ARA Blog
Holiday Season: Gift Ideas for People with Dementia and Caregivers
The holiday season has arrived, and it is the time to buy gifts for family and friends. What will you give your loved one with dementia and the caregivers? Shopping...
Alzheimer’s May Damage The Brain In Two Distinct Phases: Study
According to new research, Alzheimer's appears to occur in two stages: a slow, symptomless phase that affects only a few susceptible cell types and a destructive later phase that manifests...
Bilingualism Delays the Alzheimer’s Onset by Boosting Brain Resilience
Research has demonstrated that being bilingual can delay the onset of Alzheimer's. According to a recent study, bilingual people with Alzheimer's have larger hippocampi than monolingual people, which is a...
National Family Caregivers Month: How To Honor Family Caregivers
Over 48 million family caregivers assist elderly parents, spouses, grandparents, and other family members in maintaining their independence in their homes and communities rather than being compelled to reside in...
Tips To Travel With A Loved One With Alzheimer’s
Living with Alzheimer's or another dementia should not entail giving up valuable activities like travel. However, it is necessary to organize ahead of time to ensure everyone's safety, comfort, and...
Alzheimer’s Research: Boosting Brain Protein May Slow Cognitive Decline
The accumulation of the protein amyloid-beta in the brain is one of the primary theories explaining Alzheimer's. Evidence from University of Cincinnati researchers points to the reduction of amyloid-beta in...
Light Pollution may be Linked to an Increased Alzheimer’s Risk
Overexposure to light pollution at night may increase the risk of acquiring Alzheimer's. In a recent study, researchers discovered that light pollution had a stronger link with Alzheimer's prevalence in...
Caregiver Tips for Making the Home Safer for People with Alzheimer’s
Home safety is always vital, but it is especially crucial while caring for someone who has Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's patients will eventually lose their ability to handle things around the home....
Everything You Should Know About Early-Onset Alzheimer’s
Early-onset Alzheimer's is a form of Alzheimer's disease that manifests in individuals in their 40s and 50s. Its symptoms include memory loss, trouble finishing routine tasks, and personality changes. About...
Untreated Hypertension Linked to Alzheimer’s Risk
A new study has discovered a connection between the risk of Alzheimer's and high blood pressure. Researchers at the University of New South Wales found that people with untreated high...
High Belly and Arm Fat Levels May Increase Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Risk
New research suggests that individuals with high levels of body fat stored in the arms or belly may be more susceptible to diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's than those with...
AI Tool 3x More Accurate at Predicting Alzheimer’s Progression than Current Tests
Early diagnosis of dementia and Alzheimer's can be challenging because both conditions share many symptoms with age-related cognitive loss. Researchers at the University of Cambridge have created an artificial intelligence...
What Should You Know About Kisunla, The Newly FDA-Approved Alzheimer’s Drug
The Food and Drug Administration approved a new medication on July 2, 2024, for Alzheimer's treatment [1]. The drug, Kisunla, is the third in a new class of treatments to...
A Rare Genetic Trait Can Delay Early-Onset Alzheimer’s: Study
Some individuals have a genetic tendency to develop Alzheimer's before they reach the age of 65. Researchers at Mass General Brigham have identified a genetic variation that may protect those...
Maternal or Paternal Alzheimer’s History: Which is More Important?
Scientists agree that genetics plays a significant role in the development of Alzheimer's. Recently, researchers at Mass General Brigham have found that whether a person inherits Alzheimer's risk from their...
Alzheimer’s Study: Sleep Apnea During REM Stage Linked to Memory Decline
Researchers from the University of California, Irvine, discovered that sleep apnea severity during the REM stage of sleep negatively impacts verbal memory. According to the researchers, the adverse effect is...
Genetics Might be the Cause of Alzheimer’s in Some Cases
According to new research, having two copies of the APOE4 gene variant may increase the risk of getting Alzheimer's. The study also discovered that individuals with two copies of APOE4...
Foods for Healthy Brain and Enhanced Memory
Essential nutrients in oily fish, berries, almonds, and other brain-boosting foods may enhance both short- and long-term brain function. The brain requires a lot of healthy nourishment to sustain focus...
Healthy Lifestyle May Help Offset Cognitive Decline Even in Dementia Patients
According to a recent study, eating healthily, exercising, and abstaining from alcohol and tobacco can all help prevent or slow mental decline. The study revealed that by adopting these healthy...
