Degenerative Neurological Diseases as Memory Loss Causes: Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s

There are numerous diseases, disorders, and injuries that are known to be memory loss causes. Memory loss can be related to aging, can be an effect of disease processes, or can result from injuries to certain areas of the brain.

Three diseases that involve the deterioration of the brain and can cause memory loss include:

·         Alzheimer’s disease

·         Parkinson’s disease

·         Huntington’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease and Memory Loss

Alzheimer’s disease is unfortunately common among older people. It is a progressive, degenerative disease best known for causing dementia. It also causes pronounced short-term and long-term memory loss. As the disease progresses, afflicted persons often lose more and more of their memory.

One of the most common early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease is short-term memory loss. People with incipient Alzheimer’s may begin to show difficulty learning new facts and remembering recently learned information. There is also sometimes impairment of semantic memory, which is subtler; a person with early Alzheimer’s may lose memories involving meanings and relationships between concepts.

In the earlier stages of Alzheimer’s, short-term memory is most strongly affected. Episodic memory, the memory of events in the person’s life, is less strongly affected, as is procedural memory, their memory of how to perform learned tasks.

As Alzheimer’s progresses to the moderate level of the disease, deficits in long-term memory may begin to manifest. The person may even fail to recognize close family members. Individuals over a certain age who are beginning to experience problems with short-term memory may want to be evaluated for Alzheimer’s disease.

Parkinson’s disease and Memory Loss

Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system; it involves the death of cells that generate dopamine, an important neurotransmitter, in a region of the midbrain called the substantia nigra. The most obvious and well-known symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are its motor symptoms, including shaking, rigidity, slowness of movement, and difficulty walking; however, it is also among the diseases that cause memory loss.

Cognitive disturbances, such as difficulties with memory and executive function, can occur in the initial stages of Parkinson’s disease, and become more severe as the disease progresses. In terms of memory loss, Parkinson’s is most likely to impair the ability to recall learned information. There may also be difficulties with working memory; for example, people with Parkinson’s disease may find themselves having increased difficulty holding multiple items in their short-term memory simultaneously.

Huntington’s disease and Memory Loss

Huntington’s disease is a degenerative neurological disorder with a genetic basis. It is more likely to occur in women, and often manifests itself in the 30s or 40s. During the progression of Huntington’s disease, deficits in memory and cognition begin to appear. Memory loss in Huntington’s disease can vary in nature and intensity and can include:

·         Short-term memory loss

·         Difficulties with long-term memory, including loss of episodic memory

·         Loss of procedural memory

·         Deficits in working memory

Causes of memory loss include a number of progressive, degenerative disease processes, which affect regions of the brain responsible for different types of memory. These diseases include Alzheimer’s disease, which is a tragically common cause of progressive memory deterioration in older adults, and Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease, which are two other neurodegenerative diseases that can cause memory loss.

The Autism Spectrum: Autism Definition and Differentiation

Autism describes a group of neurodevelopmental disorders collectively known as the autism spectrum. The autism spectrum encompasses:

·         Autism

·         Asperger’s Syndrome

·         Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)

Although these disorders are related and may all be included in the definition of autism, they are actually quite distinct from one another. At one time they were recognized as separate disorders; however, the latest psychological Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth Edition, known as the DSM-V, combines them within the autism spectrum.

Autism

Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by social impairment; impaired verbal and non-verbal communication; and restrictive, repetitive, or stereotyped behavior. These characteristics are usually apparent before the age of three.

Autism carries with it a wide range of symptoms, skills, and levels of impairment. Some individuals with autism are severely developmentally disabled and may never acquire verbal communication, while others have high-functioning autism, defined as an IQ higher than 70.

A typical autism definition refers primarily to this form of autism; however, Asperger’s syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) have recently been included with autism on the autism spectrum.

Asperger’s Syndrome

Asperger’s syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder marked by difficulties with social functioning and nonverbal communication, although verbal and cognitive development is often otherwise intact.

Those with Asperger’s syndrome tend to be high functioning, although this syndrome is distinct from high-functioning autism. Despite having high intelligence, people with Asperger’s syndrome have difficulty with social interaction. They often have difficulty understanding subtle forms of nonverbal communication cues, such as eye contact and body posturing, and they may lack normal empathy.

Asperger’s syndrome is also distinguished by the tendency to pursue unusually narrow and specific topics of interest.  Individuals may also exhibit repetitive, stereotypical physical movements, such as flapping or rocking motions.

