Neuro Note #1: Alzheimer's Disease

For my neuro note I chose to watch a TedTalk titled "What you can do to prevent Alzheimer's" by neuroscientist, Lisa Genova. She first began by explaining how the brain works and what neurologically is happening in the brain of a person who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Scientists believe that Alzheimer's disease is caused by a build up of the peptide amyloid beta. The build up then begins to form amyloid plaques and tangles that affect the synaptic connections that take place in a typically functioning brain. She mentioned the roles genetics, smoking, cardiac disease, and other factors can play that can lead to Alzheimer's but it is her belief that despite those things the disease can be avoided. In a research study that was conducted on the brains of 678 nuns, images of their brains showed the presence of plaques and tangles yet none of the nuns ever showed signs or symptoms associated with Alzheimer's while they were still alive.
Based on these findings, Genova and other neuroscientists believe that the key to preventing Alzheimer's is creating more synapses, which allows for a cognitive reserve. A cognitive reserve can be created by learning or experiencing new things that not only stimulate the brain but other senses as well such as sight, touch, and sound. Participating in new and stimulating activities, such as learning a new language, provides a sense of resiliency for the brain making it less likely to begin to exhibit signs and symptoms of the disease.

My grandfather with my dog Winston

 At the end of her talk, Genova signed off with the line,"you are more than what you remember." In my opinion, that saying encompassed the primary goal of occupational therapy. Since OTs work in the healthcare field we are aware of the prognosis and statistics that come with every diagnosis. Yet, it is our job to not only believe in the idea that people are more than disability, illness, or diagnosis but to make the client believe it too. In some OT settings it is all about teaching clients who have disabilities and incurable diseases not only how to cope with their reality but to also convince them that their lives are still worth living. Speaking as a person who has a special connection to the disease it is important to remember that just because the disease takes away memories it does not take away the person. My grandfather (pictured to the right) now diagnosed with Alzheimer's is why I have taken a special interest in this disease. I want to learn more about it not only to understand neurologically what is happening in his brain but to also understand how it is affecting him and his experiences.


Genova, L. (2017, April). What you can do to prevent Alzheimer's. Retrieved July 19, 2019, from 
https://www.ted.com/talks/lisa_genova_what_you_can_do_to_prevent_alzheimer_s#t-823462