Inside the Dementia Epidemic: A Daughter's Memoir (41 page)

  
291
   
That’s a tall order
: Alzheimer’s Association, “Frequently Asked Questions: Publication of New Criteria and Guidelines for Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis,” April 2011, 1-3,
http://www.alz.org/documents_custom/Alz_Diag_Criteria_FAQ.pdf
. ©2012 Alzheimer’s Association, all rights reserved.

  
291
   
Dr. Jack Diamond, the scientific
: Jack Diamond, M.D., quoted in Nick Krewen, “Alzheimer’s Cases Predicted to Rise 1000 Percent: What’s Being Done to Find a Cure,”
www.samaritanmag.com
, October 12, 2011.
http://samaritanmag.com/859/alzheimers-cases-predicted-rise-1000-percent-whats-being-done-find-cure
.

  
292
   
The international workgroup
: Lab Tests Online, “Biomarkers Incorporated into Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnostic Criteria,” July 5, 2011,
http://labtestsonline.org/news/biomarkers-incorporated-into-alzheimer-s-disease-diagnostic-criteria/
.

  
292
   
As Diamond points out
: Diamond, quoted in Krewen.

APPENDIX B: MEDICATIONS APPROVED TO RELIEVE SYMPTOMS OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

  
293
   
Two types of prescription medications
: National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging, “Alzheimer’s Disease Medications Fact Sheet,” April 9, 2012,
http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publication/alzheimers-disease-medications-fact-sheet
.

  
293
   
They include Aricept
: Dementia SOS: Colorado’s Dementia News and Resource Center, “The Medications for Alzheimer’s,” Jan. 17, 2012,
http://www.coloradodementia.org/tag/razadyne
.

  
293
   
A two-and-a-half-year
: Alireza Atir, MD, PhD; Lynn W. Shaughnessy, BS; Joseph J. Locasio, PhD; John H. Growdon, MD, “Long-term Course and Effectiveness of Combination Therapy in Alzheimer Disease,”
Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders,
22(3): 209-211, July/September 2008,
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2718545/

  
294
   
A study published in the
Journal
: Pierre N. Tariot, MD; Martin R. Farlow, MD; George T. Grossberg, MD; Stephen M. Graham, PhD; Scott McDonald, PhD; Ivan Gergel, MD; for the Memantine Study Group, “Memantine Treatment in Patients with Moderate to Severe Alzheimer Disease Already Receiving Donepezil,”
Journal of the American Medical Association,
2004; 291(3): 317-324.
www.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=198033
.

APPENDIX C: RISK FACTORS AND ANTIDOTES FOR DEMENTIA

  
295
   
As a large French multi-center
: Gillette, et al., “Prevention of Progression to Dementia in the Elderly: Rationale and Proposal for a Health-Promoting Memory Consultation (Task Force Members),”
The Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging
, Oct. 12, 2008,
http://ianacongress.eu/docs/sophie.pdf
, 6.

  
295
   
A 2011 study published
: G.L. Bowman, ND, MPH, L.C., Silbert, MD, MCR, D. Howieson, PhD, H.H. Dodge, PhD, M.G. Traber, PhD, B. Frei, PhD, J.A. Kaye, MD, J. Shannon, PhD, MPH, and J.F. Quinn, MD, “Nutrient Biomarker Patterns, Cognitive Function, and MRI Measures of Brain Aging,”
Neurology
, December 28, 2011,
http://www.neurology.org/content/early/2011/12/28/WNL.0b013e3182436598.abstract
.

  
295
   
Because aerobic exercise increases
: Alzheimer’s Association, “Stay Physically Active,”
http://www.alz.org/we_can_help_stay_physically_active.asp
. Copyright © 2012 Alzheimer’s Association
^®
. All rights reserved.

  
296
   
A recent study by neurologists
: Aron S. Buchman, MD, Patricia Boyle, PhD, Li Yu, PhD, Raj C. Shah, MD, Robert S. Wilson, PhD, and David A. Bennett, MD, “Total Daily Physical Activity and the Risk of AD and Cognitive Decline in Older Adults,” ScienceDaily, April 18, 2012,
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120418203530.htm
.

