New Developments In Understanding Brain And Cerebromicrovascular Aging Toward Prevention Of Vascular Cognitive Impairment And Alzheimer S Disease

This compelling text provides an overview of the available technology for early detection and therapeutic management of vascular risk factors to Alzheimer’s before severe cognitive impairment symptoms appear. Chapters bring the reader from the trackless clinical research that has characterized Alzheimer’s progress for the last 20 years, to a nexus of new ideas and concepts that can change our outlook of this dementia. In-depth examinations of various hypotheses, preventive measures, current and prospective treatments are openly and clearly explored. The author discusses in depth his proposal of the vascular hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease which has become a mother-lode for basic and clinical studies and a key approach to the prevention of this dementia.Alzheimer’s Turning Point offers professionals, students and those looking to learn more about this disorder a fresh clinical perspective of this devastating disease.

For most Americans, staying "mentally sharp" as they age is a very high priority. Declines in memory and decision-making abilities may trigger fears of Alzheimer's disease or other neurodegenerative diseases. However, cognitive aging is a natural process that can have both positive and negative effects on cognitive function in older adults - effects that vary widely among individuals. At this point in time, when the older population is rapidly growing in the United States and across the globe, it is important to examine what is known about cognitive aging and to identify and promote actions that individuals, organizations, communities, and society can take to help older adults maintain and improve their cognitive health. Cognitive Aging assesses the public health dimensions of cognitive aging with an emphasis on definitions and terminology, epidemiology and surveillance, prevention and intervention, education of health professionals, and public awareness and education. This report makes specific recommendations for individuals to reduce the risks of cognitive decline with aging. Aging is inevitable, but there are actions that can be taken by individuals, families, communities, and society that may help to prevent or ameliorate the impact of aging on the brain, understand more about its impact, and help older adults live more fully and independent lives. Cognitive aging is not just an individual or a family or a health care system challenge. It is an issue that affects the fabric of society and requires actions by many and varied stakeholders. Cognitive Aging offers clear steps that individuals, families, communities, health care providers and systems, financial organizations, community groups, public health agencies, and others can take to promote cognitive health and to help older adults live fuller and more independent lives. Ultimately, this report calls for a societal commitment to cognitive aging as a public health issue that requires prompt action across many sectors.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD) are commonly viewed as the first and second most common types of dementia, respectively. The traditional paradigm has been to view and treat each illness as a separate entity with a separate pathophysiology. However, clinical and pathological studies suggest that the boundary separating AD and VaD, as well as their mild cognitive impairment (MCI) analogs, is not well defined. Thus, there is increased interest in viewing these diseases along a spectrum because of the significant overlap in the characterization and diagnosis of AD, VaD, and MCI. The focus of this edited volume is to examine how AD and VaD, as well as their MCI analogs, are best viewed as a heterogeneous, intersecting, if not a continuous disease state rather than separate, distinct entities. This book examines this approach by providing empirically based evidence, reviews of the literature, and chapters by key leaders in the field and will be of interest to clinical neuropsychologists and anyone studying or treating dementia in its many forms.

Vascular dementia (VAD) accounts for one-third of all dementias in today''s aging population, second only to Alzheimer's disease (DAT). Fortunately, current imaging techniques allow clinicians to view specific lesions in the brain, classify them by etiology and anatomical location, and assess changes using serial imaging, while at the same time correlating those changes with signs and symptoms of VAD or DAT. In 17 chapters, this book summarizes new concepts concerning the epidemiology, etiology, risk factors, neuropathology and pathogenesis of VAD and DAT, and mixtures of the two, and reviews their multiple causes, including microvascular and hemorrhagic lesions, and ischemic and inflammatory changes affecting both white and gray matter.

Vascular cognitive impairment is the second most common cause of dementia after Alzheimer's disease and is expected to grow in prevalence with the aging global population. The purpose of this authoritative book is to give a broad clinical perspective on vascular cognitive impairment and thus create a foundation for the implementation of good dementia care. The book focuses on pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention. It demonstrates the underlying causes of the disorder, such as the manner in which vascular risk-factors influence the onset of vascular cognitive impairment. The concept of mixed forms of vascular dementia, Alzheimer's dementia and other vascular diseases is discussed as well as the influence of vascular changes with regard to the onset of Alzheimer's disease. The detailed section on pathophysiology will enhance clinicians' understanding of this complex disorder. Finally there is a section on pharmacological and neuropsychological treatment of cognitive and psychiatric symptoms.

A multidisciplinary survey of our current understanding of the biological and clinical aspects of vascular disease. The authors describe its basic mechanisms, its clinical characteristics, its pharmacological management, and the use of neuroimaging methods to investigate it. The complex relationship between VaD and AD is also fully explored with chapters on how these processes interact and how one disease may lower the threshold for clinical expression of the other.