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81 of 82 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best user friendly book on the market, July 3, 2004
This review is from: Preventing Alzheimer's (Hardcover)
As someone whose father died from Alzheimer's and whose mother is suffering from this terrible disease, I wish this book was written years ago. I've read a lot about the disease and Drs. Shankle and Amen have written the best user friendly book on the subject. The brain diagrams, along with the descriptions of the areas of the brain, and what behaviors each area is responsible for, makes for an enjoyable read. Most importantly, however, is the overall upbeat tone of the book. An early diagnosis can make a huge difference in the life of the sufferer as well as their caregiver, so one need not feel their condition is hopeless. The new therapies Dr. Shankle mentions, along with over-the-counter supplements show real progress has been made in treating all kinds of dementia. Another important aspect of the book is the Shankle-Amen Early Dementia Detection Questionnaire which assesses one's risk factor. I know from taking this test that I need to have a neurological check-up every year since both parents had Alzheimer's, and by doing so I can effectively stave off the disease. This is an easy read on a complicated disease. Shankle and Amen are to be commended for knowing their audience and speaking to them appropriately. Well done!
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59 of 60 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you are frightened by AD, read this book., April 27, 2006
If you are interested in this book, you are probably over 50 and have a relative or friend who suffered from Alzheimer's disease (AD). You are probably frightened by even the faintest possibility of sharing such a fate. And, you want to inform yourself to do everything you can to prevent AD for yourself and loved ones.
This is a timely book for you to read. It is written by two medical experts. This book goes into greater detail in explaining the specific functions associated with the different lobes of the brain going much beyond the vapid left brain vs right brain concept. They also define all the different types of Dementia related to AD. They explain the four main neuronal causes of AD. They outline underlying medical conditions (cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, etc..) that can ultimately affect the brain and cause AD. They clearly outline the genetic component of AD. If you carry one or more of the Apolipoprotein E4 or Presenilin genes, your risk of getting AD is up to 7.5 times greater than normal. But, the greatest risk of all is advanced age. On the very first page, the authors state that if you are 85, there is a 50% chance you will develop AD. I have read this statistic so often that it must be true. If you know otherwise let me know.
The authors' strategy on how to prevent AD is "prevention through delay." By taking fairly simple diagnostic and preventive measures one can reduce its risk of AD dramatically and can also defer the debilitating symptoms of AD by an average of 6 years per their own clinical observations. Those measures include taking annual memory tests with a neurologist by the time you are 50, taking fairly large doses of Vit. C & E, a small daily dose of Ibuprofen, and ginkgo biloba supplement. This is in addition to exercising 30 minutes a day, and following a diet with plenty of fish, fruits and vegetables.
In their view, the key is to catch any symptoms leading to AD early. For them AD is just like diabetes. It is extremely challenging to treat diabetes once you suffer kidney failure. Similarly, if you wait until you are in a nursing home to treat AD, it will be tough to do much. On the other hand, just like diabetes if one recognizes potential early symptoms AD can be prevented and deferred more successfully.
Armed with this information, this book should give you hope that one can actively take simple steps to reduce their risk of AD and defer the debilitating symptoms of advanced AD. Also, taking such steps will not only reduce your risk of AD but also your risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer (the two leading killers).
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48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding! Concrete, helpful and encouraging expert advice, June 2, 2004
This review is from: Preventing Alzheimer's (Hardcover)
This is a book I would recommend to anyone concerned about the risk of deterioration in mental functioning, about MCI (mild cognitive impairment) or Alzheimer's Disease. It describes new developments in diagnosis by brain scanning technology and treatments (and practices in our lives)that can be done early enough to really make a difference in holding off deterioration until even more effective treatment protocols (which the authors anticipate) are developed. It also suggests steps that promise to reduce greatly one's risk of Alzheimer's and related dementia's. The authors discuss the research 'to date' (it is a 2004 book). Dr. Shankle is a neurologist noted for research work involving the brain who also has worked a great deal with Alzheiemer's victims. Dr. Amen is described as a neuroscientist and psychiatrist who has done extensive work with brain scanning technology such as the SPECT scan referred to in the book. Having experienced the effects of Alzheimer's on a close relative over the last several years, I find most books on the subject too upsetting to bear looking at. My wife got this from the 'new books' section of our library and after she got me to look at it I was so impressed that I had a copy sent to a close relative and also ordered a copy for us. It is an outstanding book and so very helpful and so encouraging. I wish I could give a copy to everyone everywhere worried about or affected by these conditions whose effects can be so frightening.
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