Asperger’s syndrome is distinguished from high-functioning autism in that language delays in Asperger’s syndrome tend to be minimal; however, it is often still included within a comprehensive autism definition.

Pervasive Developmental Disorder- Not Otherwise Specific (PDD-NOS)

Pervasive developmental disorder- not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) is sometimes called atypical autism. PDD-NOS is a DSM-IV diagnosis for individuals who may not fit all of the criteria for autism or another pervasive developmental disorder on the spectrum. Individuals with PDD-NOS often have a lower level of impairment in social skills and a higher level of functioning than individuals who meet the full criteria for autism. They may also exhibit a lesser degree of stereotypical or repetitive behavior.

Many individuals with PDD-NOS have the following characteristics:

·         Difficulties using and understanding language

·         Difficulty with social behavior

·         A need for routine and an intolerance of changes in the environment

·         Uneven skill development with higher proficiency in some areas than others, for example, delayed verbal skills but normal or elevated spatial reasoning skills

·         Unusual play with toys and other objects

·         Unusual likes and dislikes

The DSM-V, the most recent diagnostic and statistical manual for psychology and psychiatry, takes a dimensional approach to constructing a relevant autism definition. The DSM-V uses the term autism spectrum to encompass the three related disorders: autism, Asperger’s syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder- not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). Although these conditions are distinct from one another, they are closely related, and considered to lie along a spectrum of types of verbal and social dysfunction.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR AUTISM

Living with Autism: The Inspiring Success of Three Notable People with Autism

Millions of people are living with autism, in one form or another. Living with autism can be a challenge; autistic people often seem eccentric in their interests and behaviors, and have difficulty understanding and connecting with other people. However, living with autism doesn’t prevent someone from attaining fulfillment and success. Many autistic people have achieved great things and made notable contributions to society and culture.

Three famous people who are autistic include Dan Akroyd, best known for his role in the hit movie Ghostbusters; Daryl Hannah, an actress who had a starring role in the movie Wall Street; and Temple Grandin, a noted scientist, author, and activist.

Dan Akroyd: Diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome 

Dan Akroyd grew up in Ottawa, Canada. He first gained fame as a writer and actor on the variety show Saturday Night Live, for which he received an Emmy award in 1977. He later went on to act in the hit movies Blues Brothers and Ghostbusters.

In addition to having Tourette’s syndrome, Dan Akroyd has revealed in interviews that he was diagnosed during childhood with high-functioning Autism. He may actually have Asperger’s syndrome, but the diagnosis did not come into use until Akroyd was an adult. Despite these conditions, however, Akroyd has become a very successful and spiritually fulfilled individual.

Daryl Hannah: Also Diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome 

Actress Daryl Hannah’s acting career took off with her role in the classic science fiction movie Blade Runner. She went on to play roles in many other movies, including the critically acclaimed Wall Street. Hannah reports having shown classic signs of autism as a child, including compulsively rocking back and forth. She says that she is uncomfortable in social situations, and can’t stand being in the spotlight. Despite having autism and difficulty with social situations, however, Daryl Hannah became a very successful actress. Nowadays, having essentially retired from acting, she devotes much of her time to environmental activism.

Temple Grandin: Autistic Author and Activist

Temple Grandin is a doctor of animal science, and a professor at Colorado State University. In addition to her college professorship and her role as a consultant on animal behavior to the livestock industry, Grandin is a noted autism activist.

At the age of two, Grandin was diagnosed with autism. She did not speak until the age of four, but she went on to become very high-functioning. She has written and spoken extensively about living with autism, and is a noted activist for the rights of autistic persons. She has spoken of her terror in social situations, and also her hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli. At the age of 18 she designed a device called a “hugbox”, which applies gentle pressure.

Temple Grandin was listed in 2010 in Time Magazine’s “Time 100” as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Many people living with autism lead rich, fulfilling, and successful lives. Two notable Hollywood actors, Dan Akroyd and Daryl Hannah, have revealed autism diagnoses in interviews, and have talked about what it is like to live with this disorder. Even more well-known is Temple Grandin, a world-famous author, autism rights activist, animal rights activist, and scientist. These inspiring people demonstrate that living with autism doesn’t prevent someone from attaining happiness and success in their lives.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR AUTISM

Herbal Teas as Natural Insomnia Remedies

There are a number of herbs that have a history of medicinal use as sleep aids. These can be used as natural insomnia remedies. They are less harsh than over-the-counter sleeping pills, which contain antihistamines, or prescription sleeping pills.

