I haven't fully explored all the pages of this site - this may be addressed elsewhere. I'm interested in what YOU - all of us in the trenches - think causes Alzheimer's disease. Is it even a disease? I've often thought its a constellation of syndromes. I'm interested in reasoned opinion and total WAGs (wild assed guesses).
Definitely a constellation of syndromes. There are so many indications that disrupting any one of many different biological pathways can end up producing the "hallmark" plaques and tangles; and that many different gene mutations can make us just a little more susceptible to one or another of the many factors that appear to be associated with "AD".
Two that spring to mind: (1) Several bacterial and viral infections appear to have a strong correlation with AD (sometimes), and people with the APOE4 gene are more susceptible to those infections, and this can sometimes be tied in with high cholesterol levels, which may be related to the ability of the pathogen to attach and gain entry to neurons. A broad picture appears to be building of a basic mechanism that may be involved, but the trigger(s) involved in AD developing in any given individual may be quite different from those triggering onset in another patient. And would the "biochemical pathway" actually be the same -- the "disease" be the same -- if the infection is caused by a virus vs a bacterium?
Then there's the recent study which indicates that epigenetic factors may play a much bigger role in the development of AD than our genes. Epigenetic factors are those that cause chemical modifications to DNA (or the higher order structure of DNA) during one's lifetime. I.e., not only is it important which genes you have when you're born, but also what happens to that DNA as we grow. This explains why so many studies have identified apparent correlations between "environmental" factors and AD, yet these "environmental" factors -- what we eat, what medicines we take, whether we smoke or exercise, what environmental pollutants we're exposed to -- may or may not trigger AD in any given individual. (See the thread "New study on factors that cause AD" or, if you're feeling brave, read the paper itself at http://www.plosone.org/doi/pone.0002698 )
So maybe one could argue that AD caused by an infection is the same disorder, no matter what the infection was, but surely AD caused by exposure to toxic compounds would be something entirely different.
Well, the CNN report that certain cities in India that have been studied with zero AD, well they attributed it to diet. Lots of turmeric, other spices etc. I add turmeric to eggs now. Of course, heredity has to play a role in some cases. Guess these cities in India didn't have the genetic component.
Do any of your spouses have a red spot (about an inch or so big, but not really circular, more like the state of Iowa) at the base of their skulls? It's almost like a birth mark, but sometimes it is redder than other times; sometimes it is a light brown. He's had it for years, but wasn't born with it. The thought just hit me to mention it to see if anyone else's spouse has one.
My husband has not had a head injury nor been involved in a traffic accident. They first thing he had wrong with him didn't occur until 1996 (he's always been healthy), when we discovered a blood clot in the artery of his right thigh. By the time the doctors were through with his surgery and recovery (he almost bled to death) they managed to save him. After six more years, all of these new symptoms started showing up - hands shaking; sleep apnea; restless leg syndrome; and vision perception. Whether these symptoms are related to his AD, I don't know.
I have not bothered to do any research on the causes of AD, but will gladly listen to all who have a theory!
I've wondered if my DH's prolonged use of low dose valium along with and pretty heavy drinking had anything to do with the EOAD. He started taking valium daily probably when he was 20. Also a good amount of recreational drug use back then.
Mary that really creepy. my DH has exactly your red blotch at nape of skull like you say.its redder some days more than others, i noticed it when i started bathing him several yrs ago. i dont think he had it either from birth. this is really strange. wonder if anyone else? i am under the belief its an exposure to toxins accumlulated over a lifetime and or infections and or a combo of bacteria and parasites. esp parasites. like fluke worms or something that can cause a permanent inflammation. i have seen just recently that my DH started on 100mg of neurontin which is used for diebetic neuropathy pain issues. he has improved a LOT just in a few wks of using this new drug. not only has it stopped the myclonous jerking alltogether, but his speech and whole demeanor has significantly improved in my own opinion. i think its working to reduce the inflamatory process in the brain signaling somehow. all i know is hes doing much better as a whole. so i think they could be on to something with the idea of ibiprofen and antiinflammory being a good start too. also i have my DH on a low dose of permanent antiobiotics so maybe this is helping with some infection and or bacterias in the brain. its alot to think about. i am going to take a stronger look into parasites and how they could be affecting the body esp the brain. divvi
My DH had what we thought was a bad flu about 9 years ago. He also had found a tick on his neck around that time. All of his physical problems started shortly thereafter. I really do feel that his FTD like symptoms started to show then also. Lyme diseases has been ruled out twice. Fibromyalgia three times. Arthritis many times. It's not thyroid either. They rule this out once a year. the only thing that has been found is his pituitary Gland tumor on the prolactin area. He also had a non-cancerous breast tumor removed about 7 years ago due, what we found out later, to the high prolactin in his system. He takes meds now to lower the prolactin level in his blood and the tumor is under control/not growing very fast.
