BOROUGH PARK — As many as five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, a progressive and fatal brain disease that profoundly affects not only the lives of those who suffer from it, but also their family members and other caregivers.

The neurology team at Maimonides Medical Center urges everyone to learn more about this devastating disease, especially the early warning signs.

The first warning sign of Alzheimer’s is often memory loss, which usually progresses to symptoms that include:

• Difficulty performing daily tasks

• Trouble communicating clearly

• Confusion about time and place

• Misplacing things

• Struggling to make basic decisions

• Other fundamental changes in personality

If someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, it is important that they see a doctor. Alzheimer’s Disease destroys brain cells, causing a steady loss of memory and affecting thinking, behavior and communication. These problems typically become severe enough over time to significantly interfere with a person’s regular daily activities, including work, hobbies and social interactions. Today it is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States and the most common form of dementia.

“Though we continue to learn more about Alzheimer’s Disease, the treatment options unfortunately remain rather limited,� says Dr. Marshall Keilson, director of neurology at Maimonides. “We believe it is critical to not only focus on the patient’s health and quality of life, but also that of his or her caregiver, beginning at the time of diagnosis. We work closely with caregivers to ensure that they remain emotionally, spiritually, financially and physically capable of playing their essential role.�

Testing for Alzheimer’s typically involves questioning to test memory and other cognitive skills, in addition to a physical exam and sometimes a CT or MRI scan to test for any physical changes to the brain.

While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s Disease, there are medicines that may slow its progression and alleviate some of the associated cognitive and behavioral symptoms, including depression and emotional distress.

“I urge anyone who believes they are observing some of these changes in a loved one’s behavior to make an appointment with a physician, and not just assume they are witnessing the typical aging process,� adds Dr. Keilson.

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