Alzheimer’s and Dementia

A new study published in Nature Communications suggests that a simple nasal swab could one day become a powerful tool for detecting Alzheimer’s disease in its earliest stages—potentially years before memory loss or cognitive symptoms begin. Researchers found that cells collected from deep inside the nasal cavity, where smell-related nerve cells reside, may carry early biological signals of the…

FDA-cleared blood tests for Alzheimer’s disease represent a major advance in how the condition can be detected and evaluated. These tests measure specific biomarkers in the blood—such as phosphorylated tau (p-tau) and beta-amyloid proteins—that are associated with the hallmark brain changes seen in Alzheimer’s. Because they require only a standard blood draw, they are far…

Music plays a powerful and meaningful role in the treatment and care of people living with Alzheimer’s disease. Even as memory and language skills decline, the brain’s ability to recognize and respond to music often remains intact. Familiar songs can spark recognition, evoke emotions, and create moments of connection when other forms of communication become…

Until recently, diagnosing Alzheimer’s in someone who is showing signs of memory loss or thinking difficulties often meant undergoing a brain scan (a PET scan) or a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to look for signs of amyloid or tau changes in the brain. These procedures can be expensive, invasive, or not easy to access. Now,…

While there is currently no guaranteed way to prevent dementia, research suggests that older adults can take meaningful steps to lower their risk and support long-term brain health. Dementia is influenced by a mix of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, but healthy daily habits may help protect the brain and delay the onset of cognitive…

Being a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s disease presents a unique set of emotional, physical, and mental challenges. As the disease progresses, caregivers often face the heartbreaking reality of watching a loved one gradually lose their memory, personality, and ability to perform everyday tasks. This emotional toll can lead to feelings of sadness, frustration, and…

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition characterized by noticeable changes in thinking abilities—such as memory, reasoning, or attention—that are greater than expected for a person’s age, but not severe enough to significantly interfere with daily life or independence. Individuals with MCI may forget appointments, misplace items more often, or struggle to find the right…

Parkinson’s dementia is a type of progressive dementia that can develop in individuals with Parkinson’s disease, typically several years after the initial diagnosis. It affects memory, thinking, and reasoning abilities, often alongside the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s, such as tremors, stiffness, and slow movement. People with Parkinson’s dementia may experience confusion, visual hallucinations, trouble concentrating,…

Vascular dementia is a type of dementia caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, often due to strokes, small vessel disease, or other conditions that damage blood vessels. Unlike Alzheimer’s disease, which typically starts with memory loss, vascular dementia may begin with problems in thinking, organization, decision-making, or concentration. These symptoms can appear suddenly…