to determine the exact type of dementia because the symptoms and brain changes of different dementias can overlap. In some cases, a doctor may diagnose "dementia" and not specify a type. 

Due to the very nature of the Alzheimer's disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimer's can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death. Alzheimer's disease is distinguished from other forms of dementia by characteristic changes in the brain. These changes include a 50% reduction of acetylcholine, the primary brain chemical used in the retrieval of memory and the formation of plaques and tangles. These plaques and tangles are abnormal growths or accumulation of certain proteins that build within and surround brain cells.
Vascular Dementia
alzheimer's symptoms include: cognitive difficulties in remembering things (especially recent memory), attentiveness, planning, flexibility, abstract thinking, and language; apathy; depressive symptoms; irritability; difficulties in movement coordination and planning;delusional symptoms; and urinary incontinence.
Vascular Dementia
Several prescription drugs are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. It is important to understand that none of these medications stops the disease itself.

Medications called cholinesterase inhibitors are prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimers disease. These drugs may help delay or prevent symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time and may help control some behavioral symptoms. The medications include: Razadyne (galantamine), Exelon (rivastigmine), and Aricept (donepezil). Another drug, Cognex (tacrine), was the first approved cholinesterase inhibitor but is rarely prescribed today due to safety concerns. Because they work in a similar way, switching from one of these drugs to another probably will not produce significantly different results. However, an Alzheimers patient may respond better to one drug than another. As Alzheimers progresses, the brain produces less and less acetylcholine; therefore, cholinesterase inhibitors may eventually lose their effect.

A medication known as Namenda (memantine), an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, is prescribed to treat moderate to severe Alzheimers disease. This drugs main effect is to delay progression of some of the symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimers.

The FDA has also approved Aricept for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimers disease.

Doctors usually start patients at low drug doses and gradually increase the dosage based on how well a patient tolerates the drug.
Vascular Dementia
There are different stages of Alzheimer and each stage have mildly different symptoms  Stage 1:	No impairment (normal function) The person does not experience any memory problems. Stage 2:	Very mild cognitive decline (may be normal age-related changes or earliest signs of Alzheimer\'s disease) The person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses  forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. Common stage 3 difficulties include: Noticeable problems coming up with the right word or name  Trouble remembering names when introduced to new people Having noticeably greater difficulty performing tasks in social or work settings Forgetting material that one has just read Losing or misplacing a valuable object Increasing trouble with planning or organizing. Stage 4:	 Moderate cognitive decline (Mild or early-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) Stage 5:	Moderately severe cognitive decline (Moderate or mid-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) Gaps in memory and thinking are noticeable, and individuals begin to need help with day-to-day activities. Stage 6:	Severe cognitive decline (Moderately severe or mid-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) Memory continues to worsen, personality changes may take place and individuals need extensive help with daily activities. Stage 7:	Very severe cognitive decline (Severe or late-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) In the final stage of this disease, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement.
Vascular Dementia
Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, where symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years.

Stage 1: The person has no memory problems.

Stage 2: Individuals may feel as if they are having small memory lapses. No symptoms can be detected during a medical examination or by friends or family.

Stage 3: Can sometimes be diagnosed. Friends and family begin to notice difficulties. These include: Noticeable difficulty finding the right word, forgetting recently acquired information, losing valuable objects and trouble with planning or organizing.

Stage 4: A careful medical interview should be able to detect clear-cut symptoms: Forgetfulness of recent events, impaired ability to perform challenging mental arithmetic, difficulty performing complex tasks, forgetfulness about personal history, becoming moody or withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations.

Stage 5: Gaps in memory and thinking are noticeable, and individuals begin to need help with daily activities. At this stage, individuals may: Be unable to recall personal information, become confused about their environment, have trouble with easier mental arithmetic, need help choosing clothing for the season or the occasion.

Stage 6: Memory continues to worsen, personality changes occur and individuals need extensive help with daily activities. At this stage, individuals may: Distinguish familiar and unfamiliar faces but have trouble remembering the name of familiar people, need help dressing to avoid mistakes (e.g. shoes on the wrong feet), experience major changes in sleep patterns, need help handling details of toileting, have frequent trouble controlling their bladder or bowels.

Stage 7: In the final stage of this disease, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement. At this stage, individuals need help with much of their daily personal care, including eating or using the toilet. They may also have trouble with simple physical activities. Reflexes become abnormal. Muscles grow rigid. Swallowing is impaired.
Vascular Dementia
Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD.

At the first and second stages of Alzheimer, it's hard to detect any symptoms of dementia. Mild cognitive decline (in memory, or concentration)can be diagnosed in some individuals at the third stage. At the fourth stage moderate cognitive decline can be clearly detected in several areas: Forgetfulness of recent events impaired ability to perform challenging mental arithmetic for example, counting backward from 100 by 7s Greater difficulty performing complex tasks, such as planning dinner for guests, paying bills or managing finances Forgetfulness about one\'s own personal history Becoming moody or withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations.


Vascular Dementia
Several prescription drugs are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease.

No new drugs for memory loss have been FDA approved for a decade, and those already on the market only modestly ease symptoms for a limited time. Additionally, they do not work for all patients and do not halt progression of the disease. 

Some studies showed that B vitamins may help protect the aging brain, though they couldn't prove that this treatment will stave off Alzheimers or delay its onset.

Medications called cholinesterase inhibitors such as: Razadyne (galantamine), Exelon (rivastigmine), and Aricept (donepezil), which prevent the breakdown of a brian chemical believed to be important for memory and thinking, are prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimers disease. They may help delay or prevent symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time and may help control some behavioral symptoms. Patients may respond better to one drug than another.

A medication known as Namenda (memantine), an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, which works differently from cholinesterase inhibitors thus can be perscribed in combination with it, is prescribed to treat moderate to severe Alzheimers disease. It delays progression of some of the symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimers, and may allow patients to maintain certain daily functions a little longer than they would without the medication.

Doctors usually start patients at low drug doses and gradually increase the dosage based on how well a patient tolerates the drug. 
It is important to follow the doctors instructions, report any unusual symptoms, and let the doctor know before adding or changing any medications.


Vascular Dementia
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. If the vascular system within the brain becomes damaged and blood cannot reach the brain cells, the cells will eventually die.Although the brain damage that causes vascular dementia cannot be reversed, it may be possible to slow the progression of the disease in a number of ways. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a 'stepped' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (such as restlessness) difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. It is important to note that some of these symptoms may not always be direct consequences of the disease. 
Vascular Dementia
 About 10 per cent of people with dementia have a type known as mixed dementia. A diagnosis of mixed dementia means that Alzheimer\'s disease, as well as stroke or small vessel disease, may have caused damage to the brain. The symptoms of mixed dementia may be similar to either Alzheimer\'s disease or vascular dementia, or may be a combination of the two. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued guidelines on drug treatments for Alzheimer\'s disease (including cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine), but has not recommended these same drugs for treating vascular dementia. These drugs may, however, be prescribed to treat mixed dementia, particularly when Alzheimer\'s disease is predominant.
Vascular Dementia
Brain cells need a good supply of blood in order to function properly. Blood is delivered through a network of blood vessels called the vascular system. If the vascular system within the brain becomes damaged and blood cannot reach the brain cells, the cells will eventually die. This can lead to the onset of vascular dementia. Meaning, it occurs after a stroke. Vascular dementia is the second most common dementia type. The different types of vascular dementia are a result of the different causes that damaged the brain, and which part of the brain has been damaged. Moreover, it affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. Some symptoms of vascular dementia may be similar to those of other types of dementia. However, people with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, visual mistakes and misperceptions, changes in behaviour, difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations and delusions  problems with continence and psychological symptoms. Some of these symptoms may not always be direct consequences of the disease. A number of conditions can cause or increase damage to the vascular system. These include high blood pressure, heart problems, high cholesterol and diabetes. Effective treatment of these conditions may significantly delay or stop the development of vascular dementia. 
Vascular Dementia
 The first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Apathy can be observed at this stage, and remains the most persistent neuropsychiatric symptom throughout the course of the disease. Depressive symptoms, irritability and reduced awareness of subtle memory difficulties also occur commonly. The preclinical stage of the disease has also been termed mild cognitive impairment, but whether this term corresponds to a different diagnostic stage or identifies the first step of AD is a matter of dispute. In a small portion of them, difficulties with language, executive functions, perception (agnosia), or execution of movements (apraxia) are more prominent than memory problems. AD does not affect all memory capacities equally. Older memories of the person\'s life (episodic memory), facts learned (semantic memory), and implicit memory (the memory of the body on how to do things, such as using a fork to eat) are affected to a lesser degree than new facts or memories. Language problems are mainly characterised by a shrinking vocabulary and decreased word fluency, which lead to a general impoverishment of oral and written language.
Vascular Dementia
Both vascular dementia and Alzheimer are forms of dementia. Alzheimer is the most common form of dementia and vascular dementia is the second. Despite some  apparent similarities they are also different from each other. One example of these differences can be seen in the symptoms. Some symptoms of vascular dementia may be similar to those of Alzheimer's disease, however, there are some different symptoms such as problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression etc. Generally, dementia is caused by damage to brain cells. In Alzheimer's protein 'plaques' and 'tangles' develop in the structure of the brain, leading to the death of brain cells. People with Alzheimer's also have a shortage of some important chemicals in their brain. These chemicals are involved with the transmission of messages within the brain. However, vascular dementia occurs after a stroke. In fact, the most common type of vascular dementia is called multi-infarct dementia, which is caused by a series of small strokes. Therefore, the causes for Alzheimer and vascular dementia rather different. Even some of the treatments for the illnesses are different. For example, The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued guidelines on drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease, but has not recommended these same drugs for treating vascular dementia. Therefore, there are some differences between    Alzheimer and vascular dementia despite the fact that they are both forms of dementia. 
Vascular Dementia
The causes of cognitive impairment are different types of demetia,Alzhimerand others.The causes of Mild Cognitive Impairment are not yet completely understood. Experts believe that many cases result from brain changes occurring in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. There are two types of MCI based on the thinking skills affected: affects memory is known as "amnestic MCI." and affects thinking skills other than memory is known as "nonamnestic MCI.  MCI causes cognitive changes that are serious enough to be noticed by the individuals experiencing them or to other people, but the changes are not severe enough to interfere with daily life or independent function.Currently there is no way to demonstrate conclusively that a person has MCI or determine the underlying cause of MCI in a specific person. Symptoms may include problems with memory or feeling foggy. This condition causes depresion. The doctor may recommend neuropsychological testing, which involves a series of written or computerized tests to evaluate specific thinking skills. Experts believe that many cases result from brain changes occurring in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. The causes of MCI are not yet completely understood. The risk factors most strongly linked to MCI are the same as those for dementia: advancing age, family history of Alzheimer's or another dementia, and conditions that raise risk for cardiovascular diseases. It is possible to modify the disease.  The study analyzed data from a 2010 clinical trial involving 156 patients, ages 70 and older, with MCI, a disorder affecting memory and thinking skills, but not severely enough to impair daily life. For example, people with MCI may start to forget information they previously could recall easily, such as recent events, appointments, or conversations. Up to 20 percent of people ages 65 and older suffer from MCI.
Vascular Dementia
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an illness which causes cognitive changes that are serious enough to be noticed by the individuals experiencing them or to other people, but the changes are not severe enough to interfere with daily life or independent function. Because of this reason. a person with MCI does not meet diagnostic guidelines for dementia. However, experts believe that many cases of MCI, result from brain changes occurring in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. The risk factors most strongly linked to MCI are the same as those for dementia: advancing age, family history of Alzheimer's or another dementia and conditions that raise risk for cardiovascular disease. However, unlike Alzheimer's or dementia not all people with MCI get worse and some eventually get better. There are currently no tests or procedures to demonstrate conclusively that a person has MCI. Moreover, it is not yet possible to determine the underlying cause of MCI in a specific person. The diagnoses of MCI includes the following core elements: thorough medical history, assessment of independent function and daily activities, input from a family member or trusted friend to provide additional perspective on how function may have changed, assessment of mental status using evaluation tests, in-office neurological examination and evaluation of mood to detect depression. If the workup doesn't create a clear clinical picture, the doctor may recommend neuropsychological testing. MCI is an illness that is both liked to Alzheimer's and yet it can be separate from it.  
Vascular Dementia
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer\'s disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. The term \'dementia\' is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. Someone with dementia may experience loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with language, reasoning and decision making. Being told that you or a loved one has vascular dementia can be very difficult and you may experience a range of different emotions as time goes on. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behavior (such as restlessness) difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren\'t there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. It is important to note that some of these symptoms may not always be direct consequences of the disease.
Vascular Dementia
One of the first difference between vascular dementia and Alzheimer are the causes. While Alzheimer causes are not yet completely understood, but they likely include a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. vascular dementia is caused by damage in the vascular system that prevents blood from reaching brain cells that will eventually die. Other differences are in the symptoms. Alzheimer is related with memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Vascular dementia However, people with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion. Some of  the symptoms are very similar.  About 10 per cent of people with dementia have a type known as mixed dementia. A diagnosis of mixed dementia means that Alzheimer\'s disease, as well as stroke or small vessel disease, may have caused damage to the brain. The symptoms of mixed dementia may be similar to either Alzheimer\'s disease or vascular dementia, or may be a combination of the two.
Vascular Dementia
 Memory loss is often one of the first signs of dementia. Initially, memory lapses may be mistaken for the normal forgetfulness that often increases as people grow older or when they become very stressed. However, in someone with dementia it will gradually become apparent that the memory problems are becoming more severe and persistent.



 The memories of Alzheimer\'s patients are forgotten but not gone, to twist a popular phrase. Now, one potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s developmentespecially when coupled with other treatments, researchers say.



 Scientists at the University of California Irvine have successfully recovered the memories of mice bred to develop age-related Alzheimer\'s symptoms by using an experimental drug that is being tested as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage by congregating in areas of the brain with amyloid plaques, researchers said. Amyloid plaques are one of the most common physical brain characteristics found in Alzheimer\'s patients.


Vascular Dementia
 However, there is plenty that can be done to help manage memory problems to enable people to retain their confidence and independence for as long as possible. This factsheet looks at ways to support a person with memory loss and offers some practical tips. In the early stages of dementia, memory aids such as lists, diaries, clocks and clear, written instructions can help jog the person\'s memory if they are willing and able to make use of them. As the dementia progresses, the person may become less able to understand what the aids are for. For more information about memory aids, see factsheet 429, Equipment, adaptations and improvements to the home and factsheet 521, Maintaining everyday skills. For details of Alzheimer\'s Society services in your area, visit alzheimers.org.uk/localinfo For information about a wide range of dementia-related topics, visit alzheimers.org.uk/factsheets The memories of Alzheimer\'s patients are forgotten but not gone, to twist a popular phrase. Now, one potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s developmentespecially when coupled with other treatments, researchers say.
Vascular Dementia
Memory loss, as with any other aspect of dementia, affects each person differently. 



If the person's memory is focused on a particular time in his or her life, engage in conversation about recollections with an understanding that this is his or her current reality. 



Offer corrections as suggestions. 



Avoid explanations that sound like scolding. 



Helping them to concentrate on one thing at a time. 



Trying to make sure that there are limited distractions. 



Making sure the person has enough meaningful activities to do and gets enough exercise. 



Helping the person to get enough sleep. 



Keeping to a regular routine can help with this difficulty, as will tactful reminders of the day and time, and about what is going to happen next. 



A calendar should be displayed prominently and the person with dementia should be encouraged to refer to it regularly. 



Keep information simple, and repeat it frequently. 



Break new activities down into small steps. When asking for information give cues and context. 



Try to begin any new routines as soon as possible.



Reminiscence therapy is a method that is used to help encourage people to remember events from their past, using reminders such as songs and photographs. 

Carers can use these techniques at home.  



There was a  B-vitamin combination  found that is the first and only disease-modifying treatment thats worked. 



An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s development especially when coupled with other treatments.
alzheimer memory
If you, or someone close to you, are worried about dementia, the first step is to visit the GP as soon as possible. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the better the chance of treatment to slow the progression of the disease.



 Alzheimers is considered to be a disease of exclusion, meaning that all other possible causes  such as infection, disease, alcohol and drug abuse, vitamin deficiency, as well as mental illness must be ruled out before any probable diagnosis of Alzheimers is given. 

Notice that the first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress.

The exclusion is accomplished by undergoing a complete physical, neurological and psychological examination. 

However, due to the very nature of the Alzheimers disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death. 



 Doctors can determine that a person has dementia with a high level of certainty. But it's harder to determine the exact type of dementia because the symptoms and brain changes of different dementias can overlap. In some cases, a doctor may diagnose \"dementia\" and not specify a type.
alzheimer memory
 The first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Apathy can be observed at this stage, and remains the most persistent neuropsychiatric symptom throughout the course of the disease. Depressive symptoms, irritability and reduced awareness of subtle memory difficulties also occur commonly. The preclinical stage of the disease has also been termed mild cognitive impairment, but whether this term corresponds to a different diagnostic stage or identifies the first step of AD is a matter of dispute. However, due to the very nature of the Alzheimers disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death.
alzheimer memory
Alzheimers is considered to be a disease of exclusion, meaning that all other possible causes  such as infection, disease, alcohol and drug abuse, vitamin deficiency, as well as mental illness must be ruled out before any probable diagnosis of Alzheimers is given. Alzheimers disease is distinguished from other forms of dementia by characteristic changes in the brain. These changes include a 50% reduction of acetylcholine, the primary brain chemical used in the retrieval of memory and the formation of plaques and tangles.  However, due to the very nature of the Alzheimers disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Depressive symptoms, irritability and reduced awareness of subtle memory difficulties also occur commonly. The preclinical stage of the disease has also been termed mild cognitive impairment, but whether this term corresponds to a different diagnostic stage or identifies the first step of AD is a matter of dispute.
alzheimer memory
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. 

Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a 'stepped' progression - symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe confusion. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (e.g seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (e.g restlessness), difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations and delusions, problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive.

 The speed that vascular dementia progresses varies from person to person. Although the brain damage that causes vascular dementia cannot be reversed, it may be possible to slow the progression of the disease in a number of ways such as: taking medication to treat any underlying conditions, such as stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or heart problems, adopting a healthier lifestyle by stopping smoking, taking regular exercise, eating healthily, and drinking alcohol only in moderation, receiving rehabilitative support, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, to help the person maximise their opportunities to regain their lost functions.
alzheimer memory
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer\'s disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. This factsheet will help you to understand vascular dementia by explaining the causes, symptoms and treatments available. The term \'dementia\' is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. These diseases include Alzheimer\'s disease and vascular dementia. Someone with dementia may experience loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with language, reasoning and decision making. Being told that you or a loved one has vascular dementia can be very difficult and you may experience a range of different emotions as time goes on. There is support available if you need it. Alzheimer\'s Society\'s National Dementia Helpline can provide information, support, guidance and signposting to other organisations. Details are at the end of this factsheet. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. Some symptoms may be similar to those of other types of dementia, such as Alzheimer\'s disease. However, people with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion.
alzheimer memory
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain.  Someone with dementia may experience loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with language, reasoning and decision making. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems, seizures periods of severe confusion. 

Additional symptoms may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions,changes in behaviour, difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations, and delusions problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive.

Risk factors to dementia are similar to those associated with cardiovascular disease and include  a medical history of stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes (particularly type II), heart problems or sleep apnoea ,a lack of physical activity, high quantities of alcohol drinking, smoking, eating a fatty diet, or leaving conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes untreated a family history of stroke or cardiovascular disease. Some ethnic groups have a higher tendency to dementia. Personalised care must be provided to people with dementia. 
alzheimer memory
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimers, the memory-robbing disorder. No new drugs for memory loss have been FDA approved for a decade. However, new researches strive to find ways to retrieve lost memories. A few of them research the usefulness of vitamin B, but the results are contradictory. According to  A. David Smith, professor emeritus of pharmacology at Oxford University, the B-vitamin combination used in the study is the first and only disease-modifying treatment that's worked. He worked with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a disorder affecting memory and thinking skills, but not severely enough to impair daily life. However, Researchers from Rush University Medical Center proved that vitamin B12 treatment will not stave off Alzheimer or delay its onset.  Nowadays there is an experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer's development especially when coupled with other treatments. Scientists at the University of California Irvine have successfully recovered the memories of mice bred to develop age-related Alzheimer's symptoms by using an experimental drug that is being tested as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage by congregating in areas of the brain with amyloid plaques which is one of the most common physical brain characteristics found in Alzheimer's patients. Other reaches found up to 50% fewer Alzheimer's-related pathologies in the brains of the mice receiving PMX205 treatment. Therefore, PMX205  has potential for treating Alzheimer in the future. 
alzheimer memory
Although most of these techniques to help people with Alzheimer require professional input, for example from a therapist, family carers can also use other methods to help someone experiencing loss of memory while also helping them stay independent. Some examples of these techniques include: leave written reminder by the door so that they don't forget their keys when they go out. Fit a device that cuts off the gas supply if they put a pan on the stove and then forget about it. Encourage the person with memory loss to remember what they can without making them feel pressured using frequent reminders. Don't overwhelm the person with lengthy statements and make sure that your explanations do not sound like scoldings. If the person's memory is focused on a particular time in his or her life, engage in conversation about recollections with an understanding that this is his or her current reality. Use photographs and other thought-provoking items to remind the person of important relationships and places. Provide verbal cues rather than asking questions. Help them concentrate on one thing at a time. Make sure that they get enough sleep, meaningful activities and exercise. It is important to be emotionally supportive of people dealing with memory loss. Also, try to be flexible and patient as far as possible These are just a few suggestions that could help.   
alzheimer memory
Alzheimer's has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues. Current treatments can temporarily slow the worsening of symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers.

A few different approaches have been developed to help people with dementia to cope with memory loss:

* The home can be changed in a number of ways to help them to manage as best as possible. Examples include labeling doors and cupboards and the use of 'special places' for important items.

* Reminiscence therapy is a method used to help encourage people to remember events from their past, using reminders. Encouraging the person to talk about their past and share memories, for example by looking at photographs, letters and souvenirs together can help jog the person's memory.

* Cognitive stimulation therapy involves activities and exercises designed to improve memory and communication skills. The exercises are based on day-to-day interests, reminiscence and information relating to the current time and place.

* Exercising several times a week for 30 to 60 minutes may: Improve memory, reasoning and cognitive function for people with mild Alzheimer's, and delay the start of Alzheimer's for people at risk of developing the disease or slow its progress.

The memories of Alzheimer's patients are not gone. One potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. Scientists have recovered memories of mice bred to develop Alzheimer's symptoms by using an experimental drug. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage. Over the course of the study, researchers tested the mice for cognitive ability and memory retention. Mice that received PMX205 during early stages of Alzheimer's performed nearly as well as normal mice on the tests.
alzheimer memory
 In the earlier stages of alzheimer, memory loss and confusion may be mild. The person with dementia may be aware of  and frustrated by  the changes taking place, such as difficulty recalling recent events, making decisions or processing what was said by others. In the later stages, memory loss becomes far more severe. A person may not recognize family members, may forget relationships, call family members by other names, or become confused about the location of home or the passage of time. He or she may forget the purpose of common items, such as a pen or a fork. These changes are some of the most painful for caregivers and families. Such types of behavior is sometimes incorrectly referred to as \"senility\" or \"senile dementia,\" which reflects the formerly widespread but incorrect belief that serious mental decline is a normal part of aging. While current medications cannot stop the damage Alzheimer\'s causes to brain cells, they may help lessen symptoms for a limited time. Certain situations  such as a change in living arrangements, switch in routine or certain infections  can cause symptoms to worsen. Any time there is a sudden change in behavior, it is important to have a medical evaluation to rule out other causes.
alzheimer memory
Long-term care for people with Alzheimer's disease offers a vast range of medical, personal, and social services that are required to meet the physical, social, and emotional needs of people who have long-term illnesses or are disabled. A nursing home facility may be the best choice for people who require 24-hour medical care and supervision. There are two types of care provided by nursing homes for those with Alzheimer's disease:  

* Basic care: This provides services that will help to maintain a person's ability to carry out necessary daily functions, like personal care and getting around. They will also ensure that the person is supervised and safe.

* Skilled care. This is care that requires the services of a registered nurse for treatments and procedures on a regular basis. Skilled care also includes services provided by specially trained professionals, such as physical, occupational, and respiratory therapists.

It is important to begin the search for a suitable nursing home well before you will need to take the step of moving. There are often waiting periods. Planning ahead can also make the transition of moving into a nursing home much easier.

Memory Care communities, which include Alzheimer's and Dementia care facilities, consist of specially designed living spaces and supporting environments for those who are living with cognitive challenges brought on by Alzheimer's and dementia. These may include carefully considered flooring to reduce problematic patterns for those with Alzheimer's or dementia and wall colors that help them to find the way. The dementia care environment helps cue its residents in their daily lives. Areas of the community are set up for safe engagement in activities such as gardening, kitchen work, and other life skills that provide purposeful and meaningful successful moments.
alzheimer memory
From the moment of birth, we humans are constantly learning and compiling more information into our brains memory. Alzheimer, the most common form of dementia, is a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. The American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (1987) characterizes Alzheimers disease as a chronically progressive, global, cognitive loss. The affected individual suffers a loss of capabilities in thinking and learningsufficient impairment that affects daily life, including social and/or occupational functioning. The greatest known risk factor for  Alzheimer is increasing age, and the majority of people with Alzheimer's are 65 and older. The main underlying cause of memory loss and confusion is the progressive damage to brain cells caused by Alzheimer's disease. Initially, memory lapses may be mistaken for the normal forgetfulness that often increases as people grow older or when they become very stressed. Because these memory loss changes first occur in the outer layers of the cortex, the memories that dying neurons take away first are the most recent, leaving older memories and skills functioning in the brain. Therefore, at first it is difficult do diagnose the disease. However, as the diseases progresses, memory impairment become more severe and obvious. Short-term memory loss deteriorates into severe memory problems. People's memories regress ten, twenty or more years in the past. There are four common areas in which people with memory loss experience difficulty: remembering events, taking in new information, recognising people, and places separating fact from fiction. 
alzheimer memory
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. The main underlying cause of memory loss and confusion is the progressive damage to brain cells caused by Alzheimer's disease. The brain region called the hippocampus is the center of learning and memory in the brain, and the brain cells in this region are often the first to be damaged.

People in the early stages of Alzheimer\'s disease may experience lapses of memory and have problems finding the right words.  As the disease progresses, they may: become confused and frequently forget the names of people, places, appointments and recent events experience mood swings, feel sad or angry, or scared and frustrated by their increasing memory loss, become more withdrawn, due either to a loss of confidence or to communication problems have difficulty carrying out everyday activities.

In the early stages of dementia, memory aids such as lists, diaries, clocks and clear, written instructions can help jog the person\'s memory if they are willing and able to make use of them. As the dementia progresses, the person may become less able to understand what the aids are for.

Alzheimer's does not affect all memory capacities equally. Older memories of the person's life (episodic memory), facts learned (semantic memory), and implicit memory (the memory of the body on how to do things, such as using a fork to eat) are affected to a lesser degree than new facts or memories.
alzheimer memory
 The memories of Alzheimer\'s patients are forgotten but not gone, to twist a popular phrase. Now, one potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s developmentespecially when coupled with other treatments, researchers say. Scientists at the University of California Irvine have successfully recovered the memories of mice bred to develop age-related Alzheimer\'s symptoms by using an experimental drug that is being tested as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage by congregating in areas of the brain with amyloid plaques, researchers said. Amyloid plaques are one of the most common physical brain characteristics found in Alzheimer\'s patients. Over the course of a 12-week study, researchers tested the mice for cognitive ability and memory retention. Mice that received PMX205 during early stages of Alzheimer\'s performed nearly as well as normal mice on the tests, but mice receiving no treatment performed very poorly. When the brains of the mice were examined, researchers found up to 50% fewer Alzheimer\'s-related pathologies in the brains of the mice receiving PMX205 treatment. The report appears in the July 15 edition of The Journal of Immunology.
alzheimer memory
 While current medications cannot stop the damage Alzheimer\'s causes to brain cells, they may help lessen symptoms for a limited time. Certain situations  such as a change in living arrangements, switch in routine or certain infections  can cause symptoms to worsen. Any time there is a sudden change in behavior, it is important to have a medical evaluation to rule out other causes. Although being called by a different name or not being recognized can be painful, try not to make your hurt apparent. Respond with a brief explanation. Don\'t overwhelm the person with lengthy statements or reasons. Instead, clarify with a simple explanation. Show photos and other reminders. Use photographs and other thought-provoking items to remind the person of important relationships and places. Travel with the person to where he or she is in time. If the person\'s memory is focused on a particular time in his or her life, engage in conversation about recollections with an understanding that this is his or her current reality. Offer corrections as suggestions. Avoid explanations that sound like scolding. \"  Try not to take it personally. Alzheimer\'s disease causes your loved one to forget, but your support and understanding will continue to be appreciated.
alzheimer memory
Dementia is not a specific disease. It\s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person\'s ability to perform everyday activities.



 The first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Apathy can be observed at this stage, and remains the most persistent neuro-psychiatric symptom throughout the course of the disease.



So if you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don\'t ignore them. See a doctor soon to determine the cause. Even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available treatments and provides an opportunity to volunteer for clinical trials or studies.
alzheimer memory
 Dementia is not a specific disease. It\'s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person\'s ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer\'s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases. Vascular dementia, which occurs after a stroke, is the second most common dementia type. But there are many other conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia, including some that are reversible, such as thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies. Dementia is often incorrectly referred to as \"senility\" or \"senile dementia,\" which reflects the formerly widespread but incorrect belief that serious mental decline is a normal part of aging. While symptoms of dementia can vary greatly, at least two of the following core mental functions must be significantly impaired to be considered dementia:  Memory Communication and language Ability to focus and pay attention Reasoning and judgment Visual perception People with dementia may have problems with short-term memory, keeping track of a purse or wallet, paying bills, planning and preparing meals, remembering appointments or traveling out of the neighborhood. Many dementias are progressive, meaning symptoms start out slowly and gradually get worse. If you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don\'t ignore them. See a doctor soon to determine the cause. Professional evaluation may detect a treatable condition. And even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available treatments and provides an opportunity to volunteer for clinical trials or studies. It also provides time to plan for the future.
alzheimer memory
There is no one test to determine if someone has dementia. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information.

People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (such as restlessness) . difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren\'t there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. The most common presenting symptoms in Semantic Dementia are in the verbal domain however (with loss of word meaning) and it is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia. SD patients sometimes show symptoms of surface dyslexia, a relatively selective impairment in reading low-frequency words with exceptional or atypical spelling-to-sound correspondences. 

Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of Alzheimer Disease. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. In addition: apathy and depressive symptoms. 
alzheimer memory
The term \dementia\' is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. These diseases include Alzheimer\s disease and vascular dementia.



Memory loss, along with other cognitive defects and apathy, are often one of the first signs of dementia, specially in the case of subjects with Alzheimer. 



 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer\'s disease. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating.  People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion.



Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (such as restlessness) difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren\'t there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. 



Clumsiness, lack of facial expression, speech difficulties, and loss of bladder control are also common symptoms of vascular dementia.
alzheimer memory
 Alzheimer\'s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases. That\s why memory loss is often one of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer\'s.



Other symptoms of  Alzheimer\'s disease include problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments on the semantic memory. Subjects may also suffer from apathy.



