New Member with a very small hippocampus!

[SueR]

Hello - My doctor notified me last year that my hippocampus is smaller than 95% of people in my age group. That got my attention - coupled with the fact that I have one copy of apoE4 and a longevity gene - probably not the best combination for someone at such risk for Alzheimer' disease.

I didn't realize that the fact that I lost my sense of smell years ago had anything to do with my brain. Now I regard it as an early warning sign.

I recently got the blood test for amyloid and tau and my brain seems clear. My cognition is great, at least according to Brain HQ. I am following the Bredesen protocol closely, although I am finding it difficult to get past very light ketosis. I am all in, but as a backup plan have had my stem cells harvested and stored. I would love to be part of a study!

Thank goodness I am retired - sleep, exercise, meditation, Mediterranean keto diet, organizing supplements: takes so much time.

I'm glad to be here. Thank you to those who are providing this resource.

[Laurie Sotro]

Hello - My doctor notified me last year that my hippocampus is smaller than 95% of people in my age group. That got my attention - coupled with the fact that I have one copy of apoE4 and a longevity gene - probably not the best combination for someone at such risk for Alzheimer' disease.

I didn't realize that the fact that I lost my sense of smell years ago had anything to do with my brain. Now I regard it as an early warning sign.

I recently got the blood test for amyloid and tau and my brain seems clear. My cognition is great, at least according to Brain HQ. I am following the Bredesen protocol closely, although I am finding it difficult to get past very light ketosis. I am all in, but as a backup plan have had my stem cells harvested and stored. I would love to be part of a study!

Thank goodness I am retired - sleep, exercise, meditation, Mediterranean keto diet, organizing supplements: takes so much time.

I'm glad to be here. Thank you to those who are providing this resource.

Hello SueR!

My name is Laurie and as a Support Team Intern, I would like to welcome you to this forum; we are so glad you joined us! You have found a very supportive and encouraging community here.

Thank you for sharing your information with us. It is certainly understandable that as you consider the MRI results, Apoe4 copy/longevity gene and loss of smell, you would consider these a warning sign. But what a sigh of relief you must feel knowing your labs are clear, Brain HQ is going well and your cognition is great; yay! I also commend you for engaging with the Bredesen Protocol so closely. May I encourage you in your strength of perseverance as you continue to work towards your ketosis. You are not alone in this, I know of many people who work hard to develop the level of ketosis that is recommended. It does take time, but with curiosity in finding what works best for you, you will get there!

For some ideas to help support you on your Bredesen journey, you may want to take a look at some of our resources; here are a few links to help get you started and become more familiar with our site:
The How-To Guide includes topics such as navigating the forum, private messaging, and searching. One great tip is using the quote (") button when replying to a post. Using the button will automatically alert the member of your response.

You can browse a wealth of information in both the Wiki and also the Primer , which is a detailed and informative resource written by a practicing M.D. with ApoE4/4.

In closing, may I say that I see how grateful you are to be retired and how it allows you to have the time needed to dedicate to your self-care and healing. Kudos to you for recognizing that!

This forum is a wealth of knowledge to help support you in doing all you can and to give you hope and assurance that you can overcome your warning signs, maintain your great cognition and continue to THRIVE in your life!

I know you will find the information and support you need from this community! Please reach out if you have any questions!

Kindly,
Laurie Sotro

[NF52]

Hello - My doctor notified me last year that my hippocampus is smaller than 95% of people in my age group. That got my attention - coupled with the fact that I have one copy of apoE4 and a longevity gene - probably not the best combination for someone at such risk for Alzheimer' disease.

I didn't realize that the fact that I lost my sense of smell years ago had anything to do with my brain. Now I regard it as an early warning sign.

I recently got the blood test for amyloid and tau and my brain seems clear. My cognition is great, at least according to Brain HQ. I am following the Bredesen protocol closely, although I am finding it difficult to get past very light ketosis. I am all in, but as a backup plan have had my stem cells harvested and stored. I would love to be part of a study!