Previous to this, he has always been depressed, stressed, his-way-is-the-only-attitude, etc. What we have been calling a "volitial" personality.
I'm going to check for the red blotch. I don't cut his hair and he keeps it fairly long in back so I don't think I would have noticed it. I'll let you know what I find.
The red blotch IS creepy. I'll have to check my guy, but I don't think he has one.
Here's a bunch of stuff that's been floating around in my head. I KNOW it's related, but I don't know how.
Smoking – reduces oxygen to heart and brain. But nicotine is shown to help the memory and boosts blood sugar. Blood sugar - there is some relation between AD and diabetes. Smoking related to - Heart attack & heart disease also related to lack of oxygen Heart attack related to - Stent placed –arterial plaque to brain? Heart attack related to - Anesthesia – lack of oxygen, temporary? general disorientation Heart attack also related to - sleep apnea – related to lack of oxygen. Heart disease related to - High cholesterol. High cholesterol is "bad," but the brain is made of cholesterol. My DH was put on statins and a low fat diet – 6 mos. Later he started showing symptoms
Also arthritis - an inflammatory disease - anti-inflammatories have been shown to help AD. Heart disease is an inflammatory disease.
I don't know how all this fits together, but I know there is some kind of relationship here.
It has been cited in various reports that poor blood circulation (heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes) = poor circulation to the brain, which could contribute to AD.
But I have my own question, and have had it for years. In my 25 years of working with Special Education students, I have seen my share of Autism, Attention Deficit Disorder, and Language Learning Disabilites. The early symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease mimics one or all of these disorders. My own husband had ADD his whole life (undiagnosed back in the 40's and 50's- no one had any idea it existed). So I've always wondered if whatever damages the brain to cause these conditions, can later lead to AD. Any ideas?
My DH is left handed. When he was in K and 1 grades, the teachers tied his left hand behind his back and called him names. They forced him to use his right hand until his mother found out and raised heck with them. He still talks about how mean they were to him and it is obvious that he was traumatized by it. He also was held back in 1st grade because of illness. This has bothered him also. He always felt like a failure and out of place with his peers because of it. This very well could have been the start of his anger problems. His family also has a history of depression. As for ADD, I always wondered if this were the case with him. Just never really pursued it.
My husband had surgery, he went in with no, absolutely no memory problems, and came home a completely different person. Dementia had taken his mind, the doctor said it was intensive care psychosis and it would go away. Ha! It never did, it only got worse. When DH went for his six week checkup his doctor was shocked and agreed with me he was not the same person, but gave no explanation. His surgery was on his stomach, not his brain so this should not have developed. Besides the anesthesia, he was also on Haldol. My father also had a surgery for lung cancer and was also on haldol and he also came home with the dementia. I don't know if he was given the anesthesia through a mask or an IV drip. But I have told my children to never take Haldol, and try to never have anesthesia through a mask.
My husband had (undiagnosed) learning disabilites growing up. He also had open heart surgery at the age of 7 to repair a malfunctioning heart valve. However, his brother died of AD and had none of the above.
Divvi and Mary-how weird that you should mention that. My husband has had a mark like that for years. Since we lived in far out places in the mining field I always cut his hair and always just considered it a birthmark. You have described it perfectly. We have not been able to find anyone on his side of the family who has had Alz. I personally believe his dementia is linked to exposure with copper and heavy metals in his occupation. In fact a man doing research In Mass. believes this might be a possible cause also. I read his article several years ago in the NY Times paper I believe it was. Also interested in the comment about myoclonic jerks. Has anyone's spouse had seizures after being diagnosed with AD? Sandy
DH had viral encephalitis as a teenager. He recovered completely, but I often wonder if this made him susceptible to AD later on. Especially since he doesn't seem to have the gene they talk about and no one in his family has had AD. The idea that a virus or infection, especially one affecting the brain could trigger AD is certainly an attractive one. I wonder if there have been any studies on this connection?
In my husband's case he died 3 or 4 times on one day and was resuscitated repeatedly, followed by an operation for a pacemaker. Sunshyne had the contacts to poll cardiologists about that and we are pretty sure that is where his dementia came from. Does he have Alzheimer's too? It is possible that is on his chart at his neurologist's office. And maybe not.
