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Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Shots - Health News

Treatment For Alzheimer's Should Start Years Before Disease Sets In

Alexis McKenzie, executive director of the Methodist Home of the District of Columbia Forest Side, an Alzheimer's assisted-living facility, puts her hand on the arm of resident Catherine Peake.

October 17, 2012 New research suggests that by the time an Alzheimer's patient is diagnosed, many key neurons are already dead. Neuroscientists say it's possible that several recent trials of drugs for Alzheimer's have failed because the drugs were given after symptoms had already started to appear.

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On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

Friday, August 24, 2012

Shots - Health News

Failure Of Lilly Drug Is Latest Alzheimer's Setback

A PET scan of the brain of a person with Alzheimer's disease.

August 24, 2012 It's the latest setback in a field marked by failure. Earlier this month, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson said they were dropping development of a similar experimental drug after big clinical studies showed it wasn't working.

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Thursday, August 16, 2012

Shots - Health News

Grappling With The Uncertainty Of Alzheimer's Testing

When does it make sense to test a person for the risk of an incurable illness?

August 16, 2012 KHNWould you get tested for your potential risk for Alzheimer's disease, even though the prediction is imperfect and there is no cure for the condition? Studies suggest people can handle the results just find.

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Tuesday, August 07, 2012

Shots - Health News

Scientists See Progress In Alzheimer's Despite Growing List of Drug Failures

A PET scan of the brain of a person with Alzheimer's disease.

August 7, 2012 Pfizer's research on an experimental drug that attacks plaques in the brain has been discontinued. But scientists say they're hopeful that new treatments that attack a specific protein in plaques will have better success.

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Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Shots - Health News

Gene Mutation Offers Clue For Drugs To Stave Off Alzheimer's

A PET scan of the brain of a person with Alzheimer's disease.

July 11, 2012 The mutation is rare but it appears to protect some people from developing the disease. The finding is an encouraging sign for drug researchers looking for medicines that have a similar effect in the brain.

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On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

Monday, May 14, 2012

Shots - Health News

Alzheimer's Patients Turn To Stories Instead Of Memories

TimeSlips is a program based on the idea that storytelling can be therapeutic for people with dementia.

May 14, 2012 Storytelling can be a way of giving people with dementia a low-stress way to communicate, one that does not rely on their memories. And it can give caregivers a chance to reconnect with their loved ones.

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On Morning EditionPlaylist

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Shots - Health News

Staying Active Fends Off Alzheimer's, Even In People Over 80

This would count. But even washing the dishes helps fend off dementia in old age.

April 19, 2012 Activity fends off Alzheimer's disease in people over 80, according to new research that tracked the movements of people in their 80s. And just doing stuff counts. It doesn't have to be "exercise."

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Wednesday, April 04, 2012

Shots - Health News

Speaking Multiple Languages May Help Delay Dementia Symptoms

Because these Chicago second-graders are bilingual, they may be better protected later in life against the ravages of dementia.

April 4, 2012 Research finds that bilingual children are better at "executive processing," which includes being able to pay attention, plan and organize thoughts.

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Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Shots - Health News

The High Price Of Caring For A Loved One With Alzheimer's

The last photo of Joy and her father, taken in July 2011.

February 29, 2012 Caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's disease can drain families' bank accounts. But there is also a high emotional price to be paid. The administration's federal budget would fund more support for family caregivers.

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Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Shots - Health News

With Age, Men May Lose Thinking Ability Faster Than Women

Physical health problems may help drive men's mental decline.

January 25, 2012 Men are diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment earlier than women, perhaps because of physical health issues. That's the word from a study of older people in Minnesota. But by their mid-80s, both men and women suffer the same level of loss of thinking capacity, the researchers found.

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Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Shots - Health News

Nicotine Patches Up Early Memory Loss In Study

An older man wears a nicotine patch on his left arm.

January 10, 2012 Nicotine patches helped improve memory for patients on the road to dementia or Alzheimer's disease. But doctors didn't find the change meant they people did better on everyday problems.

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Thursday, December 08, 2011

13.7: Cosmos And Culture

Joining The Dementia Network, And Finding Gratitude

An illustration of a head in profile with a series of mechanical gears superimposed on it.

December 8, 2011 For people 65 and over, the risk of some form of dementia is significant, and rises with age. When a loved one suffers from dementia, is it possible to feel gratitude, along with the inevitable sadness and frustration? Commentator Barbara J. King says yes.

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Thursday, October 27, 2011

Shots - Health News

High-Tech Shoes Aim To Stop Wandering Alzheimer's Patients

There's a GPS tracker hidden inside this mild-mannered shoe.

October 27, 2011 GPS can help you navigate a new city, train for a marathon, or keep tabs on your kids. Now, some nifty footwear aims to bring peace of mind to the families of Alzheimers' patients.

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Tuesday, September 06, 2011

Shots - Health News

Memory Quizzes Still Best For Alzheimer's Diagnosis

PET scans of the brains of a person with normal memory ability and someone diagnosed with Alzheimer's

September 6, 2011 Two tests measuring verbal recall were the best at predicting whether someone would develop Alzheimer's in the next two years. A brain scan that measured changes in the thickness of the middle temporal lobe, also predicted people who went on to have Alzheimer's.

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Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Shots - Health News

When Forgetfulness Needs Medical Attention

Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt sits with her dog at her home in Knoxville, Tenn. Summitt plans to coach "as long as the good Lord is willing" despite recently being diagnosed with early onset dementia.

August 24, 2011 Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt was diagnosed with Alzheimer's this week. Shots caught up with a neurologist for more on how the Alzheimer's diagnosis is made.

Summary

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