Brain Robber and New Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease (Paperback - 2016)

Neuropsychologists are trained to assess Alzheimer’s disease and make differential diagnosis, especially differentiating between Major Depression and AD. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) is the lead agency for AD research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Thousands of scientists, voluntary organizations, and health care professionals are studying AD so that they can find ways to manage, treat, and one day prevent this horrendous disease.

AD attacks the brain’s neurons which are vital in producing the brain chemical or neurotransmitter called acetylcholine, associated with memory and learning. Two types of abnormal lesions clog the brains of Alzheimer’s: Beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.

Current therapies target cholinergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission and decrease symptoms in patients with moderate-to-severe AD; however, there is no evidence of disease-modifying effects. Researchers are studying extensively the Brain and the functions of the Lobes, so that they can find medications to target specific problem areas of the Brain. Of great importance is to arrest the progression of AD.

This book provides up-to-date reviews of the current knowledge regarding diagnosis of AD, and neuropsychological tests to assess AD at different stages of progression of the disease, prevention strategies and techniques to improve cognition and memory.

Those working in the areas of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia will find this book of interest, including physicians, medical students, psychologists, scientists, graduate students, and allied health professionals, including nurses, social workers, and therapists.

Jane George, Ph.D., graduated in Clinical Psychology/Neuropsychology, trained at Mayo Hospital, University of Minnesota, USA and Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, has started her career as Assistant Professor at National Institute of Mental Health and Neurological Science, Bangalore, with the responsibilities of teaching, supervision of clinical work of PG students, and conducting research. She has also an additional postgraduate degree in Social Psychology and Experimental Psychology.

Having gone back to USA, she worked with health organizations in Minnesota, providing pro bono community service and was involved with research on Depression. In her private practice in Phoenix, Arizona, she was on the staff of many hospitals where she was called upon to assess a variety of neurological and psychological cases.

She has published papers on neurological and clinical issues. Her research interest has been on Frontal, Parietal Lobes and Bipolar Disorder.