Ways to help slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease

PET scan of Alzheimer patient

Editor--The film Still Alice shows us the pain and difficulties of dementia, even as it tells us Alzheimer's disease can occur relatively early in adulthood, as more and more people look for ways to prevent memory decline.  What are some of the methods experts say might help?

In the short term researchers have found cognitive skills can be aided by doing mentally challenging activities such as crossword puzzles, reading and listening to the radio, but speed up dementia later on in old age.

Results of new research states brain-challenging activities are important in keeping the brain

active and stimulated, but there is risk later on. 

“Our results suggest that the benefit of delaying the initial signs of cognitive decline may come at the cost of more rapid dementia progression later on, but the question is why does this happen?” said Robert S. Wilson, PhD, study author with Rush University Medical Center
in Chicago.

Mentally challenging activities, according to Wilson, help the brain to function normally during the early stages while lesions of the brain are developing.  Once an individual is diagnosed with dementia, however,those with a more mentally active lifestyle will have more changes in
the brain than those who haven't been as mentally active.  They may therefore experience a more rapid decline once they are found to have dementia.

Wilson observed these mental activities tend to shorten the span of time of dementia, delaying when it starts and then impacting the speed of the decline.

 “This reduces the overall amount of time that a person may suffer from dementia,” Wilson said.

Part of the process in helping slow the progression of dementia and that helps the patient work within the environment while it aids family and caregivers to understand the patient needs is the screening for cognitive decline.  The primary physician is often the first physician involved in this process, so the National Institute of Aging has developed a guide for primary care physicians to help them screen for cognitive impairment.

Caregivers need resources to help the person deal with the cognitive decline and to support memory enhancement.  Many of these resources are available through support groups, often with contact information online.  Those who are friends of Alzheimer patients are encouraged to be involved, even if peripherally, by including people who are experiencing cognitive challenges in mental activities such as card games, language study, music and other areas where early detection and memory work offer the best opportunity to slow decline while continuing to have some semblance of a normal life.  Resources for a variety of needs of caregivers can be found at sites like this one, specifically targeted for understanding and working with those who want to prevent, support, or have help for a friend or family member who has memory problems.