Several studies report that blood pressure is increased in victims of Alzheimer\'s disease (AD) decades before the onset of the disease.
alzheimer memory
The term "dementia" describes a set of symptoms which can include loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with communication and reasoning. Memory loss is often one of the first signs of dementia. The person with dementia may be aware of  and frustrated by the changes taking place, such as difficulty recalling recent events, making decisions or processing what was said by others. Initially, memory lapses may be mistaken for the normal forgetfulness that often increases as people grow older or when they become very stressed. However, in someone with dementia it will gradually become apparent that the memory problems are becoming more severe and persistent. Therefore, mild memory lose may not be diagnosed at first but it is one of the first symptoms of dementia. 
alzheimer memory
 Semantic dementia (SD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of semantic memory in both the verbal and non-verbal domains. The most common presenting symptoms are in the verbal domain however (with loss of word meaning) and it is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia. SD patients sometimes show symptoms of surface dyslexia, a relatively selective impairment in reading low-frequency words with exceptional or atypical spelling-to-sound correspondences. SD is one of the three canonical clinical syndromes associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). SD is a clinically defined syndrome, but is associated with predominantly temporal lobe atrophy (left greater than right) and hence is sometimes called temporal variant FTLD (tvFTLD). It was first described by Arnold Pick in 1904 and in modern times was characterised by Professor Elizabeth Warrington in 1975, however it was not given the name semantic dementia until 1989. The clinical and neuropsychological features, and their association with temporal lobe atrophy were described by Professor John Hodges and colleagues in 1992. SD patients often present with the complaint of word-finding difficulties. Clinical signs include fluent aphasia, anomia, impaired comprehension of word meaning, and associative visual agnosia (inability to match semantically related pictures or objects). As the disease progresses, behavioural and personality changes are often seen similar to those seen in frontotemporal dementia although cases have been described of \'pure\' semantic dementia with few late behavioural symptoms.
alzheimer memory
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, which means that gradually, over time, more parts of the brain are damaged. As this happens, the symptoms of the illness become more severe. In its early stages and one of the first symptoms of the illness are mild memory loss and very mild cognitive decline in general. The person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses  forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. The main underlying cause of memory loss and confusion is the progressive damage to brain cells caused by Alzheimer's disease.   


alzheimer memory
 Semantic dementia (SD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of semantic memory in both the verbal and non-verbal domains. The most common presenting symptoms are in the verbal domain however (with loss of word meaning) and it is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia. SD is one of the three canonical clinical syndromes associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). It is a clinically defined syndrome, but is associated with predominantly temporal lobe atrophy (left greater than right) and hence is sometimes called temporal variant FTLD (tvFTLD). Of all the FTLD syndromes SD is least likely to run in families and is usually sporadic.



Clinical signs include fluent aphasia, anomia, impaired comprehension of word meaning, and associative visual agnosia (inability to match semantically related pictures or objects).  As the disease progresses, behavioural and personality changes are often seen similar to those seen in frontotemporal dementia although cases have been described of \pure\' semantic dementia with few late behavioural symptoms. The majority of patients with SD will have ubiquitin-positive, TDP-43 positive, tau-negative inclusions, although other pathologies have been described more infrequently, namely tau-positive Pick\s disease and Alzheimer\'s pathology.



There is currently no known curative treatment for this condition.
alzheimer memory
Dementia is not a specific disease. It is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. One of these diseases is semantic dementia. Semantic dementia was first described by Arnold Pick in 1904. Semantic dementia (SD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of semantic memory in both the verbal and non-verbal domains. It is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia   However, the most common presenting symptoms are in the verbal domain (with loss of word meaning).

Sometimes, SD patients show symptoms of surface dyslexia. They often present with the complaint of word-finding difficulties. Clinical signs include fluent aphasia, anomia, impaired comprehension of word meaning, and associative visual agnosia (inability to match semantically related pictures or objects). As the disease progresses, behavioural and personality changes are often seen similar to those seen in frontotemporal dementia although cases have been described of 'pure' semantic dementia with few late behavioural symptoms. When

structural MRI imaging is performed on SD patients it shows a characteristic pattern of atrophy in the temporal lobes (predominantly on the left), with inferior greater than superior involvement and anterior temporal lobe atrophy greater than posterior.

Based on these imaging methods, semantic dementia can be regionally dissociated from the other subtypes of frontotemporal lobar degeneration, frontotemporal dementia and progressive nonfluent aphasia. Semantic dementia is a form of dementia that is different from other more common forms such as Alzheimer's. 


alzheimer memory
 Dementia is not a specific disease. It\'s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person\'s ability to perform everyday activities. While symptoms of dementia can vary greatly, at least two of the following core mental functions must be significantly impaired to be considered dementia:  Memory Communication and language Ability to focus and pay attention Reasoning and judgment Visual perception People with dementia may have problems with short-term memory, keeping track of a purse or wallet, paying bills, planning and preparing meals, remembering appointments or traveling out of the neighborhood. Many dementias are progressive, meaning symptoms start out slowly and gradually get worse. If you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don\'t ignore them. And even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available treatments and provides an opportunity to volunteer for clinical trials or studies.
alzheimer memory
The early stages of alzheimer are very hard to detect because of saddle symptoms and our lack of knowledge about the disease.  Stage 1: No impairment (normal function) The person does not experience any memory problems. An interview with a medical professional does not show any evidence of symptoms of dementia. Stage 2:	Very mild cognitive decline (may be normal age-related changes or earliest signs of Alzheimer\'s disease) The person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses  forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. But no symptoms of dementia can be detected during a medical examination or by friends, family or co-workers. Stage 3: Mild cognitive decline (early-stage Alzheimer\'s can be diagnosed in some, but not all, individuals with these symptoms) Friends, family or co-workers begin to notice difficulties. During a detailed medical interview, doctors may be able to detect problems in memory or concentration. Common stage 3 difficulties include: Noticeable problems coming up with the right word or name  Trouble remembering names when introduced to new people Having noticeably greater difficulty performing tasks in social or work settings Forgetting material that one has just read Losing or misplacing a valuable object Increasing trouble with planning or organizing. Alzheimer\'s is a progressive disease, which means that gradually, over time, more parts of the brain are damaged.
alzheimer memory
Alzheimer diagnosis also very in different stage of disease but a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death.. In the first stage an interview with a medical professional does not show any evidence of symptoms of dementia. Stage 2 is also hard to detect during a medical examination or by friends, family or co-workers. During a detailed medical interview, doctors may be able to detect problems in memory or concentration during stage 3. Stage 4 could be clear cut diagnosed with  a careful medical interview, Forgetfulness of recent events Impaired ability to perform challenging mental arithmetic for example, counting backward from 100 by 7s Greater difficulty performing complex tasks, such as planning dinner for guests, paying bills or managing finances Forgetfulness about one\'s own personal history Becoming moody or withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations. Stage 5  can be diagnosed by the severe cognitive decline at this stage, those with Alzheimer\'s may: Be unable to recall their own address or telephone number or the high school or college from which they graduated Become confused about where they are or what day it is Have trouble with less challenging mental arithmetic; such as counting backward from 40 by subtracting 4s or from 20 by 2s Need help choosing proper clothing for the season or the occasion Still remember significant details about themselves and their family Still require no assistance with eating or using the toilet.
alzheimer memory
 Several prescription drugs are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. Treating the symptoms of Alzheimers can provide patients with comfort, dignity, and independence for a longer period of time and can encourage and assist their caregivers as well. It is important to understand that none of these medications stops the disease itself. Medications called cholinesterase inhibitors are prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimers disease. These drugs may help delay or prevent symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time and may help control some behavioral symptoms. The medications include: Razadyne (galantamine), Exelon (rivastigmine), and Aricept (donepezil). Another drug, Cognex (tacrine), was the first approved cholinesterase inhibitor but is rarely prescribed today due to safety concerns. Scientists do not yet fully understand how cholinesterase inhibitors work to treat Alzheimers disease, but research indicates that they prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a brain chemical believed to be important for memory and thinking. As Alzheimers progresses, the brain produces less and less acetylcholine; therefore, cholinesterase inhibitors may eventually lose their effect. No published study directly compares these drugs. A medication known as Namenda (memantine), an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, is prescribed to treat moderate to severe Alzheimers disease. This drugs main effect is to delay progression of some of the symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimers. It may allow patients to maintain certain daily functions a little longer than they would without the medication. For example, Namenda may help a patient in the later stages of the disease maintain his or her ability to use the bathroom independently for several more months, a benefit for both patients and caregivers.
alzheimer memory
Alzheimer's is considered to be a disease of exclusion, meaning that all other possible causes, such as infection, disease, alcohol and drug abuse, vitamin deficiency, as well as mental illness must be ruled out before any probable diagnosis of Alzheimer's is given. This is accomplished by undergoing a complete physical, neurological and psychological examination.

Doctors diagnose Alzheimer's and other types of dementia based on a careful medical history, a physical examination, laboratory tests, and the characteristic changes in thinking, day-to-day function and behavior associated with each type. Doctors can determine that a person has dementia with a high level of certainty. But it\'s harder to determine the exact type of dementia because the symptoms and brain changes of different dementias can overlap. In some cases, a doctor may diagnose "dementia" and not specify a type. 

Due to the very nature of the Alzheimer's disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimer's can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death. Alzheimer's disease is distinguished from other forms of dementia by characteristic changes in the brain. These changes include a 50% reduction of acetylcholine, the primary brain chemical used in the retrieval of memory and the formation of plaques and tangles. These plaques and tangles are abnormal growths or accumulation of certain proteins that build within and surround brain cells.
alzheimer memory
alzheimer's symptoms include: cognitive difficulties in remembering things (especially recent memory), attentiveness, planning, flexibility, abstract thinking, and language; apathy; depressive symptoms; irritability; difficulties in movement coordination and planning;delusional symptoms; and urinary incontinence.
alzheimer memory
Several prescription drugs are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. It is important to understand that none of these medications stops the disease itself.

Medications called cholinesterase inhibitors are prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimers disease. These drugs may help delay or prevent symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time and may help control some behavioral symptoms. The medications include: Razadyne (galantamine), Exelon (rivastigmine), and Aricept (donepezil). Another drug, Cognex (tacrine), was the first approved cholinesterase inhibitor but is rarely prescribed today due to safety concerns. Because they work in a similar way, switching from one of these drugs to another probably will not produce significantly different results. However, an Alzheimers patient may respond better to one drug than another. As Alzheimers progresses, the brain produces less and less acetylcholine; therefore, cholinesterase inhibitors may eventually lose their effect.

A medication known as Namenda (memantine), an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, is prescribed to treat moderate to severe Alzheimers disease. This drugs main effect is to delay progression of some of the symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimers.

The FDA has also approved Aricept for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimers disease.

Doctors usually start patients at low drug doses and gradually increase the dosage based on how well a patient tolerates the drug.
alzheimer memory
There are different stages of Alzheimer and each stage have mildly different symptoms  Stage 1:	No impairment (normal function) The person does not experience any memory problems. Stage 2:	Very mild cognitive decline (may be normal age-related changes or earliest signs of Alzheimer\'s disease) The person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses  forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. Common stage 3 difficulties include: Noticeable problems coming up with the right word or name  Trouble remembering names when introduced to new people Having noticeably greater difficulty performing tasks in social or work settings Forgetting material that one has just read Losing or misplacing a valuable object Increasing trouble with planning or organizing. Stage 4:	 Moderate cognitive decline (Mild or early-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) Stage 5:	Moderately severe cognitive decline (Moderate or mid-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) Gaps in memory and thinking are noticeable, and individuals begin to need help with day-to-day activities. Stage 6:	Severe cognitive decline (Moderately severe or mid-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) Memory continues to worsen, personality changes may take place and individuals need extensive help with daily activities. Stage 7:	Very severe cognitive decline (Severe or late-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) In the final stage of this disease, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement.
alzheimer memory
Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, where symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years.

Stage 1: The person has no memory problems.

Stage 2: Individuals may feel as if they are having small memory lapses. No symptoms can be detected during a medical examination or by friends or family.

Stage 3: Can sometimes be diagnosed. Friends and family begin to notice difficulties. These include: Noticeable difficulty finding the right word, forgetting recently acquired information, losing valuable objects and trouble with planning or organizing.

Stage 4: A careful medical interview should be able to detect clear-cut symptoms: Forgetfulness of recent events, impaired ability to perform challenging mental arithmetic, difficulty performing complex tasks, forgetfulness about personal history, becoming moody or withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations.

Stage 5: Gaps in memory and thinking are noticeable, and individuals begin to need help with daily activities. At this stage, individuals may: Be unable to recall personal information, become confused about their environment, have trouble with easier mental arithmetic, need help choosing clothing for the season or the occasion.

Stage 6: Memory continues to worsen, personality changes occur and individuals need extensive help with daily activities. At this stage, individuals may: Distinguish familiar and unfamiliar faces but have trouble remembering the name of familiar people, need help dressing to avoid mistakes (e.g. shoes on the wrong feet), experience major changes in sleep patterns, need help handling details of toileting, have frequent trouble controlling their bladder or bowels.

Stage 7: In the final stage of this disease, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement. At this stage, individuals need help with much of their daily personal care, including eating or using the toilet. They may also have trouble with simple physical activities. Reflexes become abnormal. Muscles grow rigid. Swallowing is impaired.
alzheimer memory
Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD.

At the first and second stages of Alzheimer, it's hard to detect any symptoms of dementia. Mild cognitive decline (in memory, or concentration)can be diagnosed in some individuals at the third stage. At the fourth stage moderate cognitive decline can be clearly detected in several areas: Forgetfulness of recent events impaired ability to perform challenging mental arithmetic for example, counting backward from 100 by 7s Greater difficulty performing complex tasks, such as planning dinner for guests, paying bills or managing finances Forgetfulness about one\'s own personal history Becoming moody or withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations.


alzheimer memory
Several prescription drugs are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease.

No new drugs for memory loss have been FDA approved for a decade, and those already on the market only modestly ease symptoms for a limited time. Additionally, they do not work for all patients and do not halt progression of the disease. 

Some studies showed that B vitamins may help protect the aging brain, though they couldn't prove that this treatment will stave off Alzheimers or delay its onset.

Medications called cholinesterase inhibitors such as: Razadyne (galantamine), Exelon (rivastigmine), and Aricept (donepezil), which prevent the breakdown of a brian chemical believed to be important for memory and thinking, are prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimers disease. They may help delay or prevent symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time and may help control some behavioral symptoms. Patients may respond better to one drug than another.

A medication known as Namenda (memantine), an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, which works differently from cholinesterase inhibitors thus can be perscribed in combination with it, is prescribed to treat moderate to severe Alzheimers disease. It delays progression of some of the symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimers, and may allow patients to maintain certain daily functions a little longer than they would without the medication.

Doctors usually start patients at low drug doses and gradually increase the dosage based on how well a patient tolerates the drug. 
It is important to follow the doctors instructions, report any unusual symptoms, and let the doctor know before adding or changing any medications.


alzheimer memory
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. If the vascular system within the brain becomes damaged and blood cannot reach the brain cells, the cells will eventually die.Although the brain damage that causes vascular dementia cannot be reversed, it may be possible to slow the progression of the disease in a number of ways. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a 'stepped' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (such as restlessness) difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. It is important to note that some of these symptoms may not always be direct consequences of the disease. 
alzheimer memory
 About 10 per cent of people with dementia have a type known as mixed dementia. A diagnosis of mixed dementia means that Alzheimer\'s disease, as well as stroke or small vessel disease, may have caused damage to the brain. The symptoms of mixed dementia may be similar to either Alzheimer\'s disease or vascular dementia, or may be a combination of the two. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued guidelines on drug treatments for Alzheimer\'s disease (including cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine), but has not recommended these same drugs for treating vascular dementia. These drugs may, however, be prescribed to treat mixed dementia, particularly when Alzheimer\'s disease is predominant.
alzheimer memory
Brain cells need a good supply of blood in order to function properly. Blood is delivered through a network of blood vessels called the vascular system. If the vascular system within the brain becomes damaged and blood cannot reach the brain cells, the cells will eventually die. This can lead to the onset of vascular dementia. Meaning, it occurs after a stroke. Vascular dementia is the second most common dementia type. The different types of vascular dementia are a result of the different causes that damaged the brain, and which part of the brain has been damaged. Moreover, it affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. Some symptoms of vascular dementia may be similar to those of other types of dementia. However, people with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, visual mistakes and misperceptions, changes in behaviour, difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations and delusions  problems with continence and psychological symptoms. Some of these symptoms may not always be direct consequences of the disease. A number of conditions can cause or increase damage to the vascular system. These include high blood pressure, heart problems, high cholesterol and diabetes. Effective treatment of these conditions may significantly delay or stop the development of vascular dementia. 
alzheimer memory
 The first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Apathy can be observed at this stage, and remains the most persistent neuropsychiatric symptom throughout the course of the disease. Depressive symptoms, irritability and reduced awareness of subtle memory difficulties also occur commonly. The preclinical stage of the disease has also been termed mild cognitive impairment, but whether this term corresponds to a different diagnostic stage or identifies the first step of AD is a matter of dispute. In a small portion of them, difficulties with language, executive functions, perception (agnosia), or execution of movements (apraxia) are more prominent than memory problems. AD does not affect all memory capacities equally. Older memories of the person\'s life (episodic memory), facts learned (semantic memory), and implicit memory (the memory of the body on how to do things, such as using a fork to eat) are affected to a lesser degree than new facts or memories. Language problems are mainly characterised by a shrinking vocabulary and decreased word fluency, which lead to a general impoverishment of oral and written language.
alzheimer memory
Both vascular dementia and Alzheimer are forms of dementia. Alzheimer is the most common form of dementia and vascular dementia is the second. Despite some  apparent similarities they are also different from each other. One example of these differences can be seen in the symptoms. Some symptoms of vascular dementia may be similar to those of Alzheimer's disease, however, there are some different symptoms such as problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression etc. Generally, dementia is caused by damage to brain cells. In Alzheimer's protein 'plaques' and 'tangles' develop in the structure of the brain, leading to the death of brain cells. People with Alzheimer's also have a shortage of some important chemicals in their brain. These chemicals are involved with the transmission of messages within the brain. However, vascular dementia occurs after a stroke. In fact, the most common type of vascular dementia is called multi-infarct dementia, which is caused by a series of small strokes. Therefore, the causes for Alzheimer and vascular dementia rather different. Even some of the treatments for the illnesses are different. For example, The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued guidelines on drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease, but has not recommended these same drugs for treating vascular dementia. Therefore, there are some differences between    Alzheimer and vascular dementia despite the fact that they are both forms of dementia. 
alzheimer memory
The causes of cognitive impairment are different types of demetia,Alzhimerand others.The causes of Mild Cognitive Impairment are not yet completely understood. Experts believe that many cases result from brain changes occurring in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. There are two types of MCI based on the thinking skills affected: affects memory is known as "amnestic MCI." and affects thinking skills other than memory is known as "nonamnestic MCI.  MCI causes cognitive changes that are serious enough to be noticed by the individuals experiencing them or to other people, but the changes are not severe enough to interfere with daily life or independent function.Currently there is no way to demonstrate conclusively that a person has MCI or determine the underlying cause of MCI in a specific person. Symptoms may include problems with memory or feeling foggy. This condition causes depresion. The doctor may recommend neuropsychological testing, which involves a series of written or computerized tests to evaluate specific thinking skills. Experts believe that many cases result from brain changes occurring in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. The causes of MCI are not yet completely understood. The risk factors most strongly linked to MCI are the same as those for dementia: advancing age, family history of Alzheimer's or another dementia, and conditions that raise risk for cardiovascular diseases. It is possible to modify the disease.  The study analyzed data from a 2010 clinical trial involving 156 patients, ages 70 and older, with MCI, a disorder affecting memory and thinking skills, but not severely enough to impair daily life. For example, people with MCI may start to forget information they previously could recall easily, such as recent events, appointments, or conversations. Up to 20 percent of people ages 65 and older suffer from MCI.
alzheimer memory
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an illness which causes cognitive changes that are serious enough to be noticed by the individuals experiencing them or to other people, but the changes are not severe enough to interfere with daily life or independent function. Because of this reason. a person with MCI does not meet diagnostic guidelines for dementia. However, experts believe that many cases of MCI, result from brain changes occurring in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. The risk factors most strongly linked to MCI are the same as those for dementia: advancing age, family history of Alzheimer's or another dementia and conditions that raise risk for cardiovascular disease. However, unlike Alzheimer's or dementia not all people with MCI get worse and some eventually get better. There are currently no tests or procedures to demonstrate conclusively that a person has MCI. Moreover, it is not yet possible to determine the underlying cause of MCI in a specific person. The diagnoses of MCI includes the following core elements: thorough medical history, assessment of independent function and daily activities, input from a family member or trusted friend to provide additional perspective on how function may have changed, assessment of mental status using evaluation tests, in-office neurological examination and evaluation of mood to detect depression. If the workup doesn't create a clear clinical picture, the doctor may recommend neuropsychological testing. MCI is an illness that is both liked to Alzheimer's and yet it can be separate from it.  
alzheimer memory
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer\'s disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. The term \'dementia\' is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. Someone with dementia may experience loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with language, reasoning and decision making. Being told that you or a loved one has vascular dementia can be very difficult and you may experience a range of different emotions as time goes on. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behavior (such as restlessness) difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren\'t there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. It is important to note that some of these symptoms may not always be direct consequences of the disease.
alzheimer memory
One of the first difference between vascular dementia and Alzheimer are the causes. While Alzheimer causes are not yet completely understood, but they likely include a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. vascular dementia is caused by damage in the vascular system that prevents blood from reaching brain cells that will eventually die. Other differences are in the symptoms. Alzheimer is related with memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Vascular dementia However, people with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion. Some of  the symptoms are very similar.  About 10 per cent of people with dementia have a type known as mixed dementia. A diagnosis of mixed dementia means that Alzheimer\'s disease, as well as stroke or small vessel disease, may have caused damage to the brain. The symptoms of mixed dementia may be similar to either Alzheimer\'s disease or vascular dementia, or may be a combination of the two.
alzheimer memory
 Memory loss is often one of the first signs of dementia. Initially, memory lapses may be mistaken for the normal forgetfulness that often increases as people grow older or when they become very stressed. However, in someone with dementia it will gradually become apparent that the memory problems are becoming more severe and persistent.



 The memories of Alzheimer\'s patients are forgotten but not gone, to twist a popular phrase. Now, one potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s developmentespecially when coupled with other treatments, researchers say.



 Scientists at the University of California Irvine have successfully recovered the memories of mice bred to develop age-related Alzheimer\'s symptoms by using an experimental drug that is being tested as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage by congregating in areas of the brain with amyloid plaques, researchers said. Amyloid plaques are one of the most common physical brain characteristics found in Alzheimer\'s patients.


alzheimer memory
 However, there is plenty that can be done to help manage memory problems to enable people to retain their confidence and independence for as long as possible. This factsheet looks at ways to support a person with memory loss and offers some practical tips. In the early stages of dementia, memory aids such as lists, diaries, clocks and clear, written instructions can help jog the person\'s memory if they are willing and able to make use of them. As the dementia progresses, the person may become less able to understand what the aids are for. For more information about memory aids, see factsheet 429, Equipment, adaptations and improvements to the home and factsheet 521, Maintaining everyday skills. For details of Alzheimer\'s Society services in your area, visit alzheimers.org.uk/localinfo For information about a wide range of dementia-related topics, visit alzheimers.org.uk/factsheets The memories of Alzheimer\'s patients are forgotten but not gone, to twist a popular phrase. Now, one potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s developmentespecially when coupled with other treatments, researchers say.
alzheimer memory
Memory loss, as with any other aspect of dementia, affects each person differently. 



If the person's memory is focused on a particular time in his or her life, engage in conversation about recollections with an understanding that this is his or her current reality. 



Offer corrections as suggestions. 



Avoid explanations that sound like scolding. 



Helping them to concentrate on one thing at a time. 



Trying to make sure that there are limited distractions. 



Making sure the person has enough meaningful activities to do and gets enough exercise. 



Helping the person to get enough sleep. 



Keeping to a regular routine can help with this difficulty, as will tactful reminders of the day and time, and about what is going to happen next. 



A calendar should be displayed prominently and the person with dementia should be encouraged to refer to it regularly. 



Keep information simple, and repeat it frequently. 



Break new activities down into small steps. When asking for information give cues and context. 



Try to begin any new routines as soon as possible.



Reminiscence therapy is a method that is used to help encourage people to remember events from their past, using reminders such as songs and photographs. 

Carers can use these techniques at home.  



There was a  B-vitamin combination  found that is the first and only disease-modifying treatment thats worked. 



An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s development especially when coupled with other treatments.
first symptoms dementia
If you, or someone close to you, are worried about dementia, the first step is to visit the GP as soon as possible. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the better the chance of treatment to slow the progression of the disease.



 Alzheimers is considered to be a disease of exclusion, meaning that all other possible causes  such as infection, disease, alcohol and drug abuse, vitamin deficiency, as well as mental illness must be ruled out before any probable diagnosis of Alzheimers is given. 

Notice that the first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress.

The exclusion is accomplished by undergoing a complete physical, neurological and psychological examination. 

However, due to the very nature of the Alzheimers disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death. 



 Doctors can determine that a person has dementia with a high level of certainty. But it's harder to determine the exact type of dementia because the symptoms and brain changes of different dementias can overlap. In some cases, a doctor may diagnose \"dementia\" and not specify a type.
first symptoms dementia
 The first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Apathy can be observed at this stage, and remains the most persistent neuropsychiatric symptom throughout the course of the disease. Depressive symptoms, irritability and reduced awareness of subtle memory difficulties also occur commonly. The preclinical stage of the disease has also been termed mild cognitive impairment, but whether this term corresponds to a different diagnostic stage or identifies the first step of AD is a matter of dispute. However, due to the very nature of the Alzheimers disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death.
first symptoms dementia
Alzheimers is considered to be a disease of exclusion, meaning that all other possible causes  such as infection, disease, alcohol and drug abuse, vitamin deficiency, as well as mental illness must be ruled out before any probable diagnosis of Alzheimers is given. Alzheimers disease is distinguished from other forms of dementia by characteristic changes in the brain. These changes include a 50% reduction of acetylcholine, the primary brain chemical used in the retrieval of memory and the formation of plaques and tangles.  However, due to the very nature of the Alzheimers disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Depressive symptoms, irritability and reduced awareness of subtle memory difficulties also occur commonly. The preclinical stage of the disease has also been termed mild cognitive impairment, but whether this term corresponds to a different diagnostic stage or identifies the first step of AD is a matter of dispute.
first symptoms dementia
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. 

Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a 'stepped' progression - symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe confusion. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (e.g seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (e.g restlessness), difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations and delusions, problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive.

 The speed that vascular dementia progresses varies from person to person. Although the brain damage that causes vascular dementia cannot be reversed, it may be possible to slow the progression of the disease in a number of ways such as: taking medication to treat any underlying conditions, such as stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or heart problems, adopting a healthier lifestyle by stopping smoking, taking regular exercise, eating healthily, and drinking alcohol only in moderation, receiving rehabilitative support, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, to help the person maximise their opportunities to regain their lost functions.
first symptoms dementia
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer\'s disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. This factsheet will help you to understand vascular dementia by explaining the causes, symptoms and treatments available. The term \'dementia\' is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. These diseases include Alzheimer\'s disease and vascular dementia. Someone with dementia may experience loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with language, reasoning and decision making. Being told that you or a loved one has vascular dementia can be very difficult and you may experience a range of different emotions as time goes on. There is support available if you need it. Alzheimer\'s Society\'s National Dementia Helpline can provide information, support, guidance and signposting to other organisations. Details are at the end of this factsheet. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. Some symptoms may be similar to those of other types of dementia, such as Alzheimer\'s disease. However, people with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion.
first symptoms dementia
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain.  Someone with dementia may experience loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with language, reasoning and decision making. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems, seizures periods of severe confusion. 

Additional symptoms may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions,changes in behaviour, difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations, and delusions problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive.

Risk factors to dementia are similar to those associated with cardiovascular disease and include  a medical history of stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes (particularly type II), heart problems or sleep apnoea ,a lack of physical activity, high quantities of alcohol drinking, smoking, eating a fatty diet, or leaving conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes untreated a family history of stroke or cardiovascular disease. Some ethnic groups have a higher tendency to dementia. Personalised care must be provided to people with dementia. 
first symptoms dementia
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimers, the memory-robbing disorder. No new drugs for memory loss have been FDA approved for a decade. However, new researches strive to find ways to retrieve lost memories. A few of them research the usefulness of vitamin B, but the results are contradictory. According to  A. David Smith, professor emeritus of pharmacology at Oxford University, the B-vitamin combination used in the study is the first and only disease-modifying treatment that's worked. He worked with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a disorder affecting memory and thinking skills, but not severely enough to impair daily life. However, Researchers from Rush University Medical Center proved that vitamin B12 treatment will not stave off Alzheimer or delay its onset.  Nowadays there is an experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer's development especially when coupled with other treatments. Scientists at the University of California Irvine have successfully recovered the memories of mice bred to develop age-related Alzheimer's symptoms by using an experimental drug that is being tested as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage by congregating in areas of the brain with amyloid plaques which is one of the most common physical brain characteristics found in Alzheimer's patients. Other reaches found up to 50% fewer Alzheimer's-related pathologies in the brains of the mice receiving PMX205 treatment. Therefore, PMX205  has potential for treating Alzheimer in the future. 
first symptoms dementia
Although most of these techniques to help people with Alzheimer require professional input, for example from a therapist, family carers can also use other methods to help someone experiencing loss of memory while also helping them stay independent. Some examples of these techniques include: leave written reminder by the door so that they don't forget their keys when they go out. Fit a device that cuts off the gas supply if they put a pan on the stove and then forget about it. Encourage the person with memory loss to remember what they can without making them feel pressured using frequent reminders. Don't overwhelm the person with lengthy statements and make sure that your explanations do not sound like scoldings. If the person's memory is focused on a particular time in his or her life, engage in conversation about recollections with an understanding that this is his or her current reality. Use photographs and other thought-provoking items to remind the person of important relationships and places. Provide verbal cues rather than asking questions. Help them concentrate on one thing at a time. Make sure that they get enough sleep, meaningful activities and exercise. It is important to be emotionally supportive of people dealing with memory loss. Also, try to be flexible and patient as far as possible These are just a few suggestions that could help.   
first symptoms dementia
Alzheimer's has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues. Current treatments can temporarily slow the worsening of symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers.

A few different approaches have been developed to help people with dementia to cope with memory loss:

* The home can be changed in a number of ways to help them to manage as best as possible. Examples include labeling doors and cupboards and the use of 'special places' for important items.

* Reminiscence therapy is a method used to help encourage people to remember events from their past, using reminders. Encouraging the person to talk about their past and share memories, for example by looking at photographs, letters and souvenirs together can help jog the person's memory.

* Cognitive stimulation therapy involves activities and exercises designed to improve memory and communication skills. The exercises are based on day-to-day interests, reminiscence and information relating to the current time and place.

* Exercising several times a week for 30 to 60 minutes may: Improve memory, reasoning and cognitive function for people with mild Alzheimer's, and delay the start of Alzheimer's for people at risk of developing the disease or slow its progress.

The memories of Alzheimer's patients are not gone. One potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. Scientists have recovered memories of mice bred to develop Alzheimer's symptoms by using an experimental drug. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage. Over the course of the study, researchers tested the mice for cognitive ability and memory retention. Mice that received PMX205 during early stages of Alzheimer's performed nearly as well as normal mice on the tests.
first symptoms dementia
 In the earlier stages of alzheimer, memory loss and confusion may be mild. The person with dementia may be aware of  and frustrated by  the changes taking place, such as difficulty recalling recent events, making decisions or processing what was said by others. In the later stages, memory loss becomes far more severe. A person may not recognize family members, may forget relationships, call family members by other names, or become confused about the location of home or the passage of time. He or she may forget the purpose of common items, such as a pen or a fork. These changes are some of the most painful for caregivers and families. Such types of behavior is sometimes incorrectly referred to as \"senility\" or \"senile dementia,\" which reflects the formerly widespread but incorrect belief that serious mental decline is a normal part of aging. While current medications cannot stop the damage Alzheimer\'s causes to brain cells, they may help lessen symptoms for a limited time. Certain situations  such as a change in living arrangements, switch in routine or certain infections  can cause symptoms to worsen. Any time there is a sudden change in behavior, it is important to have a medical evaluation to rule out other causes.
first symptoms dementia
Long-term care for people with Alzheimer's disease offers a vast range of medical, personal, and social services that are required to meet the physical, social, and emotional needs of people who have long-term illnesses or are disabled. A nursing home facility may be the best choice for people who require 24-hour medical care and supervision. There are two types of care provided by nursing homes for those with Alzheimer's disease:  

* Basic care: This provides services that will help to maintain a person's ability to carry out necessary daily functions, like personal care and getting around. They will also ensure that the person is supervised and safe.

* Skilled care. This is care that requires the services of a registered nurse for treatments and procedures on a regular basis. Skilled care also includes services provided by specially trained professionals, such as physical, occupational, and respiratory therapists.

