As we have talked about the physiology, causes, etc, let's look at the treatments and what is in the future. The cause may also be related to brain insulin which is not being utilized in the body/brain.
Early detection. If we look at any treatments, etc we have to be willing to be honest with ourselves.
Remember, everyone forgets, at most ages. You lay your keys down and forget where, you walk into a room and forget why you are there, or possibly forget a friends name. It is the repetitiveness of forgetting, also the worsening, ie you don't remember where you live when driving home, or where you have just been. Occasional is normal, repetitiveness and worsening are not. Being evaluated by a Neurologist, a Gerontologist, or your Internal Med Provider, this is the 3rd step. Step 1 is admitting it to yourself, #2 is sharing with the family, #3 is the appointment with a HCP. If you can think about it as taking care of yourself, rather than shame or fear, it will be better. It doesn't go away. Early detection may save/slow down the progression.
Blood tests are available now at most labs. An AD-Detect is a test for people at risk for Alzheimer's disease. It obviously needs to be combined with clinical cognitive testing/evaluation by a HCP, and monitored until a Neurologist can be sourced.
The AD biomarkers such as amyloid and phosphorylated tau can actually be increasing possibly 20 years prior to signs of impairment. Visit the first article to see the list of risk factors.
If you are symptomatic and the test is positive, this is the time to grieve with your family, get finances in order so someone is overseeing them, consider downsizing your home or living with a family member. There are many senior apartments that can actually help you transition to needing more care. Read, crossword puzzles, exercise daily, good nutrition, SOCIALIZE and force yourself to talk in these groups, learn a language (Paul Noble/Amazon offers audible books in every language) no alcohol, and concentrate on stimulating your own neurons. It is felt that as we age, we can still stimulate the neuron to increase brain health.
More importantly, science suggests that 40% of cognitive changes are preventative. I find that number staggering.
Initiation of meds earlier rather than later is very important. There are a host of meds old and new to control the symptoms. The drugs to stay away from are diphenhydramine, ie Benadryl, Benzodiazepines, anticholinergics, example-oxybutynin for bladder control, and sedatives/hypnotics.
More and more research is being done in this field. But it is up to you to try and stay away from the things that are linked to Alzheimer's
YOUR POWER OVER ALZHEIMER'S
Foods: vegetables, nuts, whole grains, lean protein, avocado, BERRIES, BERRIES, BERRIES, as they deliver a huge amount of antioxidants, SUPER SPICES-turmeric, cocoa, cinnamon, nutmeg-they may help break up the plaques, coconut oil-rich in polyphenol, kale/spinach
Daily exercise. There are 1440 minutes in a day. You can afford 20-30 for your mind and body. A gift.
Socialization-don't become a hermit.
I have listed others throughout these 3 articles.
Aren't you worth taking care of?
Partial information from the NIH and Alzheimer's Society