Thank goodness I am retired - sleep, exercise, meditation, Mediterranean keto diet, organizing supplements: takes so much time.

I'm glad to be here. Thank you to those who are providing this resource.

Welcome, Sue!
I used to work with students who had experienced traumatic brain injuries, and one of the best pieces of wisdom I heard from neuropsychologists was this: "If you've seen one person with a traumatic brain injury--you've seen one person with a brain injury." The "average" of anything related to brains applied to groups, not to one person.. I saw that with the 200 or so kids I worked with again and again as they often were far better than the imaging would suggest.

I have met people who test at the "mild cognitive impairment" level because of difficulty with short-term memory who still run businesses because their preserved experience is so rich. I also know someone whose "olfactory" skills changed years ago and whose hippocampus seems to be smaller than average--and they're active politically for animal and human rights.

I'm guessing that you saw a neurologist (or a great primary care doc) who ordered an MRI and a blood test that predicts amyloid plaques in the brain, based on your wanting to see just how tricky that on Apoe 4 gene was behaving. The good news is that you know more than you did before. You also should know you are still the same person you were before those tests, with cognitive resilience, emotional intelligence, sense of humor (that longevity gene is a gift, not a curse, IMHO!) and curiosity. Studies consistently show that those traits conferabout 8 years of extra oomph in their brains.

I found out at age 65 that I have elevated levels of amyloid in my brain, not surprising since I have two copies of ApoE 4 and. strong family history of AD, but at 72 I am still enjoying planning trips, going to scientific conferences and exercising daily. You and I can't see into our future, but I think we can prioritize what gives us joy and stimulates our brains and our hearts (in all meanings of those words).

As for clinical trials, you may want to look at Trial Match, a no-obligation service of the Alzheimer's Association. I've used them and am now in the 3rd year of a clinical trial of an anti-amyloid drug. More trials are coming, and some are observational. APTwebstudy is one I've done for several years; sort of like Brain HQ, but only every three months and 15 minutes or so. Researchers want to learn from people like us, Sue!

Warmly,
Nancy

[TCHC]

Hello - My doctor notified me last year that my hippocampus is smaller than 95% of people in my age group. That got my attention - coupled with the fact that I have one copy of apoE4 and a longevity gene - probably not the best combination for someone at such risk for Alzheimer' disease.

I didn't realize that the fact that I lost my sense of smell years ago had anything to do with my brain. Now I regard it as an early warning sign.

I recently got the blood test for amyloid and tau and my brain seems clear. My cognition is great, at least according to Brain HQ. I am following the Bredesen protocol closely, although I am finding it difficult to get past very light ketosis. I am all in, but as a backup plan have had my stem cells harvested and stored. I would love to be part of a study!

Thank goodness I am retired - sleep, exercise, meditation, Mediterranean keto diet, organizing supplements: takes so much time.

I'm glad to be here. Thank you to those who are providing this resource.

Hi SueR

Firstly, you're doing really well, no amyloid or tau tangles and doing well on BrainHQ, so plenty to stay positive about.

Challenging your brain every day can increase the size of your hippocampus. So, what else are you doing apart from BrainHQ? Can you think of other activities that you might enjoy?

Dancing is a good exercise work-out, but also a great workout for the brain, anything where you have to move as well as learn moves, etc. really helps.

I recently started bellringing, random, I know, but also a great workout for the brain, learning all the changes, following the cues of my fellow ringers, etc.

It's all about finding something you enjoy, otherwise it'll be hard to keep it up. Is there anything you used to do years ago that you could bring back?... even in a small way?

I know it all takes up time, hopefully you'll find you get into a routine and it gets easier.

Keep us in the loop, I'd love to hear how you're doing.

Lindsey

[SueR]

Hello - My doctor notified me last year that my hippocampus is smaller than 95% of people in my age group. That got my attention - coupled with the fact that I have one copy of apoE4 and a longevity gene - probably not the best combination for someone at such risk for Alzheimer' disease.

