We know most everyone here follows the Alzheimer's Association, but this is just too important to miss - first significant update to AD guidelines in almost three decades!

Please review the report here: Alzheimer's Association | Research Center

Top two notable differences from previous discussion and guidelines are:

1. Redefining the three stages of the disease now to Preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia due to AD.
2. Proposal of "biomarker tests", which will be tests that measure biological changes in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s, now believed to eventually be measurable years or perhaps even decades before symptoms occur.

Biomarkers are perhaps the most exciting part of current research, focusing on diagnosis far, far earlier than currently available, and allowing treatment way before symptoms show up and when it can do the most good.

Though not directly linking to a cure yet, the Alzheimer's Association and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) state the following goal:

"An overarching goal of Alzheimer’s doctors and researchers, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the NIA is to enable people to live long, healthy lives free of the disability caused by Alzheimer’s. There is consensus that treating the disease before symptoms occur is how this goal will be met. However, no generally accepted way exists to identify Alzheimer’s at its presymptomatic — and potentially most treatable — stage."

Even with its caveat, we still feel this is exciting news and surely shows more progress towards the day we all hope will come soon:

The beginning... of the end... of Alzheimer's Disease!

This is a follow on article from Dr. Daniel Amen.  Enjoy.  

By Daniel G. Amen, MD

Many everyday activities and behaviors can be the source of brain drain. Here are some common things that can hurt your brain and body.

Lack of new learning: No learning actually causes the brain to disconnect itself. The brain gets easily bored and requires new and different challenges to stay healthy. Once the brain really learns something, such as how to navigate the streets of your hometown, it uses less and less energy to accomplish the task.

Physical trauma: Severe injuries, concussions, and even mild trauma can affect every aspect of your health and well-being.

Drugs: Marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, methamphetamines, inhalants, and heroin seriously decrease brain function. Illegal drugs aren't the only culprits. Abusing prescription medications, such as Vicodin, Oxycontin, and Xanax, can also hurt the brain. Drug abuse may make you feel better in the short term, but in the long term, they are a disaster for brain function.

Alcohol: Studies show that people who drink every day have smaller brains than nondrinkers. When it comes to the brain, size matters! Excessive drinking lowers activity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), the area responsible for judgment, forethought, and planning. That's why people make such stupid decisions when they are drunk.

Obesity: As your weight goes up, the physical size of your brain goes down. Obesity doubles the risk for Alzheimer's disease and has been associated with decreased brain tissue.

Imbalanced hormones: Imbalances with your thyroid, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, or cortisol levels have all been implicated in both brain and body problems.

Poor diet: Even though your brain accounts for only about 2 percent of your body weight, it uses 20-30 percent of all the calories you consume. If you eat a fast-food diet, you will have a fast-food brain and a fast-food body.

Chronic inflammation in the body: This is now thought to be at the center of many diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and Alzheimer's disease.

Low blood flow: Blood flow is important because it carries oxygen, sugar, vitamins, and nutrients to the brain, and it gets rid of toxins. Anything that decreases blood flow, such as nicotine, too much caffeine, or a lack of exercise, prematurely ages it. Nowhere is this more true than for your brain.

Chronic stress: When you constantly feel stressed, your brain tells your body to secrete higher amounts of the stress hormone cortisol. At elevated levels, cortisol increases your appetite and cravings for sugar making you fat, increases muscle tension and chronic pain, increases blood pressure, and raises your risk for many serious health conditions.

Sleep deprivation: Getting less than six hours of sleep a night lowers overall brain function and causes your brain to release hormones that increase your appetite and cravings for high-sugar snacks like candy, cakes, and cookies. People who don't get enough sleep tend to eat more calories and gain weight.

Lack of exercise: When you don't exercise, you decrease blood flow to your brain, your body, and your genitals. It is well-documented that a lack of physical activity can negatively affect your weight and overall health.

