I was about to board my flight back to Los Angeles and turn off my cell phone -- I was being thrifty with the battery since I had forgotten where I left my travel charger -- when a journalist called urgently asking for a comment on Paul McCartney's recent admission that he was having trouble remembering the lyrics to some of his old songs. I envisioned him singing "She loves you -- hey, hey, hey..."
"So you're trying to get me to go on record that Paul McCartney is getting Alzheimer's? I won't do that," I said in anticipation of where the interview was going.
I flashed back to 1993 when Ronald Reagan announced that he was suffering from this devastating illness, which robs the mental life from millions of Americans. Back then, reporters kept asking me to speculate about whether Reagan might have been slipping mentally while serving as our commander in chief. For our former president, his senior moments may have been early warning signs of further cognitive decline. In fact, an analysis of his progressive extemporaneous speech errors during debates over the years pointed to such subtle progressive deficits.
But for the average aging Baby Boomer like Sir Paul, middle-aged pauses and senior moments do not necessarily mean that rapid mental decline is inevitable. The risk for Alzheimer's disease is only about 10 percent for people age 65 or older. Misplacing keys or struggling to find a word is what we all joke about as we age. Sure, our memory abilities are not quite what they were when we were in our 20s, but age-associated memory impairment is an expected and quite common experience of aging. Approximately 85 percent of people 65 years or older complain that they often recognize a face but can't recall the name that goes with it.
How can we tell if this normal memory loss will progress? It's not easy, even for doctors. We often look for risk factors: age, family history or other illnesses like diabetes or Parkinson's that predispose someone to neurodegeneration. If your memory challenges symptoms begin to interfere with your everyday life, if others start commenting on them, or if you find yourself worrying about them, it may be time to discuss it with your doctor. Because of the general fear and denial about Alzheimer's disease, many people ignore early symptoms. That's not always a great idea, since the earlier you get help, the better your chances of staving off future symptoms. Clearly, it's easier to protect a healthy brain than to try to repair one once damage has set in. We don't yet have a miracle cure for Alzheimer's disease, but there are treatments that improve symptoms and keep people functioning better for longer. In general, earlier intervention translates to better outcomes.
The emotional impact of the illness is huge. We may joke about our memory lapses, but behind the humor is anxiety and fear. I have spent a good part of my career studying and caring for patients and families who have had to cope with this tragic mental struggle. And although I'm an expert, I initially refused to accept the fact that the illness was causing subtle personality changes in a close friend and mentor. I looked for almost anything else that could explain his symptoms -- a possible medical condition, a depression or maybe a drug side effect -- but I eventually had to face the fact that his mind was drifting away and I couldn't stop it.
When Sir Paul McCartney was 16, he wrote "When I'm Sixty-Four." Now that he's 67, I'm not too worried that he may not remember a few of his old lyrics -- chances are that his senior moments won't progress too quickly over the years. I, on the other hand, wish I could remember where I left my cell phone charger.
Gary Small, M.D., is Director of the UCLA Center on Aging, and author of the forthcoming book, "The Naked Lady Who Stood on Her Head: A Psychiatrist's Stories of His Most Bizarre Cases." (Morrow, September, 2010)
Follow Gary W. Small, M.D. on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@drgarysmall
Kathryn Haslanger: Adapting Your Home for Family Members With Alzheimer's or Dementia
David Katz, M.D.: Early News of Alzheimer's: Who Needs to Know?
Strokes of genius.
....at the time (much of the time) just making it up as it goes.
Not seeing/knowing some of these creations will last perhaps as long as songs are heard.
The boys move on, words and tunes absorbed, and by dinner's end what's now on their minds is the next thing.
Starts out as a downer about Jerry Lewis and his apparent disdain for some females, Lindsey Lohan in particular, and 'commoners' he meets.
But, for comparison, the writer covers some situations where the Royal Sir Paul could remember small talk with regular Joes.
http://www.sandiego.com/blogs/josh-board/blog-muscular-disaster-fy-jerry-lewis-vs.-lindsay-lohan
Actually written when Paul was but sweet 16. Performed in the Beatles earliest club days.
