According to the CDC more than 6 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, an umbrella term for a group of symptoms associated with the loss of cognitive function. This loss of function typically manifests as memory loss, difficulty thinking or speaking and progresses in severity over time.
It can be extremely difficult to watch a loved one suffer from dementia. While there is not yet a cure for most forms of dementia, recognizing the early signs can help your loved one get the help they need to manage their symptoms. If you believe yourself or a loved one may be exhibiting signs of dementia, you can trust our team of neurologists at Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) Neurology to provide you with compassionate, high-quality care.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease & dementia
Depending on the cause and extent of damage, symptom severity can range for different patients. The symptoms experienced by dementia patients often make it difficult to perform everyday activities and problem solve. Some common symptoms of dementia may include:
- Memory loss
- Difficulty finding words
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Getting lost frequently
- Difficulty problem-solving
- Agitation
- Personality changes
- Anxiety or depression
- Difficulty with attention
What causes Alzheimer’s disease & dementia?
Dementia is caused by damage to the brain. Most frequently this damage is caused by Alzheimer’s disease, but there are other disorders and complications that can lead to developing dementia. Dementia can sometimes have more than one cause, also known as mixed dementia. Mixed dementia typically only occurs in people that are 80 or older. Some other causes of dementia may include:
- Lewy body dementia
- Frontotemporal disorders
- Stroke
- Head trauma
- Reactions to certain medications
Who is at risk for dementia or Alzheimer’s?
While many diseases and disorders are the root cause of dementia, there are contributing factors that put some at risk more than others. Dementia is most common in individuals older than 65 and the risk increases with age. Some other risk factors may include:
- Having parents or siblings with dementia or Alzheimer’s
- Carrying the APOE gene
- Traumatic brain injury
- Poor diet
- Head injuries
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Depression
- Lack of physical activity
- Illiteracy
How are Alzheimer’s disease & dementia diagnosed?
Dementia is diagnosed based in symptoms reported to your doctor along with in-office physical and neurological exams. The neurological exam may include tests that measure your memory, reasoning skills, movement, balance, reflexes and attention.
With dementia, it’s important to understand the pattern of what skills and functions are being lost. Your doctor may want to speak to someone who is close to you about your symptoms to get a better understanding of your disease. Because Alzheimer’s is a Some common testing for dementia diagnosis includes:
- Blood tests
Blood tests can detect the amyloid and tau proteins that cause Alzheimer’s disease. - Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests
The proteins that cause Alzheimer’s can be detected by testing cerebrospinal fluid. - Functional assessment
Evaluation of your daily activities, such as dressing, basic hygiene and writing. - Genetic testing
These tests can determine if you carry the APOE gene, which can be a determinate of Alzheimer’s development. - Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
This imaging can show any structural changes to the brain being caused by protein build-up. MRI scans are also often used to examine blood vessels, so they are effective at detecting evidence of a stroke or other vascular issues that can cause dementia. - Neurological reflex exams
Neurological exams will test your strength, coordination and reflexes for any issues that may indicate Alzheimer’s. - Position emission tomography (PET) scan
These scans use radioactive tracers to track brain activity and find clumps of proteins in the brain. - Neuropsychological tests
Neuropsychological testing assesses how well the brain functions, NGPG Neuropsychology provides these assessments for patients across North Georgia.
How is dementia treated?
As with diagnosis, the treatment for dementia largely depends on the root cause. Most kinds of dementia cannot be cured, but there are ways to manage dementia, temporarily improve symptoms and maintain a high quality of life.
Medications
As dementia research progresses, more treatment options open up for patients. Medications prescribed for dementia patients may help slow the progression of the disease or decrease symptoms. Some medical treatment options may include:
- Antidepressants
Antidepressants and antipsychotics can help ease the symptoms of depression, anxiety and paranoia often associated with Alzheimer’s disease. - Cholinesterase inhibitors
These medications can improve problems with memory and work to block an enzyme that can cause increase in brain damage from Alzheimer’s. - Infusions
Infusions of monoclonal antibodies promote the immune system to destroy amyloid proteins that cause brain damage. This treatment works best during the early stages of the disease, keeping it from progressing. NGPG is one of the few programs in Georgia offering the latest infusions for Alzheimer’s.
See how NGPG Neuroscience is using this cutting-edge treatment for Alzheimer’s patients - Memantine
A medication that blocks glutamate from damaging the cells in the brain.
Therapy
Different types of therapies can often be beneficial for those suffering from dementia, especially when done supplementally to medication. Some of these prescribed therapies may include:
- Physical therapy
- Cognitive therapy
- Occupational therapy
Disease Management
If an underlying condition has caused or could potentially worsen the impacts of dementia, managing that condition is important to prevent dementia from progressing. For example, if heart or vascular disease is an underlying cause of brain damage, taking steps to prevent strokes and improve blood flow to the brain will be critical in fighting the progression of dementia.
Memory Assessment Clinic in Gainesville
NGPG Neurology is proud to be a part of Georgia Memory Net, a statewide program dedicated to earlier diagnosis and customized care plans for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The program is a collaborative supported by Georgia Department of Human Services’ Division of Aging Services, managed centrally by the Emory Brain Health Center, and comprised of healthcare organizations statewide, community services partners specializing in dementia support, and the Division of Aging Services / Area Agencies on Aging Network. NGPG Neurology is home to Memory Assessment Clinic (MAC) in Gainesville, which is one of 7 clinics statewide.
Choose NGPG for Alzheimer’s & Dementia Treatment
At NGPG we know how daunting it can be facing a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or dementia. While there is no cure for these brain conditions, medications, therapies and new specialized treatment options can help slow disease progression and manage symptoms.
If you suspect that yourself or a loved one may have Alzheimer’s or dementia, getting seen by a medical professional and receiving a diagnosis quickly is essential to combatting the progression of the disease. At NGPG Neurology, our providers work to provide high-quality care and access to the latest medical advancements for our patients across north Georgia. Trust our team of board-certified neurologists, neurosurgeons, neurointerventional surgeons, neuropsychiatrists and other specialists to care for you or your loved one, offering the latest advancements in care and compassionate treatment, here at home.