Have you ever misplaced your keys or forgotten a random fact and worried that you had a neurodegenerative disease? What is the difference between Alzheimer’s and simply getting old? On this episode, I sit down with memory and aging expert, Dr. Robert Friedland, to discuss his research, how Alzheimer’s is diagnosed, and habits you can start right now to help protect your brain and keep it healthy.
You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in…
- Dr. Friedland’s current clinical practice and research focus [3:25]
- The logistics of Dr. Friedland’s research [9:16]
- Diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease and the current status of treatment options [11:02]
- Aging versus Alzheimer’s and the four factors that impact how you age [18:57]
- Why Dr. Friedland chose memory as his medical focus [30:47]
- Dr. Friedland’s most surprising discoveries and the magic wand question [34:26]
An important distinction
Forgetting something you once easily remembered can be a frustrating and even scary experience. As we get older, developing neurodegenerative diseases becomes an ever-present possibility. That is why we need to be aware of the difference between Alzheimer’s and the brain simply aging. No one expects their body’s physical endurance and resilience to be as good at 80 as it was when they were 40. So why do people expect that from their brains? Dr. Friedland reminds us that forgetting is normal. We don’t have enough room in the brain to remember everything and forgetting is an active process of a healthy brain. Forgetting a song lyric or who wrote a classic American novel is not a smoking gun for Alzheimer’s. The difference with Alzheimer’s disease is that forgetting is interfering with social or occupational functioning. More significant signs of memory loss such as forgetting where you are or taking a cab home because you forgot you drove your car are concerning symptoms to watch out for.
Confirming the diagnosis
If you do show signs of significant memory and cognitive impairment, consult your physician immediately. Dr. Friedland says the best diagnosis depends on a comprehensive history, a neurological examination called a mental status exam, and an MRI scan. With this information, doctors can determine whether or not a patient has Alzheimer’s with 80 to 90 percent accuracy. However, the most important thing about diagnosis is not distinguishing Alzheimer’s from other untreatable causes of dementia like Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body disease, or Pick’s disease. The MOST important thing is making sure that there aren’t comorbidities or a treatable cause. One of the most common and treatable causes of dementia is the overuse of prescribed drugs like Valium. That’s why comprehensive testing is crucial to developing a treatment strategy.
Taking a practical approach
The medical treatment options for Alzheimer’s disease have not changed much over the last few decades. Sadly, recent attempts to develop disease-modifying therapies have been clinically proven to be largely unsafe and ineffective. However, Dr. Friedland recommends a whole series of practical things people can do to both lower their risk for Alzheimer’s and possibly slow the progression of the disease. One of the key steps you can take is maintaining a diet low in saturated fat, low in salt, low in sugar, high in diversity, and fruit and vegetables which are high in fiber. Alzheimer’s disease is less common in Africa and India as opposed to North America and Europe, probably due to the diet of those two continents being richer in fiber and dietary diversity. Listen to this episode for more insights from Dr. Friedland!
Resources & People Mentioned
Connect with Dr. Robert Friedland
- Follow Dr. Friedland on LinkedIn
- Pre-order Dr. Friedland’s book: Unaging: The Four Factors that Impact How You Age
Connect With Maxwell Boakye
- https://maxwellboakye.com/podcast
- Like on Facebook
- Follow on Twitter
- Follow on LinkedIn
- DrMaxBoakye (at) Gmail.com
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