Tips to Help You Live Alone With Early-Stage Dementia
An individual in the early stages of dementia may be able to live alone and entirely autonomously for some time, particularly with the help of family and friends. Many individuals...
Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD): Types, Symptoms, and Stages
There are various types of dementia. One of these is frontotemporal dementia, which impacts the brain regions critical for language, behavior, and personality. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), also known as frontotemporal...
Everything You Should Know About Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a degenerative and fatal brain disorder caused by repeated traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), such as concussions and head blows. It is also linked to the...
A New Study Reveals that Viagra Reduces Alzheimer’s Risk by Over 50%
A new study that supports some earlier findings implies that the erectile dysfunction medication Viagra may soon be recommended as a treatment to lower the risk of Alzheimer's and aid...
Fat build-up in brain cells may be responsible for Alzheimer’s: Study
Researchers have discovered evidence that fat deposition in brain cells may be the underlying cause of Alzheimer's. Fat droplets seem to accumulate in brain immune cells as the major genetic...
How Type 2 Diabetes and Alzheimer’s Risk May be Related
A recent study found evidence that there is a link between type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's risk, which some health experts refer to as type 3 diabetes. Researchers said consuming...
AI May Predict Alzheimer’s up to Seven Years Before Symptoms Manifest
Using artificial intelligence (AI), researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, have been able to forecast an individual's likelihood of developing Alzheimer's up to seven years before any symptoms...
Air Pollution Linked to Increased Alzheimer’s Markers in the Brain
A recent study found that amyloid plaques, the biomarkers for Alzheimer's, were more prevalent in the brains of those exposed to higher concentrations of fine particulate air pollution. The researchers...
Alcoholic Dementia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Alcohol abuse can eventually lead to symptoms similar to dementia. However, quitting drinking can occasionally reverse these consequences or at least slow them down. Alcoholic dementia, often known as alcohol-related...
A New Blood Test Could Detect Early Symptoms of Alzheimer’s
Currently, there is no single, simple diagnostic test for Alzheimer's. Developing a straightforward, non-invasive, and inexpensive early diagnostic test could aid in early diagnosis and the targeting of new Alzheimer's...
A Kind of Dementia That Affects the Brains of Men and Women Differently
Dementia is a neurological condition that impairs cognitive functions such as memory, language, and the ability to recognize and deal with emotions. Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is among the...
Vision Problems May be an Early Alzheimer’s Warning: Study
Alzheimer's impacts the brain but may also affect the eyes. A recent study found that almost 94% of participants with an unusual vision problem also exhibited Alzheimer's pathology. Researchers emphasized...
Improving Deep Sleep May Help Stave Off Dementia: Study
A recent study suggests that losing slow-wave sleep as you get older may raise your risk of acquiring dementia. A good night's sleep is crucial for maintaining brain function and...
What Should You Know About Menopause And Dementia Risk
Approximately 6 million people 65 and older in the United States have Alzheimer's [1]. The fact that women make up nearly two-thirds of them has long been a source of...
A Study Links Hidden Belly Fat in Midlife to Alzheimer’s
Researchers from the Radiological Society of North America have connected a specific kind of body fat to the development of Alzheimer's. There is a correlation between increased amounts of proteins...
Flu Shots May Reduce the Risk of Alzheimer’s & Related Dementias
Researchers discovered that vaccines may lower the risk of getting Alzheimer's and associated disorders by increasing the immune system. There are several reasons to get a flu vaccination. However, there...
Support Alzheimer’s Caregivers by Donating this Holiday Season
The holidays are almost here. Spending time with loved ones during this wonderful time of year is just delightful. However, it may be a challenging time of year for the...
How to Assist Family Caregivers During the Holiday Season
If you have a family member who devotes their time to care for an aging loved one, you are undoubtedly aware of the significant sacrifice required. It takes a lot...
Tips For Family Caregivers: Taking Care of Yourself
One of the most crucial things you can do as a caregiver is to look after yourself. Caregiving is not easy. Everyone has to make adjustments and give up something....
How to Prepare to Become a Family Caregiver
Being a family caregiver generally starts with two conflicting realities: you are glad to help because you love your loved one, but there is frequently little time to prepare for...
November 2023: The National Family Caregivers Month.
Every year, millions of Americans take on one of the most challenging tasks in the world: caring for friends and family members who suffer from physical and mental diseases. They...
