July 2025 Newsletter | Test, Test, TEST!
My mission is to be the first woman in 4 generations to not develop Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). On my journey of discovering ways to mitigate my risk, I pass this information on to you in this Brain-Body-Health (BBH) Newsletter.
Hello Brain-Body-Health Citizen Scientists
It's summer time and our garden is producing lots of yummy gifts. The Chinese Long Beans are not quite a yard long yet. We’ve been picking okra, cucumbers, basil, kale, zucchini and sun-gold tomatoes.
From our garden to yours!
I heard a number of you are grateful for the chart on how to differentiate Alzheimer's from normal aging in last month news newsletter, so I am devoting this letter to furthering our quest for what is normal—or not—as our brain ages.
Testing is an important part of the process to help us untangle the dementia dilemma.
When my brother, sister, and I started to see brain changes in our parents, it took a number or years before they’re condition would be formally tested and diagnosed with dementia. Of course, we knew much earlier that something was wrong but couldn’t make sense of the problems we were seeing and we were unable to convince Mom or Dad that they needed an evaluation. We were stuck. This was a tough time. Denial is a river that runs deep with dementia in all whom swim in it’s waters. Symptoms like personality changes, paranoia and obstreperousness appeared with my father. My mother, on the other hand, found it hard to make decisions. I still remember Mom saying: “I’ll have what she’s having”, when we were out to eat. Simple decisions were impossible for her to make. Eventually, we connected the dots, breaking through our denial and through much creative story telling we took actions that would help our parents remain safe and finally get the testing and treatment they needed. However it was a very rough road in the early years of their memory impairment because they thought they could function like they did in their 20’s. Their brains had erased the reality that they were in their 70’s and 80’s.
What happens when you know something is not quite right with your friend, family or your very own brain? Remember, neurodegenerative diseases are tricky making diagnosis difficult particularly in the early stages. Getting a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease typically takes about 2 to 3 years from the first signs of memory changes, but recognizing the early symptoms can help speed things up. Often, small issues like forgetfulness or difficulty finding words are mistaken for normal aging, which can delay a doctor visit. Once you feel or hear from others' concerns, a proper evaluation—including memory tests and brain imaging—can lead to clarity and next steps. Why worry about your memory? If you are worried then take action and get tested. The good news is that early diagnosis opens the door to treatments that may slow progression, provide access to support services, and give families valuable time to plan and adjust. With growing awareness and better tools, more people are catching the signs earlier and getting the help they need sooner.
That’s really what we are talking about—EARLIER is BETTER.
"Better for what", you might ask…"I’ll just let nature take its course". Earlier testing could show problems that might be ameliorated like B12 or folate deficiencies, or prediabetes, all common and treatable conditions.
Testing One, Two, Three!
You, me, and we are not getting any younger, so it’s important to test-test-test! This is how we find out what is going on with our brains. Like your car, you need a mechanic to look into your engine at least once a year. The same can be said for your brain. You can ask your primary care provider to do a cognitive test or plan ahead for it at your annual physical. The bottom line is that everyone one over 60 should be having at the very least one annual memory test with tools like the MOCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) or MMSE (Mini Mental Status Exam). These tests are easy to do in the office. They do not have to be given by a doctor. There are other tests, too, that can be administered in the privacy of your home. These tests are quick, self-administered tools to help you check your memory and brain function. They are not a diagnosis but can signal if you should see a doctor.
Here are some online resources:
Cogniciti Brain Health Assessment: A 20–30 minute test with a personalized report based on research. Take the test here
FACEMEMORY® by Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona: For people over 50. Detects early memory problems. Try it here
MemTrax Cognitive Test: Uses visual stimuli to assess memory and processing speed. Used by Alzheimer’s organizations. Try it here
Mind Help Memory Test: Quick 15-question self-assessment. Provides feedback on memory. Try it here
SAGE Test (Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination): Screens memory, language, reasoning, and visuospatial skills. Detects early cognitive decline. More info here
Finally, there are bills in Congress, like H.R.4946 and H.R.4473, that aim to have Medicare cover memory evaluations for older adults. These bills focus on early detection of cognitive problems like Alzheimer’s by providing Medicare coverage for yearly memory tests and related mental health services. The goal is to help catch issues sooner so people can get the care they need earlier. These efforts reflect growing awareness of the importance of brain health as we age.
Lessons in Coaching:
Exciting news on the testing front is the new blood test for p-tau (phosphorylated tau). We’ve talked about how amyloid and tau proteins build up in the brain over many years and are linked to many dementias. Amyloid starts to gather outside brain cells about 10 to 20 years before any symptoms show up. These protein pieces stick together to form clumps called plaques, which can block signals between brain cells and cause inflammation. Tau proteins, which normally help keep brain cells healthy, begin to change and form twisted tangles inside the cells about 5 to 10 years before symptoms appear. These tangles stop important nutrients from moving around inside the cells. As more plaques and tangles build up, brain cells get damaged, leading to memory problems and difficulty thinking.
Recent FDA-approved Blood testing for p-tau is transforming how Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed by offering a faster, less invasive, and more accurate alternative to traditional methods like PET scans or spinal taps. P-tau can be detected years before symptoms become severe, allowing for much earlier diagnosis and intervention. This is especially important because misdiagnosis is still common particularly in early stages.
30–50% of Alzheimer’s cases are initially missed or mistaken for other forms of dementia or normal aging
With more accessible blood testing becoming available, clinicians have this powerful new tool to reduce diagnostic delays, avoid misdiagnosis, and help patients begin treatment and planning sooner.
Why It Matters:
Early detection: Instead of spending 2 - 3 years waiting for a diagnosis, patients can begin treatment earlier, decreasing the rate of decline.
Broader access: May be ordered by PCPs, aiding patients with limited access to neurology specialists or PET imaging.
Better accuracy: Up to 92% accurate for positive diagnosis and 97% accurate for negative results.
Lessons from Science:
The first FDA-approved blood-based Alzheimer’s diagnostic test, providing a practical, less invasive alternative to PET imaging or cerebrospinal fluid collection
Thanks for all your contributions to further Alzheimer’s Disease research. Our family will be on the Alzheimer’s Association Walk, September 21st in San Diego. Its not to late to add to this worthy cause.
Attention: Brain Body Health is now on Substack. You can download it on your mobile device or computer.
My most recent talk on, “The Dementia Dilemma”, is now available to view.
I put a huge amount of time and effort into each newsletter to keep you up-to-date on current research and brain healthy practices. Consider supporting my work on Venmo or Paypal:
Venmo: @bettyglacy
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My most recent talk on, “The Dementia Dilemma”, is now available to view.
To optimal health and peace for all!
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“If you want to go FAST, go alone. If you want to go FAR, go together."
- African proverb
To our optimized health!