Negative thinking: We have conducted studies that show that focusing on the things you don't like lowers brain activity, causes your heart to beat faster, increases blood pressure, and negatively affects many systems in your body. Negative thinking can also sabotage your efforts to change your bad habits, lose weight, start an exercise program, or quit smoking.

Dehydration: Your body consists of 70 percent water, and your brain is 80 percent water. If you aren't drinking enough water, you reduce brain function.

Smoking: Smoking constricts blood flow to the brain.

Too much caffeine: Drinking too much caffeinated coffee, tea, sodas, or energy drinks restricts blood flow to the brain, dehydrates the brain, body, and skin and fools the brain into thinking it does not need to sleep.

Too much TV: Watching too much TV can be harmful for your brain and body. Excessive TV watching has been associated with ADD in children and Alzheimer's disease in adults. Watching more than two hours of TV a day also significantly increases your risk for obesity.

Violent video games: Playing violent video games has led to an increased rate of violence and learning problems. With brain imaging, we see that video games work in the same area as cocaine, and kids and adults tend to get hooked on them like a drug. Spending more than two hours a day playing video games increases the risk of being overweight.

Excessive texting and social networking on the Internet: Neuroscientists have shown that spending too much time texting and social networking leads to attention problems and may cause difficulties communicating face-to-face. It also takes time away from physical activities, making you more prone to weight gain and a decrease in your general health.

This  article is from Dr. Daniel Amen, a leading expert on brain health, Alzheimer's disease, scanning and prevention. 

By Daniel G. Amen, MD
I have great news for you! After years of analyzing brain scans and treating patients, I have discovered that there are many simple things you can do on a daily basis to boost your brain function.

New learning: The brain is like a muscle. The more you use it, the more you can continue to use it. New learning makes new connections in the brain, making you sharper and more efficient.

Protect your brain. Be conscious of how precious it is to you and your loved ones.

Eat a good diet: Getting good nutrition is essential to good brain function and to a better body. A healthy diet includes lean protein, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and healthy fats like olive oil. Studies show that your brain works better if you eat nine servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

Take daily vitamins, minerals, and fish oil: Because most of us do not get all the nutrients we need from the foods we eat, I recommend that everybody take a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement. I also urge people to take a daily fish oil supplement, which can decrease inflammation and boost blood flow to the brain and can help to combat depression, which has been associated with being obese as well as many other health conditions. Take vitamin D if your levels are low. And take the brain healthy supplements recommended for your type.

Exercise: When it comes to the brain, exercise acts like the fountain of youth. It boosts blood flow, increases the brain's use of oxygen, and improves your brain's response to stress. It is the single most important thing you can do to keep your brain healthy and is one of the best ways to change your shape and improve your mood, energy level, sexual performance, and overall health.

Get enough sleep: Getting at least seven hours of sleep at night has been shown to help keep your brain functioning at optimal levels, keeps your appetite in check, and helps your skin look younger.

Relax: Learning how to counteract stress and calm your body helps your brain work better, puts you in a better mood, reduces high blood pressure, and protects you from disease.

Challenge negative thoughts: You do not have to believe every stupid thought you have. Talking back to your ANTs (automatic negative thoughts) can help with weight loss, anxiety, and depression.

Practice gratitude: When you focus on what you love, your brain works better, you are more coordinated, and you feel better. Write down 5 things you are grateful for every day. In just three weeks you will have a notice a significant positive difference in your level of happiness.

Balance your hormones: Hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone, play a key role in maintaining the health and vitality of your brain and body.

Treat mental disorders: A strong link between mental disorders and physical illnesses and conditions has been well established. Treating mental conditions improves brain function and general health and well-being.

Hi Everybody!

This is David, and this is my first official post up here (Sharon does most of the work :), but I wanted to tell you all about a recent finding that should give everyone hope.

This is not about Alzheimer's directly, but about diabetes.