How Showering May Help Identify an Early Sign of Alzheimer’s
Health professionals have advised an early symptom of dementia that can be detected while taking a shower, one that many individuals might not even be aware of. While taking a...
New Research has Revealed a “Molecular Road” to Alzheimer’s
Genetic detective work by Brigham researchers has revealed a promising new therapy method for Alzheimer's. The severity, age of onset, and presentation of Alzheimer's disease (AD) vary widely among individuals....
Can Music Influence Alzheimer’s Patients?
Alzheimer's is a devastating illness that impairs a person's capacity for thought, reasoning, memory, and independent functioning. Amyloid plaques are protein clumps that form between neurons in the brain and...
World Alzheimer’s Day 2023 Theme: “Never too early, never too late.”
Every September, people around the world gather to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Everyone is encouraged to participate in World Alzheimer's Month, from individuals to major organizations,...
CRISPR Might be Promising in Treating Alzheimer’s
CRISPR-Cas9, the Nobel Prize-winning gene-editing technology discovered by Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier, is on the verge of entering clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease. However, experts emphasize addressing the obstacles...
Intermittent fasting may improve memory in Alzheimer’s patients.
Time-restricted feeding, also known as intermittent fasting, involves limiting the energy consumed to specific times of the day and fasting the rest of the time. According to a recent study,...
A New Dementia Risk Study Finds 11 Key Causes of the Condition
Researchers have developed a method that can predict if someone will experience dementia within the next 14 years using the 11 dementia risk variables they have discovered. In British populations,...
The Amyloid Hypothesis of Alzheimer’s: Are we on the right track?
According to estimates, the global dementia population will grow from roughly 57 million in 2019 to 153 million by 2050 [1]. About 60–70% of these cases are due to Alzheimer's....
How to tell when a person with dementia is nearing the end of their life
When a loved one has late-stage dementia, knowing what to anticipate might be helpful. The loss of a loved one can be a difficult notion to grasp and comprehend. Understanding...
Your Gut May Influence Your Risk of Alzheimer’s: Study
A recent study relates the risk of Alzheimer's to the gut microbiome. People with early indicators of the disease exhibited similar gut microbiome compositions that differed from those without early...
How Long Can a Person With Dementia Live Without Food?
Many people with dementia in its final stages might not eat or drink. Additionally, they could get dysphagia, which would make it difficult for them to swallow effectively. The amount...
Excessive Alcohol Consumption Accelerates Alzheimer’s Progression.
Researchers at Scripps Research and the University of Bologna have recently discovered that the combination of genetic predisposition and alcohol use disorder (AUD) may hasten the progression of Alzheimer's. The...
Scientists Discover How Too Much Sugar Intake May Raise Alzheimer’s Risk
The precise biological mechanisms underlying this association between high blood sugar levels and an elevated risk of Alzheimer's were previously unknown. A recent investigation into ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels, which...
Eye Blood Vessel Damage May Drive Alzheimer’s
A new study revealed that abnormalities in the eye blood vessels could aid in the early detection of Alzheimer's. The team identified an aberration in the blood-retinal barrier, which stops...
Could menthol inhalation help improve memory in Alzheimer’s?
A recent study demonstrates that menthol inhalation enhances cognitive function in animal models of Alzheimer's. Researchers discovered that inhaling menthol reduced interleukin-1-beta levels, a protein that induces inflammation. The findings...
Alzheimer’s: What treatment options are being explored?
Although there is yet no cure for Alzheimer's, the field is at a critical crossroads, which is prompting further study. A single, magical "cure" for this complicated disease is unlikely...
A sugar molecule in the blood may predict early Alzheimer’s
Early diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's require reliable and cost-effective screening procedures. Recently, scientists at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden found a link between a specific kind of blood sugar...
Researchers discover a genetic variant that protects against Alzheimer’s
Sometimes, a single outlier of a patient case might lead to the emergence of new research and the elucidation of disease-related facts. Researchers frequently draw links between the issues and...
Can Anxiety Lead to Alzheimer’s?
Everybody experiences anxiety from time to time. It results from the fear or the worry that something unpleasant will happen. Anxiety disorders, such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), PTSD, panic...
Can diet help prevent or treat Alzheimer’s?
There are claims that several diets and supplements can help with Alzheimer's. However, people should be aware that there is no proof that any specific diet or nutrient helps prevent...