Herbal teas made with certain herbs are great natural insomnia remedies. Some herbs that are commonly used for insomnia include:

·         Chamomile,  a plant in the daisy family that is often used to make tea

·         Hops, a plant that is also used in brewing beer. It contains a chemical called dimethylvinyl carbinol, which may promote relaxation and sleep

·         Valerian, a plant whose roots are often used as a sleep aid

·         Passion flower, a common herbal tea ingredient that may have a relaxing effect

All of these plants can be used as natural insomnia remedies in the form of herbal teas.

4 Herbal Teas for Use as Natural Insomnia Remedies

Tea #1: “Sweet Sleep Blend”

(Source: http://www.livingherbaltea.com/herbal-tea-for-insomnia/)

Ingredients:

·         2 parts Chamomile

·         1 part Catnip

·         1 part Peppermint, Rose Petals, or Lemon Balm

·         1 pinch of Valerian Root

Recipe:

“Combine herbs to create one heaping teaspoon. Steep in a typical mug of just-boiling water for 6 minutes.”

Tea #2: “Bedtime Herbal Tea”

(Source: http://www.etsy.com/listing/93290148/bedtime-herbal-tea)

Ingredients:

·         Chamomile flowers

·         Lemon blam

·         Catnip

·         Oatstraw

·         Passion flower

·         Valerian root

·         Hops flowers

Recipe:

Use 1 tsp of herbs per cup of water.

Tea #3: “Herbal Bedtime Tea”

(Source: http://frugallysustainable.com/2013/04/a-recipe-for-herbal-bedtime-tea-an-all-natural-sleep-aid/)

Ingredients:

·         3 parts chamomile flowers

·         2 parts lemon balm

·         1 part catnip

·         1 part oatstraw

·         1 part passionflower

·         ¼ part hops flowers

·         ¼ part valerian root

Recipe:

1. Measure parts of each herb listed and mix in a large bowl until well combined.

2. Use a tea infuser, tea strainer, or teapot to brew a pot or cup.

3. Keep stored in a cool, dark place for approximately 6 months.

4. This tea is mild enough to be used nightly. Take a cup 30 minutes before bed.

Tea #4: “Chamomile and Lemon Balm Tea”

(Source: http://www.sipandom.com/sip-tea/insomnia-tea-chamomile-lemon-balm/)

Ingredients:

·         1 cup (240 mL) water

·         2 tsp (10 mL) lemon balm

·         1 tsp (5 mL) dried chamomile

·         1 tsp (5 mL) honey

Recipe:

“Bring the water to a boil in the saucepan. Make sure the water isn’t boiling too much, or else you might scorch the herbs.

Add the dried herbs to the saucepan. Cover with a lid so the precious oils don’t escape in the steam.

Steep the herbs for about 10 to 15 minutes to receive the full benefit of their healing attributes.

Pour into your favorite tea cup and enjoy sipping this tea just before you drift off to sleep.”

Herbal teas make excellent natural insomnia remedies. Several herbs are known for having effects that can help you sleep; two of the most potent and well-known of these are valerian root and chamomile. For insomnia that isn’t frequent enough or severe enough to warrant antihistamines or prescription sleep medications, herbal teas can be a delicious and very effective way to help yourself get a good night’s sleep.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR INSOMNIA

What Are Complex PTSD Symptoms?

Complex PTSD is similar to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. However, while PTSD is associated with acute trauma, complex PTSD is the result of repetitive, chronic patterns of interpersonal trauma, such as child or domestic abuse. It is marked by problems with emotional regulation, sense of self, and attachment to other people.

Currently, Complex PTSD is not formally recognized as a discrete diagnosis separate from PTSD. However, many clinicians and researchers have made a case for complex PTSD as a disorder in and of itself. They have proposed lists of Complex PTSD symptoms for use in diagnosing the disorder.

A Set of Complex PTSD Symptoms

On their website, the Centre for Addition and Mental Health (CAMH) proposes the following set of criteria for diagnosing complex PTSD:

I.                    Alteration in Regulation of Affect and Impulses

a.       Affect regulation

b.      Modulation of anger

c.       Self-destructive behavior

d.      Suicidal preoccupation

e.      Difficulty modulating sexual involvement

f.        Excessive risk-taking

II.                  Alterations in Attention or Consciousness

a.       Amnesia

b.      Transient dissociative episodes and depersonalization

III.                Alterations in Self-Perception

a.       Ineffectiveness

b.      Permanent damage

c.       Guilt and responsibility

d.      Shame

e.      Nobody can understand

f.        Minimizing

IV.                Alterations in Relationships with Others

a.       Inability to trust

b.      Re-victimization

c.       Victimizing others

V.                  Somatization

a.       Problems with the digestive system

b.      Chronic pain

c.       Cardiopulmonary symptoms

d.      Conversion symptoms

e.      Sexual symptoms

VI.                Alterations in Systems of Meaning

a.       Despair or hopelessness

b.      Loss of previously sustaining beliefs

These criteria encompass the basic symptoms that distinguish complex PTSD.