I didn't realize that the fact that I lost my sense of smell years ago had anything to do with my brain. Now I regard it as an early warning sign.

I recently got the blood test for amyloid and tau and my brain seems clear. My cognition is great, at least according to Brain HQ. I am following the Bredesen protocol closely, although I am finding it difficult to get past very light ketosis. I am all in, but as a backup plan have had my stem cells harvested and stored. I would love to be part of a study!

Thank goodness I am retired - sleep, exercise, meditation, Mediterranean keto diet, organizing supplements: takes so much time.

I'm glad to be here. Thank you to those who are providing this resource.

Hello SueR!

My name is Laurie and as a Support Team Intern, I would like to welcome you to this forum; we are so glad you joined us! You have found a very supportive and encouraging community here.

Thank you for sharing your information with us. It is certainly understandable that as you consider the MRI results, Apoe4 copy/longevity gene and loss of smell, you would consider these a warning sign. But what a sigh of relief you must feel knowing your labs are clear, Brain HQ is going well and your cognition is great; yay! I also commend you for engaging with the Bredesen Protocol so closely. May I encourage you in your strength of perseverance as you continue to work towards your ketosis. You are not alone in this, I know of many people who work hard to develop the level of ketosis that is recommended. It does take time, but with curiosity in finding what works best for you, you will get there!

For some ideas to help support you on your Bredesen journey, you may want to take a look at some of our resources; here are a few links to help get you started and become more familiar with our site:
The How-To Guide includes topics such as navigating the forum, private messaging, and searching. One great tip is using the quote (") button when replying to a post. Using the button will automatically alert the member of your response.

You can browse a wealth of information in both the Wiki and also the Primer , which is a detailed and informative resource written by a practicing M.D. with ApoE4/4.

In closing, may I say that I see how grateful you are to be retired and how it allows you to have the time needed to dedicate to your self-care and healing. Kudos to you for recognizing that!

This forum is a wealth of knowledge to help support you in doing all you can and to give you hope and assurance that you can overcome your warning signs, maintain your great cognition and continue to THRIVE in your life!

I know you will find the information and support you need from this community! Please reach out if you have any questions!

Kindly,
Laurie Sotro

I am experimenting with replying to your kind post. Did this work?

[SueR]

" Still experimenting! Please let me know if you receive this, Laurie. Thanks for your quick and encouraging response.
Sue

[SueR]

Hello - My doctor notified me last year that my hippocampus is smaller than 95% of people in my age group. That got my attention - coupled with the fact that I have one copy of apoE4 and a longevity gene - probably not the best combination for someone at such risk for Alzheimer' disease.

I didn't realize that the fact that I lost my sense of smell years ago had anything to do with my brain. Now I regard it as an early warning sign.

I recently got the blood test for amyloid and tau and my brain seems clear. My cognition is great, at least according to Brain HQ. I am following the Bredesen protocol closely, although I am finding it difficult to get past very light ketosis. I am all in, but as a backup plan have had my stem cells harvested and stored. I would love to be part of a study!

Thank goodness I am retired - sleep, exercise, meditation, Mediterranean keto diet, organizing supplements: takes so much time.

I'm glad to be here. Thank you to those who are providing this resource.

Welcome, Sue!
I used to work with students who had experienced traumatic brain injuries, and one of the best pieces of wisdom I heard from neuropsychologists was this: "If you've seen one person with a traumatic brain injury--you've seen one person with a brain injury." The "average" of anything related to brains applied to groups, not to one person.. I saw that with the 200 or so kids I worked with again and again as they often were far better than the imaging would suggest.

I have met people who test at the "mild cognitive impairment" level because of difficulty with short-term memory who still run businesses because their preserved experience is so rich. I also know someone whose "olfactory" skills changed years ago and whose hippocampus seems to be smaller than average--and they're active politically for animal and human rights.