Recorded, in honor of his Dad turning 64, 8 years later.
.....they could no longer fit into clubs.
The Doc does misstate Paul's age now. The Sir celebrated 68 on 18 June this year.
Hope lives to be the oldest person in the world and I'm still around for this celebration.
Many years from now.
The irony is that I remember every word of the Lord's prayer and I'm not even religious. I didn't use it much way back when either. Probably stored differently in my brain.
At times, when I have a "senior moment" I worry that there is something seriously wrong. Then my friends have them and then I realize I am probably okay.
On the other hand....
What do you make of Sir Paul's apparent ability to recall faces and small talk as suggested in this report?
http://www.sandiego.com/blogs/josh-board/blog-muscular-disaster-fy-jerry-lewis-vs.-lindsay-lohan
Certainly he's subject to an overload of information, details, attention all the time.
Yet the comments indicate Paul retains what might be considered trivial details from rather minor and unimportant contacts.
Is this someone who just pays good and close attention to other humans? With perhaps empathy in abundance and so the ability to charm. Something Sir Paul has done in spades for 50 some years.
Certainly memory, his additional natural talents and practiced skills (hard work) has made Paul McCartney an extraordinary human being.
Born talent? Supplemented by positive environmental factors during early brain wiring?
Or is (good) 'charm', for example, learn-able in mature brains. (of course, 'con men' use charm too).
So in older minds, even as brain cells die out, still learn-able too? With exercises/training...drugs?
When healthy bodies start living to 120+ years does/will the brain 'keep up'?
Does good physical heath push brain matter? Or is it also/often the other way? Mind awareness keeping one 'healthy'.
notes -
Beatles producer George Martin on early meeting, famously described The Beatles as musically terrible but (they) charmed the pants off me.
http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/SB-Paper-MD-M-Sir-Geo.jpg
A study of the genomes of two species of ant has added evidence that a particular protein may be involved in the human aging process. [...]
http://silverbuzzcafe.com/?p=13155
After the first one, my old roommate said something about me moving. I said if I was moving, I should have a signed lease on top of my desk. I turned and on top of my papers was a signed lease. Then he told me about some guy that I had dated for three months but had just dumped.
After the one two weeks ago, the old roommate went with me to the emergency room. As I started filling out the admission form, he nudged me and said, "that's not your name". Everywhere I go in my neighborhood, people know me but I don't remember who they are. I'm faking it the best I can but its pretty obvious to everyone that I don't remember them:)
And then they stuck me on the anti-seizure medicine!! The first one made me pretty insane and the second one is like one big party. I told my neurologist that I haven't been this high since the Carter administration when I could get quaaludes.
I don't think driving is a good idea. I just got back on my bicycle for the first time a couple of days ago. I think that is pushing it for now:) I'm not even supposed to take baths, just showers:)
Humor runs in the family (I have a brother who is a professional comedian in S.F.) but more importantly is to look at other's problems and put mine in perspective. Sure, I'm feeling sorry for myself until someone says they have cancer. Then I consider myself lucky that MY problems are only some memory loss, a few bruises, and fun drugs (god, was the sex phenomenal last night!!!!). Chemo sounds and looks like hell and I don't do well around needles. God help the last woman who tried to put an IV in me at the emergency room. I bolted up in bed, grabbed her by the wrist (resorting to old kung-fu classes) wanting to know what the hell she was doing in my room (I had been out when she came in). My buddy said he thought she was going to wet herself:))
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to smoke a bowl of high grade medical (doctor's orders) and finish breakfast. Woe, is me!! I also need to make another Pakistani relief donation lest someone's God whacks me upside the head again trying to get my attention:)))
"Approximately 85 percent of people 65 years or older complain that they often recognize a face but can't recall the name that goes with it." I've done that my whole life - so when I turn 65 and can't remember a name, it won't be anything new.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/20/health/research/20brai.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1282964429-7agDMnlrYGBcGcuNGVfbzg
As is my friend.
Many thanks.