Most folks are familiar with the 4000-year-old disease, and its insulin treatment, that causes blood sugar levels to wildly vary.  It carries the threat of short-term diabetic shock and long-term damage to blood vessels, blindness, and even shortened life expectancy.  Though its a very manageable disease and much is known about it, there is no cure.

My son was diagnosed with type-1 diabetes on his 10th birthday, and over the last 6+ years has gotten pretty adept at managing his glucose levels, but he still pokes himself 8 times a day with needles and certainly is not living a normal life.  If there's one wish I've had for six years, its for this disease to disappear or diminish - can anybody out there relate?  I thought you might. :)

Well, i've got a big one brewing...

Amazing news is coming out for type-1 diabetics. Not a cure mind you, but rather a far better treatment protocol using Leptin, which is a natural hormone produced in fat cells.  

This presentation was given January 20th, 2011, in Texas:
http://jdrfdallas.wordpress.com/2011/02/10/dr-gregory-clark-discusses-leptin-study-at-jdrf-research-update-meeting/

Basically, instead of using large doses of insulin to manage glucose levels, which are elevated by the presence of free fatty acids that "hide" in presence of insulin and then come right back again to wreak havoc when insulin levels drop, using Leptin with a small amount of insulin metabolizes the glucose AND oxidizes the troublesome FFAs so they leave the system as CO2 and water.

In short, they think they can eliminate the supposed cause of the hi-low-hi blood sugar roller-coaster.  A whole new way of thinking about the problem. In effect, they've moved the treatment upstream, but if successful it would GREATLY reduce the long-term impact and problems associated with type-1. (capillary destruction, blindness, heart disease, etc)

There are 3 patients in clinical trials in the Dallas area, and they think they can eventually reduce the amount of insulin needed daily by 90%, with no glucose monitoring or testing needed!!!

This is amazing news for Harris, my son, and could be a divine answer to many, many prayers.

So, why am I posting this on the Purple Sunshine "Cure" page? Because it happens folks!! Diseases that are thousands of years old are changing, with new discoveries and new treatments that could affect the quality of life for millions.

While you all give wonderful care to your loved ones and friends in this moment, NEVER lose sight of the fact that Alzheimer's is a disease, and diseases have causes, and once found they may be able to be treated, diminished, or ever cured.

While love is the key ingredient for caregiving in the present moment, hope is the key ingredient for the future.

Wonderful presentation from UCLA Professor Dr. Gary Small, showing functional MRI evidence that using the Internet *significantly* improves brain activity in the prefrontal cortex. This is where decisions are made and short-term memory is held. In short, the EXACT kind of stimulation AD patients need. If you can, get those you care for to Google!!
Click here:  Big Think Presents Farsight 2011: Beyond the Search Box | Special Series | Big Thinkbigthink.com

From Harry Johns, President and CEO - Alzheimer's Association:

Following the unanimous approval of Congress earlier this month, and the thousands of e-mails and messages sent to the White House last week, we're pleased to share that today President Obama signed the National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA) into law. Once implemented, NAPA will ensure our nation has what Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius calls an "aggressive and coordinated national strategy" to confront the present and rapidly escalating Alzheimer crisis.

Today is a day to celebrate. This is a victory for the 5.3 million people who live with Alzheimer's in this country and the nearly 11 million caregivers. It is a victory for the more than 300,000 advocates who stood up and demanded that our nation's leaders create a plan for combating this disease. The journey to take NAPA from concept to law of the land is a victory for all of us.

Tomorrow we will return to the hard but rewarding work that lies ahead. NAPA is a milestone and a very important step forward, but it is not the destination. Our destination is a world without Alzheimer's and we can only arrive there through therapies that stop this disease and improved care and support for those contending with it. Rest assured that we will work tirelessly to maintain the momentum evident today. We will work to ensure NAPA is implemented effectively so that it lives up to its promise, and we will work to advance our other legislative priorities for 2011, including a major, immediate increase in research funding.

As you know, there is no time to waste.

