Cognitive Decline

Brain Science:

Cognition, as we have noted, is a term referring to the mental processes involved in gaining knowledge and comprehension. Cognitive decline is a little broader term as it refers to the loss of various brain functions. Most of us view death as something that just suddenly happens. While this may be the case for some of us the majority of us will not go out that way. For a good portion of us we will go out with some degree of cognitive decline. While it may not kill us, complications of decline may lead us that way. As we grow older the chances for cognitive decline increases considerably. Various forms of decline exist. They include dementia, Alzheimer’s, and aphasia. On the other hand, it could be as minor as simple memory loss. Suffice it to say though; most all forms of decline are manifestations of neurons not firing, and networks and pathways not completing their destination. In essence your brain grows dark.

Brain facts:

    •    Researchers still have not been able to identify the precise causes of cognitive decline.

    •    It is becoming abundantly clear that decline can start years, if not decades, before any symptoms emerge. This is a crucial concept: A 30 year old can be on the road to Alzheimer’s disease but not know it.

    •    People often don’t think or worry about dementia until after they turn 50, which is why it’s so important that younger generations heed the message and start thinking of habits that help prevent decline. (Are you reading this Grandsons!)

    •    The human brain requires a constant flow of oxygen. A lack of oxygen for just a few minutes results in irreversible damage to the brain.

    •    Over 2,000,000 Americans have Aphasia.   

    •    It has been demonstrated that Alzheimer’s produces a substantial loss of synaptic connections and dendrite spines.

    •    In 2018 researchers from Columbia University showed for the first time that healthy older folks can generate just as many new brain cells as younger people!

So What:

·         A year ago in March my sister passed away from complications related to dementia. In my subsequent reading I discovered that once you learned a little about how the brain works that it is possible to forestall, delay, prevent and in some cases reverse cognitive decline. I have also discovered that the earlier a patient, or close others, know of the issue, the more that can be done. Several people have asked me why I am doing this. The answer is simply: if I can help any of you deal with decline or if I can help you help someone else who is affected by cognitive decline we want to do that.

·         It was necessary to go into the brain functions and brain parts in order to understand and assist with dealing with cognitive decline. Chances are, if we live long enough, most of us will experience some form of cognitive decline.

·         I’m glad you stayed with us to this point. Now we are going to go into cognitive deficits and then with some things we can do about it. My feeling is that if we just help one person from this effort we have done our job.