Daniel Gibbs is a retired neurologist confronting his own early onset Alzheimer’s. His is a unique perspective once the doctor diagnosing other people’s cognitive issues and now the patient facing his own. Alzheimer’s disease was never on his radar, he says, because both of his parents died in midlife from cancer, but he unexpectedly discovered through genealogical research that he has two copies of the APOE-4 allele, putting him at very high risk for dementia. He has written his story in a memoir, A Tattoo on My Brain: A Neurologist’s Personal Battle Against Alzheimer’s Disease, where he reveals his personal story and explains how it is possible to decrease the risk and slow the progression of the disease through lifestyle modifications, especially when started early.

In this episode, we discuss the value of testing for the Alzheimer’s gene, the importance of life plans, concerns regarding work and retirement, and the Viacom documentary currently in production about his dementia journey.

After the Podcast

Read Dr. Gibbs AlzAuthors post: Neurologist, Dr. Daniel Gibbs, Reveals His Personal Story in A Tattoo on my Brain

Start reading A Tattoo on My Brain https://amzn.to/3zD6IlO

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Other authors/books mentioned:

Thomas DeBaggio, Losing My Mind: An Intimate Look at Life with Alzheimer's

Slow Puncture: A Memoir About Living Well with Early Onset Alzheimer’s by Peter Berry and Deb Bunt

Wendy Mitchell Writes Courageous Memoir of Younger Onset Dementia: Somebody I Used to Know

Tracey Shorthouse’s Poetry Provides a Glimpse into Early Onset Alzheimer’s

Laurette Klier Creates Nana’s Books: Nostalgic Picture Books for Seniors

Susan Ostrowski Helps Seniors with Cognitive Issues Enjoy Reading Again

Greg O’Brien, On Pluto: Inside the Mind of Alzheimer’s

Greg O’Brien, Psychology Today articles

Columbia Kindred

Daniel Alejandro Drubach, MD, FAAN, Twilight and Me: A Soliloquy (Lewy Body disease article mentioned at end)

Connect with Dr. Gibbs

Website

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About the Podcast

AlzAuthors is the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer’s and dementia from personal experience to light the way for others. Our podcast introduces you to our authors who share their stories and insights to provide knowledge, comfort, and support. Please subscribe so you don’t miss a word. If our authors’ stories move you, please leave a review. And don’t forget to share our podcast with family and friends on their own dementia journeys.

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