Resources

This nonprofit organization supports research on treatments for Alzheimer's disease and provides information and support to families. The association has about 80 local chapters.

Dana Foundation 745 5th Ave., Suite 900
New York, NY 10151
212-223-4040

The Dana Foundation, which finances neurological and other health research, is a nonprofit organization of more than 200 scientists dedicated to advancing education about brain research.

National Institute of Mental Health 6001 Executive Blvd.
Bethesda, MD 20892
866-615-6464 (toll-free) or 301-443-4513

This branch of the National Institutes of Health is a source of information on depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses that may contribute to memory loss.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke NIH Neurological Institute
P.O. Box 5801
Bethesda, MD 20824
800-352-9424 (toll-free) or 301-496-5751

This branch of the National Institutes of Health posts information on Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, and other neurological disorders on its Web site, including the latest findings on drug treatments.

Books

The Harvard Medical School Guide to Achieving Optimal Memory Aaron P. Nelson, Ph.D., with Susan Gilbert
(McGraw-Hill, 2005)

This book, by the author of this report, is for adults who are concerned about memory lapses that occur with age. It discusses how memory is affected by common age-related conditions, how to tell if forgetfulness is a serious problem, medical treatments, mental exercises, nutrition, and strategies for keeping memory sharp.

Keep Your Brain Young: The Complete Guide to Physical and Emotional Health and Longevity Guy McKhann, M.D., and Marilyn Albert, Ph.D.
(John Wiley & Sons, 2003)

This book is geared to people who want to stay as healthy as they can and all those forced to deal with diseases of the brain. It covers the full spectrum of concerns about aging and the brain, including memory loss and potentially devastating illnesses, such as Alzheimer's disease and stroke. One of the authors, Dr. Marilyn Albert, contributed to the original edition of this Special Health Report.

The Seven Sins of Memory: How the Mind Forgets and Remembers Daniel L. Schacter, Ph.D.
(Houghton Mifflin, 2002)

Drawing on the latest findings from imaging studies of the brain, a professor of psychology at Harvard University offers a clear, compelling discussion of the types of memory lapses that people experience and why they happen.

Review Date: 2008-05-01

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