2.  “Dementia isn’t a specific disease. Instead, dementia describes a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily functioning (1998- 2015 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research).”

3.  Many people refer to Dementia as “Senile dementia.” This reference incorrectly reflects that serious mental decline is considered a part of “normal aging.”  This also used to be known as “the hardening of the arteries” for our loved ones prior to the Dementia diagnosis.

4.  In order for a dementia diagnosis to occur, there needs to be a least TWO core mental functions that have a SIGNIFICANT decline or impairment. These are as follows:

5.  Memory  Communication and Language  Ability to Focus and Pay Attention  Reasoning and Judgement  Visual Perception http://www.alz.org/what-is-dementia.asp

6.  Just because someone is experiencing some form of memory loss, does NOT mean they have a diagnosis of Dementia.  There ARE other causes for memory loss or delirium. If you or a loved one is experiencing these symptoms, please seek medical treatment, for these symptoms could potentially be reversed with treatment. This could be a reaction to an infection (i.e. Urinary Tract Infection), or a medication that is currently being taken.

7.  Alzheimer’s Disease  Vascular Dementia  Lewy Bodies Dementia  Frontotemporal Dementia  Mixed Dementia  Parkinson’s Dementia  Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease  Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus  Huntington’s Disease  Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome

8.  Diagnosed through a completed medical assessment. These tests can determine the prevelance of dementia, however not necessarily what type.  If Alzheimer’s may be an option by the physician, additional testing may be required. These are as follows:

9.  Through a medical history  Mental Status Testing  Physical and Neurological Exam  Tests (such as blood tests and brain imaging) to rule out other causes of dementia-like symptoms http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_diagn osis.asp

10.  Find the right doctor!  It is found that a skilled physician is around 90% accurate when diagnosing Alzheimers!

11.  Contact your primary care physician or find a doctor you feel comfortable with.  Many primary care physicians will oversee the diagnosis process  Primary care physicians may refer you to a specialist in dementia. -Neurologist -Psychologist -Psychiatrist

13.  Importance of Early Diagnosis  Although the onset of Alzheimer's disease cannot yet be stopped or reversed, an early diagnosis allows people with dementia and their families:  A better chance of benefiting from treatment  More time to plan for the futureplan for the future  Lessened anxieties about unknown problems  Increased chances of participating in clinical drug trials, helping advance researchclinical drug trials  An opportunity to participate in decisions about care, transportation, living options, financial and legal matters living optionsfinanciallegal matters  Time to develop a relationship with doctors and care partners  Benefit from care and support services, making it easier for them and their family to manage the disease. http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_diagnosis.asp

14.  Keeping mentally active. Stimulate your brain!  Keeping socially active  Regular physical activity-maintains regular blood and oxygen flow to the brain  Heart healthy dieting- low sugar, saturated fats, eat plenty of fruits, veggies and whole grains.  Wear a seat belt  Wear a helmet during sports  Make your home fall safe!  DENIAL MAKES THINGS WORSE http://www.alz.org/research/science/alzheimers_preven tion_and_risk.asp

15.  Two diets that have been studied and may be beneficial are the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet and the Mediterranean diet. The DASH diet emphasizes vegetables, fruits and fat-free or low-fat dairy products; includes whole grains, fish, poultry, beans, seeds, nuts, and vegetable oils; and limits sodium, sweets, sugary beverages, and red meats. A Mediterranean diet includes relatively little red meat and emphasizes whole grains, fruits and vegetables, fish and shellfish, and nuts, olive oil and other healthy fats. http://www.alz.org/research/science/alzheimers_preven tion_and_risk.asp

16.  Alzheimers Associaiation TrialMatch database  John’s Hopkins University  Georgetown University  1. Alzheimer's Prevention Registry Purpose: To enroll individuals who are interested in learning about and possibly participating in Alzheimer's prevention clinical studies and trials in a national registry.Alzheimer's Prevention Registry  2. Brain Health Registry Purpose: To enroll people interested in participating in brain health research in an ongoing online registry.Brain Health Registry  3. Caregiver Health-e Brain Study Purpose: To assess the cognitive health of caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias.Caregiver Health-e Brain Study

17.  1. AC-1204 for Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease Purpose: To evaluate the effects of AC-1204 on cognition, activities of daily living, quality of life, pharmacokinetic measures, and safety in people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.AC-1204 for Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease  2. AZD3293 in Early Alzheimer's Disease (AMARANTH) Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of AZD3293 as a possible treatment for early Alzheimer´s disease.AZD3293 in Early Alzheimer's Disease (AMARANTH)  3. BAN2401 for Early Alzheimer's Disease Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of the experimental drug BAN2401 as a possible treatment for people with mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer's disease.BAN2401 for Early Alzheimer's Disease  4. EVP-6124 for Treating Alzheimer's Disease Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of EVP-6124 as a potential treatment for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.EVP-6124 for Treating Alzheimer's Disease  5. Lidocaine for Neuroprotection During Cardiac Surgery Purpose: To see if the drug lidocaine can prevent cognitive decline after heart surgery.Lidocaine for Neuroprotection During Cardiac Surgery  6. MK-8931 for Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (APECS) Purpose: To assess MK-8931 as a possible treatment for amnestic mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease.MK-8931 for Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (APECS)  7. MK-8931 for Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of MK-8931 as a possible treatment for Alzheimer's disease.MK-8931 for Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/clinical-trials/results?statequery=Virginia

20.  http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases- conditions/dementia/ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases- conditions/dementia/  http://www.alz.org/dementia/.asp http://www.alz.org/dementia/.asp  http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/clinic al-trials/results?statequery=Virginia http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/clinic al-trials/results?statequery=Virginia  http://www.alz.org/research/science/alz heimers_prevention_and_risk.asp http://www.alz.org/research/science/alz heimers_prevention_and_risk.asp