Is it normal aging or something more serious?
Brain aging
Early symptoms of cognitive decline
Protecting your brain
Protecting your brain
The brain and aging
Occasional forgetfulness is part of getting older, but more serious memory problems could signal brain changes related to disease. So, what does "normal aging" look like?
A neurobiologist's perspective
"In Alzheimer’s disease, we see tremendous changes in a part of the brain called the temporal lobe, where we see a lot of atrophy and a lot of shrinking. We also see this in the hippocampus, which is a structure in the brain that’s responsible for and involved in memory formation."
Dr. Andrei Irimia
Biogerontologist, neurobiologist and assistant professor at USC
Read more
Return
Next
Factors that can contribute to brain aging
Understanding the multiple factors that influence brain aging can help us take proactive steps to maintain cognitive health throughout our lives.
Diet
Exercise
Sleep
Stress
Alcohol & drug use
Socialization & loneliness
Return
Next
Early signs of cognitive decline to look for
Dr. Barak Gaster on how doctors identify early cognitive decline:
- Short-term memory loss
- Difficulty completing complex tasks like cooking
- Becoming disoriented in familiar places
A doctor's perspective
"If these signs are present, they should prompt a cognitive evaluation."
Dr. Barak Gaster
Cognition in Primary Care Director, University of Washington
Read more
Return
Next
Possible root causes of cognitive symptoms
If your memory or other cognitive functions are impaired, a specialist might diagnose you with mild cognitive impairment, or MCI. Here are some treatable reasons for cognitive impairment:
Depression & anxiety
Sleep deprivation
Chronic pain
Traumatic brain injury
Metabolism & cardiovascular issues
Hormonal changes
Return
Next
Should you get a baseline assessment?
Learn why Dr. Bill Burke believes your social network is your best baseline
A doctor's perspective
"Your best baseline is actually your social network. So the person who knows you best is probably the most important person in terms of, 'Are you different than you were a year ago? Are there things that you could do a year ago that you can't do now.'"
Dr. Bill Burke
Geriatrician and psychiatrist
WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW
Return
Next
Why are Black American's at higher risk of developing cognitive decline?
Did you know that black Americans are 2X as likely to develop Alzheimer's than white Americans?
Here are some factors that experts believe contribute to the disproportionate dementia risk in Black Americans
READ MORE
Return
Next
Hear about early signs from people living with cognitive decline: What’s normal, what’s not?
Return
Next
Why are Hispanic Americans at higher risk of developing cognitive decline?
Did you know that Hispanic Americans are 1.5X as likely to develop Alzheimer's than white Americans?
"Despite Higher Risk, Latin Americans Are Left Out of Alzheimer’s Studies. Here’s Why"
READ MORE
Return
Next
Interactive quiz: What’s normal, what’s not?
Question 1:
Return
Next
Interactive quiz: What’s normal, what’s not?
Question 2:
Return
Next
Interactive quiz: What’s normal, what’s not?
Question 3:
Return
Next
Interactive quiz: What’s normal, what’s not?
Question 4:
Return
Next
Interactive quiz: What’s normal, what’s not?
1. You forgot where you put your keys but remember later. NORMAL2. You forgot how to use your microwave after years of using it. NOT NORMAL 3. You occasionally forget a word but recall it later. NORMAL 4. You forget familliar names and struggle to recognize loved ones. NOT NORMAL
Return
Next
When to be concerned: Warning signs
Frequent confusion with time or placeGetting lost in familiar areas and difficulty drivingFamily expresses concern about your behavioral changesDifficulty following conversationsRepeating the same questions over and overChanges in mood, personality, or judgment
Return
Next
How to protect brain health
Exercise and move your body Flex your brain and learn a new skill Eat brain-healthy foods Prioritize deep sleep which helps clear harmful brain proteins Increase social connection to reduce cognitive decline risk
Return
Next
What to do if you're concerned
- Know your familial risk. Get up to speed on your family’s history with cognitive decline.
- Keep a journal of your symptoms and concerns.
- Talk to a doctor about cognitive testing.Advocate for yourself.
- Continue to push for testing and care until you receive an accurate diagnosis.