Complex PTSD Symptoms in Children versus Adults

Some psychologists propose making a distinction in diagnostic criteria in cases of Complex PTSD in children, versus Complex PTSD in adults.

A “Child and Adolescent Symptom Cluster” for Complex PTSD has been proposed, encompassing seven domains:

·         Attachment

·         Biology

·         Affect or emotional dysregulation

·         Dissociation

·         Behavioral control

·         Cognition

·         Self-concept

An “Adult Symptom Cluster” for Complex PTSD symptoms would include:

·         Difficulty regulation emotions

·         Variations in consciousness, including psychogenic amnesia, dissociation, or intrusive flashbacks of traumatic episodes

·         Changes in self-perception; this often involves a chronic sense of helplessness, along with irrational self-blame and feelings of shame and guilt

·         Varying changes in perception of the person perpetrating the abuse; this may involve attributing too much power to that person, being preoccupied with revenge, or even idealizing that person

·         Alterations in relationships with others; this may take the form of isolation and withdrawal, inability to trust, or reliance on the idea of a “rescuer”

·         Loss of faith, or overwhelming sense of despair

There is not yet a formally accepted set of Complex PTSD symptoms to be used as diagnostic guidelines. The DSM-IV and DSM-V, as well as the ICD-10, do not include Complex PTSD as its own separate disorder. However, symptoms have been identified and listed by clinicians and researchers. Complex PTSD is the result of prolonged trauma, often in the form of interpersonal abuse, and impacts the victim’s sense of self and attachment patterns in interpersonal relationships in a way that is not necessarily reflected in the accepted diagnostic criteria for PTSD.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR COMPLEX PTSD

Is Neurofeedback for ADHD a Scientifically Proven Method?

With many patients and parents increasingly skeptical of the benefits of medications for ADHD, more and more people are seeking other possible methods of treating the symptoms of the disorder.

Symptoms of ADHD include inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Stimulant medications address the problem on a neurochemical level. ADHD involves decreased levels of a key neurotransmitter, dopamine. Stimulants raise dopamine levels in order to treat the symptoms of ADHD. Unfortunately, stimulants can also have a range of potentially negative side effects, including appetite loss, difficulty sleeping, increased heart rate, and habit-forming potential.

Neurofeedback for ADHD is a relatively new alternative to pharmaceuticals. Whereas stimulant medications work on a chemical level, neurofeedback works on the level of electrical activity within the brain. Neurofeedback uses EEG feedback to help correct the abnormalities in brainwave frequency that have been found to distinguish ADHD individuals from normal individuals. Although research is not yet complete, what has been found to date has demonstrated that this is often an effective treatment for the symptoms of ADHD. 

Is Neurofeedback for ADHD Based on Proven Scientific Principles? 

The principles underlying the use of neurofeedback for ADHD are in fact scientifically substantiated. Beginning in the 1970s, scientific research has explored differences in EEG patterns that distinguish brain activity in people with ADHD from that of normal individuals. What they have consistently found is that people with ADHD have excess levels of the alpha and theta types of brainwave frequency, and deficient levels of beta brainwave activity. Beta wave activity is associated with focus, mental clarity, and concentration. Neurofeedback for ADHD is intended to stimulate beta wave production as a way of correcting the problems that underlie the symptoms of ADHD. 

Has Neurofeedback for ADHD Been Tested and Researched? 

Neurofeedback for ADHD is one of the most thoroughly scientifically researched applications of neurofeedback therapy. Peer-reviewed scientific journals have published numerous papers exploring the function and benefits of neurofeedback therapy for treating ADHD.

The results have been largely positive. In controlled trials, it has been demonstrated that there was significant improvement in ADHD symptoms in the experimental groups treated with neurofeedback.

Some clinicians do express concerns that more research is needed to establish the efficacy of neurofeedback for ADHD. However, as more research is performed, it has become increasingly apparent that neurofeedback can be highly efficacious as a treatment for ADHD, both on its own, and in combination with traditional ADHD drugs such as Ritalin. With more evidence, neurofeedback for ADHD could come to be accepted as what is called a “Level 5” treatment for ADHD, meaning it is universally accepted as effective. Neurofeedback therapy is also safe, and has no documented side effects. 

