Alzheimer's - good news

[Fatcycledaddy]

I appreciate this thread. THanks for starting it Mike!

Over the years I have had a grandfather who had what they called "hardening of the arteries", he lost his memory, had a mother who had Parkinsons and what they said was dementia, she lost her memory, a father who they said had Alzheimers, he lost a lot of his memory and was confused, my 72 year old sister is at the point that she doesnt even know us or her own husband at times. My mother in law is in a home currently because of dementia.

In dealing with all of this, yes it is an evil thing when a mind is stolen from your loved ones. They become a empty shell of the once vibrant person they were.

I have watched as people set and try to "correct" the mistakes in the memory the loved one is talking about, causing frustration, hurt, and sometimes anger on both parts. I have watched as these people have a horrible visit with their loved ones and leave them both hurt and frustrated.
Our family has learned to deal with with humor instead of anger and tears. If we are called by the wrong name or the story isnt just as it happened, we laugh with them, try to gently guide them back on track, but if the gental nudge doesnt work, we let it go, laugh with them and continue on. After all, the persons affected may remember it different the next time you talk to them, so why push the issue and let everyone be upset.

We can either be bitter and angry about it all, or we can face reality, embrace what we can of it, laugh and enjoy all the time we have left with that loved one.

Thats why I was not offended by Utah Petes humor.

[wyliec]

I read a lot of medical articles. I read this article carefully several times but could not find a reference to your statement…. Please point out where you read the cause of Alzheimers.. I have always been highly interested in finding if they have ever found an actual cause… just so I can be aware of what to do and not to do to try and avoid bringing it on. Thank you.

Here's one:

“Recent studies show that the interplay between amyloid and tau is a greater contributor to Alzheimer’s than either by itself,” said Dr. Cheng. “Therefore, we hypothesized that drugs targeting the molecular network intersection of amyloid and tau endophenotypes should have the greatest potential for success.”

"To further explore sildenafil’s effect on Alzheimer’s disease, the researchers developed an Alzheimer’s patient-derived brain cell model using stem cells. In the model, they found that sildenafil increased brain cell growth and decreased hyperphosphorylation of tau proteins (a hallmark which leads to neurofibrillary tangles), offering biological insights into how sildenafil may influence disease-related brain changes." In simple terms it just means-the abnormal build-up of proteins in and around brain cells.


I have always had a passing interest in Alzheimers since I sometimes worked with those patients while working in a hospital. I always wondered about sundowning and tried to work with those patients earlier in the day, and found this today:

"When sundowning occurs in a care facility, it may be related to the flurry of activity during staff shift changes or the lack of structured activities in the late afternoon and evening. Staff arriving and leaving may cue some people with Alzheimer's to want to go home or to check on their children — or other behaviors that were appropriate in the late afternoon in their past. It may help to occupy their time with another activity during that period."

[Sarge707]

Am I allowed to ask what this does for you? I ask b/c I used to take whey protein to see if it helped with my workouts, at the gym I'm talking; but, I never felt any benefits.

I,m Mostly vegetarian so it adds needed protein and at 73 I still spin 6 times a week and resistance bands so I need it!! feel Great!

[Pooch]

Wyliec..
Yes I read that and knew they had found the abnormal build-up of proteins in and around brain cells.... but what the heck is causing the abnormal build-up of proteins in and around brain cells???
Is it diet? Is it personal habits... smoking, too much alcohol, recreational drugs.. some type of chemical exposure? Is it mosquito bites?
I'm thinking it must be something very common and which we would not suspect as so many people are being diagnosed with Alzheimers.
I just wish they could come up with this answer so people could try and start correcting the issue now - and warn younger people of what, and what not to do for fear of bringing it on.
It is SO frustrating and heart-breaking.

However, it might be like cancer... they will never find and promote a cure for cancer as it generates too much money.

[Joe T.]

Both sides of my family had folks die of Alzheimer's.