  
296
   
In another study, subjects who walked
: Longo, “The Coming Epidemic of Dementia and How It Can Be Diagnosed, Treated, and Prevented.”

  
296
   
In a third study, people with mild cognitive
: Ibid.

  
297
   
The Alzheimer’s Association recommends
: Alzheimer’s Association, “Adopt a Brain-Healthy Diet,”
http://www.alz.org/we_can_help_adopt_a_brain_healthy_diet.asp
. Copyright © 2012 Alzheimer’s Association
^®
. All rights reserved.

  
298
   
In a study of elderly people
: Guyonnet S Gillette, G. Abellan Van Kan, S. Andrieu, J.P. Aquino, C. Arbus, J.P. Becq, C. Berr, S. Bismuth, B. Chamontin, T. Dantoine, J.F. Dartigues, B. Dubois, B. Fraysse, T. Hergueta, H. Hanaire, C. Jeandel, S. Lagleyre, F. Lala, F. Nourhashemi, P.J. Ousset, F. Portet, P. Ritz, P. Robert, Y. Rolland, C. Sanz, M. Soto, J. Touchon, and B. Vellas, cited in Mary A. Rogers and Kenneth M. Langa, “Untreated Poor Vision: A Contributing Factor to Late-Life Dementia,”
American Journal of Epidemiology
, Oxford University Press, Vol.171, no.6, Feb. 11, 2010,
http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/171/6/728.full#fn-group-1
.

  
299
   
A study led by the University
: Jennifer O’Brien, “Sleep Apnea Linked to Increased Risk of Dementia in Elderly Women,” The University of California, San Francisco, Aug. 9, 2009,
http://www.ucsf.edu/news/2011/08/10408/sleep-apnea-linked-increased-risk-dementia-elderly-women
.

  
299
   
Other researchers find
: Michael C. Purdy, “Marker for Alzheimer’s Disease Rises During Day, Falls with Sleep: Up-and-down cycle flattens as age disrupts pattern,” Sept. 26, 2011, Washington University in St. Louis,
http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/22709.aspx
.

  
299
   
In 2010, researchers in Milan
: American Academy of Sleep Medicine, “CPAP Therapy Restores Brain Tissue in Adults with Sleep Apnea, Study Finds,” ScienceDaily, June 7, 2010,
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100607065550.htm
.

  
300
   
We know that the obese
: American Thoracic Society, “Relationship Between Overnight Rostral Fluid Shift and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Non-obese Men,”
ajrccm.atsjournals.org
, Nov. 14, 2008,
http://ajrccm.atsjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/179/3/241
.

  
300
   
The National Sleep Foundation
: National Sleep Foundation, “Sleep Apnea and Sleep,”
http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/sleep-related-problems/obstructive-sleep-apnea-and-sleep
.

  
300
   
According to the American Sleep
: American Sleep Apnea Association, “Sleep Apnea,”
http://www.sleepapnea.org/learn/sleep-apnea.html
.

  
301
   
Vaccines to reduce the build-up
: Alzheimer Society of Canada, “Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias—In Pursuit of a Cure.”

  
301
   
Similar trials in 2000 resulted
: Diamond, quoted in Krewen.

  
301
   
Other studies are being conducted
: Alzheimer Society of Canada, “Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias—In Pursuit of a Cure.”

  
301
   
Startling new research in February
: Gina Kolata, “Path is Found for the Spread of Alzheimer’s,”
New York Times
, Feb. 1, 2012,
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/02/health/research/alzheimers-spreads-like-a-virus-in-the-brain-studies-find.html
.

APPENDIX D: IS IT “ALL IN THE FAMILY”?

  
303
   
In Alzheimer’s disease over age sixty
: Alzheimer’s Disease Education & Referral (ADEAR) Center, A Service of the National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Alzheimer’s Disease Genetics Fact Sheet,” NIH Publication No. 11-6424, June 2011,
http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/geneticsfs.htm
.

