Googling PD and memory problems I found (neuronation.com/ a home based computer program that has shown improvement in memory problems. Actually I searched 'executive function' on pubmed and got 20 abstracts on dementia and working memory impairment in PD. I remember a neurologist saying Alzheimer's is not a symptom in PD.
So is memory issues not a problem for most? Or is it minor compared to motor signs like balance or kinesia problems?
I do believe it is, but it might be depending on what type of Parkinsons. I think I’m in the PIGD subtype (a non-tremor type) which has dementia probable in my future.
i’m under 60 but already I definitely notice cognitive decline, especially short term memory. The kind of situation for me almost on a daily basis is “why did I come downstairs?” Or, “what was I just going to Google?” I also have a to-do list which is getting longer and longer... definitely showing a problem with executive function.
For me I found I couldn't make decisions. It's been serious enough that I sold my veterinary practice and retired. Making decisions is kinda critical in veterinary medicine,. I've been waiting for a podiatrist to get back to me about treatment for Achilles tendinopathy. When he called back and said insurance wouldn't cover the cost, $600, I said no thanks.
My wife heard me and grabbed the phone. Called him back to say, "I'm his wife and I'm countermanding him. Please set up the treatment as soon as possible." I forgot I paid twice that amount for my other leg. No reason for me to decline this time. I've wanted treatment for the past several months.
So the stats are between 50% and 80% of pwp will end up with some level of dementia. Everything mentioned so far I have experienced. If I don't act on a thought immediately or write it down it's gone. It may come back but it's going to take its own sweet time in doing it. The difference between Alzheimer's dementia and PD dementia was explained to me like this. Let's say you have an excellent filing system in your office, with PD dementia you will be unable to remember how it functions but you will know what it's for. With Alzheimer's you will not know what it is for or how to use it. I took some comfort in that.
I've even forget where the keys are on the keyboard but it comes and goes as I type, (kind of how a car runs with a dirty carburetor...remember those things?) Names of things just fly out the window.... then searching the file I may find it. 🤗 Thinking is slowing down not going away. Learning new things is daunting until I get my mind wrapped around the need for it. Probably keeps the neural pathways cleared of snow.....
All dementia is not Alzheimer's; for example Lewy body dementia and dementia from PD.
Alzheimer disease can be a comorbidity with PD. It's notable that Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) also occurs in Parkinson's and ALS/MND. The difference between AD and FTD is that neurofibrillary tangles only occurs in AD, both forms of dementia have cortical plaques. AD is the most prevalent form of dementia, followed by FTD, which is on the ALS spectrum and occurs in approximately 50% of the affected people. Neurological disorders have significant overlap. The variability of how neurological injury is manifested is due to individual genetics. Same storm - different boat.
scholar.google.com/scholar?...
link.springer.com/article/1...
So what can we do about it? First, acknowledge that neurological disorders are in fact neurological injuries. When viewed in the context of an injury, we have a paradigm shift in how we treat the injury to recover neurological function. All systems in the body possess some ability to heal, recovery may not be complete but it is reasonable to expect improvement and delay or arrest progression of neurodegeneration.
Second, realize that emotion and cognitive function is the domain of the limbic system which encompasses the the cortical and sub cortical tracts that are injured and consequently develop plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.
Spatial memory (short term) is controlled by the parahippocampal gyrus in the limbic system. Memories are formed by the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors interfere with memory formation.
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in Alzheimer's disease
scholar.google.com/scholar?...
Limbic structures are closely related to the olfactory cortex, the nose to brain pathway is well known. Environmental exposure to neurotoxins has a direct route to the brain and limbic system through the olfactory system by inhalation with our nose. (*Many if not all organophosphate chemicals are odorless, tasteless and colorless. Paraquat has to be adulterated so that it can't be used for clandestine purposes.) The olfactory nerves are damaged when neurotoxic chemicals are inhaled - smell loss is a prominent prodromal phase of neurological injuries.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
Third, we live in an environmentally toxic world. Neurotoxins have an affinity for the hypothalamus and the HPA axis.
Detoxify, clean up your diet (eat organic, avoid sugar) and optimize your nutrition.
Avoid environmental toxin exposure like the plague - don't eat food contaminated with Roundup and other insecticides; don't use lawn chemicals, synthetic cleaning products, synthetic fragrances or other hazardous chemicals. Be cognizant of your indoor air quality (IAQ), mold exposure, gas burning appliances; carpet, furniture and clothing treated with scotchgard, bedding and pajamas treated with flame retardants, formaldehyde impregnated laminates, cabinetry and flooring, high VOC paints, stains and degreaser products; bleach and ammonia - never mix cleaning products. Repeated exposure to neurotoxins compounds the neurological injury.
An injury to the hypothalamus is an injury to the endocrine system. Get your hormones tested (vitamin D is a hormone, so is melatonin) and optimize their functioning.
There is evidence that insulin dysregulation is a modifiable risk factor for dementia. What if the cause of insulin resistance is injury to the HPA, not a modifiable dietary problem? I believe the answer is intranasal insulin therapy.
scholar.google.com/scholar?...
We are not powerless - we are responsible for our own health. You will not cure Parkinson's or modify any other neurological injury with a pharmaceutical drug. Ever.
I caught a lot of hell for suggesting C/L causes Lewy Body Dementia. Do your own research and make informed decisions about the drug interventions you pursue.
SE
Memory problems and executive function had begin to decline in me but then I want for hyperbaric oxygen therapy and that mostly reversed the problems. Last 2 months I am on high dose thiamine and that seems to do a lot of good as well.
Great testimony 😊
Wow that’s a lot of great information! I am definitely following your posts. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
I'd forgotten that it's Friday, our garbage day. Only remembered when I heard garbage trucks in the neighborhood. But didn't get our trash out in time.
I hate it when that happens.
I'm having trouble with time. I was an hour and a half early for an appointment because I miscalculated how much time I needed to get there. I sat in the waiting room for almost 2 hours because of this. 🤔
I'd forgotten my Original Point; what are you guys doing to help your brain function? Not too many of us have access to hyperbaric oxygen. I use ozone. It's simple and cheap.
My husband tends to suffer from this. He can’t plan properly and can’t make himself do things. He won’t try new things for no reason at all. Wants everything the same. Stress makes it worse. He was doing really well but this coronavirus worry and having the kids home from school for weeks has really got to him. Now he’s hiding in the bedroom all day and back on the internet bridge all day which makes him feel worse physically hunched over the keyboard, but makes him feel safe.
When he was feeling good a while back before this all began I felt that adding carnosine and horny goat weed really helped his planning and motivation. He actually has been a bit hit and miss lately taking those two things as they are taken between meals on empty stomach and every time I remember to give it to him he has just been in the cupboard snacking on nuts.
PD ITS WHAT YOU DON'T SEE :: and its what we do about that!
Ginkgo Biloba And Drug Induced Parkinsonism
I am newly diagnosed and on amantadine 2x daily. I notice I feel much more tired on a daily basis than I used to. I take 1 -2 naps a day. PwP, Glaucoma and Citicoline
Functional neurologic disorder/conversion disorder is Not Parkinson's