Sound and Light as Potential Alzheimer’s Treatment
A new study describes the first human trials of an experimental cure for Alzheimer's that uses sound and light. The preliminary findings are intriguing, with the novel treatment resulting in...
Can Exercise Affect the Progression of Alzheimer’s?
Scientists have understood for a long time that exercise is beneficial to the body. They are demonstrating in recent years how good it is for the brain, too. Regular physical...
How Frontotemporal Dementia Differs From Alzheimer’s
Although both frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Alzheimer's can result in dementia, the affected brain regions and, as a result, the symptoms differ significantly between the two. Knowing the differences between...
Fructose May Contribute to Alzheimer’s: Study
According to a recent study from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, increased fructose intake may be a chief cause of Alzheimer's. An ancient human foraging drive, fueled by...
Neurologists Report World’s Youngest Alzheimer’s Case
Neurologists at a memory clinic in China have diagnosed a 19-year-old man with Alzheimer’s, making him the youngest person in the world with the condition. According to a recent case...
Brain Stimulation May Help Improve Alzheimer’s Symptoms: Study
Researchers at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin have discovered a brain network that, when stimulated, can improve Alzheimer's symptoms. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical procedure used to treat specific...
Two Significant Alzheimer’s Risk Factors Affect Men More Than Women
Researchers from the University of Alberta have found that two crucial risk factors for Alzheimer's disease have substantially different effects on men and women. Women are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease...
New Blood Test Can Accurately Predict Alzheimer’s Years Before First Symptoms Appear
A new blood test can identify a hidden toxin that causes Alzheimer's years before symptoms such as memory loss or confusion appear. It could considerably speed up the diagnosis if...
FDA has Granted Accelerated Approval for Leqembi
Leqembi (lecanemab-irmb), a medication for treating Alzheimer's, received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration via the Accelerated Approval pathway on January 6th, 2023. Leqembi is the second drug...
Can the AI Driving ChatGPT Aid in the Early Detection of Alzheimer’s?
According to researchers, the artificial intelligence that powers the chatbot program ChatGPT—famous for its capacity to produce human-like responses when instructed—could aid in the early detection of Alzheimer's. Recent research...
What Causes Insulin Resistance in An Alzheimer’s Patient’s Brain?
The prevalence of neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease rises as the population ages. Proteinopathies, abnormal protein buildups in the brain that impede neuronal function, distinguish these disorders. For instance, the...
Children Exposed to Lead may Experience Dementia Symptoms Earlier
Lead is known to harm children's developing brains, and a recent study indicates that the consequences might last into old age. According to the study, lead exposure throughout childhood may...
More Evidence Suggests That Viruses Play a Role in Alzheimer’s
Viruses have been considered a controversial risk factor for Alzheimer’s for decades. It is a contentious hypothesis regarding the disease, frequently brushed aside by specialists as a dubious offshoot of...
A Setback: Potential Alzheimer’s Drug Fails Roche Trial
The failure of a test medicine to reduce the Alzheimer's course in international clinical trials has dealt another blow to hopes for a cure for the disease. The possible drug...
Surprising New Theory Explains What Might Cause Alzheimer’s
One of the most investigated questions in Alzheimer’s research is its cause. The accepted theory for more than a century was that amyloid plaque formation in the brain resulted in...
Tips for Enjoyable Holidays for Caregivers of Alzheimer’s Patients
The holiday season can be a difficult time for families with Alzheimer's. Even though it is typically a time for celebration, they may feel a sense of loss for how...
Can Depression Increase the Risk of Dementia?
Depression can affect people at any age, whereas dementia often affects older people. Depressive symptoms, particularly clinical depression, are a chief symptom of dementia, but they may also be a...
Can Brain Training Help Prevent Dementia?
Brain training involves various activities such as crosswords, puzzles, and customized video games to challenge and stimulate the brain. Some commercial game providers claim that brain training can help prevent...
Games and Activities for Dementia Patients
Currently, there is no known cure for dementia, but some treatment options can help treat its symptoms and improve the quality of life. Researchers and pharmaceutical companies are exploring and...
Does Smoking Increase the Risk of Dementia?
It is a well-known fact that smoking damages the heart and lungs. However, smokers and medical professionals intermittently pay less attention to how it can damage the brain. Smoking is...