It is important to begin the search for a suitable nursing home well before you will need to take the step of moving. There are often waiting periods. Planning ahead can also make the transition of moving into a nursing home much easier.

Memory Care communities, which include Alzheimer's and Dementia care facilities, consist of specially designed living spaces and supporting environments for those who are living with cognitive challenges brought on by Alzheimer's and dementia. These may include carefully considered flooring to reduce problematic patterns for those with Alzheimer's or dementia and wall colors that help them to find the way. The dementia care environment helps cue its residents in their daily lives. Areas of the community are set up for safe engagement in activities such as gardening, kitchen work, and other life skills that provide purposeful and meaningful successful moments.
first symptoms dementia
From the moment of birth, we humans are constantly learning and compiling more information into our brains memory. Alzheimer, the most common form of dementia, is a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. The American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (1987) characterizes Alzheimers disease as a chronically progressive, global, cognitive loss. The affected individual suffers a loss of capabilities in thinking and learningsufficient impairment that affects daily life, including social and/or occupational functioning. The greatest known risk factor for  Alzheimer is increasing age, and the majority of people with Alzheimer's are 65 and older. The main underlying cause of memory loss and confusion is the progressive damage to brain cells caused by Alzheimer's disease. Initially, memory lapses may be mistaken for the normal forgetfulness that often increases as people grow older or when they become very stressed. Because these memory loss changes first occur in the outer layers of the cortex, the memories that dying neurons take away first are the most recent, leaving older memories and skills functioning in the brain. Therefore, at first it is difficult do diagnose the disease. However, as the diseases progresses, memory impairment become more severe and obvious. Short-term memory loss deteriorates into severe memory problems. People's memories regress ten, twenty or more years in the past. There are four common areas in which people with memory loss experience difficulty: remembering events, taking in new information, recognising people, and places separating fact from fiction. 
first symptoms dementia
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. The main underlying cause of memory loss and confusion is the progressive damage to brain cells caused by Alzheimer's disease. The brain region called the hippocampus is the center of learning and memory in the brain, and the brain cells in this region are often the first to be damaged.

People in the early stages of Alzheimer\'s disease may experience lapses of memory and have problems finding the right words.  As the disease progresses, they may: become confused and frequently forget the names of people, places, appointments and recent events experience mood swings, feel sad or angry, or scared and frustrated by their increasing memory loss, become more withdrawn, due either to a loss of confidence or to communication problems have difficulty carrying out everyday activities.

In the early stages of dementia, memory aids such as lists, diaries, clocks and clear, written instructions can help jog the person\'s memory if they are willing and able to make use of them. As the dementia progresses, the person may become less able to understand what the aids are for.

Alzheimer's does not affect all memory capacities equally. Older memories of the person's life (episodic memory), facts learned (semantic memory), and implicit memory (the memory of the body on how to do things, such as using a fork to eat) are affected to a lesser degree than new facts or memories.
first symptoms dementia
 The memories of Alzheimer\'s patients are forgotten but not gone, to twist a popular phrase. Now, one potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s developmentespecially when coupled with other treatments, researchers say. Scientists at the University of California Irvine have successfully recovered the memories of mice bred to develop age-related Alzheimer\'s symptoms by using an experimental drug that is being tested as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage by congregating in areas of the brain with amyloid plaques, researchers said. Amyloid plaques are one of the most common physical brain characteristics found in Alzheimer\'s patients. Over the course of a 12-week study, researchers tested the mice for cognitive ability and memory retention. Mice that received PMX205 during early stages of Alzheimer\'s performed nearly as well as normal mice on the tests, but mice receiving no treatment performed very poorly. When the brains of the mice were examined, researchers found up to 50% fewer Alzheimer\'s-related pathologies in the brains of the mice receiving PMX205 treatment. The report appears in the July 15 edition of The Journal of Immunology.
first symptoms dementia
 While current medications cannot stop the damage Alzheimer\'s causes to brain cells, they may help lessen symptoms for a limited time. Certain situations  such as a change in living arrangements, switch in routine or certain infections  can cause symptoms to worsen. Any time there is a sudden change in behavior, it is important to have a medical evaluation to rule out other causes. Although being called by a different name or not being recognized can be painful, try not to make your hurt apparent. Respond with a brief explanation. Don\'t overwhelm the person with lengthy statements or reasons. Instead, clarify with a simple explanation. Show photos and other reminders. Use photographs and other thought-provoking items to remind the person of important relationships and places. Travel with the person to where he or she is in time. If the person\'s memory is focused on a particular time in his or her life, engage in conversation about recollections with an understanding that this is his or her current reality. Offer corrections as suggestions. Avoid explanations that sound like scolding. \"  Try not to take it personally. Alzheimer\'s disease causes your loved one to forget, but your support and understanding will continue to be appreciated.
first symptoms dementia
Dementia is not a specific disease. It\s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person\'s ability to perform everyday activities.



 The first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Apathy can be observed at this stage, and remains the most persistent neuro-psychiatric symptom throughout the course of the disease.



So if you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don\'t ignore them. See a doctor soon to determine the cause. Even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available treatments and provides an opportunity to volunteer for clinical trials or studies.
first symptoms dementia
 Dementia is not a specific disease. It\'s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person\'s ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer\'s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases. Vascular dementia, which occurs after a stroke, is the second most common dementia type. But there are many other conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia, including some that are reversible, such as thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies. Dementia is often incorrectly referred to as \"senility\" or \"senile dementia,\" which reflects the formerly widespread but incorrect belief that serious mental decline is a normal part of aging. While symptoms of dementia can vary greatly, at least two of the following core mental functions must be significantly impaired to be considered dementia:  Memory Communication and language Ability to focus and pay attention Reasoning and judgment Visual perception People with dementia may have problems with short-term memory, keeping track of a purse or wallet, paying bills, planning and preparing meals, remembering appointments or traveling out of the neighborhood. Many dementias are progressive, meaning symptoms start out slowly and gradually get worse. If you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don\'t ignore them. See a doctor soon to determine the cause. Professional evaluation may detect a treatable condition. And even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available treatments and provides an opportunity to volunteer for clinical trials or studies. It also provides time to plan for the future.
first symptoms dementia
There is no one test to determine if someone has dementia. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information.

People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (such as restlessness) . difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren\'t there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. The most common presenting symptoms in Semantic Dementia are in the verbal domain however (with loss of word meaning) and it is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia. SD patients sometimes show symptoms of surface dyslexia, a relatively selective impairment in reading low-frequency words with exceptional or atypical spelling-to-sound correspondences. 

Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of Alzheimer Disease. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. In addition: apathy and depressive symptoms. 
first symptoms dementia
The term \dementia\' is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. These diseases include Alzheimer\s disease and vascular dementia.



Memory loss, along with other cognitive defects and apathy, are often one of the first signs of dementia, specially in the case of subjects with Alzheimer. 



 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer\'s disease. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating.  People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion.



Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (such as restlessness) difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren\'t there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. 



Clumsiness, lack of facial expression, speech difficulties, and loss of bladder control are also common symptoms of vascular dementia.
first symptoms dementia
 Alzheimer\'s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases. That\s why memory loss is often one of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer\'s.



Other symptoms of  Alzheimer\'s disease include problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments on the semantic memory. Subjects may also suffer from apathy.



Several studies report that blood pressure is increased in victims of Alzheimer\'s disease (AD) decades before the onset of the disease.
first symptoms dementia
The term "dementia" describes a set of symptoms which can include loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with communication and reasoning. Memory loss is often one of the first signs of dementia. The person with dementia may be aware of  and frustrated by the changes taking place, such as difficulty recalling recent events, making decisions or processing what was said by others. Initially, memory lapses may be mistaken for the normal forgetfulness that often increases as people grow older or when they become very stressed. However, in someone with dementia it will gradually become apparent that the memory problems are becoming more severe and persistent. Therefore, mild memory lose may not be diagnosed at first but it is one of the first symptoms of dementia. 
first symptoms dementia
 Semantic dementia (SD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of semantic memory in both the verbal and non-verbal domains. The most common presenting symptoms are in the verbal domain however (with loss of word meaning) and it is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia. SD patients sometimes show symptoms of surface dyslexia, a relatively selective impairment in reading low-frequency words with exceptional or atypical spelling-to-sound correspondences. SD is one of the three canonical clinical syndromes associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). SD is a clinically defined syndrome, but is associated with predominantly temporal lobe atrophy (left greater than right) and hence is sometimes called temporal variant FTLD (tvFTLD). It was first described by Arnold Pick in 1904 and in modern times was characterised by Professor Elizabeth Warrington in 1975, however it was not given the name semantic dementia until 1989. The clinical and neuropsychological features, and their association with temporal lobe atrophy were described by Professor John Hodges and colleagues in 1992. SD patients often present with the complaint of word-finding difficulties. Clinical signs include fluent aphasia, anomia, impaired comprehension of word meaning, and associative visual agnosia (inability to match semantically related pictures or objects). As the disease progresses, behavioural and personality changes are often seen similar to those seen in frontotemporal dementia although cases have been described of \'pure\' semantic dementia with few late behavioural symptoms.
first symptoms dementia
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, which means that gradually, over time, more parts of the brain are damaged. As this happens, the symptoms of the illness become more severe. In its early stages and one of the first symptoms of the illness are mild memory loss and very mild cognitive decline in general. The person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses  forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. The main underlying cause of memory loss and confusion is the progressive damage to brain cells caused by Alzheimer's disease.   


first symptoms dementia
 Semantic dementia (SD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of semantic memory in both the verbal and non-verbal domains. The most common presenting symptoms are in the verbal domain however (with loss of word meaning) and it is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia. SD is one of the three canonical clinical syndromes associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). It is a clinically defined syndrome, but is associated with predominantly temporal lobe atrophy (left greater than right) and hence is sometimes called temporal variant FTLD (tvFTLD). Of all the FTLD syndromes SD is least likely to run in families and is usually sporadic.



Clinical signs include fluent aphasia, anomia, impaired comprehension of word meaning, and associative visual agnosia (inability to match semantically related pictures or objects).  As the disease progresses, behavioural and personality changes are often seen similar to those seen in frontotemporal dementia although cases have been described of \pure\' semantic dementia with few late behavioural symptoms. The majority of patients with SD will have ubiquitin-positive, TDP-43 positive, tau-negative inclusions, although other pathologies have been described more infrequently, namely tau-positive Pick\s disease and Alzheimer\'s pathology.



There is currently no known curative treatment for this condition.
first symptoms dementia
Dementia is not a specific disease. It is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. One of these diseases is semantic dementia. Semantic dementia was first described by Arnold Pick in 1904. Semantic dementia (SD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of semantic memory in both the verbal and non-verbal domains. It is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia   However, the most common presenting symptoms are in the verbal domain (with loss of word meaning).

Sometimes, SD patients show symptoms of surface dyslexia. They often present with the complaint of word-finding difficulties. Clinical signs include fluent aphasia, anomia, impaired comprehension of word meaning, and associative visual agnosia (inability to match semantically related pictures or objects). As the disease progresses, behavioural and personality changes are often seen similar to those seen in frontotemporal dementia although cases have been described of 'pure' semantic dementia with few late behavioural symptoms. When

structural MRI imaging is performed on SD patients it shows a characteristic pattern of atrophy in the temporal lobes (predominantly on the left), with inferior greater than superior involvement and anterior temporal lobe atrophy greater than posterior.

Based on these imaging methods, semantic dementia can be regionally dissociated from the other subtypes of frontotemporal lobar degeneration, frontotemporal dementia and progressive nonfluent aphasia. Semantic dementia is a form of dementia that is different from other more common forms such as Alzheimer's. 


first symptoms dementia
 Dementia is not a specific disease. It\'s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person\'s ability to perform everyday activities. While symptoms of dementia can vary greatly, at least two of the following core mental functions must be significantly impaired to be considered dementia:  Memory Communication and language Ability to focus and pay attention Reasoning and judgment Visual perception People with dementia may have problems with short-term memory, keeping track of a purse or wallet, paying bills, planning and preparing meals, remembering appointments or traveling out of the neighborhood. Many dementias are progressive, meaning symptoms start out slowly and gradually get worse. If you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don\'t ignore them. And even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available treatments and provides an opportunity to volunteer for clinical trials or studies.
first symptoms dementia
The early stages of alzheimer are very hard to detect because of saddle symptoms and our lack of knowledge about the disease.  Stage 1: No impairment (normal function) The person does not experience any memory problems. An interview with a medical professional does not show any evidence of symptoms of dementia. Stage 2:	Very mild cognitive decline (may be normal age-related changes or earliest signs of Alzheimer\'s disease) The person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses  forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. But no symptoms of dementia can be detected during a medical examination or by friends, family or co-workers. Stage 3: Mild cognitive decline (early-stage Alzheimer\'s can be diagnosed in some, but not all, individuals with these symptoms) Friends, family or co-workers begin to notice difficulties. During a detailed medical interview, doctors may be able to detect problems in memory or concentration. Common stage 3 difficulties include: Noticeable problems coming up with the right word or name  Trouble remembering names when introduced to new people Having noticeably greater difficulty performing tasks in social or work settings Forgetting material that one has just read Losing or misplacing a valuable object Increasing trouble with planning or organizing. Alzheimer\'s is a progressive disease, which means that gradually, over time, more parts of the brain are damaged.
first symptoms dementia
Alzheimer diagnosis also very in different stage of disease but a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death.. In the first stage an interview with a medical professional does not show any evidence of symptoms of dementia. Stage 2 is also hard to detect during a medical examination or by friends, family or co-workers. During a detailed medical interview, doctors may be able to detect problems in memory or concentration during stage 3. Stage 4 could be clear cut diagnosed with  a careful medical interview, Forgetfulness of recent events Impaired ability to perform challenging mental arithmetic for example, counting backward from 100 by 7s Greater difficulty performing complex tasks, such as planning dinner for guests, paying bills or managing finances Forgetfulness about one\'s own personal history Becoming moody or withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations. Stage 5  can be diagnosed by the severe cognitive decline at this stage, those with Alzheimer\'s may: Be unable to recall their own address or telephone number or the high school or college from which they graduated Become confused about where they are or what day it is Have trouble with less challenging mental arithmetic; such as counting backward from 40 by subtracting 4s or from 20 by 2s Need help choosing proper clothing for the season or the occasion Still remember significant details about themselves and their family Still require no assistance with eating or using the toilet.
first symptoms dementia
 Several prescription drugs are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. Treating the symptoms of Alzheimers can provide patients with comfort, dignity, and independence for a longer period of time and can encourage and assist their caregivers as well. It is important to understand that none of these medications stops the disease itself. Medications called cholinesterase inhibitors are prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimers disease. These drugs may help delay or prevent symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time and may help control some behavioral symptoms. The medications include: Razadyne (galantamine), Exelon (rivastigmine), and Aricept (donepezil). Another drug, Cognex (tacrine), was the first approved cholinesterase inhibitor but is rarely prescribed today due to safety concerns. Scientists do not yet fully understand how cholinesterase inhibitors work to treat Alzheimers disease, but research indicates that they prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a brain chemical believed to be important for memory and thinking. As Alzheimers progresses, the brain produces less and less acetylcholine; therefore, cholinesterase inhibitors may eventually lose their effect. No published study directly compares these drugs. A medication known as Namenda (memantine), an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, is prescribed to treat moderate to severe Alzheimers disease. This drugs main effect is to delay progression of some of the symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimers. It may allow patients to maintain certain daily functions a little longer than they would without the medication. For example, Namenda may help a patient in the later stages of the disease maintain his or her ability to use the bathroom independently for several more months, a benefit for both patients and caregivers.
first symptoms dementia
Alzheimer's is considered to be a disease of exclusion, meaning that all other possible causes, such as infection, disease, alcohol and drug abuse, vitamin deficiency, as well as mental illness must be ruled out before any probable diagnosis of Alzheimer's is given. This is accomplished by undergoing a complete physical, neurological and psychological examination.

Doctors diagnose Alzheimer's and other types of dementia based on a careful medical history, a physical examination, laboratory tests, and the characteristic changes in thinking, day-to-day function and behavior associated with each type. Doctors can determine that a person has dementia with a high level of certainty. But it\'s harder to determine the exact type of dementia because the symptoms and brain changes of different dementias can overlap. In some cases, a doctor may diagnose "dementia" and not specify a type. 

Due to the very nature of the Alzheimer's disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimer's can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death. Alzheimer's disease is distinguished from other forms of dementia by characteristic changes in the brain. These changes include a 50% reduction of acetylcholine, the primary brain chemical used in the retrieval of memory and the formation of plaques and tangles. These plaques and tangles are abnormal growths or accumulation of certain proteins that build within and surround brain cells.
first symptoms dementia
alzheimer's symptoms include: cognitive difficulties in remembering things (especially recent memory), attentiveness, planning, flexibility, abstract thinking, and language; apathy; depressive symptoms; irritability; difficulties in movement coordination and planning;delusional symptoms; and urinary incontinence.
first symptoms dementia
Several prescription drugs are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. It is important to understand that none of these medications stops the disease itself.

Medications called cholinesterase inhibitors are prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimers disease. These drugs may help delay or prevent symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time and may help control some behavioral symptoms. The medications include: Razadyne (galantamine), Exelon (rivastigmine), and Aricept (donepezil). Another drug, Cognex (tacrine), was the first approved cholinesterase inhibitor but is rarely prescribed today due to safety concerns. Because they work in a similar way, switching from one of these drugs to another probably will not produce significantly different results. However, an Alzheimers patient may respond better to one drug than another. As Alzheimers progresses, the brain produces less and less acetylcholine; therefore, cholinesterase inhibitors may eventually lose their effect.

A medication known as Namenda (memantine), an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, is prescribed to treat moderate to severe Alzheimers disease. This drugs main effect is to delay progression of some of the symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimers.

The FDA has also approved Aricept for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimers disease.

Doctors usually start patients at low drug doses and gradually increase the dosage based on how well a patient tolerates the drug.
first symptoms dementia
There are different stages of Alzheimer and each stage have mildly different symptoms  Stage 1:	No impairment (normal function) The person does not experience any memory problems. Stage 2:	Very mild cognitive decline (may be normal age-related changes or earliest signs of Alzheimer\'s disease) The person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses  forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. Common stage 3 difficulties include: Noticeable problems coming up with the right word or name  Trouble remembering names when introduced to new people Having noticeably greater difficulty performing tasks in social or work settings Forgetting material that one has just read Losing or misplacing a valuable object Increasing trouble with planning or organizing. Stage 4:	 Moderate cognitive decline (Mild or early-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) Stage 5:	Moderately severe cognitive decline (Moderate or mid-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) Gaps in memory and thinking are noticeable, and individuals begin to need help with day-to-day activities. Stage 6:	Severe cognitive decline (Moderately severe or mid-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) Memory continues to worsen, personality changes may take place and individuals need extensive help with daily activities. Stage 7:	Very severe cognitive decline (Severe or late-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) In the final stage of this disease, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement.
first symptoms dementia
Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, where symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years.

Stage 1: The person has no memory problems.

Stage 2: Individuals may feel as if they are having small memory lapses. No symptoms can be detected during a medical examination or by friends or family.

Stage 3: Can sometimes be diagnosed. Friends and family begin to notice difficulties. These include: Noticeable difficulty finding the right word, forgetting recently acquired information, losing valuable objects and trouble with planning or organizing.

Stage 4: A careful medical interview should be able to detect clear-cut symptoms: Forgetfulness of recent events, impaired ability to perform challenging mental arithmetic, difficulty performing complex tasks, forgetfulness about personal history, becoming moody or withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations.

Stage 5: Gaps in memory and thinking are noticeable, and individuals begin to need help with daily activities. At this stage, individuals may: Be unable to recall personal information, become confused about their environment, have trouble with easier mental arithmetic, need help choosing clothing for the season or the occasion.

Stage 6: Memory continues to worsen, personality changes occur and individuals need extensive help with daily activities. At this stage, individuals may: Distinguish familiar and unfamiliar faces but have trouble remembering the name of familiar people, need help dressing to avoid mistakes (e.g. shoes on the wrong feet), experience major changes in sleep patterns, need help handling details of toileting, have frequent trouble controlling their bladder or bowels.

Stage 7: In the final stage of this disease, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement. At this stage, individuals need help with much of their daily personal care, including eating or using the toilet. They may also have trouble with simple physical activities. Reflexes become abnormal. Muscles grow rigid. Swallowing is impaired.
first symptoms dementia
Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD.

At the first and second stages of Alzheimer, it's hard to detect any symptoms of dementia. Mild cognitive decline (in memory, or concentration)can be diagnosed in some individuals at the third stage. At the fourth stage moderate cognitive decline can be clearly detected in several areas: Forgetfulness of recent events impaired ability to perform challenging mental arithmetic for example, counting backward from 100 by 7s Greater difficulty performing complex tasks, such as planning dinner for guests, paying bills or managing finances Forgetfulness about one\'s own personal history Becoming moody or withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations.


first symptoms dementia
Several prescription drugs are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease.

No new drugs for memory loss have been FDA approved for a decade, and those already on the market only modestly ease symptoms for a limited time. Additionally, they do not work for all patients and do not halt progression of the disease. 

Some studies showed that B vitamins may help protect the aging brain, though they couldn't prove that this treatment will stave off Alzheimers or delay its onset.

Medications called cholinesterase inhibitors such as: Razadyne (galantamine), Exelon (rivastigmine), and Aricept (donepezil), which prevent the breakdown of a brian chemical believed to be important for memory and thinking, are prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimers disease. They may help delay or prevent symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time and may help control some behavioral symptoms. Patients may respond better to one drug than another.

A medication known as Namenda (memantine), an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, which works differently from cholinesterase inhibitors thus can be perscribed in combination with it, is prescribed to treat moderate to severe Alzheimers disease. It delays progression of some of the symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimers, and may allow patients to maintain certain daily functions a little longer than they would without the medication.

Doctors usually start patients at low drug doses and gradually increase the dosage based on how well a patient tolerates the drug. 
It is important to follow the doctors instructions, report any unusual symptoms, and let the doctor know before adding or changing any medications.


first symptoms dementia
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. If the vascular system within the brain becomes damaged and blood cannot reach the brain cells, the cells will eventually die.Although the brain damage that causes vascular dementia cannot be reversed, it may be possible to slow the progression of the disease in a number of ways. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a 'stepped' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (such as restlessness) difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. It is important to note that some of these symptoms may not always be direct consequences of the disease. 
first symptoms dementia
 About 10 per cent of people with dementia have a type known as mixed dementia. A diagnosis of mixed dementia means that Alzheimer\'s disease, as well as stroke or small vessel disease, may have caused damage to the brain. The symptoms of mixed dementia may be similar to either Alzheimer\'s disease or vascular dementia, or may be a combination of the two. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued guidelines on drug treatments for Alzheimer\'s disease (including cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine), but has not recommended these same drugs for treating vascular dementia. These drugs may, however, be prescribed to treat mixed dementia, particularly when Alzheimer\'s disease is predominant.
first symptoms dementia
Brain cells need a good supply of blood in order to function properly. Blood is delivered through a network of blood vessels called the vascular system. If the vascular system within the brain becomes damaged and blood cannot reach the brain cells, the cells will eventually die. This can lead to the onset of vascular dementia. Meaning, it occurs after a stroke. Vascular dementia is the second most common dementia type. The different types of vascular dementia are a result of the different causes that damaged the brain, and which part of the brain has been damaged. Moreover, it affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. Some symptoms of vascular dementia may be similar to those of other types of dementia. However, people with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, visual mistakes and misperceptions, changes in behaviour, difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations and delusions  problems with continence and psychological symptoms. Some of these symptoms may not always be direct consequences of the disease. A number of conditions can cause or increase damage to the vascular system. These include high blood pressure, heart problems, high cholesterol and diabetes. Effective treatment of these conditions may significantly delay or stop the development of vascular dementia. 
first symptoms dementia
 The first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Apathy can be observed at this stage, and remains the most persistent neuropsychiatric symptom throughout the course of the disease. Depressive symptoms, irritability and reduced awareness of subtle memory difficulties also occur commonly. The preclinical stage of the disease has also been termed mild cognitive impairment, but whether this term corresponds to a different diagnostic stage or identifies the first step of AD is a matter of dispute. In a small portion of them, difficulties with language, executive functions, perception (agnosia), or execution of movements (apraxia) are more prominent than memory problems. AD does not affect all memory capacities equally. Older memories of the person\'s life (episodic memory), facts learned (semantic memory), and implicit memory (the memory of the body on how to do things, such as using a fork to eat) are affected to a lesser degree than new facts or memories. Language problems are mainly characterised by a shrinking vocabulary and decreased word fluency, which lead to a general impoverishment of oral and written language.
first symptoms dementia
Both vascular dementia and Alzheimer are forms of dementia. Alzheimer is the most common form of dementia and vascular dementia is the second. Despite some  apparent similarities they are also different from each other. One example of these differences can be seen in the symptoms. Some symptoms of vascular dementia may be similar to those of Alzheimer's disease, however, there are some different symptoms such as problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression etc. Generally, dementia is caused by damage to brain cells. In Alzheimer's protein 'plaques' and 'tangles' develop in the structure of the brain, leading to the death of brain cells. People with Alzheimer's also have a shortage of some important chemicals in their brain. These chemicals are involved with the transmission of messages within the brain. However, vascular dementia occurs after a stroke. In fact, the most common type of vascular dementia is called multi-infarct dementia, which is caused by a series of small strokes. Therefore, the causes for Alzheimer and vascular dementia rather different. Even some of the treatments for the illnesses are different. For example, The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued guidelines on drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease, but has not recommended these same drugs for treating vascular dementia. Therefore, there are some differences between    Alzheimer and vascular dementia despite the fact that they are both forms of dementia. 
first symptoms dementia
The causes of cognitive impairment are different types of demetia,Alzhimerand others.The causes of Mild Cognitive Impairment are not yet completely understood. Experts believe that many cases result from brain changes occurring in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. There are two types of MCI based on the thinking skills affected: affects memory is known as "amnestic MCI." and affects thinking skills other than memory is known as "nonamnestic MCI.  MCI causes cognitive changes that are serious enough to be noticed by the individuals experiencing them or to other people, but the changes are not severe enough to interfere with daily life or independent function.Currently there is no way to demonstrate conclusively that a person has MCI or determine the underlying cause of MCI in a specific person. Symptoms may include problems with memory or feeling foggy. This condition causes depresion. The doctor may recommend neuropsychological testing, which involves a series of written or computerized tests to evaluate specific thinking skills. Experts believe that many cases result from brain changes occurring in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. The causes of MCI are not yet completely understood. The risk factors most strongly linked to MCI are the same as those for dementia: advancing age, family history of Alzheimer's or another dementia, and conditions that raise risk for cardiovascular diseases. It is possible to modify the disease.  The study analyzed data from a 2010 clinical trial involving 156 patients, ages 70 and older, with MCI, a disorder affecting memory and thinking skills, but not severely enough to impair daily life. For example, people with MCI may start to forget information they previously could recall easily, such as recent events, appointments, or conversations. Up to 20 percent of people ages 65 and older suffer from MCI.
first symptoms dementia
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an illness which causes cognitive changes that are serious enough to be noticed by the individuals experiencing them or to other people, but the changes are not severe enough to interfere with daily life or independent function. Because of this reason. a person with MCI does not meet diagnostic guidelines for dementia. However, experts believe that many cases of MCI, result from brain changes occurring in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. The risk factors most strongly linked to MCI are the same as those for dementia: advancing age, family history of Alzheimer's or another dementia and conditions that raise risk for cardiovascular disease. However, unlike Alzheimer's or dementia not all people with MCI get worse and some eventually get better. There are currently no tests or procedures to demonstrate conclusively that a person has MCI. Moreover, it is not yet possible to determine the underlying cause of MCI in a specific person. The diagnoses of MCI includes the following core elements: thorough medical history, assessment of independent function and daily activities, input from a family member or trusted friend to provide additional perspective on how function may have changed, assessment of mental status using evaluation tests, in-office neurological examination and evaluation of mood to detect depression. If the workup doesn't create a clear clinical picture, the doctor may recommend neuropsychological testing. MCI is an illness that is both liked to Alzheimer's and yet it can be separate from it.  
first symptoms dementia
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer\'s disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. The term \'dementia\' is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. Someone with dementia may experience loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with language, reasoning and decision making. Being told that you or a loved one has vascular dementia can be very difficult and you may experience a range of different emotions as time goes on. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behavior (such as restlessness) difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren\'t there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. It is important to note that some of these symptoms may not always be direct consequences of the disease.
first symptoms dementia
One of the first difference between vascular dementia and Alzheimer are the causes. While Alzheimer causes are not yet completely understood, but they likely include a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. vascular dementia is caused by damage in the vascular system that prevents blood from reaching brain cells that will eventually die. Other differences are in the symptoms. Alzheimer is related with memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Vascular dementia However, people with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion. Some of  the symptoms are very similar.  About 10 per cent of people with dementia have a type known as mixed dementia. A diagnosis of mixed dementia means that Alzheimer\'s disease, as well as stroke or small vessel disease, may have caused damage to the brain. The symptoms of mixed dementia may be similar to either Alzheimer\'s disease or vascular dementia, or may be a combination of the two.
first symptoms dementia
 Memory loss is often one of the first signs of dementia. Initially, memory lapses may be mistaken for the normal forgetfulness that often increases as people grow older or when they become very stressed. However, in someone with dementia it will gradually become apparent that the memory problems are becoming more severe and persistent.



 The memories of Alzheimer\'s patients are forgotten but not gone, to twist a popular phrase. Now, one potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s developmentespecially when coupled with other treatments, researchers say.



 Scientists at the University of California Irvine have successfully recovered the memories of mice bred to develop age-related Alzheimer\'s symptoms by using an experimental drug that is being tested as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage by congregating in areas of the brain with amyloid plaques, researchers said. Amyloid plaques are one of the most common physical brain characteristics found in Alzheimer\'s patients.


first symptoms dementia
 However, there is plenty that can be done to help manage memory problems to enable people to retain their confidence and independence for as long as possible. This factsheet looks at ways to support a person with memory loss and offers some practical tips. In the early stages of dementia, memory aids such as lists, diaries, clocks and clear, written instructions can help jog the person\'s memory if they are willing and able to make use of them. As the dementia progresses, the person may become less able to understand what the aids are for. For more information about memory aids, see factsheet 429, Equipment, adaptations and improvements to the home and factsheet 521, Maintaining everyday skills. For details of Alzheimer\'s Society services in your area, visit alzheimers.org.uk/localinfo For information about a wide range of dementia-related topics, visit alzheimers.org.uk/factsheets The memories of Alzheimer\'s patients are forgotten but not gone, to twist a popular phrase. Now, one potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s developmentespecially when coupled with other treatments, researchers say.
first symptoms dementia
Memory loss, as with any other aspect of dementia, affects each person differently. 



If the person's memory is focused on a particular time in his or her life, engage in conversation about recollections with an understanding that this is his or her current reality. 



Offer corrections as suggestions. 



Avoid explanations that sound like scolding. 



Helping them to concentrate on one thing at a time. 



Trying to make sure that there are limited distractions. 



Making sure the person has enough meaningful activities to do and gets enough exercise. 



Helping the person to get enough sleep. 



Keeping to a regular routine can help with this difficulty, as will tactful reminders of the day and time, and about what is going to happen next. 



A calendar should be displayed prominently and the person with dementia should be encouraged to refer to it regularly. 



Keep information simple, and repeat it frequently. 



Break new activities down into small steps. When asking for information give cues and context. 



Try to begin any new routines as soon as possible.



Reminiscence therapy is a method that is used to help encourage people to remember events from their past, using reminders such as songs and photographs. 

Carers can use these techniques at home.  



There was a  B-vitamin combination  found that is the first and only disease-modifying treatment thats worked. 



An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s development especially when coupled with other treatments.
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If you, or someone close to you, are worried about dementia, the first step is to visit the GP as soon as possible. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the better the chance of treatment to slow the progression of the disease.



 Alzheimers is considered to be a disease of exclusion, meaning that all other possible causes  such as infection, disease, alcohol and drug abuse, vitamin deficiency, as well as mental illness must be ruled out before any probable diagnosis of Alzheimers is given. 

Notice that the first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress.