We were flying model airplanes this morning and this article came up. Obviously, due to the connection with Viagra, we all had a big laugh.

But, everyone there was 65 or older. Alzheimer's is serious.

Joe T.

[wyliec]

Wyliec..
Yes I read that and knew they had found the abnormal build-up of proteins in and around brain cells.... but what the heck is causing the abnormal build-up of proteins in and around brain cells???
Is it diet? Is it personal habits... smoking, too much alcohol, recreational drugs.. some type of chemical exposure? Is it mosquito bites?
I'm thinking it must be something very common and which we would not suspect as so many people are being diagnosed with Alzheimers.
I just wish they could come up with this answer so people could try and start correcting the issue now - and warn younger people of what, and what not to do for fear of bringing it on.
It is SO frustrating and heart-breaking.

However, it might be like cancer... they will never find and promote a cure for cancer as it generates too much money.

Based on the study, which originated this post, viagra prevents that build up from happening. You're right, at this point they don't know why the protein starts building up, but viagra must shield the brain from buildup somehow.

Just a tad more about the brain.
Results: "Published studies reported that sildenafil crosses the blood-brain barrier, that it exerts various biochemical and physiologic effects in the brain, and that it affects information processing."

Maybe they need to study Tony Bennett. This wasn't meant as a joke. From what I understand, he's still singing, and hasn't missed a word from any of his songs.

[canamjhb]

Thank you all for the information shared in this thread. Very insightful. And a big thank you needs to go to Mike for bring attention to this..... Jim

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Thank you all for the information shared in this thread. Very insightful. And a big thank you needs to go to Mike for bring attention to this..... Jim

I only heard about this on Fox news, not on any major network or cable network ..... Since I'm 74, Alzheimers is something I have been watching, because I could contract it ..... Prayers go out to all who have shared their stories of family members ...... Mike

[2dogs]

.... However, it might be like cancer... they will never find and promote a cure for cancer as it generates too much money.

Right on Pooch, follow the money. If there's more money to be made treating Alzheimers then it may stick around. On the other hand, if there's more money to be made preventing Alzheimers, we may see it eradicated. Sad, sad, sad, but that's the way the world turns.

[UtahPete]

Right on Pooch, follow the money. If there's more money to be made treating Alzheimers then it may stick around. On the other hand, if there's more money to be made preventing Alzheimers, we may see it eradicated. Sad, sad, sad, but that's the way the world turns.

Actually, that's NOT the way our world turns, but what the ....

[LeftCoast]

Back to topic everyone. The economics of this is not where we want to go.

[Pirate]

Actually, that's NOT the way our world turns, but what the ....

I used to work for Amgen/Baxter and currently am a contractor for a few other pharm companies doing IT. Pooch/2Dogs are not that far off from the truth. Ok, back on topic.

[Navydad]

..... Thats why I was not offended by Utah Petes humor.

That makes two of us. My wife's dad, who I was closer to than my own father, died from dementia. When he got sick my wife had to step in and get a court ordered guardianship so we could care for him. Roy was a farmer who lived alone. All of a sudden I had a farm to take care of. I know NOTHING about farming. Hats off to the many friends, mine and Roy's, that stepped up & got us through that couple of years. We had to sell everything and put it towards Roy's care. We had no choice. When you take a guardianship you do what the court says. HUMOR got us through so many terrible times that I have lost count. Some of the things said or done sometimes had us all rolling with laughter, even Roy. None of this situation was funny, but I'm so thankful I belong to a family that has a sense of humor and comes together to make It through tough times. Just because you can find some humor in a situation doesn't mean you're making fun of the situation. Live, Love, and Laugh. If you can't laugh, the first two are pointless I believe.

