http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/oct/27/man-84-awaiting-deportation-died-in-handcuffs-home-office-inquest
We hear a lot about dementia awareness in the UK. It seems there's still some way to go.
Wednesday, 28 October 2015
Sunday, 25 October 2015
Diagnosis again
Even now, 15 years after S's referral to the memory clinic. I have learnt something new about her diagnosis, a diagnosis that was only made in 2011. The doctor who finally did the home visit following my pestering after she was 'discharged' from the Movement Disorder Clinic (because a Movement Disorder - inability to walk - meant she couldn't attend the Clinic!) has written to the GP and helpfully copied to the letter to us.
Under 'Diagnosis', I read 'Probable AD (posterior cortical atrophy)'.
This is something of a surprise since this has never been mentioned by any of the medics who have dealt with her previously, which include a leading expert on dementia who saw her regularly between 2000 and 2011 when she was finally diagnosed, by a neurologist, as having AD.
Having had a quick look at PCA online, this doesn't seem any more appropriate than any of the other diagnoses that have been 'tried on for size' during the 15 years.
Just as well, as no-one suggests that it makes a scrap of difference to how S is treated or, rather, not treated.
The only suggestion he makes, apart from a tweak in the Sinemet (Parkinson's Disease) medication, is a 75mg aspirin daily dose due to his 'suspicion of cerebrovascular disease'. This suspicion has been entertained and rejected before. S seems to have none of the risk factors for cerebrovascular disease.
So we're none the wiser really.
Under 'Diagnosis', I read 'Probable AD (posterior cortical atrophy)'.
This is something of a surprise since this has never been mentioned by any of the medics who have dealt with her previously, which include a leading expert on dementia who saw her regularly between 2000 and 2011 when she was finally diagnosed, by a neurologist, as having AD.
Having had a quick look at PCA online, this doesn't seem any more appropriate than any of the other diagnoses that have been 'tried on for size' during the 15 years.
Just as well, as no-one suggests that it makes a scrap of difference to how S is treated or, rather, not treated.
The only suggestion he makes, apart from a tweak in the Sinemet (Parkinson's Disease) medication, is a 75mg aspirin daily dose due to his 'suspicion of cerebrovascular disease'. This suspicion has been entertained and rejected before. S seems to have none of the risk factors for cerebrovascular disease.
So we're none the wiser really.
Thursday, 1 October 2015
Interesting research and a silly generalisation
http://www.expressandstar.com/news/uk-news/2015/09/30/brain-implant-aims-to-reverse-alzheimers-memory-loss/
This is a fascinating idea even if its transalation into something usable is probably decades away.
I spluttered, as I always do with such statements, at this:
That is why someone with Alzheimer's disease can recall events from long ago - before the disease took hold - but have difficulty forming new long-term memories.
I know someone with AD who finds it as difficult to recall any event from long ago as she does to form new long-term memories. I'm sure she's not the only one.
This is a fascinating idea even if its transalation into something usable is probably decades away.
I spluttered, as I always do with such statements, at this:
That is why someone with Alzheimer's disease can recall events from long ago - before the disease took hold - but have difficulty forming new long-term memories.
I know someone with AD who finds it as difficult to recall any event from long ago as she does to form new long-term memories. I'm sure she's not the only one.
The same old tendency to generalise that we've noted before.
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