This shirt is available in Greg’s AZ Store.

Hello, friends, family, and supporters.

“I wish I knew then what I know now​” ​are lyrics from the 1973 song “Ooh La La” by the rock band Faces​. I suppose all of us have made decisions and later felt that way. I certainly feel that way about my decision to start Lecanemab infusions last October.

The consistent adverse side effects I experienced from Lecanemab led Duke Neurology to stop my infusions about two months ago. Most of the drug-related adverse side effects have stopped.

I am not going to bash Lecanemab. Some people are realizing positive results from Lecanemab. Overall, I think the modest benefit, safety concerns, and high cost should give every patient pause. If you are considering Lecanemab, please carefully conduct your own risk-versus-benefit analysis. You can also contact me if you want to chat.

In my opinion, my medical team at Duke Neurology is the best of the best. They fully explained the pros and cons of Lecanemab and Donanemab to me during the decision-making process. The challenge I faced (and probably most Alzheimer’s patients do) was limited knowledge of AD, fear stemming from the diagnosis, and grasping for anything that may slow the disease progression. Let’s be totally honest and blunt - I was scared shitless. Who makes good decisions in that state of mind?

Knowing what I know about Lecanemab today, I would not have started the infusions. The complete cost (relocation to be near Duke Health, closing my business, severe side effects, and mental anguish) was not worth the modest benefits. Ultimately I had to stop the infusions due to the adverse drug reaction.

​Today, I have only one therapeutic option available. NeuroEPO (also known as NeuroCIM) appears to slow the progression of mild-to-moderate AD. The challenge is that this drug was developed in Cuba. While many Americans travel to Cuba for medical evaluation and possibly to obtain NeuroEPO, there are inherent risks. Another hurdle is that the cost for the drug, travel, and medical evaluation must be paid in cash. United States health insurance is not accepted in Cuba. In my mind, the greatest risk of NeuroEPO is political. Trump openly talks about taking control of Cuba. I would hate to be in Cuba when the United States attacks. (I would miss Linda and our cats!)

For now, I am shifting my focus to prevention. My other publication (Greg Rowland’s Alzheimer’s Research Report) will focus on research, emerging therapies, and existing symptom treatments.

This publication will continue to chronicle my Alzheimer’s journey in a very personal, honest, and raw manner. Additionally, I will write about emerging Alzheimer’s prevention efforts.

As I prepare for our move to Greensboro, your spiritual and emotional support continues to keep my spirit strong. But living with Alzheimer’s - navigating the costs of care, relocations, and exploring new options - comes with heavy, unavoidable financial realities. Direct financial backing allows me to maintain stability and access the care I need right now. If you are in a position to give, please consider making a financial contribution today - your support means more to me now than ever.

Greg

Alternative Means of Support:

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Hello, friends.

I apologize for not posting since Monday. This has been a challenging week. Between preparing for our move this weekend and my overall feeling of depression and sadness, the week has really been a downer.

I have much to share with you, and I plan to carve out time Saturday to write at least two research articles and a blog post.

This afternoon, I had my first appointment at Duke Neurology since stopping the Lecanemab infusions. I will share what I learned today with you tomorrow.

Take care,

Greg

​This disease turns lives upside down. Dealing with the daily reality - the worsening memory, the frustration of struggling to type, the cold shivers, and the effort it takes to get words from my brain onto paper - is an incredibly heavy weight to carry.

I was sick late last night. I actually do not remember why I was sick. All I know is that Linda came into my room a few times to check on me. I slept well until about three o’clock. Here I am four hours later, still awake, having a cup of coffee and sharing my thoughts and feelings with my tribe.

I am always hesitant to write about my sadness and depression. It would be easy to put on a brave face for the blog, but that wouldn’t be honest. This sadness is part of the journey.

One thing I am really struggling with is not being able to work. I suppose my research, writing, and advocacy projects count as work. It doesn’t feel like real work, though. No matter the business I owned, the work always focused on helping people. Of course, I received compensation for helping people. That is a welcome reward.

I was packing my closet yesterday and found my work boots. The memories those boots and I share would fill a book or two. I wish I could put my boots on this morning and head to a job site.

Even during the dark days of my journey, I refuse to just sit and quietly wait for the disease to run its course. I am going to keep learning, keep writing, keep educating, and keep fighting for awareness and prevention. But on days like today, I also have to acknowledge the grief. Giving myself permission to feel this sadness doesn’t mean I am giving up; it just means I am human.

