{"id":217097,"date":"2025-06-04T10:37:07","date_gmt":"2025-06-04T20:37:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=217097"},"modified":"2025-06-04T10:53:52","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T20:53:52","slug":"understanding-alzheimers-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2025\/06\/04\/understanding-alzheimers-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Q<\/abbr>&A<\/abbr>: UH<\/abbr> geriatrics expert on Alzheimer’s disease"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

\"gina<\/p>\n

June is Alzheimer\u2019s and Brain Awareness Month. Alzheimer\u2019s disease affects an estimated 31,000 Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> residents, about 11% of those age 65 and older. As Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>\u2019s population continues to age, the number of Alzheimer\u2019s cases is expected to rise significantly in the coming decades. Gina Fujikami, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at M\u0101noa John A. Burns School of Medicine<\/a> and a geriatrics medicine physician, shares insights on prevention, early detection and advances in diagnosis and treatment.<\/p>\n

What is Alzheimer\u2019s disease, and how does it affect the brain?<\/h2>\n

Alzheimer\u2019s is a type of dementia caused by a buildup of amyloid and tau protein plaques in the brain. These plaques lead to brain damage, resulting in memory loss and cognitive difficulties. While these proteins often begin accumulating in middle age, not everyone with them develops Alzheimer\u2019s, and much about the disease remains unknown.<\/p>\n

How has diagnosis and treatment improved recently?<\/h2>\n

Diagnosis has advanced from relying mostly on clinical exams and memory tests to now include specialized blood tests and PET<\/abbr> (Positron Emission Tomography) scans that detect amyloid and tau proteins in the brain. These tools enable earlier and more accurate diagnosis. In terms of treatment, new medications target these plaques to slow disease progression, though research continues on their long-term benefits.<\/p>\n

How can people reduce their risk, and how can they tell normal forgetfulness from symptoms of the disease?<\/h2>\n

Maintaining heart health through exercise, managing blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure is important for brain health. Mental and social activities like puzzles and socializing also help. Occasional forgetfulness is normal, but consistent memory issues that interfere with daily life, such as forgetting routes home or leaving appliances on, should prompt a medical evaluation.<\/p>\n

What is the situation with Alzheimer\u2019s in Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>, and what support services are available?<\/h2>\n

About 31,000 residents in Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>\u2014around 11% of those 65 and older\u2014are living with Alzheimer\u2019s. Cases are expected to double by 2050, creating challenges for families and caregivers. The Alzheimer\u2019s Association Aloha Chapter<\/a> provides caregiver support groups, educational programs and outreach, including support groups for those in early stages of dementia.<\/p>\n

What is the Silver Alert system, and how does it help those with cognitive impairments?<\/h2>\n

Recently implemented in Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> in July 2024, the Silver Alert is a community notification system similar to the Maile Alert for missing children. It is used when seniors or individuals with cognitive impairments go missing, helping law enforcement and the public respond quickly to ensure their safe return.<\/p>\n

Fujikami and colleagues will be featured in an upcoming event, Research Roundtable: The Era of Treatment, hosted by the Alzheimer\u02bbs Association Hawaii Chapter, June 14 8:30 a.m.—12:30 p.m. at JABSOM<\/abbr>. Register online<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Gina Fujikami answers key questions on Alzheimer\u2019s diagnosis, prevention, and support for Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>\u2019s aging population.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[1133,971,31,1363,9],"class_list":["post-217097","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","tag-aging","tag-geriatric-medicine","tag-john-a-burns-school-of-medicine","tag-manoa-research","tag-uh-manoa","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t