Physiology

Mind your teeth: Chewing and its effect on Cognition

Posted on by Patricia Re
Age-associated cognitive deficit together with dementia have become an increasingly important health and socioeconomic issues. Recent research studies have focused on the oral health conditions, especially mastication (chewing), as well as on the number of teeth, in the context of cognitive deficits. Both animal and human studies suggested a possible causal relationship between mastication and […] Read More

Inflammation In Alzheimer’s Disease

Posted on by Patricia Re
While the two best-known signs of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are amyloid beta plaques and tau protein tangles, chronic inflammation is also a feature of AD. Inflammation is the body’s defense response and involves clearance of toxic pathogens, damaged cells, and harmful irritants from the body. Sometimes, inflammation can be beneficial – for example if you […] Read More

Meditation and Brain Changes – Part 2

Posted on by Patricia Re
As we age, there is a significant loss of grey matter volume in multiple areas of the brain resulting in loss of function associated with those specific areas.  Age-associated grey matter decline is significant in the memory centers of the brain, the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex leading to dementia. Aging process also affects normal cerebral […] Read More

Meditation and Brain Changes – Part 1

Posted on by Patricia Re
There are now numerous studies on meditation and its effects on brain structure and function. Using state of the art technology and imaging (fMRI or EEG) techniques, researchers are confirming numerous independent observations with detailed precision about brain behavior and function during meditation. The unanimous conclusion from all these findings is that meditation appears to […] Read More

Is Dehydration Masking as Dementia or Making Dementia Symptoms Worse?

Posted on by Administrator
Mostly Water The adult body is comprised of about 60% water. Water is important for flushing toxins from the body, digestion, skin complexion, headache prevention, and immune system function.  Water also provides the brain with the necessary energy for brain function, including thought and memory.  Body water is lost each day through breathing, talking, sweating, […] Read More

Women and Alzheimer’s: National Women’s Health Week

Posted on by Administrator
Women in their 60’s are two times as likely to get Alzheimer’s as they are breast cancer, and 2/3 of people in the US with Alzheimer’s are female. Also, the majority of Alzheimer’s caregivers are female. Women are often the caretakers in their homes and tend to prioritize other’s needs before their own. Let’s use […] Read More

10 Steps to Make Life Visually Friendly for those with Alzheimer’s

Posted on by Administrator
More than 60% of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease will have a decline in some type of visual capacity, with the most common being motion blindness, depth perception, color perception, and contrast sensitivity1. Recognizing that a person’s behaviors may be impacted by their ability to see and understand their surroundings can be very beneficial for caregivers.  […] Read More

Vision and Alzheimer’s: Cognitive Function Isn’t the Only Decline

Posted on by Administrator
More than 60% of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease will have a decline in some type of visual capacity. The most common vision difficulties include: Motion blindness, Depth perception, Color perception, and Contrast sensitivity.1 Alzheimer’s patients impacted by motion blindness have difficulty seeing movement. Normal vision involves seeing life in motion, or as a movie.  If […] Read More

Researchers Identify Link between Vision Loss and Alzheimer’s Risk

Posted on by Administrator
That annual trip to the eye doctor can become even more important as we age. The American Optometric Association recently highlighted research from the International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases and Related Neurological Disorders 2017 in Vienna, Austria. According to the AOA summary, one research study that was presented tracked 7,722 participants aged 65 […] Read More

Understanding Your Loved One: Looking at Life through Eyes Impacted by Alzheimer’s

Posted on by Administrator
Looking at life through someone else’s eyes seemed an appropriate topic for May, as this is Healthy Vision Month. The obvious discussion for Healthy Vision Month is how to ensure you are taking good care of your visual health. We will get to that topic later this month.  However, I wanted to start with a […] Read More