He does have several of the indicators: was a heavy smoker (stopped over 20 years ago) high blood pressure high cholesterol type II diabetes (was borderline for 20 years and has it full scale now) without being overweight major heart surgery (9 hours and 6 by passes about 14 years before the pacemaker EVENT)
ok. this is quite strange, in the last hr 4 of us have seen this uncanny red blotch at the base of the skull/neck in our AD spouse. my DH is very red today more than usual. we need everyone to get back with us on this. it cant be all just coincidence or??? LET US KNOW!
and yes, heavy metals, esp ALUMINUM have been found in every postmortum AD victim. deodorants/the forks we use/canned foods/ you name it!! we are consuming it. and most certainly the almagama old type dentist fillings we used for so long!!!!!!! yiipes. if you have these get rid of them asap= cosmetics/foods/pesticides/on and on and on...
FLGIRL- I was hoping you would see my post about the neurontin. we share the myclonous in common with our spouses.. i was optimistic about the first week and didnt want to offer any input until now. its been 4wks. and the very lowest dose only 100mg has worked soooo well -flgirl-FYI-our MJerks were usually in the early AM right after getting up. so i have been giving the 100mg in 2tps of water(he has issues swallowing capsule) at 5am...i know thats early=, but its the last bathroom visit and by the time he wakes up at 7ish the meds are doing their magic. i dont want to wait til the am after hes up to giveit and have the jerking start up before the meds are in..this has worked very well so far- i am so relieved for DH and myself as you know how this affects us as well seeing it happen. you must stick with it though, for several days and dont give up. it does take a few days for the body to adjust to the med. i have a stepson who takes 900mg for diebetes and he says the first days were not so good as you are in a haze..stick with it for min a week and let your dr know after a week how hes' doing...and let me know here too- i have seen a very good improvement in many areas with just this small dose...i am praying for us both it continues...and any others who may have to deal with the myclonous issues...XXXXXXX FINGERS for you- divvi
Sandy, myclonous (jerks-ie brain spasms) are thought to be common in AD now. it CAN leadup to being a precursor to real seizures. seizuring is also pretty common too. we have begun to treat the smallest jerks so they can be under control and hopefully not lead into a major type one later. results have been really good so far. Fgirls husband also suffer this and is on the same med as my DH too now. divvi
Okay, my husband had no red spot on his head, but it seems to me that a lot of the people I have encountered who have AD, VaD, Picks or FTD have blue eyes....beautiful blue eyes...Not all, but a lot more blue eyed victims than any other color. So, what is the consensus here? I know this is silly, but I am curious......
He only started the neurotin 2 days ago so will monitor for signs of improvement. Thanks, Divvi for the encouraging news! His muscle jerks have become severe enough that they make it difficult for him to eat at times. And mornings/evenings when he is tired are the worst.
beauiful lite sky blue eyes for us, too... hummm...divvi.. ps my DH worked the pipe lines of mid-east during college yrs and was subjected to lots of welding and metals etc..too...
pss for those of you considering allowing AD loved ones to drive anything...just got word my uncle who has AD -mid stages, 80 yr lives out in the country and they allowed him his 'independence' due to nobody wanting to take all his driving priveleges...they gave him a riding lawnmover to run over his property to see the cattle. he got lost and wasnt located for 2nites out in the boonies in this heat and no water, etc in the woods. etc they found him barely alive and in a culvert overturned pinned under the machine..he is in hospital then to the nursing home...its a sad story but happens alot -re think the driving stuff. divvi
I just this minute checked DH for a red mark. He doesn't have one. I don't know if I need to be grateful or what?
What are the myoclonic jerks?
DH had a TIA (minor stroke) in 1944 and one in 2002. None of the brain scans showed any lasting damage. I noticed a memory loss at least 7-8 years ago along with other changes. He was finally diagnosed with MCI either 2-3 years ago.
There is some AD in his family, his father, uncle and first cousin have all died from AD. His grandfather had "hardening of the arteries." He died in 1962. He has one brother who is, to put it quite politely, weird. We haven't seen him in 20 years so I don't know if he has it or not. I'm tempted to call his wife and ask but so far, haven't garnered the courage to talk to her. She was quite unkind to my dear MIL when she was alive and screens all of his calls.
I have 5 children approaching 50 years of age. They are getting pretty antsy wondering if they are going to get this. I also have 10 grandchildren--4 grown. They also are wondering. Any information that comes up I will be happy to receive.
ps--his neuro said to get plenty of exercise, follow the Mediterrean diet and use Tumeric.
If you go to the top of the discussion board, hit "search", and write in "Is It Genetic?", that discussion topic will come up. There is information in there about the genetic component. Particularly the posts by Emily, Tony, and Trish.
No red spot on DH and he has brown eyes. However, he does have abestosis of the lungs so he's probably not getting enough oxygen to his brain. Could this be a factor?
