Keeping Your Loved One’s Brain Stimulated With Alzheimer’s

Having a relative with Alzheimer’s is very difficult, both for you and for them. Time spent on the best care, making decisions, and handling other personal affairs for them because they can’t help themselves creates stress, anxiety and doubt. But if your relative suffers from Alzheimer’s, new treatments can improve their quality of life substantially. These treatments can keep their brain stimulated, blunting some of the harmful effects of Alzheimer’s.

Deep Brain Stimulation for Alzheimer’s Disease

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for Alzheimer’s is a leading new treatment wherein electrodes are implanted in the patient’s brain. Electric pulses are then administered to the areas of the brain that are malfunctioning to mitigate the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. One of these areas is a cluster of nerve fibers connected to the brain’s memory circuit (called the fornix). Studies on animals show that DBS on the fornix stimulated the hippocampus, which is the brain’s memory bank. Deep Brain Stimulation trials on humans show that the treatment is safe and well-tolerated. Deep Brain Stimulation for Alzheimer’s Disease has given doctors, patients and their families the hope for improvement they’ve been waiting for.

TMS for Alzheimer’s

TMS for Alzheimer’s has also yielded promising early results. TMS stands for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and has been used to combat migraines as well as help people with depression who haven’t responded to anti-depressants. When TMS was tested on Alzheimer’s patients, subjects were administered a paper and pencil cognitive test before and after treatment. Cognition improved on the ‘after’ test to the point where it is now an accepted therapy for Alzheimer’s.

How Can You Prevent Early Onset Alzheimer’s?

If you are taking care of an immediate relative who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you may be susceptible to manifesting the disease later in your life.

Can You Prevent Alzheimer’s By Keeping Your Brain Active?

Whoever made up the saying ‘prevention is the best cure’ might have had Alzheimer’s in mind. Your cognitive health is firmly in your hands. Regular cardiovascular exercise elevates your heart rate which increases blood flow to your brain and body. Many studies show links between physical, heart and cognitive health. Exercising the brain also helps prevent Alzheimer’s. From continuing education (even into middle age) to crosswords puzzles to strategy games like bridge, there are many ways to keep what’s between your ears sharp.

Foods That Fight Dementia

Data shows that eating healthy food makes a big difference too. The very best foods for your brain are vegetables like broccoli, Brussel sprouts and cauliflower. In addition to eating a lot of leafy vegetables you should be eating a diet that is low in fat and high in fruit, nuts and other vegetables.

Pursuing social activities, watching your blood pressure and heart health, getting quality sleep and quitting smoking are other great ways to keep your brain healthy.

For more information on what treatment options there are for those who suffer from Alzheimer’s and ways to prevent it from taking root, contact the care experts at Assured Assisted Living.