Memory Rescue Program

We deliver an advanced, comprehensive approach for assessing and treating memory issues. With cutting edge diagnostic methods, our program combines education, coaching and personalized care to bring solutions to you and your family.

What is our Memory Rescue program?

Your brain’s history is not its destiny. Even if you have brain fog or trouble remembering now, it doesn’t mean you always will. You can start having a better memory today by engaging in the Amen Clinics’ Memory Rescue Program. Brain-imaging studies prove that the physical changes linked to memory loss actually start in the brain decades before you show any symptoms. The same plan will improve your energy, mood, sleep, weight, and overall success in life. This program will identify your risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and memory problems. Then, based on your brain assessment, put you on a customized plan to retain memory function. Read on to learn more or click below to get your questions answered by our team.

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Why Choose Amen Clinics For Help With Memory Loss?

At Amen Clinics, we use brain SPECT imaging as part of a comprehensive evaluation that also includes lab testing and assessing the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors that may contribute to memory problems. Based on all of this information, we can identify the root causes of memory problems and develop a personalized treatment plan to reverse memory loss.

The Memory Rescue BRIGHT MINDS Program
Has Already Helped Thousands of People Like You

Busy executives, grandparents, soccer moms, college students, and thousands of others have already improved their brain, memory, and life. In our experience, we have found that there are many causes for memory problems and discovering the root cause is critical to finding the right solutions. The basics of our powerful program have been rigorously tested over 30 years of clinical practice at Amen Clinics.

 

“The best way to sharpen your memory, reverse brain aging, and prevent Alzheimer’s is to eliminate, prevent, or treat all of the risk factors that steal your mind.”

– Daniel Amen, M.D.

 

Our Integrative Memory Rescue Protocol

Review the details and steps below regarding the Memory Rescue Protocol.

STEP 1: Comprehensive Assessments

For memory loss patients, traditional doctors may order MRI or CT scans, which look at the structural integrity of the brain. We use functional imaging studies called SPECT that provides critical information.

SPECT can:

  • Reveal signs of damage to the brain’s memory centers years of even decades before symptoms occur.
  • Identify different patterns of dementia (see “Understand the Different Types of Dementia” below). This is important because the treatment that works best for one type may not be effective for another type.
  • Detect underlying patterns associated with other issues—such as traumatic brain injuries, chronic infections, toxic exposure, and mental health disorders—that can contribute to memory problems.

STEP 2: Identifying Your BRIGHT MINDS Risk Factors

Our comprehensive evaluation protocol also identifies which of the 11 most important risk factors affecting memory you have. Knowing your risk factors is critical to finding the best solutions for your memory issues.

Blood Flow: Low blood flow is the #1 brain imaging risk for Alzheimer’s.
Retirement/Aging: When you stop learning, your brain starts dying.
Inflammation: The internal fire that destroys your mind.
Genetics: Family history of dementia is not a death sentence but a wakeup call to take care.
Head Trauma: The silent epidemic that impacts memory.
Toxins: Exposure to everyday toxins can take a toll on recall.
Mental Health: Psychiatric conditions can steal your mind.
Immunity/Infection: Chronic issues contribute to brain fog.
Neurohormone Issues: Hormonal imbalances drain brain function.
Diabesity: Obesity and diabetes increase risk of Alzheimer’s.
Sleep: Sleep issues dull memory.

STEP 3: Benefit from a Team of Neuropsychiatry & Memory Rescue Specialists

Depending on your needs, your Amen clinics team may include our memory-trained Neuro-Psychiatrists, Functional and Integrative Practitioners, Nutrition Experts, and others—all of whom will offer complete wrap-around care to support you throughout the program. Your team of highly trained experts will also provide you with helpful guidelines to support and protect your memory for your lifetime.

STEP 4: Get Targeted Solutions for Your Needs

At Amen Clinics, we understand that memory loss is not the same in each person. That’s why a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment will never work. Our Memory Rescue BRIGHT MINDS Program offers a personalized treatment plan for your individual needs that may include the following solutions:

  • Mind & Body: Your treatment plan may include psychotherapy, hormone optimization, medications (as needed), integrative or functional medicine care, exercise, nutraceuticals, and brain training.
  • Nutrition: You will receive a diet and nutrition plan to support cognitive function and to increase mental and physical energy and emotional health.

STEP 5: Take Advantage of Coaching & Follow-Up Care

To help you stay on track, assess your progress, and help you reach your brain health and memory goals, our Memory Rescue BRIGHT MINDS Program includes helpful coaching and follow-up care. With this comprehensive, wrap-around program, you can start improving your memory today and help preserve it for the rest of your life. The program includes:

  • 6 coaching appointments
  • 2 follow-up appointments

Ready to learn more? Speak to a care coordinator today!

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The Warning Signs Of Memory Loss

Memory loss is a crisis that threatens everything about who you are. Did you know 47.5M people worldwide suffer from dementia? Or that Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S.? Or that it kills more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined? Memory loss is unusual forgetfulness, and experts say that mild memory loss is perfectly normal, especially as we age. But memory loss that disrupts daily life may be a symptom of Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Doctors recommend seeking advice as soon as symptoms occur. but problems in the brain typically start years before people show any symptoms. Studies show that brain scans can help you see the warning signs early before it’s too late.

 

“With A Better Brain Comes A Better Life”

– Daniel G. Amen, M.D.

