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Memory News
New Memory Book
 
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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Memory Tip
Remembering the Future
Glossary
Neurofibrillary Tangles
 

Neurofibrillary tangles are one of the two anatomical hallmarks that define Alzheimer's disease (AD). The other hallmark is amyloid plaques. Technically, an individual may display all the behavioral and cognitive symptoms of AD, but if the brain does not contain the hallmark plaques and tangles, there is no diagnosis of AD.

Normally, every brain cell or neuron contains long fibers made of protein which act as scaffolds, holding the neuron in its proper shape and also helping transport of nutrients within the neuron. In AD, these fibers begin to twist and tangle. The neuron loses its shape and also becomes unable to transport nutrients properly; it eventually dies. The fiber tangles remain in the brain long after the dead neuron has been cleared away.

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Article : "7-MINUTE SCREEN TEST"

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