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The Color of Risk
African-Americans are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than whites. A new national program targets this dangerous disparity with community-based health education.
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Caring for Culture
Hispanics in Milwaukee are improving services for elders with Alzheimer's disease by customizing care to cultural attitudes toward dementia and medicine.

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Minority Report
Jennifer Manly’s research ensures that African-Americans and other racial and ethnic minorities are tested for dementia on a level playing field.
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Remembering the Future
Glossary
Adrenal glands
 

The adrenal glands are small pyramid-shaped organs located on top of the kidneys. They are responsible for secreting and storing hormones, including epineprhine (also called adrenaline), norepinephrine, and glucocorticoids. When the body experiences stress, the adrenal gland increases output of these hormones. When released into the body, epineprhine causes various physiological changes in the body (such as increased blood flow to the muscles and increased lung function) that are known as the "fight-or-flight" response: preparing the body to face a threat or run away from it. Corticosteroids (principally cortisol, in humans) also help the body to mobilize and replenish energy stores in times of danger or stress. However, long-term stress can cause the overaccumulation of corticosteroids, which can actually cause harm to the body and brain.

by Catherine E. Myers. Copyright © 2006 Memory Loss and the Brain