Connection between Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's

Scientists are attempting to learn more about Alzheimer's by studying and testing patients with Down syndrome.

The genetic disorder, Down syndrome, is related genetically with Alzheimer's.  Persons with Down syndrome have an extra chromosome 21.

Chromosome 21 contains the gene that is responsible for the "sticky plaques" found in Alzheimer's patients.

Read the NPR report here:  http://n.pr/1DZgrxi

Inside The Brain: An Interactive Tour

Go to alz.org/alzheimers_disease_4719.asp?esrc=10242011 for a brief but comprehensive tour of the human brain provided by the Alzheimer's Association.

Sixteen illustrations show us things like tangles and the differences between healthy and unhealthy brains.

Interesting facts are sprinkled throughout the tour. How much does YOUR brain weigh?

A SECOND LANGUAGE DELAYS DEMENTIA

A recent study shows that persons who know a second language have significantly later onset of dementia than those who speak only one language.

Previous research had suggested that a person's level of education directly correlated with the age that dementia began, with the most highly educated individuals having later onset dementia. However, this study included geriatric patients who were illiterate, eliminating formal education as a factor, and putting the focus on second language skills.

In the test group of approximately 650 patients, knowing a second language delayed the start of dementia by an average of 6 years.

The patients studied suffered from various forms of dementia including Alzheimer's disease.

The study, reported in Neurology, can be accessed here:

http://bit.ly/1lXqvDU

A Frightening 4th - When I Was 6

I was sick on the 4th of July when I was 6 years old. Dad promised, though, that I could use my sparklers when I was well. I was visiting my aunts and grandma at their house a few days later and excitedly told them that I was going to use my sparklers that night. Grandma called an aunt over and asked if it was the 4th of July.

I was terrified at Grandma's question! At the age of 6, I was absolutely certain that adults knew everything. Yet here was my Grandma not knowing if it was the 4th of July! Unthinkable. I didn't tell anyone that I was frightened and no one realized that I was upset about something. I kept trying to puzzle out what was happening. I can still feel how scary it was to realize that an adult might not even know what day it was!

And so all these years later I have written the story of Johnny, a little boy who thinks his grandmother doesn't love him anymore because she is acting differently. Mommy explains about grandmother's illness in a way that makes Johnny happy.

Unlike me, Johnny is sad rather than afraid. Also unlike my true-life experience, Johnny's mom realizes something has upset him and helps him.

I wrote the story to help families cope with a difficult problem that occurs so often: a child dealing with the decline of a loved one. I hope my story is of help to you.Special Secret Hearts: a Child's Introduction to Dementia  http://amzn.to/KhvXA8

Handicapped Inaccessible Again

From July 2013

I told in my previous post about my sister and her foot injury that required the use of a wheelchair. 

She is now allowed to walk, but not more than about 50 feet. She has to work her way up to normal walking.

So I took her out to run (roll?) a few errands. She could get out of the car and take the necessary couple of steps to get into the wheelchair. Then I pushed her wherever she wanted to go.

I was surprised at one office building that was very unfriendly to the wheelchair. She had to reach out and hold the door open while I pushed her through. That was bad enough but getting over the high threshold was very difficult. If she had been frail, it would have been almost impossible without another person to help.

What sort of building is so inhospitable to wheelchairs, you may ask? 

It was, wait for it…, a medical building. 

As I said, we still have a long, bumpy road before we attain full access.