Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive type of dementia that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging. Alzheimer’s affects mostly people age 65 and older but can affect people of younger ages. At this time, Alzheimer’s has no current cure, only treatments for symptoms. You can find out more information at the Alzheimer’s Association.
It is believed Alzheimer’s disease is caused by plaque (amyloid beta protein) and tangles (Tau protein). These proteins build up and block the “information highway” in your brain. It is not understood yet if one is more detrimental to the thought processes or if both together have the worst impact. Research is still investigating this.
If you are wondering “what are normal aging memory changes vs a more significant issue,” read through the following questions and if you answered “yes” to 3 or more we would like to talk with you.
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life
- Challenges in planning or solving problems
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks
- Confusion with time or place
- Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
- New problems with words in speaking or writing
- Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
- Decreased or poor judgment
- Withdrawal from work or social activities
- Changes in mood and personality
CARE is currently offering enrollment for several clinical trials for the detection and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
CURRENTLY ENROLLING
NO CURRENT MEMORY PROBLEMS BUT MAY BE AT RISK?
The screening test is a simple blood test (not currently available at your doctor's office) that is a marker for beta amyloid and tau protein. There is no obligation and participation is easy and voluntary. If the screening test is positive, you will be offered a PET scan to visualize the beta amyloid protein in the brain and given the option of participating in a clinical trial where they have a 50% chance of receiving investigational product that has been shown to remove amyloid. Since beta amyloid and tau protein can be present 10-20 years prior to cognitive deficits, the goal of this study is to see if removing plaque burden anatomically early on can prevent cognitive impairment.
If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, please reach out to us. We have resources available to us through clinical trials to help determine if you are at risk for developing Alzheimer's.
Memory not yet affected?
Did one of your parents, grandparents or siblings have dementia?
Are you between the ages of 65-80?
Do you want to find out if you are at risk of developing Alzheimer's?
Please complete the contact form to schedule a screening appointment or call us at 678-928-6476.
Early Alzheimer's Disease:
If you answer "yes" to any of the below questions
Are you between the ages of 55-85?
Have you been diagnosed mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer's?
Or are you and those closest to you noticing changes in your memory or thinking?
Please complete the contact form to schedule a screening appointment or call us at 678-928-6476.