Alzheimer's of Central Alabama

Serving people with Alzheimer’s, caregivers and professionals in central Alabama through education, caregiver services and research grants.

ACA’s Weekly Email February 11, 2022

Happy Valentine’s Day!

In-person and zoom Support Groups:

February Webinars from Alabama Lifespan Respite (https://alabamarespite.org/events2/):

  • Stages of Grief  Part 3 – February 12, 10 am
  • Stages of Grief  Part 4  February 13, 6, pm
  • The Art of Grace, February 19, 10 am
  • Bi Polar Disorder and Caregiving, February 20, 6 pm
  • BREAK, February 25, 10 am
  • Managing Depression as a Caregiver, February 26, 10 am
  • Mental Illness and Caregiving, February 27, 6 pm

Alzheimer’s News:

When you are falling in love, it’s as though a chemical storm has been unleashed in the brain. The brain’s neuromodulatory system is rapidly pumping out large quantities of dopamine and noradrenaline. It’s that chemical explosion that makes you feel excited and warm all over.  Michael Merzenich, PhD, explains the chemical brain processes that correspond with love, and what we can do to prepare for love and to be loving.  Brain exercises, like BrainHQ, can help because the exercises work your brain’s neuromodulatory machinery quite heavily.  What Happens in the Brain When We Fall in Love (medscape.com)

DailyCaring has rounded up fantastic Valentine’s Day ideas for seniors including 6 categories of activity suggestions and 4 thoughtful gift ideas.  10 Fantastic Valentine’s Day Ideas for Seniors: Activities and Gifts – DailyCaring

It is appropriate to bring attention to the disease during Black History Month, as African Americans are almost twice as likely to experience Alzheimer’s disease than white Americans.  Additionally, one recent study highlighted by the National Institute on Aging noted that in terms of the diagnosis rate, Black participants in disease research studies were 35% less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or other dementias than white participants. They’re also significantly more cognitively impaired and have more severe symptoms.  Addressing Alzheimer’s Disparities for African Americans (alzheimersnewstoday.com)

Research participants needed:  Researchers at the University of Alabama are developing a technology that will help families affected by dementia learn more about local services in their community and help connect them to the services they need. We want to learn more about your experiences as a caregiver in finding support and learning about dementia care. We also want to learn your perspectives on how a new web/smartphone technology could better support caregivers in Alabama. To be eligible to participate, you must (1) live in Alabama, and (2) be an unpaid caregiver (family or friend) of someone living with dementia in the community. Interested in participating? • Interviews can be scheduled at a time that is convenient for you. • Interviews will take about 45-60 minutes, and can be done over the phone/ zoom. • Those who participate will receive a $35 gift card for their time. for more info contact Dr. Nicole Ruggiano, (205) 348-4654, nruggiano@ua.edu.

Women with stroke have a higher mortality rate and a worse functional outcome compared with men.  It has been hypothesized that this is, at least in part, due to misdiagnosis with consequent delays to or even deferral of acute or secondary preventive treatment.  The higher frequency of misdiagnosis in women may in turn be explained by a higher prevalence of nonfocal or atypical stroke symptoms compared with men.  These nonfocal symptoms include confusion, impaired consciousness, headache, generalized weakness, and non-neurological symptoms such as chest pain and palpitations.  Sex Differences in Presentation of Stroke (medscape.com)

An estimated 20% to 30% of COVID-19 patients develop significant cognitive problems long after acute symptoms of the infection resolve. However, the risk is higher in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, with about 60% experiencing cognitive decline within 4 months.  Many COVID-19 patients report ongoing fatigue, shortness of breath, and cognitive dysfunction, a syndrome often referred to as “long COVID.” COVID-19 causes swelling of the blood vessels, reducing their diameter, which leads to abnormal neuronal response.  A small study found noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) that uses alternating microcurrents appears to rapidly and effectively improve cognitive and visual deficits related to “long COVID.”  A New Solution for Long-COVID Brain Fog? (medscape.com)

New study finds the degree of severity of COVID-19 is associated with worsened cognitive function, mental health, functional recovery, and quality of life.  Long-term Brain Health Is Impacted by Severity of COVID-19 (medscape.com)

Dairy intake may increase risk of Parkinson’s disease in men. Men of European ancestry with a genetic marker predicting dairy consumption had significantly greater risk of Parkinson’s disease than individuals without the marker.  Dairy a Risk Factor for Parkinson’s? (medscape.com)

Older men and women who have a high heart rate at rest — 80 beats a minute or higher — are at increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Having a high resting heart rate, or pulse, was also tied to a faster decline in memory and thinking skills.  A Resting Heart Rate of 80 or Higher May Raise Your Alzheimer’s Risk | Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation (alzinfo.org)

The second most common type of dementia diagnosis is vascular dementia. It’s caused by conditions that damage blood vessels in the brain and interrupt the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain. As a result, symptoms can depend on the size, location, and number of damaged brain areas.  View more signs and symptoms of vascular dementia.

Support ACA by using AmazonSmile!   Designate Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama and Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases. smile.amazon.com 

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