Alzheimer's

Finding Balance And Dignity Among The Chaos Of Dementia

Alex Heuer, Mary Edwards and Don Marsh — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 19:03:35 +0000

Dementia is the broad term which refers to diseases which result in a significant loss of cognitive ability.

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the worst manifestations of dementia.

A symposium at Washington University in St. Louis this week aims to be a gathering place for people struggling to find balance and dignity among the chaos of dementia.

Another Study Supports Link Between Alzheimer's And (Poor) Sleep

Véronique LaCapra — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 20:58:48 +0000

Another study has shown a link between disrupted sleep patterns and Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers at Washington University looked at 32 people who have what’s known as “preclinical” Alzheimer’s disease. They have a marker in their spinal fluid associated with Alzheimer’s, but they still don’t have any symptoms of dementia.

Wash U neurologist and sleep specialist Yo-El Ju says when she and her colleagues compared those people to 110 healthy controls, they found the two groups slept about the same amount.

Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease: Former Chesterfield Woman Writes Memoir

Alex Heuer, Mary Edwards and Don Marsh — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 21:01:04 +0000

When Stefania Silvestri was 14 years old and living in Chesterfield, her father, who was 48 years old, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

At that time Silvestri, her mother, and two sisters became caregivers.

Host Don Marsh talked with Silvestri about her struggle at such a young age and how her father progressed into more severe forms of dementia. Her memoir is, “Beside the Mountain: Finding Strength and Courage Through My Father's Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease.”

Study To Test Drugs Aimed At Preventing Alzheimer’s Dementia

Véronique LaCapra — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 22:35:08 +0000

Washington University will soon lead a clinical trial aimed at preventing people with Alzheimer’s disease from developing dementia.

The international trial will involve 160 patients in the U.S., Europe, and Australia who have a very rare, inherited form of Alzheimer’s, which typically causes dementia before age 50.

Washington University neurologist and study lead Dr. Randall Bateman says this is one of the first clinical trials to try to treat Alzheimer’s patients before they have any symptoms.

New Research In Preventing Alzheimer's Disease

Alex Heuer, Mary Edwards and Don Marsh — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 20:49:35 +0000

Finding effective treatments and a cure for Alzheimer’s disease is elusive. While most of what we hear about the disease is depressing, we may be on the threshold of some exciting discoveries concerning prevention. Washington University’s School of Medicine is in the middle of this new research and this hour, host Don Marsh is joined by Dr. John Morris, Director of Washington University’s Alzheimer’s Research Center, to talk about clinical trials aimed at preventing Alzheimer’s disease.