How to deal with your patient’s emotional state after Alzheimer’s diagnosis
Receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer's affects a person psychologically and emotionally, disturbing their thoughts and responses. They might experience a wide range of emotions and may feel depressed or sometimes...
Can CBD Treat Some Alzheimer’s Symptoms?
Cannabidiol (CBD) has gained popularity as a treatment for many ailments, from typical aches and pains to seizures. Now, some initial studies suggest that CBD may show promise in the...
Care Options for Elderly Loved Ones With Alzheimer’s
People with Alzheimer’s will require more care as they go through the stages of the disease. One explanation is that medications used to treat the disease can not cure the...
Can Coconut Oil Help with the symptoms of Alzheimer’s?
Some people have asserted that using coconut oil could help treat or even reverse Alzheimer's disease. These claims are due to a theory that brain cells in people with Alzheimer's...
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Can It Cause Dementia?
What is traumatic brain injury? Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results from a sudden, external, violent blow to the head that damages the brain, disrupting normal brain functioning. TBI is a...
What you should know about Alzheimer’s and Type 3 diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a health condition in which the body does not produce enough insulin (a hormone responsible for blood sugar regulation in the body) or cannot effectively use...
Sleep changes in dementia: Why do people with dementia sleep a lot?
People with dementia usually spend a lot of time sleeping both during the day and night, especially in the late stages of the disease. The sleep pattern typically changes as...
Make the Hospital Stay Easier for Your Alzheimer’s and Dementia Patient
Staying in a hospital can be an unpleasant experience for anyone, but it may specifically be hazardous for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Situations such as...
How Technology Can Assist People with Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
Alzheimer’s disease is frightening and overwhelming for both the patients and their caregivers. While people with Alzheimer’s may experience grave difficulties due to illness, caregivers often feel pressured and exhausted...
Posterior Cortical Atrophy (PCA): Symptoms & Treatments
What is Posterior Cortical Atrophy? Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), also known as Benson’s syndrome, is a rare degenerative brain and neurological disorder caused due to a gradual and progressive deterioration...
What is Parkinson’s Disease Dementia?
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder of the central nervous system that affects an individual’s mobility and ability to perform regular activities. It typically occurs in older adults over...
What to do if dementia patients stop eating?
People with dementia may experience difficulty eating, swallowing, and drinking as the disease progresses. Although this behavior can occur at any stage of the disease, it tends to be most...
Strategies To Cope With Hallucinations & Delusions In Alzheimer’s & Dementia
As the brain undergoes complex changes, people afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia often see, hear, or even smell non-existent things. These behavioral issues are known as...
Everything You Need to Know About Vascular Dementia
Vascular dementia is the second most common cause of dementia in older adults after Alzheimer’s disease, accounting for approximately 15-20% of dementia cases. This disorder, also known as multi-infarct dementia,...
Aducanumab Therapy for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Finding an effective treatment of Alzheimer’s, a devastating disease affecting about 6.2 million people in the US, is one of the primary goals of the research world. Scientists are trying...
Congress announced $289 million increase in funding for Alzheimer’s research
Alzheimer’s disease is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S., killing approximately 80,000 people each year. According to some estimates, 1 in 3 older people die due to...
Lewy Body Dementia: Symptoms & Diagnosis
Lewy body dementia (LBD) affects over a million individuals in the United States. Many experts consider it the third most common cause of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia,...
What part of the brain does Alzheimer’s affect?
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disorder that starts and develops gradually in older people. As it progresses, the brain undergoes several changes, affecting memory, language, and thinking skills. Brain shrinkage...
Can Genetic Testing Determine Alzheimer’s Disease Risk?
Having a family history of Alzheimer’s disease might make you concerned about developing it yourself at an older age. In that case, you may want to undergo genetic testing to...
Making the Home Safer
Some people with Alzheimer’s can live at home for a very long time, perhaps the rest of their lives. Others may need to be placed in assisted living, and caregivers...
Ways to Slow the Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia among older adults. Dementia is a progressive disorder of the brain characterized by a gradual loss of memory and cognitive functioning...
Dementia May Cause Problems with Money Management Years Before Diagnosis
People with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias may start having trouble managing their finances several years before their diagnosis, according to new research supported by NIA. Published online in JAMA...
The Best News of 2020
Thank you for being the only good thing to happen in 2020. My Father has Alzheimer’s and lives with me. I have been out of work for most of 2020...