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I read the most interesting article entitled Brain Is a Co-Conspirator in a Vicious Stress Loop which appeared in the New York Times on 8/18/09. I have posted it on MY ALZHEIMER’S ARCHIVE OF ARTICLES AND MEMORANDA

This is an interesting and thought provoking article about three things of interest to me:

1. Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) may be caused by stress.
2. The ability of the brain to change and regenerate can overcome some of the effects of AD.
3. The affects described, namely, perseveration — uncontrollable repetition.

Caused by Stress? Between Alcoholism and a highly stressful life style as a trial attorney, along with a lot of other painful crap along the way I traumatized by body, mind and psyche no end. Look at my book From AA to AD, a Wistful Travelogue, my Alzheimer's afterthoughts.

Something had to pop. Guess what, it did! I got AD!

Brain Can Regenerate: Living the mantra “Eat Right, Get Daily Exercise, Participate in Social, Creative and Intellectual Stimulating Activity.” That along with medication will keep you in the Early Stages of AD longer.

How can that be? I believe it is because we are able to work around our deficiencies caused by the brain damage of AD and build new pathways in the brain to get many of the same jobs done for which the ability has been lost.

The study described the changes resulting from stress were overcome by removal from the stress and time out or vacation as they described it. They reported this finding stating: The brain is a very resilient and plastic organ…. Dendrites and synapses retract and reform and reversible remodeling can occur throughout life.

Why does this change occur? Possibly it is because we have quit persevering in trying to make the brain what it once could and relieve that pressure by seeking new ways of doing it?

Living the mantra puts our bodies in the best possible condition to affect the efforts, Getting out, separating our self absorption by our social contact and doing creative and intellectual activities draws us further outside of ourselves, removes us from the rut of perseveration and gives us the time out to let new things happen. The stimulation we give ourselves directs us to that and improves our minds and bodies to let this happen.

Perseveration — Uncontrollable Repetition: This describes a symptom so evident to me in my AD. I crave my routine. I like to follow the same thing every day, over and over again. I eat the same things over and over. I do things at the same time every day. There is absolutely no reason why I do this. I feel better and more secure doing it so I keep doing it. I am more at peace doing it. Disruption bothers and irritates me. Fielding new situations tires me out. Too much distraction causes me anxiety, depression and jitters. I find myself shaking on the inside, an internal tremor, which is quieted only be rest.

I have learned I need a balance to my routine. I need to get out, socialize; get involved in activity. Routine for me is OK as fall back to rest and rejuvenate, but too much of it suffocates.

It is for the foregoing reasons I found this article of such interest to me.

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