Defying Dementia

"Dementia, in its many forms, exerts a huge emotional, physical, and economic toll on victims, their families, and the social and health care delivery system. Gerontologists predict that by 2050, the number of people with these diseases will double. In this book, neurologist Levine provides an overview of the state of knowledge regarding Alzheimer's and related dementias. Written in a sophisticated but accessible style, the book is divided into two sections. The first explains the anatomy and physiology, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of the full spectrum of dementias. The second section, titled Lowering the Risk, features four chapters offering evidence-based lifestyle changes and interventions that could potentially decrease the risk of developing dementia and/or maximize cognitive functioning. Levine's intended audience is the intelligent layperson, but the book would be equally appropriate for selected health professionals or social service students seeking general coverage of the topic....[t]his succinct, credible resource on these devastating diseases sums up the present-day state of affairs and hints at the future. Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates, two-year technical program students, professionals/practitioners, and general readers." - Choice "Defying Dementia is an informative book that might be useful to clinicians familiar with the disease and who would like to know more. A good deal of important dementia-related research is summarized in a succinct and readable way given a background in neurology or related fields." - Metapsychology "How do we induce people to address a potential problem on the distant horizon when they currently feel well?' asks Dr. Robert Levine in his book Defying Dementia. Dr. Levine argues that readers must understand dementia and related disorders and then take action to prevent them before they occur. With this approach in mind, Dr. Levine has divided Defying Dementia into two sections: one that explains what dementia is; the other that focuses on the types of preventative action readers can take to avoid it. Throughout, the book is filled with short vignettes that illustrate how others can recognize the early signs of this devastating disorder." - Solutions "This guide to understanding and preventing dementia is aimed at general readers, caregivers, health professionals, and family members of impaired patients. Levine provides an overview of types, causes, symptoms, and diagnosis; discusses normal aging, mild cognitive impairment, and pseudo-dementia; and examines Alzheimer's disease, Pick's disease, Parkinson's disease with dementia, Dementia with Lewy bodies, and vascular and mixed dementia. Preventative measures, such as exercise, cognitive stimulation and socialization, and diet, are preceded by a discussion of causes of accelerated brain aging and other factors." - SciTech Book News

Robert Levine, MD, is former Chief of Neurology at Norwalk Hospital and retired Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at Yale University School of Medicine.

Preface Acknowledgements I.UNDERSTANDING DEMENTIA 1. Introduction 2. Confounders of Dementia: Normal Aging, Mild Cognitive Impairment and Pseudo-dementia 3. Alzheimer's Disease 4. Fronto-Temporal DementiaPick's Disease 5. Dementia with Lewy Bodies and Parkinson's Disease Dementia 6. Vascular Dementia and Mixed Dementia 7. Less Common Forms of Dementia II.LOWERING THE RISK OF DEMENTIA AND MAXIMIZING COGNITIVE FUNCTION 8. Accelerated Aging, Cognitive Reserve and What We Can't Control 9. The Importance of Physical Activity and Exercise 10. The Need for Cognitive Stimulation and Socialization 11. Diet and Substances That May Reduce the Risk of Dementia Afterword Notes Glossary Index