The exclusion is accomplished by undergoing a complete physical, neurological and psychological examination. 

However, due to the very nature of the Alzheimers disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death. 



 Doctors can determine that a person has dementia with a high level of certainty. But it's harder to determine the exact type of dementia because the symptoms and brain changes of different dementias can overlap. In some cases, a doctor may diagnose \"dementia\" and not specify a type.
semantic dementia
 The first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Apathy can be observed at this stage, and remains the most persistent neuropsychiatric symptom throughout the course of the disease. Depressive symptoms, irritability and reduced awareness of subtle memory difficulties also occur commonly. The preclinical stage of the disease has also been termed mild cognitive impairment, but whether this term corresponds to a different diagnostic stage or identifies the first step of AD is a matter of dispute. However, due to the very nature of the Alzheimers disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death.
semantic dementia
Alzheimers is considered to be a disease of exclusion, meaning that all other possible causes  such as infection, disease, alcohol and drug abuse, vitamin deficiency, as well as mental illness must be ruled out before any probable diagnosis of Alzheimers is given. Alzheimers disease is distinguished from other forms of dementia by characteristic changes in the brain. These changes include a 50% reduction of acetylcholine, the primary brain chemical used in the retrieval of memory and the formation of plaques and tangles.  However, due to the very nature of the Alzheimers disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Depressive symptoms, irritability and reduced awareness of subtle memory difficulties also occur commonly. The preclinical stage of the disease has also been termed mild cognitive impairment, but whether this term corresponds to a different diagnostic stage or identifies the first step of AD is a matter of dispute.
semantic dementia
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. 

Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a 'stepped' progression - symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe confusion. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (e.g seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (e.g restlessness), difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations and delusions, problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive.

 The speed that vascular dementia progresses varies from person to person. Although the brain damage that causes vascular dementia cannot be reversed, it may be possible to slow the progression of the disease in a number of ways such as: taking medication to treat any underlying conditions, such as stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or heart problems, adopting a healthier lifestyle by stopping smoking, taking regular exercise, eating healthily, and drinking alcohol only in moderation, receiving rehabilitative support, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, to help the person maximise their opportunities to regain their lost functions.
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 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer\'s disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. This factsheet will help you to understand vascular dementia by explaining the causes, symptoms and treatments available. The term \'dementia\' is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. These diseases include Alzheimer\'s disease and vascular dementia. Someone with dementia may experience loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with language, reasoning and decision making. Being told that you or a loved one has vascular dementia can be very difficult and you may experience a range of different emotions as time goes on. There is support available if you need it. Alzheimer\'s Society\'s National Dementia Helpline can provide information, support, guidance and signposting to other organisations. Details are at the end of this factsheet. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. Some symptoms may be similar to those of other types of dementia, such as Alzheimer\'s disease. However, people with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion.
semantic dementia
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain.  Someone with dementia may experience loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with language, reasoning and decision making. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems, seizures periods of severe confusion. 

Additional symptoms may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions,changes in behaviour, difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations, and delusions problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive.

Risk factors to dementia are similar to those associated with cardiovascular disease and include  a medical history of stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes (particularly type II), heart problems or sleep apnoea ,a lack of physical activity, high quantities of alcohol drinking, smoking, eating a fatty diet, or leaving conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes untreated a family history of stroke or cardiovascular disease. Some ethnic groups have a higher tendency to dementia. Personalised care must be provided to people with dementia. 
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Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimers, the memory-robbing disorder. No new drugs for memory loss have been FDA approved for a decade. However, new researches strive to find ways to retrieve lost memories. A few of them research the usefulness of vitamin B, but the results are contradictory. According to  A. David Smith, professor emeritus of pharmacology at Oxford University, the B-vitamin combination used in the study is the first and only disease-modifying treatment that's worked. He worked with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a disorder affecting memory and thinking skills, but not severely enough to impair daily life. However, Researchers from Rush University Medical Center proved that vitamin B12 treatment will not stave off Alzheimer or delay its onset.  Nowadays there is an experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer's development especially when coupled with other treatments. Scientists at the University of California Irvine have successfully recovered the memories of mice bred to develop age-related Alzheimer's symptoms by using an experimental drug that is being tested as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage by congregating in areas of the brain with amyloid plaques which is one of the most common physical brain characteristics found in Alzheimer's patients. Other reaches found up to 50% fewer Alzheimer's-related pathologies in the brains of the mice receiving PMX205 treatment. Therefore, PMX205  has potential for treating Alzheimer in the future. 
semantic dementia
Although most of these techniques to help people with Alzheimer require professional input, for example from a therapist, family carers can also use other methods to help someone experiencing loss of memory while also helping them stay independent. Some examples of these techniques include: leave written reminder by the door so that they don't forget their keys when they go out. Fit a device that cuts off the gas supply if they put a pan on the stove and then forget about it. Encourage the person with memory loss to remember what they can without making them feel pressured using frequent reminders. Don't overwhelm the person with lengthy statements and make sure that your explanations do not sound like scoldings. If the person's memory is focused on a particular time in his or her life, engage in conversation about recollections with an understanding that this is his or her current reality. Use photographs and other thought-provoking items to remind the person of important relationships and places. Provide verbal cues rather than asking questions. Help them concentrate on one thing at a time. Make sure that they get enough sleep, meaningful activities and exercise. It is important to be emotionally supportive of people dealing with memory loss. Also, try to be flexible and patient as far as possible These are just a few suggestions that could help.   
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Alzheimer's has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues. Current treatments can temporarily slow the worsening of symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers.

A few different approaches have been developed to help people with dementia to cope with memory loss:

* The home can be changed in a number of ways to help them to manage as best as possible. Examples include labeling doors and cupboards and the use of 'special places' for important items.

* Reminiscence therapy is a method used to help encourage people to remember events from their past, using reminders. Encouraging the person to talk about their past and share memories, for example by looking at photographs, letters and souvenirs together can help jog the person's memory.

* Cognitive stimulation therapy involves activities and exercises designed to improve memory and communication skills. The exercises are based on day-to-day interests, reminiscence and information relating to the current time and place.

* Exercising several times a week for 30 to 60 minutes may: Improve memory, reasoning and cognitive function for people with mild Alzheimer's, and delay the start of Alzheimer's for people at risk of developing the disease or slow its progress.

The memories of Alzheimer's patients are not gone. One potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. Scientists have recovered memories of mice bred to develop Alzheimer's symptoms by using an experimental drug. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage. Over the course of the study, researchers tested the mice for cognitive ability and memory retention. Mice that received PMX205 during early stages of Alzheimer's performed nearly as well as normal mice on the tests.
semantic dementia
 In the earlier stages of alzheimer, memory loss and confusion may be mild. The person with dementia may be aware of  and frustrated by  the changes taking place, such as difficulty recalling recent events, making decisions or processing what was said by others. In the later stages, memory loss becomes far more severe. A person may not recognize family members, may forget relationships, call family members by other names, or become confused about the location of home or the passage of time. He or she may forget the purpose of common items, such as a pen or a fork. These changes are some of the most painful for caregivers and families. Such types of behavior is sometimes incorrectly referred to as \"senility\" or \"senile dementia,\" which reflects the formerly widespread but incorrect belief that serious mental decline is a normal part of aging. While current medications cannot stop the damage Alzheimer\'s causes to brain cells, they may help lessen symptoms for a limited time. Certain situations  such as a change in living arrangements, switch in routine or certain infections  can cause symptoms to worsen. Any time there is a sudden change in behavior, it is important to have a medical evaluation to rule out other causes.
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Long-term care for people with Alzheimer's disease offers a vast range of medical, personal, and social services that are required to meet the physical, social, and emotional needs of people who have long-term illnesses or are disabled. A nursing home facility may be the best choice for people who require 24-hour medical care and supervision. There are two types of care provided by nursing homes for those with Alzheimer's disease:  

* Basic care: This provides services that will help to maintain a person's ability to carry out necessary daily functions, like personal care and getting around. They will also ensure that the person is supervised and safe.

* Skilled care. This is care that requires the services of a registered nurse for treatments and procedures on a regular basis. Skilled care also includes services provided by specially trained professionals, such as physical, occupational, and respiratory therapists.

It is important to begin the search for a suitable nursing home well before you will need to take the step of moving. There are often waiting periods. Planning ahead can also make the transition of moving into a nursing home much easier.

Memory Care communities, which include Alzheimer's and Dementia care facilities, consist of specially designed living spaces and supporting environments for those who are living with cognitive challenges brought on by Alzheimer's and dementia. These may include carefully considered flooring to reduce problematic patterns for those with Alzheimer's or dementia and wall colors that help them to find the way. The dementia care environment helps cue its residents in their daily lives. Areas of the community are set up for safe engagement in activities such as gardening, kitchen work, and other life skills that provide purposeful and meaningful successful moments.
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From the moment of birth, we humans are constantly learning and compiling more information into our brains memory. Alzheimer, the most common form of dementia, is a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. The American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (1987) characterizes Alzheimers disease as a chronically progressive, global, cognitive loss. The affected individual suffers a loss of capabilities in thinking and learningsufficient impairment that affects daily life, including social and/or occupational functioning. The greatest known risk factor for  Alzheimer is increasing age, and the majority of people with Alzheimer's are 65 and older. The main underlying cause of memory loss and confusion is the progressive damage to brain cells caused by Alzheimer's disease. Initially, memory lapses may be mistaken for the normal forgetfulness that often increases as people grow older or when they become very stressed. Because these memory loss changes first occur in the outer layers of the cortex, the memories that dying neurons take away first are the most recent, leaving older memories and skills functioning in the brain. Therefore, at first it is difficult do diagnose the disease. However, as the diseases progresses, memory impairment become more severe and obvious. Short-term memory loss deteriorates into severe memory problems. People's memories regress ten, twenty or more years in the past. There are four common areas in which people with memory loss experience difficulty: remembering events, taking in new information, recognising people, and places separating fact from fiction. 
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Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. The main underlying cause of memory loss and confusion is the progressive damage to brain cells caused by Alzheimer's disease. The brain region called the hippocampus is the center of learning and memory in the brain, and the brain cells in this region are often the first to be damaged.

People in the early stages of Alzheimer\'s disease may experience lapses of memory and have problems finding the right words.  As the disease progresses, they may: become confused and frequently forget the names of people, places, appointments and recent events experience mood swings, feel sad or angry, or scared and frustrated by their increasing memory loss, become more withdrawn, due either to a loss of confidence or to communication problems have difficulty carrying out everyday activities.

In the early stages of dementia, memory aids such as lists, diaries, clocks and clear, written instructions can help jog the person\'s memory if they are willing and able to make use of them. As the dementia progresses, the person may become less able to understand what the aids are for.

Alzheimer's does not affect all memory capacities equally. Older memories of the person's life (episodic memory), facts learned (semantic memory), and implicit memory (the memory of the body on how to do things, such as using a fork to eat) are affected to a lesser degree than new facts or memories.
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 The memories of Alzheimer\'s patients are forgotten but not gone, to twist a popular phrase. Now, one potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s developmentespecially when coupled with other treatments, researchers say. Scientists at the University of California Irvine have successfully recovered the memories of mice bred to develop age-related Alzheimer\'s symptoms by using an experimental drug that is being tested as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage by congregating in areas of the brain with amyloid plaques, researchers said. Amyloid plaques are one of the most common physical brain characteristics found in Alzheimer\'s patients. Over the course of a 12-week study, researchers tested the mice for cognitive ability and memory retention. Mice that received PMX205 during early stages of Alzheimer\'s performed nearly as well as normal mice on the tests, but mice receiving no treatment performed very poorly. When the brains of the mice were examined, researchers found up to 50% fewer Alzheimer\'s-related pathologies in the brains of the mice receiving PMX205 treatment. The report appears in the July 15 edition of The Journal of Immunology.
semantic dementia
 While current medications cannot stop the damage Alzheimer\'s causes to brain cells, they may help lessen symptoms for a limited time. Certain situations  such as a change in living arrangements, switch in routine or certain infections  can cause symptoms to worsen. Any time there is a sudden change in behavior, it is important to have a medical evaluation to rule out other causes. Although being called by a different name or not being recognized can be painful, try not to make your hurt apparent. Respond with a brief explanation. Don\'t overwhelm the person with lengthy statements or reasons. Instead, clarify with a simple explanation. Show photos and other reminders. Use photographs and other thought-provoking items to remind the person of important relationships and places. Travel with the person to where he or she is in time. If the person\'s memory is focused on a particular time in his or her life, engage in conversation about recollections with an understanding that this is his or her current reality. Offer corrections as suggestions. Avoid explanations that sound like scolding. \"  Try not to take it personally. Alzheimer\'s disease causes your loved one to forget, but your support and understanding will continue to be appreciated.
semantic dementia
Dementia is not a specific disease. It\s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person\'s ability to perform everyday activities.



 The first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Apathy can be observed at this stage, and remains the most persistent neuro-psychiatric symptom throughout the course of the disease.



So if you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don\'t ignore them. See a doctor soon to determine the cause. Even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available treatments and provides an opportunity to volunteer for clinical trials or studies.
semantic dementia
 Dementia is not a specific disease. It\'s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person\'s ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer\'s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases. Vascular dementia, which occurs after a stroke, is the second most common dementia type. But there are many other conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia, including some that are reversible, such as thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies. Dementia is often incorrectly referred to as \"senility\" or \"senile dementia,\" which reflects the formerly widespread but incorrect belief that serious mental decline is a normal part of aging. While symptoms of dementia can vary greatly, at least two of the following core mental functions must be significantly impaired to be considered dementia:  Memory Communication and language Ability to focus and pay attention Reasoning and judgment Visual perception People with dementia may have problems with short-term memory, keeping track of a purse or wallet, paying bills, planning and preparing meals, remembering appointments or traveling out of the neighborhood. Many dementias are progressive, meaning symptoms start out slowly and gradually get worse. If you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don\'t ignore them. See a doctor soon to determine the cause. Professional evaluation may detect a treatable condition. And even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available treatments and provides an opportunity to volunteer for clinical trials or studies. It also provides time to plan for the future.
semantic dementia
There is no one test to determine if someone has dementia. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information.

People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (such as restlessness) . difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren\'t there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. The most common presenting symptoms in Semantic Dementia are in the verbal domain however (with loss of word meaning) and it is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia. SD patients sometimes show symptoms of surface dyslexia, a relatively selective impairment in reading low-frequency words with exceptional or atypical spelling-to-sound correspondences. 

Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of Alzheimer Disease. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. In addition: apathy and depressive symptoms. 
semantic dementia
The term \dementia\' is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. These diseases include Alzheimer\s disease and vascular dementia.



Memory loss, along with other cognitive defects and apathy, are often one of the first signs of dementia, specially in the case of subjects with Alzheimer. 



 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer\'s disease. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating.  People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion.



Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (such as restlessness) difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren\'t there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. 



Clumsiness, lack of facial expression, speech difficulties, and loss of bladder control are also common symptoms of vascular dementia.
semantic dementia
 Alzheimer\'s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases. That\s why memory loss is often one of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer\'s.



Other symptoms of  Alzheimer\'s disease include problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments on the semantic memory. Subjects may also suffer from apathy.



Several studies report that blood pressure is increased in victims of Alzheimer\'s disease (AD) decades before the onset of the disease.
semantic dementia
The term "dementia" describes a set of symptoms which can include loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with communication and reasoning. Memory loss is often one of the first signs of dementia. The person with dementia may be aware of  and frustrated by the changes taking place, such as difficulty recalling recent events, making decisions or processing what was said by others. Initially, memory lapses may be mistaken for the normal forgetfulness that often increases as people grow older or when they become very stressed. However, in someone with dementia it will gradually become apparent that the memory problems are becoming more severe and persistent. Therefore, mild memory lose may not be diagnosed at first but it is one of the first symptoms of dementia. 
semantic dementia
 Semantic dementia (SD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of semantic memory in both the verbal and non-verbal domains. The most common presenting symptoms are in the verbal domain however (with loss of word meaning) and it is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia. SD patients sometimes show symptoms of surface dyslexia, a relatively selective impairment in reading low-frequency words with exceptional or atypical spelling-to-sound correspondences. SD is one of the three canonical clinical syndromes associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). SD is a clinically defined syndrome, but is associated with predominantly temporal lobe atrophy (left greater than right) and hence is sometimes called temporal variant FTLD (tvFTLD). It was first described by Arnold Pick in 1904 and in modern times was characterised by Professor Elizabeth Warrington in 1975, however it was not given the name semantic dementia until 1989. The clinical and neuropsychological features, and their association with temporal lobe atrophy were described by Professor John Hodges and colleagues in 1992. SD patients often present with the complaint of word-finding difficulties. Clinical signs include fluent aphasia, anomia, impaired comprehension of word meaning, and associative visual agnosia (inability to match semantically related pictures or objects). As the disease progresses, behavioural and personality changes are often seen similar to those seen in frontotemporal dementia although cases have been described of \'pure\' semantic dementia with few late behavioural symptoms.
semantic dementia
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, which means that gradually, over time, more parts of the brain are damaged. As this happens, the symptoms of the illness become more severe. In its early stages and one of the first symptoms of the illness are mild memory loss and very mild cognitive decline in general. The person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses  forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. The main underlying cause of memory loss and confusion is the progressive damage to brain cells caused by Alzheimer's disease.   


semantic dementia
 Semantic dementia (SD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of semantic memory in both the verbal and non-verbal domains. The most common presenting symptoms are in the verbal domain however (with loss of word meaning) and it is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia. SD is one of the three canonical clinical syndromes associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). It is a clinically defined syndrome, but is associated with predominantly temporal lobe atrophy (left greater than right) and hence is sometimes called temporal variant FTLD (tvFTLD). Of all the FTLD syndromes SD is least likely to run in families and is usually sporadic.



Clinical signs include fluent aphasia, anomia, impaired comprehension of word meaning, and associative visual agnosia (inability to match semantically related pictures or objects).  As the disease progresses, behavioural and personality changes are often seen similar to those seen in frontotemporal dementia although cases have been described of \pure\' semantic dementia with few late behavioural symptoms. The majority of patients with SD will have ubiquitin-positive, TDP-43 positive, tau-negative inclusions, although other pathologies have been described more infrequently, namely tau-positive Pick\s disease and Alzheimer\'s pathology.



There is currently no known curative treatment for this condition.
semantic dementia
Dementia is not a specific disease. It is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. One of these diseases is semantic dementia. Semantic dementia was first described by Arnold Pick in 1904. Semantic dementia (SD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of semantic memory in both the verbal and non-verbal domains. It is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia   However, the most common presenting symptoms are in the verbal domain (with loss of word meaning).

Sometimes, SD patients show symptoms of surface dyslexia. They often present with the complaint of word-finding difficulties. Clinical signs include fluent aphasia, anomia, impaired comprehension of word meaning, and associative visual agnosia (inability to match semantically related pictures or objects). As the disease progresses, behavioural and personality changes are often seen similar to those seen in frontotemporal dementia although cases have been described of 'pure' semantic dementia with few late behavioural symptoms. When

structural MRI imaging is performed on SD patients it shows a characteristic pattern of atrophy in the temporal lobes (predominantly on the left), with inferior greater than superior involvement and anterior temporal lobe atrophy greater than posterior.

Based on these imaging methods, semantic dementia can be regionally dissociated from the other subtypes of frontotemporal lobar degeneration, frontotemporal dementia and progressive nonfluent aphasia. Semantic dementia is a form of dementia that is different from other more common forms such as Alzheimer's. 


semantic dementia
 Dementia is not a specific disease. It\'s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person\'s ability to perform everyday activities. While symptoms of dementia can vary greatly, at least two of the following core mental functions must be significantly impaired to be considered dementia:  Memory Communication and language Ability to focus and pay attention Reasoning and judgment Visual perception People with dementia may have problems with short-term memory, keeping track of a purse or wallet, paying bills, planning and preparing meals, remembering appointments or traveling out of the neighborhood. Many dementias are progressive, meaning symptoms start out slowly and gradually get worse. If you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don\'t ignore them. And even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available treatments and provides an opportunity to volunteer for clinical trials or studies.
semantic dementia
The early stages of alzheimer are very hard to detect because of saddle symptoms and our lack of knowledge about the disease.  Stage 1: No impairment (normal function) The person does not experience any memory problems. An interview with a medical professional does not show any evidence of symptoms of dementia. Stage 2:	Very mild cognitive decline (may be normal age-related changes or earliest signs of Alzheimer\'s disease) The person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses  forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. But no symptoms of dementia can be detected during a medical examination or by friends, family or co-workers. Stage 3: Mild cognitive decline (early-stage Alzheimer\'s can be diagnosed in some, but not all, individuals with these symptoms) Friends, family or co-workers begin to notice difficulties. During a detailed medical interview, doctors may be able to detect problems in memory or concentration. Common stage 3 difficulties include: Noticeable problems coming up with the right word or name  Trouble remembering names when introduced to new people Having noticeably greater difficulty performing tasks in social or work settings Forgetting material that one has just read Losing or misplacing a valuable object Increasing trouble with planning or organizing. Alzheimer\'s is a progressive disease, which means that gradually, over time, more parts of the brain are damaged.
semantic dementia
Alzheimer diagnosis also very in different stage of disease but a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death.. In the first stage an interview with a medical professional does not show any evidence of symptoms of dementia. Stage 2 is also hard to detect during a medical examination or by friends, family or co-workers. During a detailed medical interview, doctors may be able to detect problems in memory or concentration during stage 3. Stage 4 could be clear cut diagnosed with  a careful medical interview, Forgetfulness of recent events Impaired ability to perform challenging mental arithmetic for example, counting backward from 100 by 7s Greater difficulty performing complex tasks, such as planning dinner for guests, paying bills or managing finances Forgetfulness about one\'s own personal history Becoming moody or withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations. Stage 5  can be diagnosed by the severe cognitive decline at this stage, those with Alzheimer\'s may: Be unable to recall their own address or telephone number or the high school or college from which they graduated Become confused about where they are or what day it is Have trouble with less challenging mental arithmetic; such as counting backward from 40 by subtracting 4s or from 20 by 2s Need help choosing proper clothing for the season or the occasion Still remember significant details about themselves and their family Still require no assistance with eating or using the toilet.
semantic dementia
 Several prescription drugs are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. Treating the symptoms of Alzheimers can provide patients with comfort, dignity, and independence for a longer period of time and can encourage and assist their caregivers as well. It is important to understand that none of these medications stops the disease itself. Medications called cholinesterase inhibitors are prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimers disease. These drugs may help delay or prevent symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time and may help control some behavioral symptoms. The medications include: Razadyne (galantamine), Exelon (rivastigmine), and Aricept (donepezil). Another drug, Cognex (tacrine), was the first approved cholinesterase inhibitor but is rarely prescribed today due to safety concerns. Scientists do not yet fully understand how cholinesterase inhibitors work to treat Alzheimers disease, but research indicates that they prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a brain chemical believed to be important for memory and thinking. As Alzheimers progresses, the brain produces less and less acetylcholine; therefore, cholinesterase inhibitors may eventually lose their effect. No published study directly compares these drugs. A medication known as Namenda (memantine), an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, is prescribed to treat moderate to severe Alzheimers disease. This drugs main effect is to delay progression of some of the symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimers. It may allow patients to maintain certain daily functions a little longer than they would without the medication. For example, Namenda may help a patient in the later stages of the disease maintain his or her ability to use the bathroom independently for several more months, a benefit for both patients and caregivers.
semantic dementia
Alzheimer's is considered to be a disease of exclusion, meaning that all other possible causes, such as infection, disease, alcohol and drug abuse, vitamin deficiency, as well as mental illness must be ruled out before any probable diagnosis of Alzheimer's is given. This is accomplished by undergoing a complete physical, neurological and psychological examination.

Doctors diagnose Alzheimer's and other types of dementia based on a careful medical history, a physical examination, laboratory tests, and the characteristic changes in thinking, day-to-day function and behavior associated with each type. Doctors can determine that a person has dementia with a high level of certainty. But it\'s harder to determine the exact type of dementia because the symptoms and brain changes of different dementias can overlap. In some cases, a doctor may diagnose "dementia" and not specify a type. 

Due to the very nature of the Alzheimer's disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimer's can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death. Alzheimer's disease is distinguished from other forms of dementia by characteristic changes in the brain. These changes include a 50% reduction of acetylcholine, the primary brain chemical used in the retrieval of memory and the formation of plaques and tangles. These plaques and tangles are abnormal growths or accumulation of certain proteins that build within and surround brain cells.
semantic dementia
alzheimer's symptoms include: cognitive difficulties in remembering things (especially recent memory), attentiveness, planning, flexibility, abstract thinking, and language; apathy; depressive symptoms; irritability; difficulties in movement coordination and planning;delusional symptoms; and urinary incontinence.
semantic dementia
Several prescription drugs are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. It is important to understand that none of these medications stops the disease itself.

Medications called cholinesterase inhibitors are prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimers disease. These drugs may help delay or prevent symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time and may help control some behavioral symptoms. The medications include: Razadyne (galantamine), Exelon (rivastigmine), and Aricept (donepezil). Another drug, Cognex (tacrine), was the first approved cholinesterase inhibitor but is rarely prescribed today due to safety concerns. Because they work in a similar way, switching from one of these drugs to another probably will not produce significantly different results. However, an Alzheimers patient may respond better to one drug than another. As Alzheimers progresses, the brain produces less and less acetylcholine; therefore, cholinesterase inhibitors may eventually lose their effect.

A medication known as Namenda (memantine), an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, is prescribed to treat moderate to severe Alzheimers disease. This drugs main effect is to delay progression of some of the symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimers.

The FDA has also approved Aricept for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimers disease.

Doctors usually start patients at low drug doses and gradually increase the dosage based on how well a patient tolerates the drug.
semantic dementia
There are different stages of Alzheimer and each stage have mildly different symptoms  Stage 1:	No impairment (normal function) The person does not experience any memory problems. Stage 2:	Very mild cognitive decline (may be normal age-related changes or earliest signs of Alzheimer\'s disease) The person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses  forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. Common stage 3 difficulties include: Noticeable problems coming up with the right word or name  Trouble remembering names when introduced to new people Having noticeably greater difficulty performing tasks in social or work settings Forgetting material that one has just read Losing or misplacing a valuable object Increasing trouble with planning or organizing. Stage 4:	 Moderate cognitive decline (Mild or early-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) Stage 5:	Moderately severe cognitive decline (Moderate or mid-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) Gaps in memory and thinking are noticeable, and individuals begin to need help with day-to-day activities. Stage 6:	Severe cognitive decline (Moderately severe or mid-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) Memory continues to worsen, personality changes may take place and individuals need extensive help with daily activities. Stage 7:	Very severe cognitive decline (Severe or late-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) In the final stage of this disease, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement.
semantic dementia
Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, where symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years.

Stage 1: The person has no memory problems.

Stage 2: Individuals may feel as if they are having small memory lapses. No symptoms can be detected during a medical examination or by friends or family.

Stage 3: Can sometimes be diagnosed. Friends and family begin to notice difficulties. These include: Noticeable difficulty finding the right word, forgetting recently acquired information, losing valuable objects and trouble with planning or organizing.

Stage 4: A careful medical interview should be able to detect clear-cut symptoms: Forgetfulness of recent events, impaired ability to perform challenging mental arithmetic, difficulty performing complex tasks, forgetfulness about personal history, becoming moody or withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations.

Stage 5: Gaps in memory and thinking are noticeable, and individuals begin to need help with daily activities. At this stage, individuals may: Be unable to recall personal information, become confused about their environment, have trouble with easier mental arithmetic, need help choosing clothing for the season or the occasion.

Stage 6: Memory continues to worsen, personality changes occur and individuals need extensive help with daily activities. At this stage, individuals may: Distinguish familiar and unfamiliar faces but have trouble remembering the name of familiar people, need help dressing to avoid mistakes (e.g. shoes on the wrong feet), experience major changes in sleep patterns, need help handling details of toileting, have frequent trouble controlling their bladder or bowels.

Stage 7: In the final stage of this disease, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement. At this stage, individuals need help with much of their daily personal care, including eating or using the toilet. They may also have trouble with simple physical activities. Reflexes become abnormal. Muscles grow rigid. Swallowing is impaired.
semantic dementia
Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD.

At the first and second stages of Alzheimer, it's hard to detect any symptoms of dementia. Mild cognitive decline (in memory, or concentration)can be diagnosed in some individuals at the third stage. At the fourth stage moderate cognitive decline can be clearly detected in several areas: Forgetfulness of recent events impaired ability to perform challenging mental arithmetic for example, counting backward from 100 by 7s Greater difficulty performing complex tasks, such as planning dinner for guests, paying bills or managing finances Forgetfulness about one\'s own personal history Becoming moody or withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations.


semantic dementia
Several prescription drugs are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease.

No new drugs for memory loss have been FDA approved for a decade, and those already on the market only modestly ease symptoms for a limited time. Additionally, they do not work for all patients and do not halt progression of the disease. 

Some studies showed that B vitamins may help protect the aging brain, though they couldn't prove that this treatment will stave off Alzheimers or delay its onset.

Medications called cholinesterase inhibitors such as: Razadyne (galantamine), Exelon (rivastigmine), and Aricept (donepezil), which prevent the breakdown of a brian chemical believed to be important for memory and thinking, are prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimers disease. They may help delay or prevent symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time and may help control some behavioral symptoms. Patients may respond better to one drug than another.

A medication known as Namenda (memantine), an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, which works differently from cholinesterase inhibitors thus can be perscribed in combination with it, is prescribed to treat moderate to severe Alzheimers disease. It delays progression of some of the symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimers, and may allow patients to maintain certain daily functions a little longer than they would without the medication.