Return
Next
Want to know more? Visit
beingpatient.com
for the latest news and information on brain health and Alzheimer's disease
Return
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Is it normal aging or something more serious?
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Transcript
Is it normal aging or something more serious?
Brain aging
Early symptoms of cognitive decline
Protecting your brain
Protecting your brain
The brain and aging
Occasional forgetfulness is part of getting older, but more serious memory problems could signal brain changes related to disease. So, what does "normal aging" look like?
A neurobiologist's perspective
"In Alzheimer’s disease, we see tremendous changes in a part of the brain called the temporal lobe, where we see a lot of atrophy and a lot of shrinking. We also see this in the hippocampus, which is a structure in the brain that’s responsible for and involved in memory formation."
Dr. Andrei Irimia
Biogerontologist, neurobiologist and assistant professor at USC
Read more
Return
Next
Factors that can contribute to brain aging
Understanding the multiple factors that influence brain aging can help us take proactive steps to maintain cognitive health throughout our lives.
Diet
Exercise
Sleep
Stress
Alcohol & drug use
Socialization & loneliness
Return
Next
Early signs of cognitive decline to look for
Dr. Barak Gaster on how doctors identify early cognitive decline:
A doctor's perspective
"If these signs are present, they should prompt a cognitive evaluation."
Dr. Barak Gaster
Cognition in Primary Care Director, University of Washington
Read more
Return
Next
Possible root causes of cognitive symptoms
If your memory or other cognitive functions are impaired, a specialist might diagnose you with mild cognitive impairment, or MCI. Here are some treatable reasons for cognitive impairment:
Depression & anxiety
Sleep deprivation
Chronic pain
Traumatic brain injury
Metabolism & cardiovascular issues
Hormonal changes
Return
Next
Should you get a baseline assessment?
Learn why Dr. Bill Burke believes your social network is your best baseline
A doctor's perspective
"Your best baseline is actually your social network. So the person who knows you best is probably the most important person in terms of, 'Are you different than you were a year ago? Are there things that you could do a year ago that you can't do now.'"
Dr. Bill Burke
Geriatrician and psychiatrist
WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW
Return
Next
Why are Black American's at higher risk of developing cognitive decline?
Did you know that black Americans are 2X as likely to develop Alzheimer's than white Americans?
Here are some factors that experts believe contribute to the disproportionate dementia risk in Black Americans
READ MORE
Return
Next
Hear about early signs from people living with cognitive decline: What’s normal, what’s not?
Return
Next
Why are Hispanic Americans at higher risk of developing cognitive decline?
Did you know that Hispanic Americans are 1.5X as likely to develop Alzheimer's than white Americans?
"Despite Higher Risk, Latin Americans Are Left Out of Alzheimer’s Studies. Here’s Why"
READ MORE
Return
Next
Interactive quiz: What’s normal, what’s not?
Question 1:
Return
Next
Interactive quiz: What’s normal, what’s not?
Question 2:
Return
Next
Interactive quiz: What’s normal, what’s not?
Question 3:
Return
Next
Interactive quiz: What’s normal, what’s not?
Question 4:
Return
Next
Interactive quiz: What’s normal, what’s not?
1. You forgot where you put your keys but remember later. NORMAL2. You forgot how to use your microwave after years of using it. NOT NORMAL 3. You occasionally forget a word but recall it later. NORMAL 4. You forget familliar names and struggle to recognize loved ones. NOT NORMAL
Return
Next
When to be concerned: Warning signs
Frequent confusion with time or placeGetting lost in familiar areas and difficulty drivingFamily expresses concern about your behavioral changesDifficulty following conversationsRepeating the same questions over and overChanges in mood, personality, or judgment
Return
Next
How to protect brain health
Exercise and move your body Flex your brain and learn a new skill Eat brain-healthy foods Prioritize deep sleep which helps clear harmful brain proteins Increase social connection to reduce cognitive decline risk
Return
Next
What to do if you're concerned
Return
Next
Want to know more? Visit
beingpatient.com
for the latest news and information on brain health and Alzheimer's disease
Return
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Lorem ipsum adipiscing elit, sed do.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit