12
JUN 25

Alzheimer’s and the Brain:
Insights from Neuropsychology

Written by:

Lindy Fields, PhD, ABPP-CN

Clinical Neuropsychologist at Minder Memory Center

Honoring Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on the brain and bring attention to a condition that affects millions of people around the world: Alzheimer’s disease. Whether you have a loved one living with Alzheimer’s or you simply want to understand more about this disease, we at Minder Memory Center are here to equip you with what everyone should know!

Here we will cover the basics: what Alzheimer’s disease is, how it affects thinking and memory, and the key role neuropsychology plays in diagnosis, treatment planning, and cognitive care.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, causing 60-70% of dementia cases. It is a neurodegenerative condition, meaning it is a progressive brain disorder, characterized by gradual worsening of cognition and neurological functioning.

Alzheimer’s changes the structure and function of the brain. It does this through the accumulation of amyloid plaques and tau tangles building up in the brain, which interfere with how the brain functions and ultimately lead to the death of brain cells.
How Common is Alzheimer’s?
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, approximately 7 million individuals in the United States are currently living with Alzheimer’s. By 2050, that number could nearly double as the population continues to age.

Age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease — but it is important to know that Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging. Alzheimer’s reflects more changes in the brain and more difficulties with thinking than is normal for aging.
How Common is Alzheimer’s?
How Alzheimer’s Affects Thinking
How Alzheimer’s Affects Thinking
Alzheimer’s doesn’t look the same in everyone, but there are some hallmark changes in cognition (thinking abilities) that many people with Alzheimer’s experience:
Memory loss that disrupts daily life (especially for recent events or information)
Difficulty finding words or following conversations
Trouble planning, organizing, or solving problems
Getting lost in familiar places
Changes in mood or personality
Changes in cognition happen when brain cells are damaged by Alzheimer’s disease. Over time, as the tangles and plaques spread to various regions of the brain, there are gradually more and more symptoms and cognitive difficulties that appear.  
It is important to keep in mind that changes in thinking abilities can happen for a variety of reasons — many of which are not related to Alzheimer’s, and some of which may be reversible or treatable (depending on the cause). So, if you or a loved one show thinking changes such as these, it is helpful to follow up with your healthcare provider to determine what is causing the symptoms.
How Neuropsychology Can Help
Individuals with Alzheimer’s
Neuropsychologists are specialists who study how the brain impacts behavior and cognition. Neuropsychologists use structured tests and thorough clinical interviews to understand an individual’s symptoms, as well as their current cognitive and behavioral functioning. This information is helpful in diagnosis and treatment planning.
How Neuropsychology Can Help  Individuals with Alzheimer’s
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Neuropsychological evaluations can play an important role in diagnosing dementia related to Alzheimer’s disease. Neuropsychological tests can detect cognitive changes that may not show up on briefer cognitive screening tests, helping to identify whether an individual has cognitive impairment and determine the pattern of difficulties. For example, neuropsychological testing may show that an individual is having more difficulty than would be expected for their age when it comes to remembering new information and coming up with words, but that their other abilities remain intact. By comparing test results to what is typical for someone of the same age and to what is known about how certain neurological conditions impact brain functioning, neuropsychologists can help clarify whether an individual’s cognitive symptoms are part of normal aging — or something more serious.
Treatment Planning
There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, but early diagnosis can make a difference in terms of treatment and care planning. A detailed cognitive profile from neuropsychological testing  can help doctors and healthcare providers create personalized care plans for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, knowing what stage of dementia an individual has — such as whether it is mild, moderate, or severe — can affect what treatments may be a fit for that individual.
Treatment Planning
Education and Support
Education and Support
Neuropsychologists also play an important role in providing education and support to patients and their caregivers. Understanding how the disease affects the brain — and what to expect — can help patients, caregivers, and families plan ahead and feel more equipped along the dementia care journey.
Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month reminds us how vital brain health is—and how important it is to support research, education, and individuals living with brain-related diseases.
If you or someone you love is facing cognitive changes or dementia, know that you’re not alone. We at Minder Memory Center are here to support you on your cognitive care journey — all the way from diagnosis, to treatment planning, to education and support.

Want to learn more?

Visit the Alzheimer’s Association for resources, check out our blog post about understanding dementia, or talk to your healthcare provider.

At Minder Memory Center we specialize in quick access to virtual telehealth visits with neuropsychology experts — helping you get the answers you need when you need them, all in the comfort and convenience of your own home!
SHARE THIS POST

Let us mind your memory,
so you can focus on what matters.

Phone: 1-855-264-6337
Fax: 858-408-2873
Email: contact@mindermemory.com
Quick Links
Minder Team
Locations
Blog
Video Gallery
FAQ
Refer a Patient
Services
Cognitive Evaluation
Tracking & Treatment
Cancellation policy
Copyright © 2024  Minder Memory Center.
Terms of Service