Doctors usually start patients at low drug doses and gradually increase the dosage based on how well a patient tolerates the drug. 
It is important to follow the doctors instructions, report any unusual symptoms, and let the doctor know before adding or changing any medications.


semantic dementia
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. If the vascular system within the brain becomes damaged and blood cannot reach the brain cells, the cells will eventually die.Although the brain damage that causes vascular dementia cannot be reversed, it may be possible to slow the progression of the disease in a number of ways. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a 'stepped' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (such as restlessness) difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. It is important to note that some of these symptoms may not always be direct consequences of the disease. 
semantic dementia
 About 10 per cent of people with dementia have a type known as mixed dementia. A diagnosis of mixed dementia means that Alzheimer\'s disease, as well as stroke or small vessel disease, may have caused damage to the brain. The symptoms of mixed dementia may be similar to either Alzheimer\'s disease or vascular dementia, or may be a combination of the two. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued guidelines on drug treatments for Alzheimer\'s disease (including cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine), but has not recommended these same drugs for treating vascular dementia. These drugs may, however, be prescribed to treat mixed dementia, particularly when Alzheimer\'s disease is predominant.
semantic dementia
Brain cells need a good supply of blood in order to function properly. Blood is delivered through a network of blood vessels called the vascular system. If the vascular system within the brain becomes damaged and blood cannot reach the brain cells, the cells will eventually die. This can lead to the onset of vascular dementia. Meaning, it occurs after a stroke. Vascular dementia is the second most common dementia type. The different types of vascular dementia are a result of the different causes that damaged the brain, and which part of the brain has been damaged. Moreover, it affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. Some symptoms of vascular dementia may be similar to those of other types of dementia. However, people with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, visual mistakes and misperceptions, changes in behaviour, difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations and delusions  problems with continence and psychological symptoms. Some of these symptoms may not always be direct consequences of the disease. A number of conditions can cause or increase damage to the vascular system. These include high blood pressure, heart problems, high cholesterol and diabetes. Effective treatment of these conditions may significantly delay or stop the development of vascular dementia. 
semantic dementia
 The first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Apathy can be observed at this stage, and remains the most persistent neuropsychiatric symptom throughout the course of the disease. Depressive symptoms, irritability and reduced awareness of subtle memory difficulties also occur commonly. The preclinical stage of the disease has also been termed mild cognitive impairment, but whether this term corresponds to a different diagnostic stage or identifies the first step of AD is a matter of dispute. In a small portion of them, difficulties with language, executive functions, perception (agnosia), or execution of movements (apraxia) are more prominent than memory problems. AD does not affect all memory capacities equally. Older memories of the person\'s life (episodic memory), facts learned (semantic memory), and implicit memory (the memory of the body on how to do things, such as using a fork to eat) are affected to a lesser degree than new facts or memories. Language problems are mainly characterised by a shrinking vocabulary and decreased word fluency, which lead to a general impoverishment of oral and written language.
semantic dementia
Both vascular dementia and Alzheimer are forms of dementia. Alzheimer is the most common form of dementia and vascular dementia is the second. Despite some  apparent similarities they are also different from each other. One example of these differences can be seen in the symptoms. Some symptoms of vascular dementia may be similar to those of Alzheimer's disease, however, there are some different symptoms such as problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression etc. Generally, dementia is caused by damage to brain cells. In Alzheimer's protein 'plaques' and 'tangles' develop in the structure of the brain, leading to the death of brain cells. People with Alzheimer's also have a shortage of some important chemicals in their brain. These chemicals are involved with the transmission of messages within the brain. However, vascular dementia occurs after a stroke. In fact, the most common type of vascular dementia is called multi-infarct dementia, which is caused by a series of small strokes. Therefore, the causes for Alzheimer and vascular dementia rather different. Even some of the treatments for the illnesses are different. For example, The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued guidelines on drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease, but has not recommended these same drugs for treating vascular dementia. Therefore, there are some differences between    Alzheimer and vascular dementia despite the fact that they are both forms of dementia. 
semantic dementia
The causes of cognitive impairment are different types of demetia,Alzhimerand others.The causes of Mild Cognitive Impairment are not yet completely understood. Experts believe that many cases result from brain changes occurring in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. There are two types of MCI based on the thinking skills affected: affects memory is known as "amnestic MCI." and affects thinking skills other than memory is known as "nonamnestic MCI.  MCI causes cognitive changes that are serious enough to be noticed by the individuals experiencing them or to other people, but the changes are not severe enough to interfere with daily life or independent function.Currently there is no way to demonstrate conclusively that a person has MCI or determine the underlying cause of MCI in a specific person. Symptoms may include problems with memory or feeling foggy. This condition causes depresion. The doctor may recommend neuropsychological testing, which involves a series of written or computerized tests to evaluate specific thinking skills. Experts believe that many cases result from brain changes occurring in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. The causes of MCI are not yet completely understood. The risk factors most strongly linked to MCI are the same as those for dementia: advancing age, family history of Alzheimer's or another dementia, and conditions that raise risk for cardiovascular diseases. It is possible to modify the disease.  The study analyzed data from a 2010 clinical trial involving 156 patients, ages 70 and older, with MCI, a disorder affecting memory and thinking skills, but not severely enough to impair daily life. For example, people with MCI may start to forget information they previously could recall easily, such as recent events, appointments, or conversations. Up to 20 percent of people ages 65 and older suffer from MCI.
semantic dementia
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an illness which causes cognitive changes that are serious enough to be noticed by the individuals experiencing them or to other people, but the changes are not severe enough to interfere with daily life or independent function. Because of this reason. a person with MCI does not meet diagnostic guidelines for dementia. However, experts believe that many cases of MCI, result from brain changes occurring in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. The risk factors most strongly linked to MCI are the same as those for dementia: advancing age, family history of Alzheimer's or another dementia and conditions that raise risk for cardiovascular disease. However, unlike Alzheimer's or dementia not all people with MCI get worse and some eventually get better. There are currently no tests or procedures to demonstrate conclusively that a person has MCI. Moreover, it is not yet possible to determine the underlying cause of MCI in a specific person. The diagnoses of MCI includes the following core elements: thorough medical history, assessment of independent function and daily activities, input from a family member or trusted friend to provide additional perspective on how function may have changed, assessment of mental status using evaluation tests, in-office neurological examination and evaluation of mood to detect depression. If the workup doesn't create a clear clinical picture, the doctor may recommend neuropsychological testing. MCI is an illness that is both liked to Alzheimer's and yet it can be separate from it.  
semantic dementia
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer\'s disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. The term \'dementia\' is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. Someone with dementia may experience loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with language, reasoning and decision making. Being told that you or a loved one has vascular dementia can be very difficult and you may experience a range of different emotions as time goes on. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behavior (such as restlessness) difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren\'t there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. It is important to note that some of these symptoms may not always be direct consequences of the disease.
semantic dementia
One of the first difference between vascular dementia and Alzheimer are the causes. While Alzheimer causes are not yet completely understood, but they likely include a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. vascular dementia is caused by damage in the vascular system that prevents blood from reaching brain cells that will eventually die. Other differences are in the symptoms. Alzheimer is related with memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Vascular dementia However, people with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion. Some of  the symptoms are very similar.  About 10 per cent of people with dementia have a type known as mixed dementia. A diagnosis of mixed dementia means that Alzheimer\'s disease, as well as stroke or small vessel disease, may have caused damage to the brain. The symptoms of mixed dementia may be similar to either Alzheimer\'s disease or vascular dementia, or may be a combination of the two.
semantic dementia
 Memory loss is often one of the first signs of dementia. Initially, memory lapses may be mistaken for the normal forgetfulness that often increases as people grow older or when they become very stressed. However, in someone with dementia it will gradually become apparent that the memory problems are becoming more severe and persistent.



 The memories of Alzheimer\'s patients are forgotten but not gone, to twist a popular phrase. Now, one potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s developmentespecially when coupled with other treatments, researchers say.



 Scientists at the University of California Irvine have successfully recovered the memories of mice bred to develop age-related Alzheimer\'s symptoms by using an experimental drug that is being tested as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage by congregating in areas of the brain with amyloid plaques, researchers said. Amyloid plaques are one of the most common physical brain characteristics found in Alzheimer\'s patients.


semantic dementia
 However, there is plenty that can be done to help manage memory problems to enable people to retain their confidence and independence for as long as possible. This factsheet looks at ways to support a person with memory loss and offers some practical tips. In the early stages of dementia, memory aids such as lists, diaries, clocks and clear, written instructions can help jog the person\'s memory if they are willing and able to make use of them. As the dementia progresses, the person may become less able to understand what the aids are for. For more information about memory aids, see factsheet 429, Equipment, adaptations and improvements to the home and factsheet 521, Maintaining everyday skills. For details of Alzheimer\'s Society services in your area, visit alzheimers.org.uk/localinfo For information about a wide range of dementia-related topics, visit alzheimers.org.uk/factsheets The memories of Alzheimer\'s patients are forgotten but not gone, to twist a popular phrase. Now, one potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s developmentespecially when coupled with other treatments, researchers say.
semantic dementia
Memory loss, as with any other aspect of dementia, affects each person differently. 



If the person's memory is focused on a particular time in his or her life, engage in conversation about recollections with an understanding that this is his or her current reality. 



Offer corrections as suggestions. 



Avoid explanations that sound like scolding. 



Helping them to concentrate on one thing at a time. 



Trying to make sure that there are limited distractions. 



Making sure the person has enough meaningful activities to do and gets enough exercise. 



Helping the person to get enough sleep. 



Keeping to a regular routine can help with this difficulty, as will tactful reminders of the day and time, and about what is going to happen next. 



A calendar should be displayed prominently and the person with dementia should be encouraged to refer to it regularly. 



Keep information simple, and repeat it frequently. 



Break new activities down into small steps. When asking for information give cues and context. 



Try to begin any new routines as soon as possible.



Reminiscence therapy is a method that is used to help encourage people to remember events from their past, using reminders such as songs and photographs. 

Carers can use these techniques at home.  



There was a  B-vitamin combination  found that is the first and only disease-modifying treatment thats worked. 



An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s development especially when coupled with other treatments.
alzheimer's symptoms
If you, or someone close to you, are worried about dementia, the first step is to visit the GP as soon as possible. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the better the chance of treatment to slow the progression of the disease.



 Alzheimers is considered to be a disease of exclusion, meaning that all other possible causes  such as infection, disease, alcohol and drug abuse, vitamin deficiency, as well as mental illness must be ruled out before any probable diagnosis of Alzheimers is given. 

Notice that the first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress.

The exclusion is accomplished by undergoing a complete physical, neurological and psychological examination. 

However, due to the very nature of the Alzheimers disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death. 



 Doctors can determine that a person has dementia with a high level of certainty. But it's harder to determine the exact type of dementia because the symptoms and brain changes of different dementias can overlap. In some cases, a doctor may diagnose \"dementia\" and not specify a type.
alzheimer's symptoms
 The first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Apathy can be observed at this stage, and remains the most persistent neuropsychiatric symptom throughout the course of the disease. Depressive symptoms, irritability and reduced awareness of subtle memory difficulties also occur commonly. The preclinical stage of the disease has also been termed mild cognitive impairment, but whether this term corresponds to a different diagnostic stage or identifies the first step of AD is a matter of dispute. However, due to the very nature of the Alzheimers disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death.
alzheimer's symptoms
Alzheimers is considered to be a disease of exclusion, meaning that all other possible causes  such as infection, disease, alcohol and drug abuse, vitamin deficiency, as well as mental illness must be ruled out before any probable diagnosis of Alzheimers is given. Alzheimers disease is distinguished from other forms of dementia by characteristic changes in the brain. These changes include a 50% reduction of acetylcholine, the primary brain chemical used in the retrieval of memory and the formation of plaques and tangles.  However, due to the very nature of the Alzheimers disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Depressive symptoms, irritability and reduced awareness of subtle memory difficulties also occur commonly. The preclinical stage of the disease has also been termed mild cognitive impairment, but whether this term corresponds to a different diagnostic stage or identifies the first step of AD is a matter of dispute.
alzheimer's symptoms
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. 

Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a 'stepped' progression - symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe confusion. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (e.g seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (e.g restlessness), difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations and delusions, problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive.

 The speed that vascular dementia progresses varies from person to person. Although the brain damage that causes vascular dementia cannot be reversed, it may be possible to slow the progression of the disease in a number of ways such as: taking medication to treat any underlying conditions, such as stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or heart problems, adopting a healthier lifestyle by stopping smoking, taking regular exercise, eating healthily, and drinking alcohol only in moderation, receiving rehabilitative support, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, to help the person maximise their opportunities to regain their lost functions.
alzheimer's symptoms
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer\'s disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. This factsheet will help you to understand vascular dementia by explaining the causes, symptoms and treatments available. The term \'dementia\' is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. These diseases include Alzheimer\'s disease and vascular dementia. Someone with dementia may experience loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with language, reasoning and decision making. Being told that you or a loved one has vascular dementia can be very difficult and you may experience a range of different emotions as time goes on. There is support available if you need it. Alzheimer\'s Society\'s National Dementia Helpline can provide information, support, guidance and signposting to other organisations. Details are at the end of this factsheet. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. Some symptoms may be similar to those of other types of dementia, such as Alzheimer\'s disease. However, people with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion.
alzheimer's symptoms
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain.  Someone with dementia may experience loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with language, reasoning and decision making. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems, seizures periods of severe confusion. 

Additional symptoms may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions,changes in behaviour, difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations, and delusions problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive.

Risk factors to dementia are similar to those associated with cardiovascular disease and include  a medical history of stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes (particularly type II), heart problems or sleep apnoea ,a lack of physical activity, high quantities of alcohol drinking, smoking, eating a fatty diet, or leaving conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes untreated a family history of stroke or cardiovascular disease. Some ethnic groups have a higher tendency to dementia. Personalised care must be provided to people with dementia. 
alzheimer's symptoms
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimers, the memory-robbing disorder. No new drugs for memory loss have been FDA approved for a decade. However, new researches strive to find ways to retrieve lost memories. A few of them research the usefulness of vitamin B, but the results are contradictory. According to  A. David Smith, professor emeritus of pharmacology at Oxford University, the B-vitamin combination used in the study is the first and only disease-modifying treatment that's worked. He worked with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a disorder affecting memory and thinking skills, but not severely enough to impair daily life. However, Researchers from Rush University Medical Center proved that vitamin B12 treatment will not stave off Alzheimer or delay its onset.  Nowadays there is an experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer's development especially when coupled with other treatments. Scientists at the University of California Irvine have successfully recovered the memories of mice bred to develop age-related Alzheimer's symptoms by using an experimental drug that is being tested as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage by congregating in areas of the brain with amyloid plaques which is one of the most common physical brain characteristics found in Alzheimer's patients. Other reaches found up to 50% fewer Alzheimer's-related pathologies in the brains of the mice receiving PMX205 treatment. Therefore, PMX205  has potential for treating Alzheimer in the future. 
alzheimer's symptoms
Although most of these techniques to help people with Alzheimer require professional input, for example from a therapist, family carers can also use other methods to help someone experiencing loss of memory while also helping them stay independent. Some examples of these techniques include: leave written reminder by the door so that they don't forget their keys when they go out. Fit a device that cuts off the gas supply if they put a pan on the stove and then forget about it. Encourage the person with memory loss to remember what they can without making them feel pressured using frequent reminders. Don't overwhelm the person with lengthy statements and make sure that your explanations do not sound like scoldings. If the person's memory is focused on a particular time in his or her life, engage in conversation about recollections with an understanding that this is his or her current reality. Use photographs and other thought-provoking items to remind the person of important relationships and places. Provide verbal cues rather than asking questions. Help them concentrate on one thing at a time. Make sure that they get enough sleep, meaningful activities and exercise. It is important to be emotionally supportive of people dealing with memory loss. Also, try to be flexible and patient as far as possible These are just a few suggestions that could help.   
alzheimer's symptoms
Alzheimer's has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues. Current treatments can temporarily slow the worsening of symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers.

A few different approaches have been developed to help people with dementia to cope with memory loss:

* The home can be changed in a number of ways to help them to manage as best as possible. Examples include labeling doors and cupboards and the use of 'special places' for important items.

* Reminiscence therapy is a method used to help encourage people to remember events from their past, using reminders. Encouraging the person to talk about their past and share memories, for example by looking at photographs, letters and souvenirs together can help jog the person's memory.

* Cognitive stimulation therapy involves activities and exercises designed to improve memory and communication skills. The exercises are based on day-to-day interests, reminiscence and information relating to the current time and place.

* Exercising several times a week for 30 to 60 minutes may: Improve memory, reasoning and cognitive function for people with mild Alzheimer's, and delay the start of Alzheimer's for people at risk of developing the disease or slow its progress.

The memories of Alzheimer's patients are not gone. One potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. Scientists have recovered memories of mice bred to develop Alzheimer's symptoms by using an experimental drug. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage. Over the course of the study, researchers tested the mice for cognitive ability and memory retention. Mice that received PMX205 during early stages of Alzheimer's performed nearly as well as normal mice on the tests.
alzheimer's symptoms
 In the earlier stages of alzheimer, memory loss and confusion may be mild. The person with dementia may be aware of  and frustrated by  the changes taking place, such as difficulty recalling recent events, making decisions or processing what was said by others. In the later stages, memory loss becomes far more severe. A person may not recognize family members, may forget relationships, call family members by other names, or become confused about the location of home or the passage of time. He or she may forget the purpose of common items, such as a pen or a fork. These changes are some of the most painful for caregivers and families. Such types of behavior is sometimes incorrectly referred to as \"senility\" or \"senile dementia,\" which reflects the formerly widespread but incorrect belief that serious mental decline is a normal part of aging. While current medications cannot stop the damage Alzheimer\'s causes to brain cells, they may help lessen symptoms for a limited time. Certain situations  such as a change in living arrangements, switch in routine or certain infections  can cause symptoms to worsen. Any time there is a sudden change in behavior, it is important to have a medical evaluation to rule out other causes.
alzheimer's symptoms
Long-term care for people with Alzheimer's disease offers a vast range of medical, personal, and social services that are required to meet the physical, social, and emotional needs of people who have long-term illnesses or are disabled. A nursing home facility may be the best choice for people who require 24-hour medical care and supervision. There are two types of care provided by nursing homes for those with Alzheimer's disease:  

* Basic care: This provides services that will help to maintain a person's ability to carry out necessary daily functions, like personal care and getting around. They will also ensure that the person is supervised and safe.

* Skilled care. This is care that requires the services of a registered nurse for treatments and procedures on a regular basis. Skilled care also includes services provided by specially trained professionals, such as physical, occupational, and respiratory therapists.

It is important to begin the search for a suitable nursing home well before you will need to take the step of moving. There are often waiting periods. Planning ahead can also make the transition of moving into a nursing home much easier.

Memory Care communities, which include Alzheimer's and Dementia care facilities, consist of specially designed living spaces and supporting environments for those who are living with cognitive challenges brought on by Alzheimer's and dementia. These may include carefully considered flooring to reduce problematic patterns for those with Alzheimer's or dementia and wall colors that help them to find the way. The dementia care environment helps cue its residents in their daily lives. Areas of the community are set up for safe engagement in activities such as gardening, kitchen work, and other life skills that provide purposeful and meaningful successful moments.
alzheimer's symptoms
From the moment of birth, we humans are constantly learning and compiling more information into our brains memory. Alzheimer, the most common form of dementia, is a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. The American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (1987) characterizes Alzheimers disease as a chronically progressive, global, cognitive loss. The affected individual suffers a loss of capabilities in thinking and learningsufficient impairment that affects daily life, including social and/or occupational functioning. The greatest known risk factor for  Alzheimer is increasing age, and the majority of people with Alzheimer's are 65 and older. The main underlying cause of memory loss and confusion is the progressive damage to brain cells caused by Alzheimer's disease. Initially, memory lapses may be mistaken for the normal forgetfulness that often increases as people grow older or when they become very stressed. Because these memory loss changes first occur in the outer layers of the cortex, the memories that dying neurons take away first are the most recent, leaving older memories and skills functioning in the brain. Therefore, at first it is difficult do diagnose the disease. However, as the diseases progresses, memory impairment become more severe and obvious. Short-term memory loss deteriorates into severe memory problems. People's memories regress ten, twenty or more years in the past. There are four common areas in which people with memory loss experience difficulty: remembering events, taking in new information, recognising people, and places separating fact from fiction. 
alzheimer's symptoms
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. The main underlying cause of memory loss and confusion is the progressive damage to brain cells caused by Alzheimer's disease. The brain region called the hippocampus is the center of learning and memory in the brain, and the brain cells in this region are often the first to be damaged.

People in the early stages of Alzheimer\'s disease may experience lapses of memory and have problems finding the right words.  As the disease progresses, they may: become confused and frequently forget the names of people, places, appointments and recent events experience mood swings, feel sad or angry, or scared and frustrated by their increasing memory loss, become more withdrawn, due either to a loss of confidence or to communication problems have difficulty carrying out everyday activities.

In the early stages of dementia, memory aids such as lists, diaries, clocks and clear, written instructions can help jog the person\'s memory if they are willing and able to make use of them. As the dementia progresses, the person may become less able to understand what the aids are for.

Alzheimer's does not affect all memory capacities equally. Older memories of the person's life (episodic memory), facts learned (semantic memory), and implicit memory (the memory of the body on how to do things, such as using a fork to eat) are affected to a lesser degree than new facts or memories.
alzheimer's symptoms
 The memories of Alzheimer\'s patients are forgotten but not gone, to twist a popular phrase. Now, one potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s developmentespecially when coupled with other treatments, researchers say. Scientists at the University of California Irvine have successfully recovered the memories of mice bred to develop age-related Alzheimer\'s symptoms by using an experimental drug that is being tested as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage by congregating in areas of the brain with amyloid plaques, researchers said. Amyloid plaques are one of the most common physical brain characteristics found in Alzheimer\'s patients. Over the course of a 12-week study, researchers tested the mice for cognitive ability and memory retention. Mice that received PMX205 during early stages of Alzheimer\'s performed nearly as well as normal mice on the tests, but mice receiving no treatment performed very poorly. When the brains of the mice were examined, researchers found up to 50% fewer Alzheimer\'s-related pathologies in the brains of the mice receiving PMX205 treatment. The report appears in the July 15 edition of The Journal of Immunology.
alzheimer's symptoms
 While current medications cannot stop the damage Alzheimer\'s causes to brain cells, they may help lessen symptoms for a limited time. Certain situations  such as a change in living arrangements, switch in routine or certain infections  can cause symptoms to worsen. Any time there is a sudden change in behavior, it is important to have a medical evaluation to rule out other causes. Although being called by a different name or not being recognized can be painful, try not to make your hurt apparent. Respond with a brief explanation. Don\'t overwhelm the person with lengthy statements or reasons. Instead, clarify with a simple explanation. Show photos and other reminders. Use photographs and other thought-provoking items to remind the person of important relationships and places. Travel with the person to where he or she is in time. If the person\'s memory is focused on a particular time in his or her life, engage in conversation about recollections with an understanding that this is his or her current reality. Offer corrections as suggestions. Avoid explanations that sound like scolding. \"  Try not to take it personally. Alzheimer\'s disease causes your loved one to forget, but your support and understanding will continue to be appreciated.
alzheimer's symptoms
Dementia is not a specific disease. It\s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person\'s ability to perform everyday activities.



 The first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Apathy can be observed at this stage, and remains the most persistent neuro-psychiatric symptom throughout the course of the disease.



So if you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don\'t ignore them. See a doctor soon to determine the cause. Even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available treatments and provides an opportunity to volunteer for clinical trials or studies.
alzheimer's symptoms
 Dementia is not a specific disease. It\'s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person\'s ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer\'s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases. Vascular dementia, which occurs after a stroke, is the second most common dementia type. But there are many other conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia, including some that are reversible, such as thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies. Dementia is often incorrectly referred to as \"senility\" or \"senile dementia,\" which reflects the formerly widespread but incorrect belief that serious mental decline is a normal part of aging. While symptoms of dementia can vary greatly, at least two of the following core mental functions must be significantly impaired to be considered dementia:  Memory Communication and language Ability to focus and pay attention Reasoning and judgment Visual perception People with dementia may have problems with short-term memory, keeping track of a purse or wallet, paying bills, planning and preparing meals, remembering appointments or traveling out of the neighborhood. Many dementias are progressive, meaning symptoms start out slowly and gradually get worse. If you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don\'t ignore them. See a doctor soon to determine the cause. Professional evaluation may detect a treatable condition. And even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available treatments and provides an opportunity to volunteer for clinical trials or studies. It also provides time to plan for the future.
alzheimer's symptoms
There is no one test to determine if someone has dementia. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information.

People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (such as restlessness) . difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren\'t there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. The most common presenting symptoms in Semantic Dementia are in the verbal domain however (with loss of word meaning) and it is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia. SD patients sometimes show symptoms of surface dyslexia, a relatively selective impairment in reading low-frequency words with exceptional or atypical spelling-to-sound correspondences. 

Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of Alzheimer Disease. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. In addition: apathy and depressive symptoms. 
alzheimer's symptoms
The term \dementia\' is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. These diseases include Alzheimer\s disease and vascular dementia.



Memory loss, along with other cognitive defects and apathy, are often one of the first signs of dementia, specially in the case of subjects with Alzheimer. 



 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer\'s disease. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating.  People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion.



Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (such as restlessness) difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren\'t there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. 



Clumsiness, lack of facial expression, speech difficulties, and loss of bladder control are also common symptoms of vascular dementia.
alzheimer's symptoms
 Alzheimer\'s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases. That\s why memory loss is often one of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer\'s.



Other symptoms of  Alzheimer\'s disease include problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments on the semantic memory. Subjects may also suffer from apathy.



Several studies report that blood pressure is increased in victims of Alzheimer\'s disease (AD) decades before the onset of the disease.
alzheimer's symptoms
The term "dementia" describes a set of symptoms which can include loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with communication and reasoning. Memory loss is often one of the first signs of dementia. The person with dementia may be aware of  and frustrated by the changes taking place, such as difficulty recalling recent events, making decisions or processing what was said by others. Initially, memory lapses may be mistaken for the normal forgetfulness that often increases as people grow older or when they become very stressed. However, in someone with dementia it will gradually become apparent that the memory problems are becoming more severe and persistent. Therefore, mild memory lose may not be diagnosed at first but it is one of the first symptoms of dementia. 
alzheimer's symptoms
 Semantic dementia (SD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of semantic memory in both the verbal and non-verbal domains. The most common presenting symptoms are in the verbal domain however (with loss of word meaning) and it is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia. SD patients sometimes show symptoms of surface dyslexia, a relatively selective impairment in reading low-frequency words with exceptional or atypical spelling-to-sound correspondences. SD is one of the three canonical clinical syndromes associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). SD is a clinically defined syndrome, but is associated with predominantly temporal lobe atrophy (left greater than right) and hence is sometimes called temporal variant FTLD (tvFTLD). It was first described by Arnold Pick in 1904 and in modern times was characterised by Professor Elizabeth Warrington in 1975, however it was not given the name semantic dementia until 1989. The clinical and neuropsychological features, and their association with temporal lobe atrophy were described by Professor John Hodges and colleagues in 1992. SD patients often present with the complaint of word-finding difficulties. Clinical signs include fluent aphasia, anomia, impaired comprehension of word meaning, and associative visual agnosia (inability to match semantically related pictures or objects). As the disease progresses, behavioural and personality changes are often seen similar to those seen in frontotemporal dementia although cases have been described of \'pure\' semantic dementia with few late behavioural symptoms.
alzheimer's symptoms
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, which means that gradually, over time, more parts of the brain are damaged. As this happens, the symptoms of the illness become more severe. In its early stages and one of the first symptoms of the illness are mild memory loss and very mild cognitive decline in general. The person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses  forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. The main underlying cause of memory loss and confusion is the progressive damage to brain cells caused by Alzheimer's disease.   


alzheimer's symptoms
 Semantic dementia (SD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of semantic memory in both the verbal and non-verbal domains. The most common presenting symptoms are in the verbal domain however (with loss of word meaning) and it is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia. SD is one of the three canonical clinical syndromes associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). It is a clinically defined syndrome, but is associated with predominantly temporal lobe atrophy (left greater than right) and hence is sometimes called temporal variant FTLD (tvFTLD). Of all the FTLD syndromes SD is least likely to run in families and is usually sporadic.



Clinical signs include fluent aphasia, anomia, impaired comprehension of word meaning, and associative visual agnosia (inability to match semantically related pictures or objects).  As the disease progresses, behavioural and personality changes are often seen similar to those seen in frontotemporal dementia although cases have been described of \pure\' semantic dementia with few late behavioural symptoms. The majority of patients with SD will have ubiquitin-positive, TDP-43 positive, tau-negative inclusions, although other pathologies have been described more infrequently, namely tau-positive Pick\s disease and Alzheimer\'s pathology.



There is currently no known curative treatment for this condition.
alzheimer's symptoms
Dementia is not a specific disease. It is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. One of these diseases is semantic dementia. Semantic dementia was first described by Arnold Pick in 1904. Semantic dementia (SD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of semantic memory in both the verbal and non-verbal domains. It is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia   However, the most common presenting symptoms are in the verbal domain (with loss of word meaning).

Sometimes, SD patients show symptoms of surface dyslexia. They often present with the complaint of word-finding difficulties. Clinical signs include fluent aphasia, anomia, impaired comprehension of word meaning, and associative visual agnosia (inability to match semantically related pictures or objects). As the disease progresses, behavioural and personality changes are often seen similar to those seen in frontotemporal dementia although cases have been described of 'pure' semantic dementia with few late behavioural symptoms. When

structural MRI imaging is performed on SD patients it shows a characteristic pattern of atrophy in the temporal lobes (predominantly on the left), with inferior greater than superior involvement and anterior temporal lobe atrophy greater than posterior.

Based on these imaging methods, semantic dementia can be regionally dissociated from the other subtypes of frontotemporal lobar degeneration, frontotemporal dementia and progressive nonfluent aphasia. Semantic dementia is a form of dementia that is different from other more common forms such as Alzheimer's. 


alzheimer's symptoms
 Dementia is not a specific disease. It\'s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person\'s ability to perform everyday activities. While symptoms of dementia can vary greatly, at least two of the following core mental functions must be significantly impaired to be considered dementia:  Memory Communication and language Ability to focus and pay attention Reasoning and judgment Visual perception People with dementia may have problems with short-term memory, keeping track of a purse or wallet, paying bills, planning and preparing meals, remembering appointments or traveling out of the neighborhood. Many dementias are progressive, meaning symptoms start out slowly and gradually get worse. If you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don\'t ignore them. And even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available treatments and provides an opportunity to volunteer for clinical trials or studies.
alzheimer's symptoms
The early stages of alzheimer are very hard to detect because of saddle symptoms and our lack of knowledge about the disease.  Stage 1: No impairment (normal function) The person does not experience any memory problems. An interview with a medical professional does not show any evidence of symptoms of dementia. Stage 2:	Very mild cognitive decline (may be normal age-related changes or earliest signs of Alzheimer\'s disease) The person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses  forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. But no symptoms of dementia can be detected during a medical examination or by friends, family or co-workers. Stage 3: Mild cognitive decline (early-stage Alzheimer\'s can be diagnosed in some, but not all, individuals with these symptoms) Friends, family or co-workers begin to notice difficulties. During a detailed medical interview, doctors may be able to detect problems in memory or concentration. Common stage 3 difficulties include: Noticeable problems coming up with the right word or name  Trouble remembering names when introduced to new people Having noticeably greater difficulty performing tasks in social or work settings Forgetting material that one has just read Losing or misplacing a valuable object Increasing trouble with planning or organizing. Alzheimer\'s is a progressive disease, which means that gradually, over time, more parts of the brain are damaged.
alzheimer's symptoms
Alzheimer diagnosis also very in different stage of disease but a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death.. In the first stage an interview with a medical professional does not show any evidence of symptoms of dementia. Stage 2 is also hard to detect during a medical examination or by friends, family or co-workers. During a detailed medical interview, doctors may be able to detect problems in memory or concentration during stage 3. Stage 4 could be clear cut diagnosed with  a careful medical interview, Forgetfulness of recent events Impaired ability to perform challenging mental arithmetic for example, counting backward from 100 by 7s Greater difficulty performing complex tasks, such as planning dinner for guests, paying bills or managing finances Forgetfulness about one\'s own personal history Becoming moody or withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations. Stage 5  can be diagnosed by the severe cognitive decline at this stage, those with Alzheimer\'s may: Be unable to recall their own address or telephone number or the high school or college from which they graduated Become confused about where they are or what day it is Have trouble with less challenging mental arithmetic; such as counting backward from 40 by subtracting 4s or from 20 by 2s Need help choosing proper clothing for the season or the occasion Still remember significant details about themselves and their family Still require no assistance with eating or using the toilet.
alzheimer's symptoms
 Several prescription drugs are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. Treating the symptoms of Alzheimers can provide patients with comfort, dignity, and independence for a longer period of time and can encourage and assist their caregivers as well. It is important to understand that none of these medications stops the disease itself. Medications called cholinesterase inhibitors are prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimers disease. These drugs may help delay or prevent symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time and may help control some behavioral symptoms. The medications include: Razadyne (galantamine), Exelon (rivastigmine), and Aricept (donepezil). Another drug, Cognex (tacrine), was the first approved cholinesterase inhibitor but is rarely prescribed today due to safety concerns. Scientists do not yet fully understand how cholinesterase inhibitors work to treat Alzheimers disease, but research indicates that they prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a brain chemical believed to be important for memory and thinking. As Alzheimers progresses, the brain produces less and less acetylcholine; therefore, cholinesterase inhibitors may eventually lose their effect. No published study directly compares these drugs. A medication known as Namenda (memantine), an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, is prescribed to treat moderate to severe Alzheimers disease. This drugs main effect is to delay progression of some of the symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimers. It may allow patients to maintain certain daily functions a little longer than they would without the medication. For example, Namenda may help a patient in the later stages of the disease maintain his or her ability to use the bathroom independently for several more months, a benefit for both patients and caregivers.
alzheimer's symptoms
Alzheimer's is considered to be a disease of exclusion, meaning that all other possible causes, such as infection, disease, alcohol and drug abuse, vitamin deficiency, as well as mental illness must be ruled out before any probable diagnosis of Alzheimer's is given. This is accomplished by undergoing a complete physical, neurological and psychological examination.

Doctors diagnose Alzheimer's and other types of dementia based on a careful medical history, a physical examination, laboratory tests, and the characteristic changes in thinking, day-to-day function and behavior associated with each type. Doctors can determine that a person has dementia with a high level of certainty. But it\'s harder to determine the exact type of dementia because the symptoms and brain changes of different dementias can overlap. In some cases, a doctor may diagnose "dementia" and not specify a type. 