Every piece of information that all of us can put together might help someone put the pieces of the puzzle together to help find cause/cure sooner than later. Please list these factors!
one common demoninator at top of list is a consistent 'lack of oxygen' either by lung issues/sinus issues/ sleep apnea/coronary troubles/strokes/anything that alters the normal O2 levels needed for proper brain food. maybe for yrs before actually doing damage?
arent blue eyes genetically supposed to be 'inferior' as well?? like a weakened gene?? darker colors are dominant, just thinking here, not intended to knock the ole blue eyes per say, we both have them..:)
I have blue eyes. I've been told (many years ago) they were like Elizabeth Taylor's eyes--sort of 'azure.' I couldn't tell you because I can't even see them well enough any more to use mascara. (Dang!) Used to love that stuff. DH told me one time in a romantic moment that my eyes reminded him of saphires. Now, you gotta admit that's pretty heady stuff. I accepted his proposal. That was over 59 years ago. Wish he'd say something like that now.
Dang Mawsy, 'like saphires'...and that WAS pretty heady stuff back in 1929?? how romantic... and by the way, i used to frequent the 70's discos in Mexico's lavish resorts, and i was up and close several times in the bathroom to Miss Liz, and if your eyes are like hers you are a goddess. i never saw a more beautiful woman in my life, face, eyes. just the whole package. she was with hunky George Hamilton...hes not bad either:)divvi
Oh, no! Not the whole package!!! Just the eyes and that was then. Not 1929 either. That was n't kind. It was in 1949.
Yes, George Hamilton did have 'it.' Not so much any more. he's spent too much time in the sun. However, I always did go for Robert Redford. Don't know why. Just did. However, in 'the day' DH wasn't too bad either. Nice brown eyes, brown wavy hair, nice ways....but I digress. ha ha
He has brown eyes and used to snore up a storm before his bypasses. The cardiologist who was taking care of him after the bypasses said that having snoring stop after the operation was common.
He was a redhead, since that has come up.
No red patch.
Definitely multiple EVENTS with lack of oxygen. And heart problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type II diabetes.
Joan, Sounds like a good topic for your blog tomorrow. Sounds like it is not a coincidence. Wonder if you all are on to something here.
Also, divvi, I looked at my stainless steel flatware, and it says "made in China." Going to replace that asap. God only knows what is in it. And it was expensive!
Oh gosh, I have blue eyes, blond hair. That was a plus in the past, but now I'm wondering...............
I checked my husband (who didn't have a clue as to what was going on) just to see if maybe all dementias had this common denominator. Nope.
this is getting stranger by the minute...my jaw dropped, yet another one...if not associated directly to AD or such, it COULD be a new side effect from the alz meds they are all taking or taken or something in common...???? divvi
I think we're getting a little silly about the red blotch...but who knows? I'm happy to be proven wrong about anything. It's interesting anyway.
My WAG is that his lifetime of exposure to chemicals of various sorts is a contributing factor. Starting from teen years he's done furniture refinishing without protection, used all the chemicals involved in every facet of construction--without protection, and helped run the family hardware business which has included, at times, cleaning up major spills of pesticides and other horribly toxic things which have since been banned.
I figure that (in the absence of any other likely cause, and no family history) that perhaps some of these chemicals, somewhere along the line, caused damage which evolved into AD.
No red patch. ( though I googled it and had too many hits for causes of red blotches spots..to even venture looking)
Green Eyes
Good blood pressure and cholesterol
Not contradicting anything, just passing on some info from the alzheimer's association.... Myth 4: Drinking out of aluminum cans or cooking in aluminum pots and pans can lead to Alzheimer’s disease.
Reality: During the 1960s and 1970s, aluminum emerged as a possible suspect in Alzheimer’s. This suspicion led to concern about exposure to aluminum through everyday sources such as pots and pans, beverage cans, antacids and antiperspirants. Since then, studies have failed to confirm any role for aluminum in causing Alzheimer’s. Experts today focus on other areas of research, and few believe that everyday sources of aluminum pose any threat. http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_myths_about_alzheimers.asp
I know so many people with AD, no two are alike. I do hope they can find an answer, but I wonder if it will remain idiopathic like so many other diseases and afflictions.
yeah, another thing is the teflon coated pans etc. i have heard they are very bad as well -you know how they 'scratch' then peel??? yipes! i am going to buy the new GREEN PANs out on the market which dont have any deterioration or chemical meltdown while cooking. they are ceramic based and so no chemicals.. there are so many things we use on a daily basis that have chemical and toxic residue we are ingesting all of this it has to have a buildup effect somehow.- we REALLY should move into more 'green' products without all these toxins..my own opinion of course. divvi