[Fatcycledaddy]

That makes two of us. My wife's dad, who I was closer to than my own father, died from dementia. When he got sick my wife had to step in and get a court ordered guardianship so we could care for him. Roy was a farmer who lived alone. All of a sudden I had a farm to take care of. I know NOTHING about farming. Hats off to the many friends, mine and Roy's, that stepped up & got us through that couple of years. We had to sell everything and put it towards Roy's care. We had no choice. When you take a guardianship you do what the court says. HUMOR got us through so many terrible times that I have lost count. Some of the things said or done sometimes had us all rolling with laughter, even Roy. None of this situation was funny, but I'm so thankful I belong to a family that has a sense of humor and comes together to make It through tough times. Just because you can find some humor in a situation doesn't mean you're making fun of the situation. Live, Love, and Laugh. If you can't laugh, the first two are pointless I believe.

Well said!!

[redrazor]

I had caught the story a few minutes into it, and they talked about heart(me), lung(me), brain function(me). Finally, they mentioned Viagra. In the story they called it by its chemical name. Not knowing anything about it, my first thought was that I need it! I’m still interested, and will do more study. Thanks, Mike, for posting. Joe

Sildenafil it's the Generic for Viagra. Very great at allowing blood to flow through the brain (as well as other organs). Should be a great help in prevention of AL.

[d.o.spyder-rts]

I agree with Navydad, "Just because you can find some humor in a situation doesn't mean you're making fun of the situation. Live, Love, and Laugh. If you can't laugh, the first two are pointless I believe." Sometimes, humor will help relieve stress and make the situation more bearable. My mother passed in March of this year from alzheimer's. Dale

[2dogs]

Strange how you can find solace sometimes when posts go off topic.

[Navydad]

I find a lot of off topic posts (like this one) tend to flow like a normal conversation. We are talking about best way to cook frog legs and the next thing ya know we are on the subject of toilet repair. As far as Viagra helping with various dementia (there are more than one type of dementia and we tend to lump them all under the alzheimers label) I think that is great if it proves to be true. I know when we were dealing with Roy and his many doctors there seemed to be something new on a daily basis. A new cause or a new medicine showing promise. It is terrible watching a loved one slowly waste away to the disease and even worse Roy new what was happening to him. I can't imagine having this and knowing what lay ahead. Families dealing with this are always in our thoughts.

[Yazz]

My paternal grandmother's mother had "dementia." Her daughter, my grandmother, who died of Alzheimer's, had three children, my father, an aunt and an uncle. All three of the siblings had Alzheimer's.... All three of their families were watching each other to see who got it in our generation. We all know to signs well. Not a good feeling for a while... It turned out that the only family who got it was my aunt's kids, my cousins I grew up with.... I'm not making any blanket statements here, but in my family it seems that Alzheimer's is genetic and passed on through the mother.... My mother took care of grandmother till she died of Alzheimer's. There were stories that were funny and some heartbreaking.... Mom knew how to take care of dad. Thankfully he was blessed with a heart attack before it progressed too far.... Thank you all for sharing your stories....

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

My paternal grandmother's mother had "dementia." Her daughter, my grandmother, who died of Alzheimer's, had three children, my father, an aunt and an uncle. All three of the siblings had Alzheimer's.... All three of their families were watching each other to see who got it in our generation. We all know to signs well. Not a good feeling for a while... It turned out that the only family who got it was my aunt's kids, my cousins I grew up with.... I'm not making any blanket statements here, but in my family it seems that Alzheimer's is genetic and passed on through the mother.... My mother took care of grandmother till she died of Alzheimer's. There were stories that were funny and some heartbreaking.... Mom knew how to take care of dad. Thankfully he was blessed with a heart attack before it progressed too far.... Thank you all for sharing your stories....

Hey Girl, glad to see you back on the Forum ..... Merry Christmas to you and yours ..... Mike

[Yazz]

Hey Girl, glad to see you back on the Forum ..... Merry Christmas to you and yours ..... Mike

I'm here now and then... Thanks for letting me vent... Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. ... Joy

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I'm here now and then... Thanks for letting me vent... Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. ... Joy

................Mike