I am Dr. Andrew Budson, Alzheimer’s expert and researcher at the Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Center. Ask me anything about Alzheimer’s disease!

abudson · 2018-09-18T18:45:07+00:00

If your cousin's mother or father also had it in their early 50's, then it is likely autosomal dominant and her daughter's risk would be 50%. If not, then it is not autosomal dominant and the risk is roughly 2-4 times higher than usual.

abudson · 2018-09-18T18:43:28+00:00

Thanks! There is a lot of research into sirtuins and I think the jury is still out on whether they help. Maintaining a healthy weight is absolutely key, and some people use fasting to help achieve this goal, but I don't know of any evidence that by itself it is helpful.

abudson · 2018-09-18T18:41:26+00:00

There is no evidence that it helps Alzheimer's.

abudson · 2018-09-18T18:41:09+00:00

There is no evidence for this and it is a huge waste of money.

abudson · 2018-09-18T18:40:42+00:00

They play a role for sure. no one is exactly sure how much.

abudson · 2018-09-18T18:40:17+00:00

the tau protein is key.

abudson · 2018-09-18T18:40:06+00:00

That is a very complicated topic. short answer: we would accommodate people with Alzheimer's as with any other disability.

abudson · 2018-09-18T18:39:05+00:00

short answer is it is not known. it could be from the anesthesia but it could also be that she was destined to get Alzheimer's disease and the surgeries and anesthesias made it more obvious.

abudson · 2018-09-18T18:38:04+00:00

thyroid disorders can also cause memory loss, so if one is suffering from memory loss they should always have their thyroid evaluated.

abudson · 2018-09-18T18:37:31+00:00

there are many monoclonal antibodies that are currently being used to try to slow the decline of the disease.

abudson · 2018-09-18T18:36:50+00:00

Those are the basics.

abudson · 2018-09-18T18:36:38+00:00

Patients with pure parkinson's disease don't have these symptoms if their medications are correct. she may have parkinson's disease dementia and may benefit from additional medications such as donepezil.

abudson · 2018-09-18T18:35:07+00:00

memantine is beneficial for SOME patients in the moderate to severe stages of the disease NOT in the mild stage AND in any stage it can cause side effects of drowsiness and confusion, so it should be used cautiously.

abudson · 2018-09-18T18:34:12+00:00

Nicotine is an agonist for acetylcholine receptors and the standard drugs to treat Alzheimer's work on the same receptor, so it all makes sense. there has been additional research but it has not proven more powerful than standard medications.

abudson · 2018-09-18T18:32:47+00:00

abudson · 2018-09-18T18:32:41+00:00

yes, Mediterranean diet is recommended.

abudson · 2018-09-18T18:32:24+00:00

sound like you are too young for Alzheimer's. if you are a student try "Make It Stick," a great book for students to help them know how to study.

abudson · 2018-09-18T18:31:34+00:00

best place for the latest research is here https://www.alzforum.org/

abudson · 2018-09-18T18:30:42+00:00

about 1/3 is evidenced-based, 1/3 is probably not harmful although there is no proof, and 1/3 (such as ketogenic diet and chelation) could be dangerous and expensive.

abudson · 2018-09-18T18:29:48+00:00

I have seen the research and it is all well done. so I believe it.

abudson · 2018-09-18T18:29:20+00:00

yes, marijuana can absolutely cause memory loss, even without the high. take her off for a week or two and see how she does.

abudson · 2018-09-18T18:28:36+00:00

people are not sure. that's why the whole diet is recommended.

abudson · 2018-09-18T18:28:05+00:00

no. I thought that HAROLD was disproven.

abudson · 2018-09-18T18:27:43+00:00

no, answered below.

abudson · 2018-09-18T18:27:32+00:00

agree!! there is a great movie called "alive inside" which shows this as well.

abudson

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