The state of Texas reports that there are about 3.4 million family caregivers whose unpaid care amounts to approximately $41 billion. More than 1 million of those caregivers— about a third — care for loved ones with dementia.

Border counties in Texas have some of the highest Alzheimer’s diagnosis rates in the nation, with rates ranging from 13% to 18% of people aged 65 and over.

A new study out of San Antonio shows certain probiotics in the gut point to dementia, and researchers think by controlling gut health could postpone or even prevent dementia.

These past few years are being called a major tipping point in Alzheimer's research. A second treatment has now been approved that targets the underlying cause of Alzheimer's, not just the symptoms.

Greg Sciuto, the leader and executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association’s San Antonio & South Texas chapter, joined Leading SA to talk about Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month in June.

SAN ANTONIO – The coronavirus pandemic has plagued the planet for nearly a year and now researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio are studying how COVID-19 impacts the brain. “Olfactory cells are very susceptible to viral invasion and are particularly targeted by SARS-CoV-2, and that’s why one of the prominent symptoms of COVID-19 is loss of smell,” said Sudha Seshadri, another researcher at UT Health. The olfactory bulb connects with the brain’s hippocampus, which is responsible for short-term memory primarily. “The trail of the virus, when it invades the brain, leads almost straight to the hippocampus,” de Erausquin said. “That is believed to be one of the sources of the cognitive impairment observed in COVID-19 patients.

SAN ANTONIO – Around the world, 50 million people are living with Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias. Alzheimer’s is a degenerative brain disease and the most common form of dementia, and right now there is no cure. San Antonio organizations are working not only to fund research, but help local families weather the challenges. And it shook my world,” Nia Mostacero said. On top of the local research money raised from the walk the funds will help support caregivers information session support groups and the helpline.

Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States, and deaths from it increased 146% between 2000 and 2018, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. In 2020, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias will cost the United States $305 billion. By 2050, that figure is expected to reach $1.1 trillion, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. In light of that, many understandably wonder what the signs of Alzheimer’s disease are, what behaviors usually plague some with the disease and what is the best way to treat and socialize with someone suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. “The last thing you want to do is correct somebody,” Hochhalter said.