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Southern Ocean County Hospital would like to thank everyone who e-mailed questions for this edition of Ask-The-Expert and would like to especially thank Dr. Power for taking part in the program.

December : Memory Loss & Alzheimer's Disease

Question 1
After the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is made should the patient be told? Will the patient understand if he/she is in mid stage?

I always tell my patient if they are in an early stage of Alzheimer’s disease and retain some cognitive ability to understand their memory impairment. I firmly believe that patients prefer the truth about their medical problems and can always deal with facts better then their fear of the unknown. It is true that in later stages the patient may not be able to understand their disease but attempts by the family, caregivers and personal MD should be made to reassure and make them as comfortable as possible with their developing illness. Treatment is available and research is ongoing.

Question 2
My mother complains of forgetting words or forgetting where she placed her keys, and things like that. Should I be worried that it’s Alzheimer’s or just a sign of old age. She is 68.

Initially it may be difficult to make the diagnosis of a memory disorder. Many persons, frequently with the help of their spouse, can hide a memory or cognitive deficit for an extended period of time, sometimes a few years. It is possible, with a very simple test, to determine if the memory symptoms are age related or Alzheimer’s related. Your MD can administer a Mini-Mental Status Examination or MMSE. It takes about 20 minutes and is very helpful in defining memory loss. Alzheimer’s frequently begins in the sixth decade.

Question 3
Is it true that stem cell research will lead to a cure for Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s is a very complex disease. There are several pathologic processes that may overlap to produce memory loss. Small strokes, problems with blood pressure, other neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric disturbances, hydrocephalus and drugs can cause memory problems. Typically abnormal proteins (Amyloid plaques and abnormal Tau Neurofibrillary tangles) accumulate in the brain in Alzheimer’s and cause the memory and later cognitive dysfunction. Stem cells might be able to repair the abnormal genetic signals responsible for these defects. Stem cell research is an important path to pursue for several of the diseases that produce memory loss, one of which is Alzheimer’s. A cure is possible.

Dr. Power's answers are informational only and should not be used as a diagnosis or for treatment. Please talk to your physician about official diagnosis of your condition and treatment.