 

Understand the Different Types of Dementia

As you may already know dementia is the term for loss of memory as well as other related mental abilities. Alzheimer’s is the most common type, but what everyone may not know is that there are many kinds. Read below to learn more.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60%-80% of dementia cases. Approximately 5.8 million people in the U.S are living with Alzheimer’s, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, and that number is expected to nearly triple by the year 2050. Its signature brain pattern is low activity (blood flow) in the posterior cingulate gyrus, parietal lobes, and temporal lobes. In later stages of Alzheimer’s, the low activity often extends into other areas of the brain, including the frontal lobes.

Research has shown that SPECT imaging can identify the abnormally low blood flow pattern of Alzheimer’s disease up to 9 years before the onset of noticeable symptoms. This capacity of SPECT imaging is particularly valuable for people with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease.

Common Symptoms in Alzheimer’s Disease:

  • Memory loss
  • Problems with numbers
  • Difficulty performing familiar tasks
  • Problems constructing things
  • Difficulty following directions
  • Getting lost
  • Confusion with time, date or location
  • Difficulty interpreting what is seen
  • Struggling with vocabulary or verbal expression
  • Judgment problems
  • Changes in mood or personality

Frontotemporal Dementia

Frontotemporal dementia is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the function of the frontal lobes and temporal lobes, as its name suggests. This disease causes decreased blood flow and low activity in these important areas of the brain that are in charge of thinking, behaving, and memory.

The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration estimates that 10-20% of people with dementia have this type. People with frontotemporal dementia often develop it in their 50s and 60s, although earlier onset is possible. Sometimes this type of dementia is incorrectly diagnosed as late onset bipolar disorder because some of the symptoms look similar. It’s so important to know what is really going on by looking at the brain. The SPECT images for these two disorders are vastly different!

Common Symptoms in Frontotemporal Dementia:

  • Inappropriate behavior
  • Loss of restraint/increased impulsivity
  • Problems with language or speech
  • Memory loss
  • Cognitive difficulties
  • Apathy
  • Personality changes
  • Language problems

Alcohol-Related Dementia

Alcohol-Related Dementia is caused by excessive use or abuse of alcohol. Alcohol is toxic to the brain, thus heavy long-term use impairs brain function over time, making the brain vulnerable to a degenerative process. With SPECT imaging, we will typically see a widespread pattern of low blood flow in the brain

It is also thought that vitamin deficiencies (especially a lack of thiamine), which are commonly found in people who abuse alcohol, play an important role in alcohol-related dementia.

Common Symptoms of Alcohol-Related Dementia:

  • Balance problems
  • Memory problems
  • Difficulty learning new things
  • Clouded thinking
  • Disorganization
  • Social problems
  • Loss of motivation or initiative
  • Hallucinations
  • Confabulation (making things up)
  • Language problems
  • Moodiness
  • Personality changes

Vascular Dementia

Brain changes associated with vascular dementia are seen in approximately 40% of dementia cases, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. This type of dementia occurs as a result of diseases and conditions that inflame or damage blood vessels and consequently restrict blood flow in the brain. These include:

  • High blood pressure
  • Arthrosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
  • High cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Cerebral vascular (blood vessel) disease and stroke
  • Lupus erythematosus
  • Untreated obstructive sleep apnea
  • Brain infections
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Untreated depression
  • Cigarette smoking

With stroke, a person may develop dementia symptoms right afterward, depending on the area that has been damaged. However, symptoms can also develop over time as a result of the artery disease affecting the brain. A person who has “mini strokes”—also known as TIAs that cause multiple small blockages in the brain—may also be vulnerable to vascular dementia.

Symptoms of vascular dementia can vary depending on which areas of the brain are most affected by the disease and may include several of the following:

  • Thinking problems
  • Confusion
  • Poor reasoning and planning skills
  • Difficulty with decision making
  • Memory problems
  • Poor concentration
  • Difficulty with word finding
  • Difficulty in social situations
  • Uncontrollable laughing or crying
  • Restlessness or agitation
  • Difficulty walking
  • Urinary urgency or incontinence

SPECT imaging will reveal areas of low blood flow, although the specific pattern for each person will vary based on the brain areas affected by the vascular dementia.

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) is caused by an abnormal build-up of fluid in the brain, causing the ventricles to enlarge and press on areas of the brain involved with walking, bladder control, and cognitive processes.

NPH causes symptoms that can mimic those seen in Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, so people suffering with NPH are often misdiagnosed. A SPECT scan can be extremely helpful in differentiating NPH from actual dementia so that a person can get the urgent medical attention and correct treatment needed for this potentially debilitating condition. If identified and treated early (before brain damage has occurred), the dementia symptoms of NPH often can be reversed.

Common Symptoms of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus:

  • Difficulty with walking
  • Slowed movements
  • Loss of bladder control
  • Memory problems
  • Difficulty making decisions and planning
  • Personality changes
  • Behavior problems
  • Apathy

Pseudodementia

Pseudodementia is a condition in which patients display symptoms of dementia, such as memory problems and behavior changes, but those symptoms are actually due to another disorder, such as depression. These people do not actually have dementia, but because traditional psychiatric professionals don’t typically use brain imaging, it can take years before discovering the real cause of their symptoms. The role of SPECT imaging is important for revealing the underlying cause of symptoms, since the treatment for depression (as in this example) is very different than that for dementia.

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