APPENDIX F: SWEET POISON: THE TOXIC TIDE OF SUGAR

  
305
   
After I discovered that
: “Sleep Apnea May Increase Insulin Resistance,” American Thoracic Society press release, May 17, 2010,
http://www.thoracic.org/media/press-releases/conference/articles/2010/ih-and-insulin-resistance.pdf
, 1.

  
305
   
During sleep, insulin levels
: Denise Grady, “Link Between Diabetes and Alzheimer’s Deepens,”
New York Times
, July 17, 2006,
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/17/health/17alzheimer.html
.

  
305
   
Also, a study at the University
: “Sleep Apnea May Increase Insulin Resistance.”

  
305
   
Many researchers now describe
: “Discovery Supports Theory of Alzheimer’s Disease as Form of Diabetes,” Northwestern University press release,
http://www.research.northwestern.edu/news/stories/2008/klein.html
.

  
306
   
Someone like me who is
: Grady.

  
306
   
Being overweight or obese
: W.L. Xu, M.D., Ph.D., A.R. Atti, M.D., Ph.D., M. Gatz, Ph.D., N.L. Pederson, Ph.D., B. Johansson, Ph.D., and L. Fratiglioni, M.D., Ph.D., “Abstract: Midlife Overweight and Obesity Increase Late-Life Dementia Risk: A Population-Based Twin Study,”
Neurology
, May 3, 2011,
http://www.neurology.org/content/76/18/1568.abstract
.

  
306
   
In 2010, researchers at Kyushu
: Fisher Center, “Diabetes Linked to Brain Damage of Alzheimer’s Disease.”

  
306
   
Another study has determined
: Kolata, “A Squirt of Insulin May Delay Alzheimer’s,”
New York Times
, Sept. 13, 2011, D5.

  
306
   
Some anti-diabetic drugs, such as
: Alzheimer Society of Canada, “Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias–In Pursuit of a Cure,”
http://www.alzheimer.ca/english/media/research2011..htm
.

  
306
   
A team at Northwestern University
: Northwestern University press release.

  
307
   
In fact, a product called Axona
^®
: “Genetic Profile Identified for Alzheimer’s Patients Showing Heightened Response to Accera’s Breakthrough Product Axona
^®
,” Accera, Inc. news release,
Freshnews.com
, Oct. 17, 2011,
http://www.freshnews.com/news/562352/genetic-profile-identified-alzheimer-s-patients-showing-heightened-response-accera-s-br
.

  
307
   
A prescription, FDA-designated
: Accera, Inc., “Axona,”
http://www.accerapharma.com/axona.html
.

  
308
   
I follow the advice of Gary
: Gary Taubes,
Good Calories, Bad Calories: Fats, Carbs, and the Controversial Science of Diet and Health
(New York: Anchor Books, 2008), 454.

  
308
   
Although I don’t pay attention
: Emily Deans, M.D., “The Case for Evolution—Octopuses, Grandmothers, Iceland, and Poor Dr. T. Colin Campbell,” Evolutionary Psychiatry (blog), Sept. 4, 2010,
http://evolutionarypsychiatry.blogspot.com/2010/09/case-for-evolution-octopi-grandmothers.html
.

  
309
   
Referring to the connection between
: Deans, “Examining the Complicated Factors That Predispose Us to Dementia,” Evolutionary Psychiatry (blog), Sept. 20, 2011,
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evolutionary-psychiatry/201109/alzheimers-and-high-blood-sugar
.

APPENDIX G: THE BENEFITS OF “MEMORY CONSULTATIONS” AND EARLY DIAGNOSIS

  
310
   
A French multi-center task force
: Gillette, et al., 6.

  
310
   
Memory care programs in
: University of Rochester Medical Center, “Comprehensive Memory Care Program Fills Vital Need,” 2011,
http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/referring-physicians/urmc-connection/spring-2010/facilities-and-programs/dementia-clinic.cfm
.

  
311
   
According to the Centers for Medicare
: Charles Fiegel, “Medicare’s Missed Checkups: Few Seniors Get Wellness Exam,” American Medical Association, May 2, 2011,
http://www.amaassn.org/amednews/2011/05/02/gvsa0502.htm
.