Dementia and other disorders of the aging brain

Dementias are brain diseases caused by the deterioration of the brain age as we age or, less often, by a traumatic injury. Fifty percent of people age 85 or older have some symptoms of dementia. At this time, there is neither a cure nor any medication to reverse Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. But there is hope: current research indicates that with proper interventions, dementia can be slowed and some symptoms may be reversed.

The best way to slow dementia is to improve overall brain health by identifying “biomarkers” (i.e., abnormal values found through laboratory testing.) Correcting hormonal and vitamin deficiencies, inflammation, thyroid problems, and other biomarkers actually improves the ability of your brain to function. The sooner you start improving your brain health, the better your chances are to forestall dementia.

Some forgetfulness is normal, but if it interferes with your normal activities, it may be useful to treat it. To assess your level of possible dementia, take the ADAS-cog test.