Official Patient's SourceBook on Alzheimer's Disease »

This is a "must have" reference book for patients, parents, caregivers, and libraries with medical collections. This sourcebook is organized into three parts. Part I explores basic techniques to researching alzheimer's disease (e.g. finding guidelines on diagnosis, treatments, and prognosis), followed by a number of topics, including information on how to get in touch with organizations, associations, or other patient networks dedicated to alzheimer's disease. It also gives you sources of information that can help you find a doctor in your local area specializing in treating alzheimer's disease. Collectively, the material presented in Part I is a complete primer on basic research topics for patients with alzheimer's disease. Part II moves on to advanced research dedicated to alzheimer's disease. Part II is intended for those willing to invest many hours of hard work and study. It is here that we direct you to the latest scientific and applied research on alzheimer's disease. When possible, contact names, links via the Internet, and summaries are provided. In general, every attempt is made to recommend "free-to-use" options. Part III provides appendices of useful background reading for all patients with alzheimer's disease or related disorders. The appendices are dedicated to more pragmatic issues faced by many patients with alzheimer's disease. Accessing materials via medical libraries may be the only option for some readers, so a guide is provided for finding local medical libraries which are open to the public. Part III, therefore, focuses on advice that goes beyond the biological and scientific issues facing patients with alzheimer's disease.

Introduction
Overview
Organization
Scope
Moving Forward
PART I: THE ESSENTIALS
Chapter 1. The Essentials on Alzheimer s Disease: Guidelines
Overview
What Is Alzheimer s Disease?
What Causes AD?
What Are the Symptoms of AD?
How Is AD Diagnosed?
How Is AD Treated?
Is There Help for Caregivers?
Research
For More Information
More Guideline Sources
Vocabulary Builder
Chapter 2. Seeking Guidance
Overview
Associations and Alzheimer s Disease
Finding Associations
Finding Doctors
Finding a Neurologist
Selecting Your Doctor
Working with Your Doctor
Broader Health-Related Resources
Vocabulary Builder
Chapter 3. Clinical Trials and Alzheimer s Disease
Overview
Recent Trials on Alzheimer s Disease
Benefits and Risks
Keeping Current on Clinical Trials
General References
Vocabulary Builder
PART II: ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND ADVANCED MATERIAL
Chapter 4. Studies on Alzheimer s Disease
Overview
The Combined Health Information Database
Federally Funded Research on Alzheimer s Disease
E-Journals: PubMed Central
The National Library of Medicine: PubMed
Vocabulary Builder
Chapter 5. Patents on Alzheimer s Disease
Overview
Patents on Alzheimer s Disease
Patent Applications on Alzheimer s Disease
Keeping Current
Vocabulary Builder
Chapter 6. Books on Alzheimer s Disease
Overview
Book Summaries: Federal Agencies
Book Summaries: Online Booksellers
The National Library of Medicine Book Index
Chapters on Alzheimer s Disease
Directories
General Home References
Vocabulary Builder
Chapter 7. Multimedia on Alzheimer s Disease
Overview
Video Recordings
Bibliography: Multimedia on Alzheimer s Disease
Chapter 8. Periodicals and News on Alzheimer s Disease
Overview
News Services and Press Releases
Newsletter Articles
Academic Periodicals covering Alzheimer s Disease
Vocabulary Builder
Chapter 9. Physician Guidelines and Databases
Overview
NIH Guidelines
NIH Databases
Other Commercial Databases
Other Commercial Databases
The Genome Project and Alzheimer s Disease
Specialized References
Vocabulary Builder
Chapter 10. Dissertations on Alzheimer s Disease
Overview
Dissertations on Alzheimer s Disease
Keeping Current
Vocabulary Builder
PART III. APPENDICES
Appendix A. Researching Your Medications
Overview
Your Medications: The Basics
Learning More about Your Medications
Commercial Databases
Contraindications and Interactions (Hidden Dangers)
A Final Warning
General References
Vocabulary Builder
Appendix B. Researching Alternative Medicine
Overview
What Is CAM?
What Are the Domains of Alternative Medicine?
Can Alternatives Affect My Treatment?
Additional Web Resources
General References
Vocabulary Builder
Appendix C. Researching Nutrition
Overview
Food and Nutrition: General Principles
Finding Studies on Alzheimer s Disease
Federal Resources on Nutrition
Additional Web Resources
Vocabulary Builder
Appendix D. Finding Medical Libraries
Overview
Preparation
Finding a Local Medical Library
Medical Libraries in the U.S. and Canada
Appendix E. Alzheimer s Disease: Unraveling the Mystery
Overview
Introduction
The Impact of Alzheimer's Disease
A Walking Tour Through the Brain
Inside the Human Brain
Neurons and Their Jobs
Plaques and Tangles: The Hallmarks of AD
The Changing Brain in Alzheimer's Disease
Preclinical AD
Mild AD
Moderate AD
Severe AD
Then and Now: the Fast Pace of Development in AD Research
The Search for Causes
Genetic Factors at Work in AD
Other Factors at Work in AD
New Techniques Help in Diagnosing AD
The Search for New Treatments
Improving Support for Families and Other Caregivers
Appendix F. Alzheimer s Disease and Related Dementias: Acute and Long-Term Care Services
Overview
Providing Care to People with ADRD
Current Themes Affecting ADRD Care
Balance between Community and Institutional Care
New Forms of Care for People with ADRD
Health Services Questions
Changing Government Policies
Client Preferences and Ethical Concerns
Measuring Therapeutic Effectiveness
Recommendations
Appendix G. Genetics of Alzheimer s Disease
Overview
Alzheimer s Disease: Not a Single-Gene Disorder
ApoE in Sporadic Alzheimer s Disease
Research Questions
For More Information
Appendix H. 2000 Progress Report on Alzheimer s Disease
Overview
The Impact of Alzheimer s Disease
Alzheimer s Disease: An Urgent National Health and Research Priority
The AD Research Effort
Alzheimer s Disease: More Pieces of the Puzzle Fall into Place
What Are the Main Characteristics of AD?
Structure and Function of the Brain
What Causes AD?
What Do We Know about Diagnosing AD?
Chromosomes and Genes: The Database of Life
How Can Alzheimer s Disease Be Treated?
2000 AD: Research Advances: Taking the Next Steps
Understanding the Etiology of AD
Additional Genetic Links to AD
Alzheimer s Disease and Parkinson s Disease: Two Diseases or One?
Prion Diseases
Familial British Dementia and Associated Disorders
Possible Therapeutic Approaches for Abnormal Protein Deposition
Aging and AD Development
Early Life Events and Other Factors
Improving Early Diagnosis
Clinical-Pathological Correlations
Slowing, Delaying, or Preventing the Disease
Estrogen
Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Inflammation
Antioxidants
Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and Other Neurotrophic Factors
Alzheimer s Disease Clinical Trials Database
Clues to Healthy Aging Found in Lifestyles
Improving Support for Caregivers
Pursuing Innovative Mechanisms for Funding AD Research
Enhancing the Efficiency and Effectiveness with which Research Is Conducted
Support for AD Research by Other NIH Institutes
Outlook for the Future
Appendix I. NIA Alzheimer s Disease Centers Program Directory
Overview
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Kentucky
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Texas
Washington
National Alzheimer s Coordinating Center (NACC)
ONLINE GLOSSARIES
Online Dictionary Directories
ALZHEIMER S DISEASE GLOSSARY
General Dictionaries and Glossaries
INDEX