We spend our lives scheduling physicals, blood tests, eye exams, and even dental cleanings, yet the most vital organ in our body, the brain, often goes unchecked. Imagine discovering years too late that something could have been done to delay Alzheimer’s, if only you had asked for a simple test.
If you've spent your life learning, problem-solving, and challenging your mind, you may have what's called high cognitive reserve. That's a wonderful gift. It means your brain can adapt and find workarounds when something isn't working right.
Early detection opened a window of choice, and with it, the possibility of hope. Two new treatments, Leqembi and Kisunla, now offer a chance to slow Alzheimer’s progression for those in the early stages. Choosing between them felt like standing at a fork in the road; one that could shape how much of me I get to keep. This is the information I wish I had known at the time – July 2024.
Alzheimer’s begins with tiny toxic proteins that build into destructive plaques. Leqembi is proactive— it attaches at multiple points in this process, giving the brain a better chance to defend its neurons, preserve memory, and protect identity.
Ever walk into a room and suddenly have no idea why. I used to think it was just “normal aging,” but my Alzheimer’s journey has taught me there’s a lot more behind these lapses than we realize. I learned during my transition to Leqembi maintenance, why processing speed matters, and the simple workarounds that are helping me stay independent. If you’ve experienced these moments yourself, or love someone who does, I hope you’ll read on. It might give you the clarity and hope you didn’t know you needed.
We all know the painful truth about this disease, the gradual loss of mental clarity while the body remains largely intact. But being diagnosed, difficult as it is, also offers a rare opportunity: a glimpse into what may lie ahead, and a chance to prepare for it. It’s not a pleasant picture, but there are steps we can take now to make things easier for ourselves and for those who will one day care for us. In fact, many of these same steps are valuable for anyone over seventy who has begun to shift their gaze from building a future to managing how that future unfolds..