Short description:

The only guide for the public to the science and history of Alzheimer’s disease. This book can help you if you fear that you have Alzheimer’s disease or if a friend or family member has Alzheimer’s disease.

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Long description:

The only comprehensive guide to the history and science of Alzheimer’s disease

With vivid examples, dementia expert Michael Hornberger takes you on a whistle-stop tour of every aspect of Alzheimer's disease, from its origins to modern diagnosis and treatment.

Professor Hornberger shows how you can protect yourself and your family from developing the disease. His book explains:

• What causes Alzheimer’s disease
• Why Alzheimer’s often affects memory first
• The role of genetics in raising and lowering risk for the disease
• The chances you will inherit Alzheimer’s from your parents
• The practical steps you can take to reduce your risk of getting dementia

Alzheimer’s disease accounts for around 70% of all people with dementia and its incidence is growing.

Prof Hornberger, a neuroscientist who has researched Alzheimer’s for decades, delves into this most common form of dementia by looking at the very first patient, Auguste Deter, who was diagnosed with ‘Alzheimer’s’. Mrs Deter was interviewed by a pioneering German doctor, Alois Alzheimer. She could remember her wedding but not her husband's name or where they lived.

Generally, old memories thrive in most people with Alzheimer's disease, while newer ones are harder to remember. But, as this guide explains, some lesser-known Alzheimer's variants, such as Posterior Cortical Atrophy, do not start with memory loss.

Prof Hornberger explains the role that inherited genes play in transmitting Alzheimer's, including the important difference between risk genes and familial Alzheimer’s disease genes &&&8211; which make developing the disease a near certainty.

Finally, the book looks at new ‘biomarkers’ and blood tests to detect, diagnose and monitor Alzheimer’s, and which new treatments are emerging.

Prof Hornberger warns that popularly touted techniques to prevent Alzheimer's may not be worth your time or money. Instead, he sets out the steps you can take to protect yourself from this debilitating degenerative disease.

Reviews

‘A fascinating journey, both historically and scientifically, from the first recorded case of Alzheimer’s disease through to modern therapies. This book is essential reading for anyone wanting to understand the real science behind what causes Alzheimer’s disease and how best to prevent it.’ &&&8211; John O’Brien, Professor of Old Age Psychiatry, University of Cambridge

‘This is such a clear and interesting book, which takes away the fear from something to which we are all at risk. It is high time we knew more, and this is just the place to start.’ &&&8211; Professor Tom Shakespeare, Professor of Disability Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

‘It expertly balances deep scientific insights with engaging storytelling... As we enter an era of hope in our battle against this devastating disease, Tangled Up is an invaluable resource for the curious reader, be they caregiver, scientist or medical professional.’ &&&8211; Karen Duff, Centre Director, UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London

About the author

Michael Hornberger is Professor of Applied Dementia Research at the University of East Anglia in the UK. He regularly meets patients with Alzheimer’s disease as part of his research aimed at improving diagnosis, disease tracking and symptom management.

Buy the book and carry on reading

'A fascinating journey, both historically and scientifically, from the first recorded case of Alzheimer’s disease through to modern therapies. This book is essential reading for anyone wanting to understand the real science behind what causes Alzheimer’s disease, and how best to prevent it.' &&&8211; John O'Brien, Professor of Old Age Psychiatry, University of Cambridge

'This is such a clear and interesting book, which takes away the fear from something to which we are all at risk. It is high time we knew more, and this is just the place to start.' &&&8211; Professor Tom Shakespeare, Professor of Disability Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

'An enlightening exploration of complex concepts, approached with humour and warmth, and made accessible to all. The book expertly balances deep scientific insights with engaging storytelling, providing readers with a detailed understanding of Alzheimer’s disease from its historical beginnings, to our current understanding of its effects on brain biology and memory. As we enter an era of hope in our battle against this devastating disease, Tangled Up is an invaluable resource for the curious reader, be they caregiver, scientist or medical professional.' &&&8211; Karen Duff, Centre Director, UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London

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Table of Contents:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface

Prologue

Part I &&&8211; Alois & Auguste (and a bit of Oskar)

Chapter 1 &&&8211; Dr Hoffmann’s vision

Chapter 2 &&&8211; Mrs Deter

Chapter 3 &&&8211; Alois Alzheimer

Chapter 4 &&&8211; Munich via Heidelberg

Chapter 5 &&&8211; 1906

Chapter 6 &&&8211; The T&&&252;bingen aftermath

Chapter 7 &&&8211; Fischer’s disease

Chapter 8 &&&8211; Alzheimer’s legacy

Part I &&&8211; Summary

Part II &&&8211; Memory and Space

Chapter 9 &&&8211; ‘You are not my type’

Chapter 10 &&&8211; The art of memory

Chapter 11 &&&8211; ‘Secret’ memory techniques

Chapter 12 &&&8211; ‘Attention!’”

Chapter 13 &&&8211; ‘Enter the seahorse’

Chapter 14 &&&8211; Encoding, storage, retrieval

Chapter 15 &&&8211; ‘It’s all about access’

Chapter 16 &&&8211; The imaginary Mrs A

Chapter 17 &&&8211; Spatial Disorientation

Chapter 18 &&&8211; ‘Lost in space’

Part II &&&8211; Summary

Part III &&&8211; Amyloid and Tau

Chapter 19 &&&8211; Glorious proteins

Chapter 20 &&&8211; Amyloid

Chapter 21 &&&8211; Beta-amyloid formation

Chapter 22 &&&8211; ‘Location, location, location… and timing’

Chapter 23 &&&8211; Tau

Chapter 24 &&&8211; ‘Who ordered all the phosphate?’

Chapter 25 &&&8211; Tau ‘infection’

Chapter 26 &&&8211; Amyloid versus Tau

Chapter 27 &&&8211; The ‘emergence’ of the disease

Chapter 28 &&&8211; Biomarker technology

Chapter 29 &&&8211; Amyloid treatment approaches

Decreasing beta-amyloid production

Prevention of beta-amyloid accumulation

Increase of beta-amyloid removal

Chapter 30 &&&8211; Tau treatment approaches

Decrease of overall tau

Decrease of tau phosphorylation

Decrease phosphorylated tau accumulation

Increase phosphorylated tau removal

Chapter 31 &&&8211; Why have drug trials failed so far?

Phase I

Phase II

Phase III

Part III &&&8211; Summary

Part IV &&&8211; Genetics and lifestyle

Chapter 32 &&&8211; Genetics 101

Chapter 33 &&&8211; Familial Alzheimer’s disease

APP

PSEN

MAPT

Chapter 34 &&&8211; ‘Modifiable’ risk genes

APOE

TREM2

Chapter 35 &&&8211; A word on genetic testing

Chapter 36 &&&8211; Non-modifiable lifestyle factors

Age

Education

Hearing loss

Chapter 37 &&&8211; Modifiable lifestyle factors

Diabetes, hypertension and obesity

Physical activity

Diet and nutrition

Sleep

Other modifiable lifestyle risk factors

Part IV &&&8211; Summary

Part V &&&8211; Rarer forms of Alzheimer’s disease

Chapter 38 &&&8211; Frontal variant Alzheimer’s disease

Chapter 39 &&&8211; Posterior Cortical Atrophy

Chapter 40 &&&8211; Logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia

Chapter 41 &&&8211; Corticobasal syndrome

Chapter 42 &&&8211; A final word on the rarer forms of Alzheimer’s disease

Part V &&&8211; Summary

Epilogue

Further country specific links (English language)

Index

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