Information and opinions on OurAlzheimers from David Roeltgen, MD http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/118 en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/ http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/118/23250/problem-medicine Mon Mar 31 11:14:00 -0400 2008 David Roeltgen, MD In my last Alzheimer's blog we asked, "Why is it that sometimes health professionals disagree about the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in a specific patient?" For example, today in our group meeting (Where a group of us review the patients that we have seen during the week), we discussed a patient who was told by a previous physician that she did not have Alzheimer's disease, but our group agreed that she probably did.... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/118/23250/problem-medicine http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/118/22326/testing Mon Mar 24 03:16:00 -0400 2008 David Roeltgen, MD Often when a person goes to see a doctor because he or she has concerns about memory or the possibility of Alzheimer's disease, the doctor may recommend "Neuropsychological Testing." It is helpful to have some idea what this is, and what it is used for.  Neuropsychological testing is commonly performed by psychologists. However, other types of clinicians, most commonly educators, may also do the testing. The tests involve... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/118/22326/testing http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/118/13251/brain-key Thu Sep 06 16:28:00 -0400 2007 David Roeltgen, MD I hope everyone had a pleasant Labor Day, and has had a wonderful summer. I'll be finishing the summer's blogs with some more good news about the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Animal studies continue to be highly informative about approaches that can be taken in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. A group of researchers at New York University (NYU) School of Medicine recently published an article in the Journal of... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/118/13251/brain-key http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/118/12355/research Wed Aug 15 00:00:00 -0400 2007 David Roeltgen, MD In my most recent blog, I reviewed the concepts of phase 1, phase 2 and phase 3 research trials and briefly summarized the results from a recent phase three study of a drug called tramiprosate. Today, I'd like to focus on an exciting, new, and potentially important phase 1 study.  As I indicated, phase 1 is the earliest and most basic level of research, designed to evaluate whether the proposed research is do-able. It can also be called... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/118/12355/research http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/118/12156/drug-fda Thu Aug 09 09:48:00 -0400 2007 David Roeltgen, MD What's new on the research front for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease? And, what do the terms phase 2 and phase 3 research mean? In the last two decades, studies on the impact and effects of certain drugs have become increasingly common. In the 1990s, an explosive increase occurred in the area of neuro-pharmaceutical research, which is why it is known to many in the health community as the "Decade of the Brain". Much of... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/118/12156/drug-fda http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/118/11730/keeping-track Thu Jul 26 15:34:01 -0400 2007 David Roeltgen, MD What's new on the research front for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease? And, what do the terms phase 2 and phase 3 research mean?  In the last two decades, drug studies have become increasingly common. The 1990s was the "Decade of the Brain," and an explosive increase has occurred in the area of neuro-pharmaceutical research. Part of this increase, currently present, is in Alzheimer's disease.   When... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/118/11730/keeping-track http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/118/11186/dementia Mon Jul 09 19:14:01 -0400 2007 David Roeltgen, MD One of the most common distinctions that physicians make in seeing patients with complaints of memory trouble is the distinction between dementia and depression. Before I continue, I would once again like to distinguish between the terms dementia and Alzheimer's disease.  Dementia is a brain problem that includes impairment of memory and one or more other cognitive (thinking and reasoning) abilities. Alzheimer's disease is the... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/118/11186/dementia http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/118/10401/flurry-news Wed Jun 13 14:17:01 -0400 2007 David Roeltgen, MD It has been an interesting couple of weeks in the field of Alzheimer's disease.  On one hand, there are some dire predictions about the number of people in coming decades that will have this disorder.  On the other hand, there is some exciting news about potential treatments.    These are important topics. However, it has occurred to me that there are not only many aspects about these topics that are important, but... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/118/10401/flurry-news http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/118/9542/grab-cup-joe Wed May 16 18:08:00 -0400 2007 David Roeltgen, MD Ah, every morning, many of us get our “pick-me-up” from a cup or more of java. The increased number of coffee houses and chains that advertise or specialize in coffee grows every day. Now, some researchers are suggesting that caffeine, not just from coffee but from any source, can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.   Does this mean we should all start consuming caffeine? For some of us this could be an excuse to indulge in... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/118/9542/grab-cup-joe http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/118/8646/dementia-disease Mon Apr 16 12:45:00 -0400 2007 David Roeltgen, MD One question I am frequently asked is "What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's disease?" On one level, the answer to this question is relatively easy and straightforward. Compare the definitions of dementia and Alzheimer's.   Dementia:   Dementia is an impairment of thinking and memory that interferes with a person's ability to do things which he or she previously was able to do. ... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/118/8646/dementia-disease