Due to the very nature of the Alzheimer's disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimer's can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death. Alzheimer's disease is distinguished from other forms of dementia by characteristic changes in the brain. These changes include a 50% reduction of acetylcholine, the primary brain chemical used in the retrieval of memory and the formation of plaques and tangles. These plaques and tangles are abnormal growths or accumulation of certain proteins that build within and surround brain cells.
alzheimer's symptoms
alzheimer's symptoms include: cognitive difficulties in remembering things (especially recent memory), attentiveness, planning, flexibility, abstract thinking, and language; apathy; depressive symptoms; irritability; difficulties in movement coordination and planning;delusional symptoms; and urinary incontinence.
alzheimer's symptoms
Several prescription drugs are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. It is important to understand that none of these medications stops the disease itself.

Medications called cholinesterase inhibitors are prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimers disease. These drugs may help delay or prevent symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time and may help control some behavioral symptoms. The medications include: Razadyne (galantamine), Exelon (rivastigmine), and Aricept (donepezil). Another drug, Cognex (tacrine), was the first approved cholinesterase inhibitor but is rarely prescribed today due to safety concerns. Because they work in a similar way, switching from one of these drugs to another probably will not produce significantly different results. However, an Alzheimers patient may respond better to one drug than another. As Alzheimers progresses, the brain produces less and less acetylcholine; therefore, cholinesterase inhibitors may eventually lose their effect.

A medication known as Namenda (memantine), an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, is prescribed to treat moderate to severe Alzheimers disease. This drugs main effect is to delay progression of some of the symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimers.

The FDA has also approved Aricept for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimers disease.

Doctors usually start patients at low drug doses and gradually increase the dosage based on how well a patient tolerates the drug.
alzheimer's symptoms
There are different stages of Alzheimer and each stage have mildly different symptoms  Stage 1:	No impairment (normal function) The person does not experience any memory problems. Stage 2:	Very mild cognitive decline (may be normal age-related changes or earliest signs of Alzheimer\'s disease) The person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses  forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. Common stage 3 difficulties include: Noticeable problems coming up with the right word or name  Trouble remembering names when introduced to new people Having noticeably greater difficulty performing tasks in social or work settings Forgetting material that one has just read Losing or misplacing a valuable object Increasing trouble with planning or organizing. Stage 4:	 Moderate cognitive decline (Mild or early-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) Stage 5:	Moderately severe cognitive decline (Moderate or mid-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) Gaps in memory and thinking are noticeable, and individuals begin to need help with day-to-day activities. Stage 6:	Severe cognitive decline (Moderately severe or mid-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) Memory continues to worsen, personality changes may take place and individuals need extensive help with daily activities. Stage 7:	Very severe cognitive decline (Severe or late-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) In the final stage of this disease, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement.
alzheimer's symptoms
Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, where symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years.

Stage 1: The person has no memory problems.

Stage 2: Individuals may feel as if they are having small memory lapses. No symptoms can be detected during a medical examination or by friends or family.

Stage 3: Can sometimes be diagnosed. Friends and family begin to notice difficulties. These include: Noticeable difficulty finding the right word, forgetting recently acquired information, losing valuable objects and trouble with planning or organizing.

Stage 4: A careful medical interview should be able to detect clear-cut symptoms: Forgetfulness of recent events, impaired ability to perform challenging mental arithmetic, difficulty performing complex tasks, forgetfulness about personal history, becoming moody or withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations.

Stage 5: Gaps in memory and thinking are noticeable, and individuals begin to need help with daily activities. At this stage, individuals may: Be unable to recall personal information, become confused about their environment, have trouble with easier mental arithmetic, need help choosing clothing for the season or the occasion.

Stage 6: Memory continues to worsen, personality changes occur and individuals need extensive help with daily activities. At this stage, individuals may: Distinguish familiar and unfamiliar faces but have trouble remembering the name of familiar people, need help dressing to avoid mistakes (e.g. shoes on the wrong feet), experience major changes in sleep patterns, need help handling details of toileting, have frequent trouble controlling their bladder or bowels.

Stage 7: In the final stage of this disease, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement. At this stage, individuals need help with much of their daily personal care, including eating or using the toilet. They may also have trouble with simple physical activities. Reflexes become abnormal. Muscles grow rigid. Swallowing is impaired.
alzheimer's symptoms
Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD.

At the first and second stages of Alzheimer, it's hard to detect any symptoms of dementia. Mild cognitive decline (in memory, or concentration)can be diagnosed in some individuals at the third stage. At the fourth stage moderate cognitive decline can be clearly detected in several areas: Forgetfulness of recent events impaired ability to perform challenging mental arithmetic for example, counting backward from 100 by 7s Greater difficulty performing complex tasks, such as planning dinner for guests, paying bills or managing finances Forgetfulness about one\'s own personal history Becoming moody or withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations.


alzheimer's symptoms
Several prescription drugs are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease.

No new drugs for memory loss have been FDA approved for a decade, and those already on the market only modestly ease symptoms for a limited time. Additionally, they do not work for all patients and do not halt progression of the disease. 

Some studies showed that B vitamins may help protect the aging brain, though they couldn't prove that this treatment will stave off Alzheimers or delay its onset.

Medications called cholinesterase inhibitors such as: Razadyne (galantamine), Exelon (rivastigmine), and Aricept (donepezil), which prevent the breakdown of a brian chemical believed to be important for memory and thinking, are prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimers disease. They may help delay or prevent symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time and may help control some behavioral symptoms. Patients may respond better to one drug than another.

A medication known as Namenda (memantine), an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, which works differently from cholinesterase inhibitors thus can be perscribed in combination with it, is prescribed to treat moderate to severe Alzheimers disease. It delays progression of some of the symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimers, and may allow patients to maintain certain daily functions a little longer than they would without the medication.

Doctors usually start patients at low drug doses and gradually increase the dosage based on how well a patient tolerates the drug. 
It is important to follow the doctors instructions, report any unusual symptoms, and let the doctor know before adding or changing any medications.


alzheimer's symptoms
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. If the vascular system within the brain becomes damaged and blood cannot reach the brain cells, the cells will eventually die.Although the brain damage that causes vascular dementia cannot be reversed, it may be possible to slow the progression of the disease in a number of ways. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a 'stepped' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (such as restlessness) difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. It is important to note that some of these symptoms may not always be direct consequences of the disease. 
alzheimer's symptoms
 About 10 per cent of people with dementia have a type known as mixed dementia. A diagnosis of mixed dementia means that Alzheimer\'s disease, as well as stroke or small vessel disease, may have caused damage to the brain. The symptoms of mixed dementia may be similar to either Alzheimer\'s disease or vascular dementia, or may be a combination of the two. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued guidelines on drug treatments for Alzheimer\'s disease (including cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine), but has not recommended these same drugs for treating vascular dementia. These drugs may, however, be prescribed to treat mixed dementia, particularly when Alzheimer\'s disease is predominant.
alzheimer's symptoms
Brain cells need a good supply of blood in order to function properly. Blood is delivered through a network of blood vessels called the vascular system. If the vascular system within the brain becomes damaged and blood cannot reach the brain cells, the cells will eventually die. This can lead to the onset of vascular dementia. Meaning, it occurs after a stroke. Vascular dementia is the second most common dementia type. The different types of vascular dementia are a result of the different causes that damaged the brain, and which part of the brain has been damaged. Moreover, it affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. Some symptoms of vascular dementia may be similar to those of other types of dementia. However, people with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, visual mistakes and misperceptions, changes in behaviour, difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations and delusions  problems with continence and psychological symptoms. Some of these symptoms may not always be direct consequences of the disease. A number of conditions can cause or increase damage to the vascular system. These include high blood pressure, heart problems, high cholesterol and diabetes. Effective treatment of these conditions may significantly delay or stop the development of vascular dementia. 
alzheimer's symptoms
 The first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Apathy can be observed at this stage, and remains the most persistent neuropsychiatric symptom throughout the course of the disease. Depressive symptoms, irritability and reduced awareness of subtle memory difficulties also occur commonly. The preclinical stage of the disease has also been termed mild cognitive impairment, but whether this term corresponds to a different diagnostic stage or identifies the first step of AD is a matter of dispute. In a small portion of them, difficulties with language, executive functions, perception (agnosia), or execution of movements (apraxia) are more prominent than memory problems. AD does not affect all memory capacities equally. Older memories of the person\'s life (episodic memory), facts learned (semantic memory), and implicit memory (the memory of the body on how to do things, such as using a fork to eat) are affected to a lesser degree than new facts or memories. Language problems are mainly characterised by a shrinking vocabulary and decreased word fluency, which lead to a general impoverishment of oral and written language.
alzheimer's symptoms
Both vascular dementia and Alzheimer are forms of dementia. Alzheimer is the most common form of dementia and vascular dementia is the second. Despite some  apparent similarities they are also different from each other. One example of these differences can be seen in the symptoms. Some symptoms of vascular dementia may be similar to those of Alzheimer's disease, however, there are some different symptoms such as problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression etc. Generally, dementia is caused by damage to brain cells. In Alzheimer's protein 'plaques' and 'tangles' develop in the structure of the brain, leading to the death of brain cells. People with Alzheimer's also have a shortage of some important chemicals in their brain. These chemicals are involved with the transmission of messages within the brain. However, vascular dementia occurs after a stroke. In fact, the most common type of vascular dementia is called multi-infarct dementia, which is caused by a series of small strokes. Therefore, the causes for Alzheimer and vascular dementia rather different. Even some of the treatments for the illnesses are different. For example, The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued guidelines on drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease, but has not recommended these same drugs for treating vascular dementia. Therefore, there are some differences between    Alzheimer and vascular dementia despite the fact that they are both forms of dementia. 
alzheimer's symptoms
The causes of cognitive impairment are different types of demetia,Alzhimerand others.The causes of Mild Cognitive Impairment are not yet completely understood. Experts believe that many cases result from brain changes occurring in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. There are two types of MCI based on the thinking skills affected: affects memory is known as "amnestic MCI." and affects thinking skills other than memory is known as "nonamnestic MCI.  MCI causes cognitive changes that are serious enough to be noticed by the individuals experiencing them or to other people, but the changes are not severe enough to interfere with daily life or independent function.Currently there is no way to demonstrate conclusively that a person has MCI or determine the underlying cause of MCI in a specific person. Symptoms may include problems with memory or feeling foggy. This condition causes depresion. The doctor may recommend neuropsychological testing, which involves a series of written or computerized tests to evaluate specific thinking skills. Experts believe that many cases result from brain changes occurring in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. The causes of MCI are not yet completely understood. The risk factors most strongly linked to MCI are the same as those for dementia: advancing age, family history of Alzheimer's or another dementia, and conditions that raise risk for cardiovascular diseases. It is possible to modify the disease.  The study analyzed data from a 2010 clinical trial involving 156 patients, ages 70 and older, with MCI, a disorder affecting memory and thinking skills, but not severely enough to impair daily life. For example, people with MCI may start to forget information they previously could recall easily, such as recent events, appointments, or conversations. Up to 20 percent of people ages 65 and older suffer from MCI.
alzheimer's symptoms
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an illness which causes cognitive changes that are serious enough to be noticed by the individuals experiencing them or to other people, but the changes are not severe enough to interfere with daily life or independent function. Because of this reason. a person with MCI does not meet diagnostic guidelines for dementia. However, experts believe that many cases of MCI, result from brain changes occurring in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. The risk factors most strongly linked to MCI are the same as those for dementia: advancing age, family history of Alzheimer's or another dementia and conditions that raise risk for cardiovascular disease. However, unlike Alzheimer's or dementia not all people with MCI get worse and some eventually get better. There are currently no tests or procedures to demonstrate conclusively that a person has MCI. Moreover, it is not yet possible to determine the underlying cause of MCI in a specific person. The diagnoses of MCI includes the following core elements: thorough medical history, assessment of independent function and daily activities, input from a family member or trusted friend to provide additional perspective on how function may have changed, assessment of mental status using evaluation tests, in-office neurological examination and evaluation of mood to detect depression. If the workup doesn't create a clear clinical picture, the doctor may recommend neuropsychological testing. MCI is an illness that is both liked to Alzheimer's and yet it can be separate from it.  
alzheimer's symptoms
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer\'s disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. The term \'dementia\' is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. Someone with dementia may experience loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with language, reasoning and decision making. Being told that you or a loved one has vascular dementia can be very difficult and you may experience a range of different emotions as time goes on. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behavior (such as restlessness) difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren\'t there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. It is important to note that some of these symptoms may not always be direct consequences of the disease.
alzheimer's symptoms
One of the first difference between vascular dementia and Alzheimer are the causes. While Alzheimer causes are not yet completely understood, but they likely include a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. vascular dementia is caused by damage in the vascular system that prevents blood from reaching brain cells that will eventually die. Other differences are in the symptoms. Alzheimer is related with memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Vascular dementia However, people with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion. Some of  the symptoms are very similar.  About 10 per cent of people with dementia have a type known as mixed dementia. A diagnosis of mixed dementia means that Alzheimer\'s disease, as well as stroke or small vessel disease, may have caused damage to the brain. The symptoms of mixed dementia may be similar to either Alzheimer\'s disease or vascular dementia, or may be a combination of the two.
alzheimer's symptoms
 Memory loss is often one of the first signs of dementia. Initially, memory lapses may be mistaken for the normal forgetfulness that often increases as people grow older or when they become very stressed. However, in someone with dementia it will gradually become apparent that the memory problems are becoming more severe and persistent.



 The memories of Alzheimer\'s patients are forgotten but not gone, to twist a popular phrase. Now, one potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s developmentespecially when coupled with other treatments, researchers say.



 Scientists at the University of California Irvine have successfully recovered the memories of mice bred to develop age-related Alzheimer\'s symptoms by using an experimental drug that is being tested as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage by congregating in areas of the brain with amyloid plaques, researchers said. Amyloid plaques are one of the most common physical brain characteristics found in Alzheimer\'s patients.


alzheimer's symptoms
 However, there is plenty that can be done to help manage memory problems to enable people to retain their confidence and independence for as long as possible. This factsheet looks at ways to support a person with memory loss and offers some practical tips. In the early stages of dementia, memory aids such as lists, diaries, clocks and clear, written instructions can help jog the person\'s memory if they are willing and able to make use of them. As the dementia progresses, the person may become less able to understand what the aids are for. For more information about memory aids, see factsheet 429, Equipment, adaptations and improvements to the home and factsheet 521, Maintaining everyday skills. For details of Alzheimer\'s Society services in your area, visit alzheimers.org.uk/localinfo For information about a wide range of dementia-related topics, visit alzheimers.org.uk/factsheets The memories of Alzheimer\'s patients are forgotten but not gone, to twist a popular phrase. Now, one potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s developmentespecially when coupled with other treatments, researchers say.
alzheimer's symptoms
Memory loss, as with any other aspect of dementia, affects each person differently. 



If the person's memory is focused on a particular time in his or her life, engage in conversation about recollections with an understanding that this is his or her current reality. 



Offer corrections as suggestions. 



Avoid explanations that sound like scolding. 



Helping them to concentrate on one thing at a time. 



Trying to make sure that there are limited distractions. 



Making sure the person has enough meaningful activities to do and gets enough exercise. 



Helping the person to get enough sleep. 



Keeping to a regular routine can help with this difficulty, as will tactful reminders of the day and time, and about what is going to happen next. 



A calendar should be displayed prominently and the person with dementia should be encouraged to refer to it regularly. 



Keep information simple, and repeat it frequently. 



Break new activities down into small steps. When asking for information give cues and context. 



Try to begin any new routines as soon as possible.



Reminiscence therapy is a method that is used to help encourage people to remember events from their past, using reminders such as songs and photographs. 

Carers can use these techniques at home.  



There was a  B-vitamin combination  found that is the first and only disease-modifying treatment thats worked. 



An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s development especially when coupled with other treatments.
cognitive impairment
If you, or someone close to you, are worried about dementia, the first step is to visit the GP as soon as possible. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the better the chance of treatment to slow the progression of the disease.



 Alzheimers is considered to be a disease of exclusion, meaning that all other possible causes  such as infection, disease, alcohol and drug abuse, vitamin deficiency, as well as mental illness must be ruled out before any probable diagnosis of Alzheimers is given. 

Notice that the first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress.

The exclusion is accomplished by undergoing a complete physical, neurological and psychological examination. 

However, due to the very nature of the Alzheimers disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death. 



 Doctors can determine that a person has dementia with a high level of certainty. But it's harder to determine the exact type of dementia because the symptoms and brain changes of different dementias can overlap. In some cases, a doctor may diagnose \"dementia\" and not specify a type.
cognitive impairment
 The first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Apathy can be observed at this stage, and remains the most persistent neuropsychiatric symptom throughout the course of the disease. Depressive symptoms, irritability and reduced awareness of subtle memory difficulties also occur commonly. The preclinical stage of the disease has also been termed mild cognitive impairment, but whether this term corresponds to a different diagnostic stage or identifies the first step of AD is a matter of dispute. However, due to the very nature of the Alzheimers disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death.
cognitive impairment
Alzheimers is considered to be a disease of exclusion, meaning that all other possible causes  such as infection, disease, alcohol and drug abuse, vitamin deficiency, as well as mental illness must be ruled out before any probable diagnosis of Alzheimers is given. Alzheimers disease is distinguished from other forms of dementia by characteristic changes in the brain. These changes include a 50% reduction of acetylcholine, the primary brain chemical used in the retrieval of memory and the formation of plaques and tangles.  However, due to the very nature of the Alzheimers disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Depressive symptoms, irritability and reduced awareness of subtle memory difficulties also occur commonly. The preclinical stage of the disease has also been termed mild cognitive impairment, but whether this term corresponds to a different diagnostic stage or identifies the first step of AD is a matter of dispute.
cognitive impairment
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. 

Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a 'stepped' progression - symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe confusion. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (e.g seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (e.g restlessness), difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations and delusions, problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive.

 The speed that vascular dementia progresses varies from person to person. Although the brain damage that causes vascular dementia cannot be reversed, it may be possible to slow the progression of the disease in a number of ways such as: taking medication to treat any underlying conditions, such as stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or heart problems, adopting a healthier lifestyle by stopping smoking, taking regular exercise, eating healthily, and drinking alcohol only in moderation, receiving rehabilitative support, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, to help the person maximise their opportunities to regain their lost functions.
cognitive impairment
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer\'s disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. This factsheet will help you to understand vascular dementia by explaining the causes, symptoms and treatments available. The term \'dementia\' is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. These diseases include Alzheimer\'s disease and vascular dementia. Someone with dementia may experience loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with language, reasoning and decision making. Being told that you or a loved one has vascular dementia can be very difficult and you may experience a range of different emotions as time goes on. There is support available if you need it. Alzheimer\'s Society\'s National Dementia Helpline can provide information, support, guidance and signposting to other organisations. Details are at the end of this factsheet. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. Some symptoms may be similar to those of other types of dementia, such as Alzheimer\'s disease. However, people with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion.
cognitive impairment
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain.  Someone with dementia may experience loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with language, reasoning and decision making. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems, seizures periods of severe confusion. 

Additional symptoms may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions,changes in behaviour, difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations, and delusions problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive.

Risk factors to dementia are similar to those associated with cardiovascular disease and include  a medical history of stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes (particularly type II), heart problems or sleep apnoea ,a lack of physical activity, high quantities of alcohol drinking, smoking, eating a fatty diet, or leaving conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes untreated a family history of stroke or cardiovascular disease. Some ethnic groups have a higher tendency to dementia. Personalised care must be provided to people with dementia. 
cognitive impairment
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimers, the memory-robbing disorder. No new drugs for memory loss have been FDA approved for a decade. However, new researches strive to find ways to retrieve lost memories. A few of them research the usefulness of vitamin B, but the results are contradictory. According to  A. David Smith, professor emeritus of pharmacology at Oxford University, the B-vitamin combination used in the study is the first and only disease-modifying treatment that's worked. He worked with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a disorder affecting memory and thinking skills, but not severely enough to impair daily life. However, Researchers from Rush University Medical Center proved that vitamin B12 treatment will not stave off Alzheimer or delay its onset.  Nowadays there is an experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer's development especially when coupled with other treatments. Scientists at the University of California Irvine have successfully recovered the memories of mice bred to develop age-related Alzheimer's symptoms by using an experimental drug that is being tested as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage by congregating in areas of the brain with amyloid plaques which is one of the most common physical brain characteristics found in Alzheimer's patients. Other reaches found up to 50% fewer Alzheimer's-related pathologies in the brains of the mice receiving PMX205 treatment. Therefore, PMX205  has potential for treating Alzheimer in the future. 
cognitive impairment
Although most of these techniques to help people with Alzheimer require professional input, for example from a therapist, family carers can also use other methods to help someone experiencing loss of memory while also helping them stay independent. Some examples of these techniques include: leave written reminder by the door so that they don't forget their keys when they go out. Fit a device that cuts off the gas supply if they put a pan on the stove and then forget about it. Encourage the person with memory loss to remember what they can without making them feel pressured using frequent reminders. Don't overwhelm the person with lengthy statements and make sure that your explanations do not sound like scoldings. If the person's memory is focused on a particular time in his or her life, engage in conversation about recollections with an understanding that this is his or her current reality. Use photographs and other thought-provoking items to remind the person of important relationships and places. Provide verbal cues rather than asking questions. Help them concentrate on one thing at a time. Make sure that they get enough sleep, meaningful activities and exercise. It is important to be emotionally supportive of people dealing with memory loss. Also, try to be flexible and patient as far as possible These are just a few suggestions that could help.   
cognitive impairment
Alzheimer's has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues. Current treatments can temporarily slow the worsening of symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers.

A few different approaches have been developed to help people with dementia to cope with memory loss:

* The home can be changed in a number of ways to help them to manage as best as possible. Examples include labeling doors and cupboards and the use of 'special places' for important items.

* Reminiscence therapy is a method used to help encourage people to remember events from their past, using reminders. Encouraging the person to talk about their past and share memories, for example by looking at photographs, letters and souvenirs together can help jog the person's memory.

* Cognitive stimulation therapy involves activities and exercises designed to improve memory and communication skills. The exercises are based on day-to-day interests, reminiscence and information relating to the current time and place.

* Exercising several times a week for 30 to 60 minutes may: Improve memory, reasoning and cognitive function for people with mild Alzheimer's, and delay the start of Alzheimer's for people at risk of developing the disease or slow its progress.

The memories of Alzheimer's patients are not gone. One potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. Scientists have recovered memories of mice bred to develop Alzheimer's symptoms by using an experimental drug. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage. Over the course of the study, researchers tested the mice for cognitive ability and memory retention. Mice that received PMX205 during early stages of Alzheimer's performed nearly as well as normal mice on the tests.
cognitive impairment
 In the earlier stages of alzheimer, memory loss and confusion may be mild. The person with dementia may be aware of  and frustrated by  the changes taking place, such as difficulty recalling recent events, making decisions or processing what was said by others. In the later stages, memory loss becomes far more severe. A person may not recognize family members, may forget relationships, call family members by other names, or become confused about the location of home or the passage of time. He or she may forget the purpose of common items, such as a pen or a fork. These changes are some of the most painful for caregivers and families. Such types of behavior is sometimes incorrectly referred to as \"senility\" or \"senile dementia,\" which reflects the formerly widespread but incorrect belief that serious mental decline is a normal part of aging. While current medications cannot stop the damage Alzheimer\'s causes to brain cells, they may help lessen symptoms for a limited time. Certain situations  such as a change in living arrangements, switch in routine or certain infections  can cause symptoms to worsen. Any time there is a sudden change in behavior, it is important to have a medical evaluation to rule out other causes.
cognitive impairment
Long-term care for people with Alzheimer's disease offers a vast range of medical, personal, and social services that are required to meet the physical, social, and emotional needs of people who have long-term illnesses or are disabled. A nursing home facility may be the best choice for people who require 24-hour medical care and supervision. There are two types of care provided by nursing homes for those with Alzheimer's disease:  

* Basic care: This provides services that will help to maintain a person's ability to carry out necessary daily functions, like personal care and getting around. They will also ensure that the person is supervised and safe.

* Skilled care. This is care that requires the services of a registered nurse for treatments and procedures on a regular basis. Skilled care also includes services provided by specially trained professionals, such as physical, occupational, and respiratory therapists.

It is important to begin the search for a suitable nursing home well before you will need to take the step of moving. There are often waiting periods. Planning ahead can also make the transition of moving into a nursing home much easier.

Memory Care communities, which include Alzheimer's and Dementia care facilities, consist of specially designed living spaces and supporting environments for those who are living with cognitive challenges brought on by Alzheimer's and dementia. These may include carefully considered flooring to reduce problematic patterns for those with Alzheimer's or dementia and wall colors that help them to find the way. The dementia care environment helps cue its residents in their daily lives. Areas of the community are set up for safe engagement in activities such as gardening, kitchen work, and other life skills that provide purposeful and meaningful successful moments.
cognitive impairment
From the moment of birth, we humans are constantly learning and compiling more information into our brains memory. Alzheimer, the most common form of dementia, is a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. The American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (1987) characterizes Alzheimers disease as a chronically progressive, global, cognitive loss. The affected individual suffers a loss of capabilities in thinking and learningsufficient impairment that affects daily life, including social and/or occupational functioning. The greatest known risk factor for  Alzheimer is increasing age, and the majority of people with Alzheimer's are 65 and older. The main underlying cause of memory loss and confusion is the progressive damage to brain cells caused by Alzheimer's disease. Initially, memory lapses may be mistaken for the normal forgetfulness that often increases as people grow older or when they become very stressed. Because these memory loss changes first occur in the outer layers of the cortex, the memories that dying neurons take away first are the most recent, leaving older memories and skills functioning in the brain. Therefore, at first it is difficult do diagnose the disease. However, as the diseases progresses, memory impairment become more severe and obvious. Short-term memory loss deteriorates into severe memory problems. People's memories regress ten, twenty or more years in the past. There are four common areas in which people with memory loss experience difficulty: remembering events, taking in new information, recognising people, and places separating fact from fiction. 
cognitive impairment
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. The main underlying cause of memory loss and confusion is the progressive damage to brain cells caused by Alzheimer's disease. The brain region called the hippocampus is the center of learning and memory in the brain, and the brain cells in this region are often the first to be damaged.

People in the early stages of Alzheimer\'s disease may experience lapses of memory and have problems finding the right words.  As the disease progresses, they may: become confused and frequently forget the names of people, places, appointments and recent events experience mood swings, feel sad or angry, or scared and frustrated by their increasing memory loss, become more withdrawn, due either to a loss of confidence or to communication problems have difficulty carrying out everyday activities.

In the early stages of dementia, memory aids such as lists, diaries, clocks and clear, written instructions can help jog the person\'s memory if they are willing and able to make use of them. As the dementia progresses, the person may become less able to understand what the aids are for.

Alzheimer's does not affect all memory capacities equally. Older memories of the person's life (episodic memory), facts learned (semantic memory), and implicit memory (the memory of the body on how to do things, such as using a fork to eat) are affected to a lesser degree than new facts or memories.
cognitive impairment
 The memories of Alzheimer\'s patients are forgotten but not gone, to twist a popular phrase. Now, one potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s developmentespecially when coupled with other treatments, researchers say. Scientists at the University of California Irvine have successfully recovered the memories of mice bred to develop age-related Alzheimer\'s symptoms by using an experimental drug that is being tested as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage by congregating in areas of the brain with amyloid plaques, researchers said. Amyloid plaques are one of the most common physical brain characteristics found in Alzheimer\'s patients. Over the course of a 12-week study, researchers tested the mice for cognitive ability and memory retention. Mice that received PMX205 during early stages of Alzheimer\'s performed nearly as well as normal mice on the tests, but mice receiving no treatment performed very poorly. When the brains of the mice were examined, researchers found up to 50% fewer Alzheimer\'s-related pathologies in the brains of the mice receiving PMX205 treatment. The report appears in the July 15 edition of The Journal of Immunology.
cognitive impairment
 While current medications cannot stop the damage Alzheimer\'s causes to brain cells, they may help lessen symptoms for a limited time. Certain situations  such as a change in living arrangements, switch in routine or certain infections  can cause symptoms to worsen. Any time there is a sudden change in behavior, it is important to have a medical evaluation to rule out other causes. Although being called by a different name or not being recognized can be painful, try not to make your hurt apparent. Respond with a brief explanation. Don\'t overwhelm the person with lengthy statements or reasons. Instead, clarify with a simple explanation. Show photos and other reminders. Use photographs and other thought-provoking items to remind the person of important relationships and places. Travel with the person to where he or she is in time. If the person\'s memory is focused on a particular time in his or her life, engage in conversation about recollections with an understanding that this is his or her current reality. Offer corrections as suggestions. Avoid explanations that sound like scolding. \"  Try not to take it personally. Alzheimer\'s disease causes your loved one to forget, but your support and understanding will continue to be appreciated.
cognitive impairment
Dementia is not a specific disease. It\s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person\'s ability to perform everyday activities.



 The first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Apathy can be observed at this stage, and remains the most persistent neuro-psychiatric symptom throughout the course of the disease.



So if you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don\'t ignore them. See a doctor soon to determine the cause. Even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available treatments and provides an opportunity to volunteer for clinical trials or studies.
cognitive impairment
 Dementia is not a specific disease. It\'s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person\'s ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer\'s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases. Vascular dementia, which occurs after a stroke, is the second most common dementia type. But there are many other conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia, including some that are reversible, such as thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies. Dementia is often incorrectly referred to as \"senility\" or \"senile dementia,\" which reflects the formerly widespread but incorrect belief that serious mental decline is a normal part of aging. While symptoms of dementia can vary greatly, at least two of the following core mental functions must be significantly impaired to be considered dementia:  Memory Communication and language Ability to focus and pay attention Reasoning and judgment Visual perception People with dementia may have problems with short-term memory, keeping track of a purse or wallet, paying bills, planning and preparing meals, remembering appointments or traveling out of the neighborhood. Many dementias are progressive, meaning symptoms start out slowly and gradually get worse. If you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don\'t ignore them. See a doctor soon to determine the cause. Professional evaluation may detect a treatable condition. And even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available treatments and provides an opportunity to volunteer for clinical trials or studies. It also provides time to plan for the future.
cognitive impairment
There is no one test to determine if someone has dementia. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information.

People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (such as restlessness) . difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren\'t there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. The most common presenting symptoms in Semantic Dementia are in the verbal domain however (with loss of word meaning) and it is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia. SD patients sometimes show symptoms of surface dyslexia, a relatively selective impairment in reading low-frequency words with exceptional or atypical spelling-to-sound correspondences. 

Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of Alzheimer Disease. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. In addition: apathy and depressive symptoms. 
cognitive impairment
The term \dementia\' is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. These diseases include Alzheimer\s disease and vascular dementia.



Memory loss, along with other cognitive defects and apathy, are often one of the first signs of dementia, specially in the case of subjects with Alzheimer. 



 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer\'s disease. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating.  People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion.



Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (such as restlessness) difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren\'t there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. 



Clumsiness, lack of facial expression, speech difficulties, and loss of bladder control are also common symptoms of vascular dementia.
cognitive impairment
 Alzheimer\'s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases. That\s why memory loss is often one of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer\'s.



Other symptoms of  Alzheimer\'s disease include problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments on the semantic memory. Subjects may also suffer from apathy.



