Mild Cognitive Impairment, also referred to as MCI and Mild Neurocognitive Disorder, has generated a lot of research over the last 15 years. However, what it is and how to treat it can vary considerably, depending… On what? First, let’s get the definition out of the way. Simply put, MCI is a diagnosis that refers to the somewhat ambiguous area between normal cognition and dementia. This means that there has been a noticeable decrease in someone’s memory, judgment, speech, or

As promised, this week I am reviewing a bit more about the symptoms and behaviors that you may notice when someone you love has Alzheimer’s disease. I will also cover some basic tips for handling the difficult situations that could arise. In my last blog post, I left off with a description of anosognosia and the effect that this condition often has on other people. Namely, feelings of frustration when the person that you know and love appears to be in complete denial about th

Are you ready for a little Alzheimer’s disease 101? If your answer is yes, then let’s get started with a quick review from last week in addition to a few basic facts. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia and it is currently the 6th leading cause of death in our country. It is estimated that 2 out of every 3 people who develop Alzheimer’s disease are women. Ethnic minorities (specifically, African Americans and Hispanics) are more likely to develop Alzheimer

In honor of World Alzheimer's month, it seemed fitting to address a question that I am frequently asked by both patients and their family members alike. Namely, what exactly is dementia and how is it different from Alzheimer's disease? Let's start with the first part of this question. Dementia is a general term that encompasses a number of different symptoms, two of which broadly include (1) problems with your memory and thinking skills and (2) difficulty completing activitie

How does your brain determine your behavior? If you are wondering what a neuropsychologist does, then you're not alone... Neuropsychology doesn't just sound interesting; it is interesting! Neuropsychology is the study of how your brain affects your behavior. In other words, it's the practice of psychology and medicine rolled into one. For instance, the frontal lobe (the part of the brain that is located just behind your forehead) serves a number of important functions, a few