I'm guessing that you saw a neurologist (or a great primary care doc) who ordered an MRI and a blood test that predicts amyloid plaques in the brain, based on your wanting to see just how tricky that on Apoe 4 gene was behaving. The good news is that you know more than you did before. You also should know you are still the same person you were before those tests, with cognitive resilience, emotional intelligence, sense of humor (that longevity gene is a gift, not a curse, IMHO!) and curiosity. Studies consistently show that those traits conferabout 8 years of extra oomph in their brains.

I found out at age 65 that I have elevated levels of amyloid in my brain, not surprising since I have two copies of ApoE 4 and. strong family history of AD, but at 72 I am still enjoying planning trips, going to scientific conferences and exercising daily. You and I can't see into our future, but I think we can prioritize what gives us joy and stimulates our brains and our hearts (in all meanings of those words).

As for clinical trials, you may want to look at Trial Match, a no-obligation service of the Alzheimer's Association. I've used them and am now in the 3rd year of a clinical trial of an anti-amyloid drug. More trials are coming, and some are observational. APTwebstudy is one I've done for several years; sort of like Brain HQ, but only every three months and 15 minutes or so. Researchers want to learn from people like us, Sue!

Warmly,
Nancy

Such a caring community! I will keep my eyes open for a stem cell study. In the meantime, I am throwing the book at it but figure these great habits I am developing will help my overall health no matter what. I will wander around the site now.

[SueR]

Hello - My doctor notified me last year that my hippocampus is smaller than 95% of people in my age group. That got my attention - coupled with the fact that I have one copy of apoE4 and a longevity gene - probably not the best combination for someone at such risk for Alzheimer' disease.

I didn't realize that the fact that I lost my sense of smell years ago had anything to do with my brain. Now I regard it as an early warning sign.

I recently got the blood test for amyloid and tau and my brain seems clear. My cognition is great, at least according to Brain HQ. I am following the Bredesen protocol closely, although I am finding it difficult to get past very light ketosis. I am all in, but as a backup plan have had my stem cells harvested and stored. I would love to be part of a study!

Thank goodness I am retired - sleep, exercise, meditation, Mediterranean keto diet, organizing supplements: takes so much time.

I'm glad to be here. Thank you to those who are providing this resource.

Hi SueR

Firstly, you're doing really well, no amyloid or tau tangles and doing well on BrainHQ, so plenty to stay positive about.

Challenging your brain every day can increase the size of your hippocampus. So, what else are you doing apart from BrainHQ? Can you think of other activities that you might enjoy?

Dancing is a good exercise work-out, but also a great workout for the brain, anything where you have to move as well as learn moves, etc. really helps.

I recently started bellringing, random, I know, but also a great workout for the brain, learning all the changes, following the cues of my fellow ringers, etc.

It's all about finding something you enjoy, otherwise it'll be hard to keep it up. Is there anything you used to do years ago that you could bring back?... even in a small way?

I know it all takes up time, hopefully you'll find you get into a routine and it gets easier.

Keep us in the loop, I'd love to hear how you're doing.

Lindsey

Thanks for your interesting suggestions. I live in a small town but maybe I will tune into some online line dancing classes! No bell ringers here, I'm afraid.

[NF52]

" Still experimenting! Please let me know if you receive this, Laurie. Thanks for your quick and encouraging response.
Sue

Hi Sue,
You quoted perfectly! Laurie is not as a health coach intern today, and may instead be with her grandchildren , but I’m sure she’ll see it tomorrow!

Thank you so much for letting her know you found her response encouraging.

Nancy

[NF52]

Such a caring community! I will keep my eyes open for a stem cell study. In the meantime, I am throwing the book at it but figure these great habits I am developing will help my overall health no matter what. I will wander around the site now.

Our “caring community” is only possible because of members like you. Enjoy wandering around, Sue!

Nancy