Several studies report that blood pressure is increased in victims of Alzheimer\'s disease (AD) decades before the onset of the disease.
cognitive impairment
The term "dementia" describes a set of symptoms which can include loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with communication and reasoning. Memory loss is often one of the first signs of dementia. The person with dementia may be aware of  and frustrated by the changes taking place, such as difficulty recalling recent events, making decisions or processing what was said by others. Initially, memory lapses may be mistaken for the normal forgetfulness that often increases as people grow older or when they become very stressed. However, in someone with dementia it will gradually become apparent that the memory problems are becoming more severe and persistent. Therefore, mild memory lose may not be diagnosed at first but it is one of the first symptoms of dementia. 
cognitive impairment
 Semantic dementia (SD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of semantic memory in both the verbal and non-verbal domains. The most common presenting symptoms are in the verbal domain however (with loss of word meaning) and it is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia. SD patients sometimes show symptoms of surface dyslexia, a relatively selective impairment in reading low-frequency words with exceptional or atypical spelling-to-sound correspondences. SD is one of the three canonical clinical syndromes associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). SD is a clinically defined syndrome, but is associated with predominantly temporal lobe atrophy (left greater than right) and hence is sometimes called temporal variant FTLD (tvFTLD). It was first described by Arnold Pick in 1904 and in modern times was characterised by Professor Elizabeth Warrington in 1975, however it was not given the name semantic dementia until 1989. The clinical and neuropsychological features, and their association with temporal lobe atrophy were described by Professor John Hodges and colleagues in 1992. SD patients often present with the complaint of word-finding difficulties. Clinical signs include fluent aphasia, anomia, impaired comprehension of word meaning, and associative visual agnosia (inability to match semantically related pictures or objects). As the disease progresses, behavioural and personality changes are often seen similar to those seen in frontotemporal dementia although cases have been described of \'pure\' semantic dementia with few late behavioural symptoms.
cognitive impairment
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, which means that gradually, over time, more parts of the brain are damaged. As this happens, the symptoms of the illness become more severe. In its early stages and one of the first symptoms of the illness are mild memory loss and very mild cognitive decline in general. The person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses  forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. The main underlying cause of memory loss and confusion is the progressive damage to brain cells caused by Alzheimer's disease.   


cognitive impairment
 Semantic dementia (SD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of semantic memory in both the verbal and non-verbal domains. The most common presenting symptoms are in the verbal domain however (with loss of word meaning) and it is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia. SD is one of the three canonical clinical syndromes associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). It is a clinically defined syndrome, but is associated with predominantly temporal lobe atrophy (left greater than right) and hence is sometimes called temporal variant FTLD (tvFTLD). Of all the FTLD syndromes SD is least likely to run in families and is usually sporadic.



Clinical signs include fluent aphasia, anomia, impaired comprehension of word meaning, and associative visual agnosia (inability to match semantically related pictures or objects).  As the disease progresses, behavioural and personality changes are often seen similar to those seen in frontotemporal dementia although cases have been described of \pure\' semantic dementia with few late behavioural symptoms. The majority of patients with SD will have ubiquitin-positive, TDP-43 positive, tau-negative inclusions, although other pathologies have been described more infrequently, namely tau-positive Pick\s disease and Alzheimer\'s pathology.



There is currently no known curative treatment for this condition.
cognitive impairment
Dementia is not a specific disease. It is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. One of these diseases is semantic dementia. Semantic dementia was first described by Arnold Pick in 1904. Semantic dementia (SD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of semantic memory in both the verbal and non-verbal domains. It is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia   However, the most common presenting symptoms are in the verbal domain (with loss of word meaning).

Sometimes, SD patients show symptoms of surface dyslexia. They often present with the complaint of word-finding difficulties. Clinical signs include fluent aphasia, anomia, impaired comprehension of word meaning, and associative visual agnosia (inability to match semantically related pictures or objects). As the disease progresses, behavioural and personality changes are often seen similar to those seen in frontotemporal dementia although cases have been described of 'pure' semantic dementia with few late behavioural symptoms. When

structural MRI imaging is performed on SD patients it shows a characteristic pattern of atrophy in the temporal lobes (predominantly on the left), with inferior greater than superior involvement and anterior temporal lobe atrophy greater than posterior.

Based on these imaging methods, semantic dementia can be regionally dissociated from the other subtypes of frontotemporal lobar degeneration, frontotemporal dementia and progressive nonfluent aphasia. Semantic dementia is a form of dementia that is different from other more common forms such as Alzheimer's. 


cognitive impairment
 Dementia is not a specific disease. It\'s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person\'s ability to perform everyday activities. While symptoms of dementia can vary greatly, at least two of the following core mental functions must be significantly impaired to be considered dementia:  Memory Communication and language Ability to focus and pay attention Reasoning and judgment Visual perception People with dementia may have problems with short-term memory, keeping track of a purse or wallet, paying bills, planning and preparing meals, remembering appointments or traveling out of the neighborhood. Many dementias are progressive, meaning symptoms start out slowly and gradually get worse. If you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don\'t ignore them. And even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available treatments and provides an opportunity to volunteer for clinical trials or studies.
cognitive impairment
The early stages of alzheimer are very hard to detect because of saddle symptoms and our lack of knowledge about the disease.  Stage 1: No impairment (normal function) The person does not experience any memory problems. An interview with a medical professional does not show any evidence of symptoms of dementia. Stage 2:	Very mild cognitive decline (may be normal age-related changes or earliest signs of Alzheimer\'s disease) The person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses  forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. But no symptoms of dementia can be detected during a medical examination or by friends, family or co-workers. Stage 3: Mild cognitive decline (early-stage Alzheimer\'s can be diagnosed in some, but not all, individuals with these symptoms) Friends, family or co-workers begin to notice difficulties. During a detailed medical interview, doctors may be able to detect problems in memory or concentration. Common stage 3 difficulties include: Noticeable problems coming up with the right word or name  Trouble remembering names when introduced to new people Having noticeably greater difficulty performing tasks in social or work settings Forgetting material that one has just read Losing or misplacing a valuable object Increasing trouble with planning or organizing. Alzheimer\'s is a progressive disease, which means that gradually, over time, more parts of the brain are damaged.
cognitive impairment
Alzheimer diagnosis also very in different stage of disease but a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death.. In the first stage an interview with a medical professional does not show any evidence of symptoms of dementia. Stage 2 is also hard to detect during a medical examination or by friends, family or co-workers. During a detailed medical interview, doctors may be able to detect problems in memory or concentration during stage 3. Stage 4 could be clear cut diagnosed with  a careful medical interview, Forgetfulness of recent events Impaired ability to perform challenging mental arithmetic for example, counting backward from 100 by 7s Greater difficulty performing complex tasks, such as planning dinner for guests, paying bills or managing finances Forgetfulness about one\'s own personal history Becoming moody or withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations. Stage 5  can be diagnosed by the severe cognitive decline at this stage, those with Alzheimer\'s may: Be unable to recall their own address or telephone number or the high school or college from which they graduated Become confused about where they are or what day it is Have trouble with less challenging mental arithmetic; such as counting backward from 40 by subtracting 4s or from 20 by 2s Need help choosing proper clothing for the season or the occasion Still remember significant details about themselves and their family Still require no assistance with eating or using the toilet.
cognitive impairment
 Several prescription drugs are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. Treating the symptoms of Alzheimers can provide patients with comfort, dignity, and independence for a longer period of time and can encourage and assist their caregivers as well. It is important to understand that none of these medications stops the disease itself. Medications called cholinesterase inhibitors are prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimers disease. These drugs may help delay or prevent symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time and may help control some behavioral symptoms. The medications include: Razadyne (galantamine), Exelon (rivastigmine), and Aricept (donepezil). Another drug, Cognex (tacrine), was the first approved cholinesterase inhibitor but is rarely prescribed today due to safety concerns. Scientists do not yet fully understand how cholinesterase inhibitors work to treat Alzheimers disease, but research indicates that they prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a brain chemical believed to be important for memory and thinking. As Alzheimers progresses, the brain produces less and less acetylcholine; therefore, cholinesterase inhibitors may eventually lose their effect. No published study directly compares these drugs. A medication known as Namenda (memantine), an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, is prescribed to treat moderate to severe Alzheimers disease. This drugs main effect is to delay progression of some of the symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimers. It may allow patients to maintain certain daily functions a little longer than they would without the medication. For example, Namenda may help a patient in the later stages of the disease maintain his or her ability to use the bathroom independently for several more months, a benefit for both patients and caregivers.
cognitive impairment
Alzheimer's is considered to be a disease of exclusion, meaning that all other possible causes, such as infection, disease, alcohol and drug abuse, vitamin deficiency, as well as mental illness must be ruled out before any probable diagnosis of Alzheimer's is given. This is accomplished by undergoing a complete physical, neurological and psychological examination.

Doctors diagnose Alzheimer's and other types of dementia based on a careful medical history, a physical examination, laboratory tests, and the characteristic changes in thinking, day-to-day function and behavior associated with each type. Doctors can determine that a person has dementia with a high level of certainty. But it\'s harder to determine the exact type of dementia because the symptoms and brain changes of different dementias can overlap. In some cases, a doctor may diagnose "dementia" and not specify a type. 

Due to the very nature of the Alzheimer's disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimer's can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death. Alzheimer's disease is distinguished from other forms of dementia by characteristic changes in the brain. These changes include a 50% reduction of acetylcholine, the primary brain chemical used in the retrieval of memory and the formation of plaques and tangles. These plaques and tangles are abnormal growths or accumulation of certain proteins that build within and surround brain cells.
cognitive impairment
alzheimer's symptoms include: cognitive difficulties in remembering things (especially recent memory), attentiveness, planning, flexibility, abstract thinking, and language; apathy; depressive symptoms; irritability; difficulties in movement coordination and planning;delusional symptoms; and urinary incontinence.
cognitive impairment
Several prescription drugs are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. It is important to understand that none of these medications stops the disease itself.

Medications called cholinesterase inhibitors are prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimers disease. These drugs may help delay or prevent symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time and may help control some behavioral symptoms. The medications include: Razadyne (galantamine), Exelon (rivastigmine), and Aricept (donepezil). Another drug, Cognex (tacrine), was the first approved cholinesterase inhibitor but is rarely prescribed today due to safety concerns. Because they work in a similar way, switching from one of these drugs to another probably will not produce significantly different results. However, an Alzheimers patient may respond better to one drug than another. As Alzheimers progresses, the brain produces less and less acetylcholine; therefore, cholinesterase inhibitors may eventually lose their effect.

A medication known as Namenda (memantine), an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, is prescribed to treat moderate to severe Alzheimers disease. This drugs main effect is to delay progression of some of the symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimers.

The FDA has also approved Aricept for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimers disease.

Doctors usually start patients at low drug doses and gradually increase the dosage based on how well a patient tolerates the drug.
cognitive impairment
There are different stages of Alzheimer and each stage have mildly different symptoms  Stage 1:	No impairment (normal function) The person does not experience any memory problems. Stage 2:	Very mild cognitive decline (may be normal age-related changes or earliest signs of Alzheimer\'s disease) The person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses  forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. Common stage 3 difficulties include: Noticeable problems coming up with the right word or name  Trouble remembering names when introduced to new people Having noticeably greater difficulty performing tasks in social or work settings Forgetting material that one has just read Losing or misplacing a valuable object Increasing trouble with planning or organizing. Stage 4:	 Moderate cognitive decline (Mild or early-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) Stage 5:	Moderately severe cognitive decline (Moderate or mid-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) Gaps in memory and thinking are noticeable, and individuals begin to need help with day-to-day activities. Stage 6:	Severe cognitive decline (Moderately severe or mid-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) Memory continues to worsen, personality changes may take place and individuals need extensive help with daily activities. Stage 7:	Very severe cognitive decline (Severe or late-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) In the final stage of this disease, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement.
cognitive impairment
Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, where symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years.

Stage 1: The person has no memory problems.

Stage 2: Individuals may feel as if they are having small memory lapses. No symptoms can be detected during a medical examination or by friends or family.

Stage 3: Can sometimes be diagnosed. Friends and family begin to notice difficulties. These include: Noticeable difficulty finding the right word, forgetting recently acquired information, losing valuable objects and trouble with planning or organizing.

Stage 4: A careful medical interview should be able to detect clear-cut symptoms: Forgetfulness of recent events, impaired ability to perform challenging mental arithmetic, difficulty performing complex tasks, forgetfulness about personal history, becoming moody or withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations.

Stage 5: Gaps in memory and thinking are noticeable, and individuals begin to need help with daily activities. At this stage, individuals may: Be unable to recall personal information, become confused about their environment, have trouble with easier mental arithmetic, need help choosing clothing for the season or the occasion.

Stage 6: Memory continues to worsen, personality changes occur and individuals need extensive help with daily activities. At this stage, individuals may: Distinguish familiar and unfamiliar faces but have trouble remembering the name of familiar people, need help dressing to avoid mistakes (e.g. shoes on the wrong feet), experience major changes in sleep patterns, need help handling details of toileting, have frequent trouble controlling their bladder or bowels.

Stage 7: In the final stage of this disease, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement. At this stage, individuals need help with much of their daily personal care, including eating or using the toilet. They may also have trouble with simple physical activities. Reflexes become abnormal. Muscles grow rigid. Swallowing is impaired.
cognitive impairment
Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD.

At the first and second stages of Alzheimer, it's hard to detect any symptoms of dementia. Mild cognitive decline (in memory, or concentration)can be diagnosed in some individuals at the third stage. At the fourth stage moderate cognitive decline can be clearly detected in several areas: Forgetfulness of recent events impaired ability to perform challenging mental arithmetic for example, counting backward from 100 by 7s Greater difficulty performing complex tasks, such as planning dinner for guests, paying bills or managing finances Forgetfulness about one\'s own personal history Becoming moody or withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations.


cognitive impairment
Several prescription drugs are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease.

No new drugs for memory loss have been FDA approved for a decade, and those already on the market only modestly ease symptoms for a limited time. Additionally, they do not work for all patients and do not halt progression of the disease. 

Some studies showed that B vitamins may help protect the aging brain, though they couldn't prove that this treatment will stave off Alzheimers or delay its onset.

Medications called cholinesterase inhibitors such as: Razadyne (galantamine), Exelon (rivastigmine), and Aricept (donepezil), which prevent the breakdown of a brian chemical believed to be important for memory and thinking, are prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimers disease. They may help delay or prevent symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time and may help control some behavioral symptoms. Patients may respond better to one drug than another.

A medication known as Namenda (memantine), an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, which works differently from cholinesterase inhibitors thus can be perscribed in combination with it, is prescribed to treat moderate to severe Alzheimers disease. It delays progression of some of the symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimers, and may allow patients to maintain certain daily functions a little longer than they would without the medication.

Doctors usually start patients at low drug doses and gradually increase the dosage based on how well a patient tolerates the drug. 
It is important to follow the doctors instructions, report any unusual symptoms, and let the doctor know before adding or changing any medications.


cognitive impairment
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. If the vascular system within the brain becomes damaged and blood cannot reach the brain cells, the cells will eventually die.Although the brain damage that causes vascular dementia cannot be reversed, it may be possible to slow the progression of the disease in a number of ways. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a 'stepped' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (such as restlessness) difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. It is important to note that some of these symptoms may not always be direct consequences of the disease. 
cognitive impairment
 About 10 per cent of people with dementia have a type known as mixed dementia. A diagnosis of mixed dementia means that Alzheimer\'s disease, as well as stroke or small vessel disease, may have caused damage to the brain. The symptoms of mixed dementia may be similar to either Alzheimer\'s disease or vascular dementia, or may be a combination of the two. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued guidelines on drug treatments for Alzheimer\'s disease (including cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine), but has not recommended these same drugs for treating vascular dementia. These drugs may, however, be prescribed to treat mixed dementia, particularly when Alzheimer\'s disease is predominant.
cognitive impairment
Brain cells need a good supply of blood in order to function properly. Blood is delivered through a network of blood vessels called the vascular system. If the vascular system within the brain becomes damaged and blood cannot reach the brain cells, the cells will eventually die. This can lead to the onset of vascular dementia. Meaning, it occurs after a stroke. Vascular dementia is the second most common dementia type. The different types of vascular dementia are a result of the different causes that damaged the brain, and which part of the brain has been damaged. Moreover, it affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. Some symptoms of vascular dementia may be similar to those of other types of dementia. However, people with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, visual mistakes and misperceptions, changes in behaviour, difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations and delusions  problems with continence and psychological symptoms. Some of these symptoms may not always be direct consequences of the disease. A number of conditions can cause or increase damage to the vascular system. These include high blood pressure, heart problems, high cholesterol and diabetes. Effective treatment of these conditions may significantly delay or stop the development of vascular dementia. 
cognitive impairment
 The first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Apathy can be observed at this stage, and remains the most persistent neuropsychiatric symptom throughout the course of the disease. Depressive symptoms, irritability and reduced awareness of subtle memory difficulties also occur commonly. The preclinical stage of the disease has also been termed mild cognitive impairment, but whether this term corresponds to a different diagnostic stage or identifies the first step of AD is a matter of dispute. In a small portion of them, difficulties with language, executive functions, perception (agnosia), or execution of movements (apraxia) are more prominent than memory problems. AD does not affect all memory capacities equally. Older memories of the person\'s life (episodic memory), facts learned (semantic memory), and implicit memory (the memory of the body on how to do things, such as using a fork to eat) are affected to a lesser degree than new facts or memories. Language problems are mainly characterised by a shrinking vocabulary and decreased word fluency, which lead to a general impoverishment of oral and written language.
cognitive impairment
Both vascular dementia and Alzheimer are forms of dementia. Alzheimer is the most common form of dementia and vascular dementia is the second. Despite some  apparent similarities they are also different from each other. One example of these differences can be seen in the symptoms. Some symptoms of vascular dementia may be similar to those of Alzheimer's disease, however, there are some different symptoms such as problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression etc. Generally, dementia is caused by damage to brain cells. In Alzheimer's protein 'plaques' and 'tangles' develop in the structure of the brain, leading to the death of brain cells. People with Alzheimer's also have a shortage of some important chemicals in their brain. These chemicals are involved with the transmission of messages within the brain. However, vascular dementia occurs after a stroke. In fact, the most common type of vascular dementia is called multi-infarct dementia, which is caused by a series of small strokes. Therefore, the causes for Alzheimer and vascular dementia rather different. Even some of the treatments for the illnesses are different. For example, The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued guidelines on drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease, but has not recommended these same drugs for treating vascular dementia. Therefore, there are some differences between    Alzheimer and vascular dementia despite the fact that they are both forms of dementia. 
cognitive impairment
The causes of cognitive impairment are different types of demetia,Alzhimerand others.The causes of Mild Cognitive Impairment are not yet completely understood. Experts believe that many cases result from brain changes occurring in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. There are two types of MCI based on the thinking skills affected: affects memory is known as "amnestic MCI." and affects thinking skills other than memory is known as "nonamnestic MCI.  MCI causes cognitive changes that are serious enough to be noticed by the individuals experiencing them or to other people, but the changes are not severe enough to interfere with daily life or independent function.Currently there is no way to demonstrate conclusively that a person has MCI or determine the underlying cause of MCI in a specific person. Symptoms may include problems with memory or feeling foggy. This condition causes depresion. The doctor may recommend neuropsychological testing, which involves a series of written or computerized tests to evaluate specific thinking skills. Experts believe that many cases result from brain changes occurring in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. The causes of MCI are not yet completely understood. The risk factors most strongly linked to MCI are the same as those for dementia: advancing age, family history of Alzheimer's or another dementia, and conditions that raise risk for cardiovascular diseases. It is possible to modify the disease.  The study analyzed data from a 2010 clinical trial involving 156 patients, ages 70 and older, with MCI, a disorder affecting memory and thinking skills, but not severely enough to impair daily life. For example, people with MCI may start to forget information they previously could recall easily, such as recent events, appointments, or conversations. Up to 20 percent of people ages 65 and older suffer from MCI.
cognitive impairment
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an illness which causes cognitive changes that are serious enough to be noticed by the individuals experiencing them or to other people, but the changes are not severe enough to interfere with daily life or independent function. Because of this reason. a person with MCI does not meet diagnostic guidelines for dementia. However, experts believe that many cases of MCI, result from brain changes occurring in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. The risk factors most strongly linked to MCI are the same as those for dementia: advancing age, family history of Alzheimer's or another dementia and conditions that raise risk for cardiovascular disease. However, unlike Alzheimer's or dementia not all people with MCI get worse and some eventually get better. There are currently no tests or procedures to demonstrate conclusively that a person has MCI. Moreover, it is not yet possible to determine the underlying cause of MCI in a specific person. The diagnoses of MCI includes the following core elements: thorough medical history, assessment of independent function and daily activities, input from a family member or trusted friend to provide additional perspective on how function may have changed, assessment of mental status using evaluation tests, in-office neurological examination and evaluation of mood to detect depression. If the workup doesn't create a clear clinical picture, the doctor may recommend neuropsychological testing. MCI is an illness that is both liked to Alzheimer's and yet it can be separate from it.  
cognitive impairment
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer\'s disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. The term \'dementia\' is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. Someone with dementia may experience loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with language, reasoning and decision making. Being told that you or a loved one has vascular dementia can be very difficult and you may experience a range of different emotions as time goes on. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behavior (such as restlessness) difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren\'t there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. It is important to note that some of these symptoms may not always be direct consequences of the disease.
cognitive impairment
One of the first difference between vascular dementia and Alzheimer are the causes. While Alzheimer causes are not yet completely understood, but they likely include a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. vascular dementia is caused by damage in the vascular system that prevents blood from reaching brain cells that will eventually die. Other differences are in the symptoms. Alzheimer is related with memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Vascular dementia However, people with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion. Some of  the symptoms are very similar.  About 10 per cent of people with dementia have a type known as mixed dementia. A diagnosis of mixed dementia means that Alzheimer\'s disease, as well as stroke or small vessel disease, may have caused damage to the brain. The symptoms of mixed dementia may be similar to either Alzheimer\'s disease or vascular dementia, or may be a combination of the two.
cognitive impairment
 Memory loss is often one of the first signs of dementia. Initially, memory lapses may be mistaken for the normal forgetfulness that often increases as people grow older or when they become very stressed. However, in someone with dementia it will gradually become apparent that the memory problems are becoming more severe and persistent.



 The memories of Alzheimer\'s patients are forgotten but not gone, to twist a popular phrase. Now, one potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s developmentespecially when coupled with other treatments, researchers say.



 Scientists at the University of California Irvine have successfully recovered the memories of mice bred to develop age-related Alzheimer\'s symptoms by using an experimental drug that is being tested as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage by congregating in areas of the brain with amyloid plaques, researchers said. Amyloid plaques are one of the most common physical brain characteristics found in Alzheimer\'s patients.


cognitive impairment
 However, there is plenty that can be done to help manage memory problems to enable people to retain their confidence and independence for as long as possible. This factsheet looks at ways to support a person with memory loss and offers some practical tips. In the early stages of dementia, memory aids such as lists, diaries, clocks and clear, written instructions can help jog the person\'s memory if they are willing and able to make use of them. As the dementia progresses, the person may become less able to understand what the aids are for. For more information about memory aids, see factsheet 429, Equipment, adaptations and improvements to the home and factsheet 521, Maintaining everyday skills. For details of Alzheimer\'s Society services in your area, visit alzheimers.org.uk/localinfo For information about a wide range of dementia-related topics, visit alzheimers.org.uk/factsheets The memories of Alzheimer\'s patients are forgotten but not gone, to twist a popular phrase. Now, one potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s developmentespecially when coupled with other treatments, researchers say.
cognitive impairment
Memory loss, as with any other aspect of dementia, affects each person differently. 



If the person's memory is focused on a particular time in his or her life, engage in conversation about recollections with an understanding that this is his or her current reality. 



Offer corrections as suggestions. 



Avoid explanations that sound like scolding. 



Helping them to concentrate on one thing at a time. 



Trying to make sure that there are limited distractions. 



Making sure the person has enough meaningful activities to do and gets enough exercise. 



Helping the person to get enough sleep. 



Keeping to a regular routine can help with this difficulty, as will tactful reminders of the day and time, and about what is going to happen next. 



A calendar should be displayed prominently and the person with dementia should be encouraged to refer to it regularly. 



Keep information simple, and repeat it frequently. 



Break new activities down into small steps. When asking for information give cues and context. 



Try to begin any new routines as soon as possible.



Reminiscence therapy is a method that is used to help encourage people to remember events from their past, using reminders such as songs and photographs. 

Carers can use these techniques at home.  



There was a  B-vitamin combination  found that is the first and only disease-modifying treatment thats worked. 



An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s development especially when coupled with other treatments.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
If you, or someone close to you, are worried about dementia, the first step is to visit the GP as soon as possible. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the better the chance of treatment to slow the progression of the disease.



 Alzheimers is considered to be a disease of exclusion, meaning that all other possible causes  such as infection, disease, alcohol and drug abuse, vitamin deficiency, as well as mental illness must be ruled out before any probable diagnosis of Alzheimers is given. 

Notice that the first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress.

The exclusion is accomplished by undergoing a complete physical, neurological and psychological examination. 

However, due to the very nature of the Alzheimers disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death. 



 Doctors can determine that a person has dementia with a high level of certainty. But it's harder to determine the exact type of dementia because the symptoms and brain changes of different dementias can overlap. In some cases, a doctor may diagnose \"dementia\" and not specify a type.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
 The first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Apathy can be observed at this stage, and remains the most persistent neuropsychiatric symptom throughout the course of the disease. Depressive symptoms, irritability and reduced awareness of subtle memory difficulties also occur commonly. The preclinical stage of the disease has also been termed mild cognitive impairment, but whether this term corresponds to a different diagnostic stage or identifies the first step of AD is a matter of dispute. However, due to the very nature of the Alzheimers disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
Alzheimers is considered to be a disease of exclusion, meaning that all other possible causes  such as infection, disease, alcohol and drug abuse, vitamin deficiency, as well as mental illness must be ruled out before any probable diagnosis of Alzheimers is given. Alzheimers disease is distinguished from other forms of dementia by characteristic changes in the brain. These changes include a 50% reduction of acetylcholine, the primary brain chemical used in the retrieval of memory and the formation of plaques and tangles.  However, due to the very nature of the Alzheimers disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Depressive symptoms, irritability and reduced awareness of subtle memory difficulties also occur commonly. The preclinical stage of the disease has also been termed mild cognitive impairment, but whether this term corresponds to a different diagnostic stage or identifies the first step of AD is a matter of dispute.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. 

Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a 'stepped' progression - symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe confusion. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (e.g seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (e.g restlessness), difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations and delusions, problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive.

 The speed that vascular dementia progresses varies from person to person. Although the brain damage that causes vascular dementia cannot be reversed, it may be possible to slow the progression of the disease in a number of ways such as: taking medication to treat any underlying conditions, such as stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or heart problems, adopting a healthier lifestyle by stopping smoking, taking regular exercise, eating healthily, and drinking alcohol only in moderation, receiving rehabilitative support, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, to help the person maximise their opportunities to regain their lost functions.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer\'s disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. This factsheet will help you to understand vascular dementia by explaining the causes, symptoms and treatments available. The term \'dementia\' is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. These diseases include Alzheimer\'s disease and vascular dementia. Someone with dementia may experience loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with language, reasoning and decision making. Being told that you or a loved one has vascular dementia can be very difficult and you may experience a range of different emotions as time goes on. There is support available if you need it. Alzheimer\'s Society\'s National Dementia Helpline can provide information, support, guidance and signposting to other organisations. Details are at the end of this factsheet. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. Some symptoms may be similar to those of other types of dementia, such as Alzheimer\'s disease. However, people with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain.  Someone with dementia may experience loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with language, reasoning and decision making. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems, seizures periods of severe confusion. 

Additional symptoms may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions,changes in behaviour, difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations, and delusions problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive.

Risk factors to dementia are similar to those associated with cardiovascular disease and include  a medical history of stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes (particularly type II), heart problems or sleep apnoea ,a lack of physical activity, high quantities of alcohol drinking, smoking, eating a fatty diet, or leaving conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes untreated a family history of stroke or cardiovascular disease. Some ethnic groups have a higher tendency to dementia. Personalised care must be provided to people with dementia. 
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimers, the memory-robbing disorder. No new drugs for memory loss have been FDA approved for a decade. However, new researches strive to find ways to retrieve lost memories. A few of them research the usefulness of vitamin B, but the results are contradictory. According to  A. David Smith, professor emeritus of pharmacology at Oxford University, the B-vitamin combination used in the study is the first and only disease-modifying treatment that's worked. He worked with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a disorder affecting memory and thinking skills, but not severely enough to impair daily life. However, Researchers from Rush University Medical Center proved that vitamin B12 treatment will not stave off Alzheimer or delay its onset.  Nowadays there is an experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer's development especially when coupled with other treatments. Scientists at the University of California Irvine have successfully recovered the memories of mice bred to develop age-related Alzheimer's symptoms by using an experimental drug that is being tested as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage by congregating in areas of the brain with amyloid plaques which is one of the most common physical brain characteristics found in Alzheimer's patients. Other reaches found up to 50% fewer Alzheimer's-related pathologies in the brains of the mice receiving PMX205 treatment. Therefore, PMX205  has potential for treating Alzheimer in the future. 
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
Although most of these techniques to help people with Alzheimer require professional input, for example from a therapist, family carers can also use other methods to help someone experiencing loss of memory while also helping them stay independent. Some examples of these techniques include: leave written reminder by the door so that they don't forget their keys when they go out. Fit a device that cuts off the gas supply if they put a pan on the stove and then forget about it. Encourage the person with memory loss to remember what they can without making them feel pressured using frequent reminders. Don't overwhelm the person with lengthy statements and make sure that your explanations do not sound like scoldings. If the person's memory is focused on a particular time in his or her life, engage in conversation about recollections with an understanding that this is his or her current reality. Use photographs and other thought-provoking items to remind the person of important relationships and places. Provide verbal cues rather than asking questions. Help them concentrate on one thing at a time. Make sure that they get enough sleep, meaningful activities and exercise. It is important to be emotionally supportive of people dealing with memory loss. Also, try to be flexible and patient as far as possible These are just a few suggestions that could help.   
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
Alzheimer's has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues. Current treatments can temporarily slow the worsening of symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers.

A few different approaches have been developed to help people with dementia to cope with memory loss:

* The home can be changed in a number of ways to help them to manage as best as possible. Examples include labeling doors and cupboards and the use of 'special places' for important items.

* Reminiscence therapy is a method used to help encourage people to remember events from their past, using reminders. Encouraging the person to talk about their past and share memories, for example by looking at photographs, letters and souvenirs together can help jog the person's memory.

* Cognitive stimulation therapy involves activities and exercises designed to improve memory and communication skills. The exercises are based on day-to-day interests, reminiscence and information relating to the current time and place.

* Exercising several times a week for 30 to 60 minutes may: Improve memory, reasoning and cognitive function for people with mild Alzheimer's, and delay the start of Alzheimer's for people at risk of developing the disease or slow its progress.

The memories of Alzheimer's patients are not gone. One potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. Scientists have recovered memories of mice bred to develop Alzheimer's symptoms by using an experimental drug. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage. Over the course of the study, researchers tested the mice for cognitive ability and memory retention. Mice that received PMX205 during early stages of Alzheimer's performed nearly as well as normal mice on the tests.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
 In the earlier stages of alzheimer, memory loss and confusion may be mild. The person with dementia may be aware of  and frustrated by  the changes taking place, such as difficulty recalling recent events, making decisions or processing what was said by others. In the later stages, memory loss becomes far more severe. A person may not recognize family members, may forget relationships, call family members by other names, or become confused about the location of home or the passage of time. He or she may forget the purpose of common items, such as a pen or a fork. These changes are some of the most painful for caregivers and families. Such types of behavior is sometimes incorrectly referred to as \"senility\" or \"senile dementia,\" which reflects the formerly widespread but incorrect belief that serious mental decline is a normal part of aging. While current medications cannot stop the damage Alzheimer\'s causes to brain cells, they may help lessen symptoms for a limited time. Certain situations  such as a change in living arrangements, switch in routine or certain infections  can cause symptoms to worsen. Any time there is a sudden change in behavior, it is important to have a medical evaluation to rule out other causes.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
Long-term care for people with Alzheimer's disease offers a vast range of medical, personal, and social services that are required to meet the physical, social, and emotional needs of people who have long-term illnesses or are disabled. A nursing home facility may be the best choice for people who require 24-hour medical care and supervision. There are two types of care provided by nursing homes for those with Alzheimer's disease:  

* Basic care: This provides services that will help to maintain a person's ability to carry out necessary daily functions, like personal care and getting around. They will also ensure that the person is supervised and safe.

* Skilled care. This is care that requires the services of a registered nurse for treatments and procedures on a regular basis. Skilled care also includes services provided by specially trained professionals, such as physical, occupational, and respiratory therapists.

It is important to begin the search for a suitable nursing home well before you will need to take the step of moving. There are often waiting periods. Planning ahead can also make the transition of moving into a nursing home much easier.

