By LORI TUCKER
6 News Anchor/Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) - Hundreds of people were at Sevier Heights Baptist Church Thursday to hear what a leading Alzheimer's specialist had to say about the degenerative brain disease.
Dr. John Dougherty, with Cole Neuroscience Center at UT Medical Center, not only talked, he listened as people of all ages shared their stories about life with a loved one struggling with the mind-robbing disease.
"My mother has Alzheimer's and she is living with us now," said Marla Peak. "I see the progression. As a nurse I can see the research, but to find out what's available locally because we're not from this area."
"Her personality changed," said Peggy Choate, about her sister. "Always been very active, wonderful tennis player, sings. Started doing weird stuff like shopping a lot, just starting forgetting stuff, getting confused."
Lady Vols head basketball coach Pat Summitt's recent diagnosis of early onset dementia is creating more awareness.
Dr. Dougherty says signs and symptoms in younger-than-average patients like Pat Summitt must be carefully diagnosed.
The symptoms could mask a number of other illnesses.
"Depression, medications, low thyroid, a number of different things can cause dementia," said Dr. Dougherty. "Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, but everybody needs a proper evaluation so that we can really be confident we know what we're dealing with."
Dr. Dougherty reminded the crowd of the signs and symptoms to pay attention to as early as you can.
"Early forgetfulness, telling the same story over and over again, or asking the same question sometimes," were some of the symptoms Dr. Dougherty described.
Everyone at the event could relate to those symptoms of a heartbreaking decline.
"My uncle died last year with Alzheimer's and Dr. Dougherty was his doctor," said Jan East. "My uncle in Macon, Georgia, just died yesterday at 3:30 with Alzheimer's."
Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia and the fourth leading cause of death in our country.
Right now, almost 4 million Americans have the disease.
Dr. John Dougherty says signs and symptoms in younger-than-average patients like coach Pat Summitt must be carefully diagnosed.
