Questions and answers regarding brain health.
I care for my mother who has Alzheimer’s disease? Can I catch it from her?
As a caregiver you can’t catch Alzheimer’s Disease from the person you care for. However, you may be genetically at risk for the disease if one or both of your parents has Alzheimer’s. If you have concerns regarding someone you are caring for, or questions regarding your own brain health, you can schedule a consultation or an appointment for an evaluation by calling 805-497-7274.
What happens in a healthy brain?
The flow of chemical signals is normal. Nerve cells in the brain send information to each other by using chemicals. One chemical, called acetycholine, sends signals that transmit memory. Acetylcholinesterase, another chemical, breaks down acetylcholine, so more can be made.
What happens in a brain with Alzheimer’s type of dementia?
As nerve cells in the memory centers of the brain are lost, the flow of chemical signals decreases. Less acetylcholine is found in those parts of the brain involved in memory. However acetylcholinesterase continues to break down the available acetycholine.