While traveling recently talked with a young couple from Indianna whose Grandpa died from Alzheimer's and he was a Physic's Professor.  Suggested a book I was reading at the time to better understand the brain by Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, MY STROKE OF INSIGHT, a brain scientist's personal journey.  It is fantastic even though the story is woven around her stroke at age 37 while she was working as a scientist at the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center.  Not only does she tell the reader about the stroke, rehab, etc., but she tells the reader about living and what differences the right and left brain possess.  Truly suggest you get a copy and it is now in paperback.

Received two letters today from a lady in Rhode Island whose husband has dementia and Parkinson's and she said that our book DID I DIE will become "my best Friend as at times I do feel alone."  Another arrived from a woman in Texas whose mother-in-law is now living in a Memory Loss Lodge that says the care can continue through skilled nursing care.  This is very important, but this has to be done early on, or you will be moving the patient.  "In your book DID I DIE, you mentioned that Glenn appreciated cards long after he could read books and it made me realize that I should send cards, and will today.  Thanks so much for what you have written in DID I DIE?  The title is priceless.  I still remember clearly the day my mother asked me who the woman on the other side of the mirror was."

While traveling, I spent time with a lovely woman and her son whose Mom died from Alzheimer's, her sister has 4th stage and her brother is starting.  As the Texas woman wrote:  "A dialogue has started and now we must keep it going."  Prevention and a cure.....both needed.

In the July issue of MIND, MOOD & MEMORY from MGH, Dr. Fava writes about HUPERZINE A.  You should research it as it is a chemical derived from a certain club moss, and "widely used in China to treat Alzheimer's disease."  The issue is excellent and also covers recovering from brain injury, too little or too much sleep linked to worsen memory, socializing for mental acuity, Vitamin C,  salt and your brain and the toll diabetes can take on the brain.  Many, many more wonderful ideas and so well written. 

In the UCLA newsletter from the Division of Geriatrics, a question is raised about hearing impairment and Alzheimer's.  And, perhaps the most important of all in the UCLA newsletter is a paragraph on the funding of research.  "For 9 years, UCLA researchers have been working on an experimental drug that may prevent or cure over 30 currently cureless and devastating diseases which include Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, type 2 diabetes, etc.  It is hard to find the funding.  The drug in question is a molecular compound called CLRO1 and nicknamed a 'molecular tweezer'." It is a fascinating concept, worth a try and hopefully funding will come through soon.

Gail Matthews