May 6, 2016
Alzheimer’s disease is one of gradual decline. If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s, you may have noticed how his or her memories slowly slip away, sometimes coming back in spurts, but they become more and more difficult to retain as time passes. Usually, it’s the newest memories that go first, and while your loved one may not remember what you did together last month, he or she may remember what you did when you were a teen.
As you watch this decline in memory, you know firsthand how frustrating and tragic the loss of memory can be. Experiences that impacted a lifetime gradually slip away into oblivion. And it’s been widely accepted that once these memories are gone, they’re gone for good.
However, a new study shows a promising alternative: perhaps those memories haven’t been destroyed by the disease after all, and are, in fact, recoverable. Research on mice strongly supports this theory, as those genetically altered to mimic Alzheimer’s appeared to regain memory when brain cells were stimulated with a special blue light.
Although quite a bit of work remains before this treatment can be safely translated into a human procedure, “The potential to rescue long-term memory in dementia is exciting,” according to Prerana Shrestha and Eric Klann of the Center for Neural Science at New York University.
Memory loss is only one part of the devastation caused by Alzheimer’s disease. If you are providing Alzheimer’s care in St. Louis or St. Charles county for a loved one and you need home care support, Continuum is here for you. Our agency provides Alzheimer’s care in St. Louis as well as the surrounding area, allowing you peace of mind that your loved one is cared for and is secure in the home. Continuum’s home health services can provide your loved one with companionship, personal care, and more. Continuum provides compassionate, therapeutic support for those with Alzheimer’s, and trusted respite care for those who love them. Contact us to learn more about our home care services.