Please continue to stand with us in the fight against Alzheimer's. We can't succeed without you. And please ask others to join us in this effort. We'll need to call on every available voice to succeed.

Again, congratulations and thank you.

From Robert Egge, Vice President of Public Policy, Alzheimer's Association

112,000 petition signatures, 50,000 emails, nearly 10,000 phone calls and more than 1,000 advocate meetings have led us to this momentous occasion. Just minutes ago, the United States House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA). This historic legislation is now on its way to the President for his signature.

Send an e-mail to the President urging him to sign NAPA!

Passage of this legislation is a hard-earned win for the hundreds of thousands of Alzheimer advocates across the nation. With your help, the Alzheimer's Association has made NAPA a top congressional priority - and a significant first step in ending the Alzheimer crisis.

In addition to the human impact on families, the economic burden of Alzheimer's - with total costs of care escalating from $172 billion to more than $1 trillion by 2050 - is simply unsustainable. NAPA will bring help not only to millions of affected families, but also to the fiscal foundation of our country.

Researchers at Wake Forest University said that drinking beet juice everyday can increase blood flow to the brain in older adults, and can possibly prevent dementia.  Beets contain nitrates that turn into nitrite in the body, and can open up the blood vessels and increase the flow of blood and oxygen.  Nitrates are also found in cabbage, spinach, celery and lettuce. 
I knew my mom was right when she told me that I must eat my veggies!
Now if they can just make beet juice taste good...

... for Alzheimer's research. Have you been told that there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease?  Yes, it's true, currently there is none available.  Do you ever see a television commercial advertising the latest and the greatest drugs for Alzheimer's?  Not likely. 
One of the biggest reasons?  Money. 
Look at the statistics for where the research dollars go.   
We spend $5.6 billion a year funding cancer studies.
$1 billion a year for heart disease.
For Alzheimer's disease?  A mere $500 million a year.  

It's no wonder why 81% of those polled saw great progress being made in curing heart disease and 74% said the same for cancer, but only 48% felt researchers were making strides against Alzheimer's, as reported in The Shriver Report:  A Woman's Nation Takes on Alzheimer's.   

Yet, "Alzheimer's is what is going to get most of us." says Dr. Ronald Petersen, director of the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. 

We need to increase awareness on the impact of this disease.  We need to have more dollars going to research.  We need to fight for a cure.

 When my mom was first diagnosed with Alzheimer's, her doctor urged us to make sure that she gets regular exercise.  He recommended that she takes long walks early in the morning.  The morning sunshine provides an important source of vitamin D, and the daily exercise will establish a routine that will not only keep her physically fit, but provide much needed mental stimulation as well.   
 There were numerous studies conducted that show benefit of exercise. The Alzheimer's Disease Rehab by Students program (Arkin, 1999) showed dramatic, positive increases in physical fitness, mood, and maintenance of function in multiple language measures, and a slower than typical decline in mental status after a year of exercise. An Italian research group (Palleschi, Vetta, Degennaro, Idone, Sottosanti, Gianni, & Marigliano, 1996) found a significant improvement on four cognitive measures after three months of aerobic exercise.
 So why aren't all Alzheimer's patients flocking to the local gym or exercising with FitTV?  Unfortunately, even early stage Alzheimer's patients have difficulty initiating or maintaining a new routine on their own.  This means that persons with Alzheimer's need someone to encourage and support them, like an exercise coach or a workout buddy.  Most primary caretakers are already too overloaded with responsibilities that come with care-taking, or they may be too old and frail to initiate an exercise regime. 

 If you are a family member or a friend of someone with Alzheimer's who occasionally provide respite support such as sharing a weekly meal or taking them to church, why not spend an hour longer on your visit and take a walk with them? 
If this is not an option, why not find and pay for a high schooler to come by 1 hour a day, 3 times a week for a regular exercise routine?  It wouldn't cost you more than $30 bucks a week, which is about the cost of a Kentucky Fried Chicken meal for a family of 4.