Research Does Demonstrate The Efficacy of Neurofeedback for ADHD

Rigorous, peer-reviewed scientific research has been conducted regarding the effectiveness of neurofeedback therapy for ADHD; the results thus far have been very promising. A majority of participants in the experimental groups who underwent neurofeedback did exhibit clinically significant improvement in the symptoms that distinguish ADHD, including: impulsivity, inattentiveness, and hyperactivity. To learn more about this revolutionary technique visit our website: www.braincoretherapy.com/how-it-works

Neurofeedback for ADHD

Alternatives to Functional Neurology for Treating Muscle Spasms

Muscle spasms are involuntary contractions of a muscle or group of muscles. These are often accompanied by a burst of pain, which varies in severity but can be very problematic. Muscle spasms can result from a variety of causes, including abnormalities in nerve stimulation as well as abnormalities in the activity of the muscle itself. Insufficient hydration, excess of electrolytes, and muscle overload, can also cause muscle spasms.

There are a number of ways to treat muscle spasms. One approach to muscle spasm treatment is that of functional neurology.

How Does Functional Neurology Treat Muscle Spasms?

Functional neurology is a subspecialty of chiropractics that is focused on restoring balance between the body’s various systems. It often uses built-in reflex circuits of the nervous system, such as the agonist-antagonist system, to try to facilitate the correction of muscle spasms. One muscle group can be relaxed or stimulated to help remedy the spasm in another muscle group, depending on the nervous and musculoskeletal interrelationships between them.

In addition to the functional neurology approach, however, there are numerous other ways to treat muscle spasms.

Some Methods for Treating Muscle Spasms

Although some types of muscle spasms are indicative of a more serious underlying problem, such as spinal cord compression or stenosis, many muscle spasms are benign, though they can be painful.

Treatments for minor muscle spasms include:

-          Applying a hot or cold compress to the afflicted muscle when it begins to spasm. Ice packs, heat packs, or a warm or cold washcloth can be used as a compress.

-          Taking an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, such as Ibuprofen or Naproxen, may help with the pain that muscle spasms can cause.

-          Preventing spasms from occurring by avoiding or limiting exercises that aggravate the afflicted muscle

-          Drinking enough liquid, to avoid dehydration. Dehydration can cause or exacerbate muscle spasms.

-          Making sure to stretch and warm-up effectively before engaging in exercise.

If these methods are not effective in staving off painful muscle spasms, however, you may want to talk to your doctor. Before pursuing a functional neurology approach, you may first want to try more traditional methods to managing your muscle spasms.

Talking To Your Doctor About Muscle Spasms

Functional neurology is not the only medical subspecialty that can help you find solutions to your muscle spasms. You can also talk to your family doctor, pain management specialist, or other physician.

Your doctor will ask you questions, and possibly run a couple of tests, to help determine the cause and nature of your muscle spasms.

Muscle spasms can be caused by a number of underlying conditions, including:

·         Spinal nerve compression

·         Alcoholism

·         Pregnancy

·         Kidney failure

·         Hypothyroidism (low thyroid gland function)

Your physician may ask you questions such as:

·         How often you drink alcohol

·         Which muscles are affected

·         How frequently the spasms occur

·         What medications you take

·         What types of exercise you engage in, and how frequently

·         How much liquid you drink daily

Your doctor may also want to run tests to assess the levels of potassium and calcium in your blood. Deficiencies in these nutrients can be a cause of muscle spasms. They may also want to test your kidney and thyroid function. These tests will help them determine if any of these underlying problems could be the cause of your muscle spasms.

If hot or cold compresses and over-the-counter pain medications have not been effective for you, your doctor might also prescribe a muscle relaxant.

Some commonly used muscle relaxants include:

·         Flexeril

·         Soma

·         Skelaxin

·         Robaxin

There are also other muscle relaxants that are prescribed for muscle spasms. If one medication does not work for you, your physician may have you try a different one. Different people respond differently to different drugs; one person might respond well to Flexeril, but not to Robaxin, whereas for someone else, the opposite could be true.

Functional Neurology is One of Many Approaches to Treating Muscle Spasms

You may not need the intervention of a chiropractic specialist who practices functional neurology, in order to find relief from your muscle spasms. There are other methods, both on your own and with the assistance of your family doctor, which are as effective or more effective for treating painful muscle spasms.

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE FOR MANAGING MUSCLE SPASMS