Memory Care communities, which include Alzheimer's and Dementia care facilities, consist of specially designed living spaces and supporting environments for those who are living with cognitive challenges brought on by Alzheimer's and dementia. These may include carefully considered flooring to reduce problematic patterns for those with Alzheimer's or dementia and wall colors that help them to find the way. The dementia care environment helps cue its residents in their daily lives. Areas of the community are set up for safe engagement in activities such as gardening, kitchen work, and other life skills that provide purposeful and meaningful successful moments.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
From the moment of birth, we humans are constantly learning and compiling more information into our brains memory. Alzheimer, the most common form of dementia, is a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. The American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (1987) characterizes Alzheimers disease as a chronically progressive, global, cognitive loss. The affected individual suffers a loss of capabilities in thinking and learningsufficient impairment that affects daily life, including social and/or occupational functioning. The greatest known risk factor for  Alzheimer is increasing age, and the majority of people with Alzheimer's are 65 and older. The main underlying cause of memory loss and confusion is the progressive damage to brain cells caused by Alzheimer's disease. Initially, memory lapses may be mistaken for the normal forgetfulness that often increases as people grow older or when they become very stressed. Because these memory loss changes first occur in the outer layers of the cortex, the memories that dying neurons take away first are the most recent, leaving older memories and skills functioning in the brain. Therefore, at first it is difficult do diagnose the disease. However, as the diseases progresses, memory impairment become more severe and obvious. Short-term memory loss deteriorates into severe memory problems. People's memories regress ten, twenty or more years in the past. There are four common areas in which people with memory loss experience difficulty: remembering events, taking in new information, recognising people, and places separating fact from fiction. 
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. The main underlying cause of memory loss and confusion is the progressive damage to brain cells caused by Alzheimer's disease. The brain region called the hippocampus is the center of learning and memory in the brain, and the brain cells in this region are often the first to be damaged.

People in the early stages of Alzheimer\'s disease may experience lapses of memory and have problems finding the right words.  As the disease progresses, they may: become confused and frequently forget the names of people, places, appointments and recent events experience mood swings, feel sad or angry, or scared and frustrated by their increasing memory loss, become more withdrawn, due either to a loss of confidence or to communication problems have difficulty carrying out everyday activities.

In the early stages of dementia, memory aids such as lists, diaries, clocks and clear, written instructions can help jog the person\'s memory if they are willing and able to make use of them. As the dementia progresses, the person may become less able to understand what the aids are for.

Alzheimer's does not affect all memory capacities equally. Older memories of the person's life (episodic memory), facts learned (semantic memory), and implicit memory (the memory of the body on how to do things, such as using a fork to eat) are affected to a lesser degree than new facts or memories.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
 The memories of Alzheimer\'s patients are forgotten but not gone, to twist a popular phrase. Now, one potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s developmentespecially when coupled with other treatments, researchers say. Scientists at the University of California Irvine have successfully recovered the memories of mice bred to develop age-related Alzheimer\'s symptoms by using an experimental drug that is being tested as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage by congregating in areas of the brain with amyloid plaques, researchers said. Amyloid plaques are one of the most common physical brain characteristics found in Alzheimer\'s patients. Over the course of a 12-week study, researchers tested the mice for cognitive ability and memory retention. Mice that received PMX205 during early stages of Alzheimer\'s performed nearly as well as normal mice on the tests, but mice receiving no treatment performed very poorly. When the brains of the mice were examined, researchers found up to 50% fewer Alzheimer\'s-related pathologies in the brains of the mice receiving PMX205 treatment. The report appears in the July 15 edition of The Journal of Immunology.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
 While current medications cannot stop the damage Alzheimer\'s causes to brain cells, they may help lessen symptoms for a limited time. Certain situations  such as a change in living arrangements, switch in routine or certain infections  can cause symptoms to worsen. Any time there is a sudden change in behavior, it is important to have a medical evaluation to rule out other causes. Although being called by a different name or not being recognized can be painful, try not to make your hurt apparent. Respond with a brief explanation. Don\'t overwhelm the person with lengthy statements or reasons. Instead, clarify with a simple explanation. Show photos and other reminders. Use photographs and other thought-provoking items to remind the person of important relationships and places. Travel with the person to where he or she is in time. If the person\'s memory is focused on a particular time in his or her life, engage in conversation about recollections with an understanding that this is his or her current reality. Offer corrections as suggestions. Avoid explanations that sound like scolding. \"  Try not to take it personally. Alzheimer\'s disease causes your loved one to forget, but your support and understanding will continue to be appreciated.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
Dementia is not a specific disease. It\s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person\'s ability to perform everyday activities.



 The first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Apathy can be observed at this stage, and remains the most persistent neuro-psychiatric symptom throughout the course of the disease.



So if you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don\'t ignore them. See a doctor soon to determine the cause. Even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available treatments and provides an opportunity to volunteer for clinical trials or studies.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
 Dementia is not a specific disease. It\'s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person\'s ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer\'s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases. Vascular dementia, which occurs after a stroke, is the second most common dementia type. But there are many other conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia, including some that are reversible, such as thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies. Dementia is often incorrectly referred to as \"senility\" or \"senile dementia,\" which reflects the formerly widespread but incorrect belief that serious mental decline is a normal part of aging. While symptoms of dementia can vary greatly, at least two of the following core mental functions must be significantly impaired to be considered dementia:  Memory Communication and language Ability to focus and pay attention Reasoning and judgment Visual perception People with dementia may have problems with short-term memory, keeping track of a purse or wallet, paying bills, planning and preparing meals, remembering appointments or traveling out of the neighborhood. Many dementias are progressive, meaning symptoms start out slowly and gradually get worse. If you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don\'t ignore them. See a doctor soon to determine the cause. Professional evaluation may detect a treatable condition. And even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available treatments and provides an opportunity to volunteer for clinical trials or studies. It also provides time to plan for the future.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
There is no one test to determine if someone has dementia. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information.

People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (such as restlessness) . difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren\'t there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. The most common presenting symptoms in Semantic Dementia are in the verbal domain however (with loss of word meaning) and it is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia. SD patients sometimes show symptoms of surface dyslexia, a relatively selective impairment in reading low-frequency words with exceptional or atypical spelling-to-sound correspondences. 

Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of Alzheimer Disease. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. In addition: apathy and depressive symptoms. 
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
The term \dementia\' is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. These diseases include Alzheimer\s disease and vascular dementia.



Memory loss, along with other cognitive defects and apathy, are often one of the first signs of dementia, specially in the case of subjects with Alzheimer. 



 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer\'s disease. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating.  People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion.



Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (such as restlessness) difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren\'t there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. 



Clumsiness, lack of facial expression, speech difficulties, and loss of bladder control are also common symptoms of vascular dementia.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
 Alzheimer\'s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases. That\s why memory loss is often one of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer\'s.



Other symptoms of  Alzheimer\'s disease include problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments on the semantic memory. Subjects may also suffer from apathy.



Several studies report that blood pressure is increased in victims of Alzheimer\'s disease (AD) decades before the onset of the disease.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
The term "dementia" describes a set of symptoms which can include loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with communication and reasoning. Memory loss is often one of the first signs of dementia. The person with dementia may be aware of  and frustrated by the changes taking place, such as difficulty recalling recent events, making decisions or processing what was said by others. Initially, memory lapses may be mistaken for the normal forgetfulness that often increases as people grow older or when they become very stressed. However, in someone with dementia it will gradually become apparent that the memory problems are becoming more severe and persistent. Therefore, mild memory lose may not be diagnosed at first but it is one of the first symptoms of dementia. 
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
 Semantic dementia (SD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of semantic memory in both the verbal and non-verbal domains. The most common presenting symptoms are in the verbal domain however (with loss of word meaning) and it is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia. SD patients sometimes show symptoms of surface dyslexia, a relatively selective impairment in reading low-frequency words with exceptional or atypical spelling-to-sound correspondences. SD is one of the three canonical clinical syndromes associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). SD is a clinically defined syndrome, but is associated with predominantly temporal lobe atrophy (left greater than right) and hence is sometimes called temporal variant FTLD (tvFTLD). It was first described by Arnold Pick in 1904 and in modern times was characterised by Professor Elizabeth Warrington in 1975, however it was not given the name semantic dementia until 1989. The clinical and neuropsychological features, and their association with temporal lobe atrophy were described by Professor John Hodges and colleagues in 1992. SD patients often present with the complaint of word-finding difficulties. Clinical signs include fluent aphasia, anomia, impaired comprehension of word meaning, and associative visual agnosia (inability to match semantically related pictures or objects). As the disease progresses, behavioural and personality changes are often seen similar to those seen in frontotemporal dementia although cases have been described of \'pure\' semantic dementia with few late behavioural symptoms.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, which means that gradually, over time, more parts of the brain are damaged. As this happens, the symptoms of the illness become more severe. In its early stages and one of the first symptoms of the illness are mild memory loss and very mild cognitive decline in general. The person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses  forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. The main underlying cause of memory loss and confusion is the progressive damage to brain cells caused by Alzheimer's disease.   


helping retrieve memory alzheimer
 Semantic dementia (SD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of semantic memory in both the verbal and non-verbal domains. The most common presenting symptoms are in the verbal domain however (with loss of word meaning) and it is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia. SD is one of the three canonical clinical syndromes associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). It is a clinically defined syndrome, but is associated with predominantly temporal lobe atrophy (left greater than right) and hence is sometimes called temporal variant FTLD (tvFTLD). Of all the FTLD syndromes SD is least likely to run in families and is usually sporadic.



Clinical signs include fluent aphasia, anomia, impaired comprehension of word meaning, and associative visual agnosia (inability to match semantically related pictures or objects).  As the disease progresses, behavioural and personality changes are often seen similar to those seen in frontotemporal dementia although cases have been described of \pure\' semantic dementia with few late behavioural symptoms. The majority of patients with SD will have ubiquitin-positive, TDP-43 positive, tau-negative inclusions, although other pathologies have been described more infrequently, namely tau-positive Pick\s disease and Alzheimer\'s pathology.



There is currently no known curative treatment for this condition.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
Dementia is not a specific disease. It is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. One of these diseases is semantic dementia. Semantic dementia was first described by Arnold Pick in 1904. Semantic dementia (SD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of semantic memory in both the verbal and non-verbal domains. It is characterized as a primary progressive aphasia   However, the most common presenting symptoms are in the verbal domain (with loss of word meaning).

Sometimes, SD patients show symptoms of surface dyslexia. They often present with the complaint of word-finding difficulties. Clinical signs include fluent aphasia, anomia, impaired comprehension of word meaning, and associative visual agnosia (inability to match semantically related pictures or objects). As the disease progresses, behavioural and personality changes are often seen similar to those seen in frontotemporal dementia although cases have been described of 'pure' semantic dementia with few late behavioural symptoms. When

structural MRI imaging is performed on SD patients it shows a characteristic pattern of atrophy in the temporal lobes (predominantly on the left), with inferior greater than superior involvement and anterior temporal lobe atrophy greater than posterior.

Based on these imaging methods, semantic dementia can be regionally dissociated from the other subtypes of frontotemporal lobar degeneration, frontotemporal dementia and progressive nonfluent aphasia. Semantic dementia is a form of dementia that is different from other more common forms such as Alzheimer's. 


helping retrieve memory alzheimer
 Dementia is not a specific disease. It\'s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person\'s ability to perform everyday activities. While symptoms of dementia can vary greatly, at least two of the following core mental functions must be significantly impaired to be considered dementia:  Memory Communication and language Ability to focus and pay attention Reasoning and judgment Visual perception People with dementia may have problems with short-term memory, keeping track of a purse or wallet, paying bills, planning and preparing meals, remembering appointments or traveling out of the neighborhood. Many dementias are progressive, meaning symptoms start out slowly and gradually get worse. If you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don\'t ignore them. And even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available treatments and provides an opportunity to volunteer for clinical trials or studies.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
The early stages of alzheimer are very hard to detect because of saddle symptoms and our lack of knowledge about the disease.  Stage 1: No impairment (normal function) The person does not experience any memory problems. An interview with a medical professional does not show any evidence of symptoms of dementia. Stage 2:	Very mild cognitive decline (may be normal age-related changes or earliest signs of Alzheimer\'s disease) The person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses  forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. But no symptoms of dementia can be detected during a medical examination or by friends, family or co-workers. Stage 3: Mild cognitive decline (early-stage Alzheimer\'s can be diagnosed in some, but not all, individuals with these symptoms) Friends, family or co-workers begin to notice difficulties. During a detailed medical interview, doctors may be able to detect problems in memory or concentration. Common stage 3 difficulties include: Noticeable problems coming up with the right word or name  Trouble remembering names when introduced to new people Having noticeably greater difficulty performing tasks in social or work settings Forgetting material that one has just read Losing or misplacing a valuable object Increasing trouble with planning or organizing. Alzheimer\'s is a progressive disease, which means that gradually, over time, more parts of the brain are damaged.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
Alzheimer diagnosis also very in different stage of disease but a true diagnosis of Alzheimers can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death.. In the first stage an interview with a medical professional does not show any evidence of symptoms of dementia. Stage 2 is also hard to detect during a medical examination or by friends, family or co-workers. During a detailed medical interview, doctors may be able to detect problems in memory or concentration during stage 3. Stage 4 could be clear cut diagnosed with  a careful medical interview, Forgetfulness of recent events Impaired ability to perform challenging mental arithmetic for example, counting backward from 100 by 7s Greater difficulty performing complex tasks, such as planning dinner for guests, paying bills or managing finances Forgetfulness about one\'s own personal history Becoming moody or withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations. Stage 5  can be diagnosed by the severe cognitive decline at this stage, those with Alzheimer\'s may: Be unable to recall their own address or telephone number or the high school or college from which they graduated Become confused about where they are or what day it is Have trouble with less challenging mental arithmetic; such as counting backward from 40 by subtracting 4s or from 20 by 2s Need help choosing proper clothing for the season or the occasion Still remember significant details about themselves and their family Still require no assistance with eating or using the toilet.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
 Several prescription drugs are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. Treating the symptoms of Alzheimers can provide patients with comfort, dignity, and independence for a longer period of time and can encourage and assist their caregivers as well. It is important to understand that none of these medications stops the disease itself. Medications called cholinesterase inhibitors are prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimers disease. These drugs may help delay or prevent symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time and may help control some behavioral symptoms. The medications include: Razadyne (galantamine), Exelon (rivastigmine), and Aricept (donepezil). Another drug, Cognex (tacrine), was the first approved cholinesterase inhibitor but is rarely prescribed today due to safety concerns. Scientists do not yet fully understand how cholinesterase inhibitors work to treat Alzheimers disease, but research indicates that they prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a brain chemical believed to be important for memory and thinking. As Alzheimers progresses, the brain produces less and less acetylcholine; therefore, cholinesterase inhibitors may eventually lose their effect. No published study directly compares these drugs. A medication known as Namenda (memantine), an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, is prescribed to treat moderate to severe Alzheimers disease. This drugs main effect is to delay progression of some of the symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimers. It may allow patients to maintain certain daily functions a little longer than they would without the medication. For example, Namenda may help a patient in the later stages of the disease maintain his or her ability to use the bathroom independently for several more months, a benefit for both patients and caregivers.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
Alzheimer's is considered to be a disease of exclusion, meaning that all other possible causes, such as infection, disease, alcohol and drug abuse, vitamin deficiency, as well as mental illness must be ruled out before any probable diagnosis of Alzheimer's is given. This is accomplished by undergoing a complete physical, neurological and psychological examination.

Doctors diagnose Alzheimer's and other types of dementia based on a careful medical history, a physical examination, laboratory tests, and the characteristic changes in thinking, day-to-day function and behavior associated with each type. Doctors can determine that a person has dementia with a high level of certainty. But it\'s harder to determine the exact type of dementia because the symptoms and brain changes of different dementias can overlap. In some cases, a doctor may diagnose "dementia" and not specify a type. 

Due to the very nature of the Alzheimer's disease, a true diagnosis of Alzheimer's can only be confirmed by autopsy of brain tissue after death. Alzheimer's disease is distinguished from other forms of dementia by characteristic changes in the brain. These changes include a 50% reduction of acetylcholine, the primary brain chemical used in the retrieval of memory and the formation of plaques and tangles. These plaques and tangles are abnormal growths or accumulation of certain proteins that build within and surround brain cells.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
alzheimer's symptoms include: cognitive difficulties in remembering things (especially recent memory), attentiveness, planning, flexibility, abstract thinking, and language; apathy; depressive symptoms; irritability; difficulties in movement coordination and planning;delusional symptoms; and urinary incontinence.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
Several prescription drugs are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. It is important to understand that none of these medications stops the disease itself.

Medications called cholinesterase inhibitors are prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimers disease. These drugs may help delay or prevent symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time and may help control some behavioral symptoms. The medications include: Razadyne (galantamine), Exelon (rivastigmine), and Aricept (donepezil). Another drug, Cognex (tacrine), was the first approved cholinesterase inhibitor but is rarely prescribed today due to safety concerns. Because they work in a similar way, switching from one of these drugs to another probably will not produce significantly different results. However, an Alzheimers patient may respond better to one drug than another. As Alzheimers progresses, the brain produces less and less acetylcholine; therefore, cholinesterase inhibitors may eventually lose their effect.

A medication known as Namenda (memantine), an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, is prescribed to treat moderate to severe Alzheimers disease. This drugs main effect is to delay progression of some of the symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimers.

The FDA has also approved Aricept for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimers disease.

Doctors usually start patients at low drug doses and gradually increase the dosage based on how well a patient tolerates the drug.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
There are different stages of Alzheimer and each stage have mildly different symptoms  Stage 1:	No impairment (normal function) The person does not experience any memory problems. Stage 2:	Very mild cognitive decline (may be normal age-related changes or earliest signs of Alzheimer\'s disease) The person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses  forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. Common stage 3 difficulties include: Noticeable problems coming up with the right word or name  Trouble remembering names when introduced to new people Having noticeably greater difficulty performing tasks in social or work settings Forgetting material that one has just read Losing or misplacing a valuable object Increasing trouble with planning or organizing. Stage 4:	 Moderate cognitive decline (Mild or early-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) Stage 5:	Moderately severe cognitive decline (Moderate or mid-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) Gaps in memory and thinking are noticeable, and individuals begin to need help with day-to-day activities. Stage 6:	Severe cognitive decline (Moderately severe or mid-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) Memory continues to worsen, personality changes may take place and individuals need extensive help with daily activities. Stage 7:	Very severe cognitive decline (Severe or late-stage Alzheimer\'s disease) In the final stage of this disease, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, where symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years.

Stage 1: The person has no memory problems.

Stage 2: Individuals may feel as if they are having small memory lapses. No symptoms can be detected during a medical examination or by friends or family.

Stage 3: Can sometimes be diagnosed. Friends and family begin to notice difficulties. These include: Noticeable difficulty finding the right word, forgetting recently acquired information, losing valuable objects and trouble with planning or organizing.

Stage 4: A careful medical interview should be able to detect clear-cut symptoms: Forgetfulness of recent events, impaired ability to perform challenging mental arithmetic, difficulty performing complex tasks, forgetfulness about personal history, becoming moody or withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations.

Stage 5: Gaps in memory and thinking are noticeable, and individuals begin to need help with daily activities. At this stage, individuals may: Be unable to recall personal information, become confused about their environment, have trouble with easier mental arithmetic, need help choosing clothing for the season or the occasion.

Stage 6: Memory continues to worsen, personality changes occur and individuals need extensive help with daily activities. At this stage, individuals may: Distinguish familiar and unfamiliar faces but have trouble remembering the name of familiar people, need help dressing to avoid mistakes (e.g. shoes on the wrong feet), experience major changes in sleep patterns, need help handling details of toileting, have frequent trouble controlling their bladder or bowels.

Stage 7: In the final stage of this disease, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement. At this stage, individuals need help with much of their daily personal care, including eating or using the toilet. They may also have trouble with simple physical activities. Reflexes become abnormal. Muscles grow rigid. Swallowing is impaired.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD.

At the first and second stages of Alzheimer, it's hard to detect any symptoms of dementia. Mild cognitive decline (in memory, or concentration)can be diagnosed in some individuals at the third stage. At the fourth stage moderate cognitive decline can be clearly detected in several areas: Forgetfulness of recent events impaired ability to perform challenging mental arithmetic for example, counting backward from 100 by 7s Greater difficulty performing complex tasks, such as planning dinner for guests, paying bills or managing finances Forgetfulness about one\'s own personal history Becoming moody or withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations.


helping retrieve memory alzheimer
Several prescription drugs are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease.

No new drugs for memory loss have been FDA approved for a decade, and those already on the market only modestly ease symptoms for a limited time. Additionally, they do not work for all patients and do not halt progression of the disease. 

Some studies showed that B vitamins may help protect the aging brain, though they couldn't prove that this treatment will stave off Alzheimers or delay its onset.

Medications called cholinesterase inhibitors such as: Razadyne (galantamine), Exelon (rivastigmine), and Aricept (donepezil), which prevent the breakdown of a brian chemical believed to be important for memory and thinking, are prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimers disease. They may help delay or prevent symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time and may help control some behavioral symptoms. Patients may respond better to one drug than another.

A medication known as Namenda (memantine), an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, which works differently from cholinesterase inhibitors thus can be perscribed in combination with it, is prescribed to treat moderate to severe Alzheimers disease. It delays progression of some of the symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimers, and may allow patients to maintain certain daily functions a little longer than they would without the medication.

Doctors usually start patients at low drug doses and gradually increase the dosage based on how well a patient tolerates the drug. 
It is important to follow the doctors instructions, report any unusual symptoms, and let the doctor know before adding or changing any medications.


helping retrieve memory alzheimer
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. If the vascular system within the brain becomes damaged and blood cannot reach the brain cells, the cells will eventually die.Although the brain damage that causes vascular dementia cannot be reversed, it may be possible to slow the progression of the disease in a number of ways. Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a 'stepped' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behaviour (such as restlessness) difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. It is important to note that some of these symptoms may not always be direct consequences of the disease. 
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
 About 10 per cent of people with dementia have a type known as mixed dementia. A diagnosis of mixed dementia means that Alzheimer\'s disease, as well as stroke or small vessel disease, may have caused damage to the brain. The symptoms of mixed dementia may be similar to either Alzheimer\'s disease or vascular dementia, or may be a combination of the two. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued guidelines on drug treatments for Alzheimer\'s disease (including cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine), but has not recommended these same drugs for treating vascular dementia. These drugs may, however, be prescribed to treat mixed dementia, particularly when Alzheimer\'s disease is predominant.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
Brain cells need a good supply of blood in order to function properly. Blood is delivered through a network of blood vessels called the vascular system. If the vascular system within the brain becomes damaged and blood cannot reach the brain cells, the cells will eventually die. This can lead to the onset of vascular dementia. Meaning, it occurs after a stroke. Vascular dementia is the second most common dementia type. The different types of vascular dementia are a result of the different causes that damaged the brain, and which part of the brain has been damaged. Moreover, it affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. Some symptoms of vascular dementia may be similar to those of other types of dementia. However, people with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, visual mistakes and misperceptions, changes in behaviour, difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations and delusions  problems with continence and psychological symptoms. Some of these symptoms may not always be direct consequences of the disease. A number of conditions can cause or increase damage to the vascular system. These include high blood pressure, heart problems, high cholesterol and diabetes. Effective treatment of these conditions may significantly delay or stop the development of vascular dementia. 
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
 The first symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to ageing or stress. Detailed neuropsychological testing can reveal mild cognitive difficulties up to eight years before a person fulfils the clinical criteria for diagnosis of AD. These early symptoms can affect the most complex daily living activities. The most noticeable deficit is memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Subtle problems with the executive functions of attentiveness, planning, flexibility, and abstract thinking, or impairments in semantic memory (memory of meanings, and concept relationships) can also be symptomatic of the early stages of AD. Apathy can be observed at this stage, and remains the most persistent neuropsychiatric symptom throughout the course of the disease. Depressive symptoms, irritability and reduced awareness of subtle memory difficulties also occur commonly. The preclinical stage of the disease has also been termed mild cognitive impairment, but whether this term corresponds to a different diagnostic stage or identifies the first step of AD is a matter of dispute. In a small portion of them, difficulties with language, executive functions, perception (agnosia), or execution of movements (apraxia) are more prominent than memory problems. AD does not affect all memory capacities equally. Older memories of the person\'s life (episodic memory), facts learned (semantic memory), and implicit memory (the memory of the body on how to do things, such as using a fork to eat) are affected to a lesser degree than new facts or memories. Language problems are mainly characterised by a shrinking vocabulary and decreased word fluency, which lead to a general impoverishment of oral and written language.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
Both vascular dementia and Alzheimer are forms of dementia. Alzheimer is the most common form of dementia and vascular dementia is the second. Despite some  apparent similarities they are also different from each other. One example of these differences can be seen in the symptoms. Some symptoms of vascular dementia may be similar to those of Alzheimer's disease, however, there are some different symptoms such as problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression etc. Generally, dementia is caused by damage to brain cells. In Alzheimer's protein 'plaques' and 'tangles' develop in the structure of the brain, leading to the death of brain cells. People with Alzheimer's also have a shortage of some important chemicals in their brain. These chemicals are involved with the transmission of messages within the brain. However, vascular dementia occurs after a stroke. In fact, the most common type of vascular dementia is called multi-infarct dementia, which is caused by a series of small strokes. Therefore, the causes for Alzheimer and vascular dementia rather different. Even some of the treatments for the illnesses are different. For example, The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued guidelines on drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease, but has not recommended these same drugs for treating vascular dementia. Therefore, there are some differences between    Alzheimer and vascular dementia despite the fact that they are both forms of dementia. 
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
The causes of cognitive impairment are different types of demetia,Alzhimerand others.The causes of Mild Cognitive Impairment are not yet completely understood. Experts believe that many cases result from brain changes occurring in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. There are two types of MCI based on the thinking skills affected: affects memory is known as "amnestic MCI." and affects thinking skills other than memory is known as "nonamnestic MCI.  MCI causes cognitive changes that are serious enough to be noticed by the individuals experiencing them or to other people, but the changes are not severe enough to interfere with daily life or independent function.Currently there is no way to demonstrate conclusively that a person has MCI or determine the underlying cause of MCI in a specific person. Symptoms may include problems with memory or feeling foggy. This condition causes depresion. The doctor may recommend neuropsychological testing, which involves a series of written or computerized tests to evaluate specific thinking skills. Experts believe that many cases result from brain changes occurring in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. The causes of MCI are not yet completely understood. The risk factors most strongly linked to MCI are the same as those for dementia: advancing age, family history of Alzheimer's or another dementia, and conditions that raise risk for cardiovascular diseases. It is possible to modify the disease.  The study analyzed data from a 2010 clinical trial involving 156 patients, ages 70 and older, with MCI, a disorder affecting memory and thinking skills, but not severely enough to impair daily life. For example, people with MCI may start to forget information they previously could recall easily, such as recent events, appointments, or conversations. Up to 20 percent of people ages 65 and older suffer from MCI.
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Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an illness which causes cognitive changes that are serious enough to be noticed by the individuals experiencing them or to other people, but the changes are not severe enough to interfere with daily life or independent function. Because of this reason. a person with MCI does not meet diagnostic guidelines for dementia. However, experts believe that many cases of MCI, result from brain changes occurring in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. The risk factors most strongly linked to MCI are the same as those for dementia: advancing age, family history of Alzheimer's or another dementia and conditions that raise risk for cardiovascular disease. However, unlike Alzheimer's or dementia not all people with MCI get worse and some eventually get better. There are currently no tests or procedures to demonstrate conclusively that a person has MCI. Moreover, it is not yet possible to determine the underlying cause of MCI in a specific person. The diagnoses of MCI includes the following core elements: thorough medical history, assessment of independent function and daily activities, input from a family member or trusted friend to provide additional perspective on how function may have changed, assessment of mental status using evaluation tests, in-office neurological examination and evaluation of mood to detect depression. If the workup doesn't create a clear clinical picture, the doctor may recommend neuropsychological testing. MCI is an illness that is both liked to Alzheimer's and yet it can be separate from it.  
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer\'s disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. The term \'dementia\' is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. Someone with dementia may experience loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with language, reasoning and decision making. Being told that you or a loved one has vascular dementia can be very difficult and you may experience a range of different emotions as time goes on. Typically, the symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. Vascular dementia often follows a \'stepped\' progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. People with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion. Other symptoms associated with vascular dementia may include: visual mistakes and misperceptions (for example, seeing a rug as a pond) changes in behavior (such as restlessness) difficulties with walking and unsteadiness hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren\'t there) and delusions (believing things that are not true) problems with continence psychological symptoms such as becoming more obsessive. It is important to note that some of these symptoms may not always be direct consequences of the disease.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
One of the first difference between vascular dementia and Alzheimer are the causes. While Alzheimer causes are not yet completely understood, but they likely include a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. vascular dementia is caused by damage in the vascular system that prevents blood from reaching brain cells that will eventually die. Other differences are in the symptoms. Alzheimer is related with memory loss, which shows up as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and inability to acquire new information. Vascular dementia However, people with vascular dementia may particularly experience: problems with speed of thinking, concentration and communication depression and anxiety accompanying the dementia symptoms of stroke, such as physical weakness or paralysis memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) seizures periods of severe (acute) confusion. Some of  the symptoms are very similar.  About 10 per cent of people with dementia have a type known as mixed dementia. A diagnosis of mixed dementia means that Alzheimer\'s disease, as well as stroke or small vessel disease, may have caused damage to the brain. The symptoms of mixed dementia may be similar to either Alzheimer\'s disease or vascular dementia, or may be a combination of the two.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
 Memory loss is often one of the first signs of dementia. Initially, memory lapses may be mistaken for the normal forgetfulness that often increases as people grow older or when they become very stressed. However, in someone with dementia it will gradually become apparent that the memory problems are becoming more severe and persistent.



 The memories of Alzheimer\'s patients are forgotten but not gone, to twist a popular phrase. Now, one potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s developmentespecially when coupled with other treatments, researchers say.



 Scientists at the University of California Irvine have successfully recovered the memories of mice bred to develop age-related Alzheimer\'s symptoms by using an experimental drug that is being tested as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The drug, identified as PMX205, prevents inflamed immune cells from accelerating neuron damage by congregating in areas of the brain with amyloid plaques, researchers said. Amyloid plaques are one of the most common physical brain characteristics found in Alzheimer\'s patients.


helping retrieve memory alzheimer
 However, there is plenty that can be done to help manage memory problems to enable people to retain their confidence and independence for as long as possible. This factsheet looks at ways to support a person with memory loss and offers some practical tips. In the early stages of dementia, memory aids such as lists, diaries, clocks and clear, written instructions can help jog the person\'s memory if they are willing and able to make use of them. As the dementia progresses, the person may become less able to understand what the aids are for. For more information about memory aids, see factsheet 429, Equipment, adaptations and improvements to the home and factsheet 521, Maintaining everyday skills. For details of Alzheimer\'s Society services in your area, visit alzheimers.org.uk/localinfo For information about a wide range of dementia-related topics, visit alzheimers.org.uk/factsheets The memories of Alzheimer\'s patients are forgotten but not gone, to twist a popular phrase. Now, one potential new treatment might help to recover some of those lost memories. An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s developmentespecially when coupled with other treatments, researchers say.
helping retrieve memory alzheimer
Memory loss, as with any other aspect of dementia, affects each person differently. 



If the person's memory is focused on a particular time in his or her life, engage in conversation about recollections with an understanding that this is his or her current reality. 



Offer corrections as suggestions. 



Avoid explanations that sound like scolding. 



Helping them to concentrate on one thing at a time. 



Trying to make sure that there are limited distractions. 



Making sure the person has enough meaningful activities to do and gets enough exercise. 



Helping the person to get enough sleep. 



Keeping to a regular routine can help with this difficulty, as will tactful reminders of the day and time, and about what is going to happen next. 



A calendar should be displayed prominently and the person with dementia should be encouraged to refer to it regularly. 



Keep information simple, and repeat it frequently. 



Break new activities down into small steps. When asking for information give cues and context. 



Try to begin any new routines as soon as possible.



Reminiscence therapy is a method that is used to help encourage people to remember events from their past, using reminders such as songs and photographs. 

Carers can use these techniques at home.  



There was a  B-vitamin combination  found that is the first and only disease-modifying treatment thats worked. 



An experimental drug has the potential to recover memory and improve cognitive function if taken early in Alzheimer\'s development especially when coupled with other treatments.