Big Bit is softly snoring as she sleeps beside me. Today is a day when I yearn to be a cat.

I am going to answer a few emails and post a new video on our GoFundMe page. We try to provide an update every few months. This video is not really an update; it is more of an appeal. I will post an update when we are settled into the new digs in Greensboro.

Thank you for walking this path with me, even on the darkest days. Your compassion and support mean more than words can say.

Greg

PS - A sneek peak at the Go Fund Me video. My shirt speaks volumes.

Alzheimer’s prevention is becoming increasingly possible.

Recent scientific updates show that up to 45% of dementia cases may be prevented or delayed by addressing 14 modifiable health and lifestyle risk factors, especially during midlife. New early blood tests and trials targeting amyloid plaques, inflammation, and metabolic health point to a shift toward true prevention.

I believe changing people’s daily habits and preferences to reduce their risk of Alzheimer’s disease will be a steep hill to climb. This will be especially true for people who have no direct experience with Alzheimer’s disease.

As an Alzheimer’s patient, I know firsthand how devastating this fatal disease is. An Alzheimer’s diagnosis is a death sentence. Every Alzheimer’s patient progresses at a different pace, so you may have anywhere from six to fifteen years to live after diagnosis—maybe more and possibly less time.

Many people refer to Alzheimer’s as a long goodbye. This is because many patients suffer for years before dying. Those years—especially the last few—are difficult for the patient, their family, and their friends. The cost of treatment, care, and housing is unreachable for many people.

Alzheimer’s disease robs people of retirement dreams, family accomplishments, and peaceful golden years. Watching children get married and have children is often erased by Alzheimer’s disease. Many Alzheimer’s patients never realize the delight of grandchildren.

If you think Alzheimer’s disease is rare, it is not. Over 7 million people in the United States currently have Alzheimer’s disease as I write this. Here are sobering facts:

• 7.4 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s

• About 74% of Americans with Alzheimer’s are 75 years or older

• Almost two-thirds of Americans living with Alzheimer’s are women

• Without medical breakthroughs, this U.S. number is projected to reach 13.8 million by 2060

• Roughly 33 to 38 million people globally are living with Alzheimer’s disease

A cure for Alzheimer’s is likely decades away. There are a few new treatments designed to slow the disease’s progression; however, their cost and limited effect make these drugs questionable. Other drugs to treat symptoms and slow progression are in development and testing. Drug development moves at a snail’s pace, and the cost is enormous.

Prevention and early testing are common-sense solutions until a cure is found.

The 14 modifiable health and lifestyle risk factors are:

• Less education

• Head injury

• Physical inactivity

• Smoking

• Excessive alcohol consumption

• Hypertension

• Obesity

• Diabetes

• Hearing loss

• Depression

• Vision loss

• Infrequent social contact

• Air pollution

• High cholesterol

Details about these modifiable risk factors are available on a blog post I recently published.

I have early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, and I am 68 years old. I decided to spend my remaining years (as long as the disease allows) as an Alzheimer’s advocate. Raising awareness about Alzheimer’s is critical. Encouraging prevention of the disease is more important.

In addition to using my two Substack platforms and social media, the Crazy Cat Man character will serve as a reminder about the importance of preventing Alzheimer’s. The character has been updated; I am no longer holding a Linus-style blanket. This means the Crazy Cat Man and his sidekick cat, Big Bit, are ready to spread the word about Alzheimer’s prevention.

Apparel featuring Crazy Cat Man and Big Bit has been designed with funny and catchy slogans and graphics. I will continue to write about the importance of Alzheimer’s prevention.

This is a monumental task, and as the saying goes, it will take a village to be successful. Will you join me in talking about how to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s with the ultimate goal of prevention?

My blog will provide up-to-date facts about prevention. Take this information and use it on your social media. Wear Crazy Cat Man merchandise and watch people ask questions. A grassroots campaign has the potential to make a significant difference. Maybe this movement can reduce the number of people expected to have Alzheimer’s in coming years.

Best,

Greg

PS - Allow me to introduce you to the new Crazy Cat Man & Big Bit.

Today, we know many of the risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. Because we recognize these variables, you can make intentional lifestyle choices to reduce your overall risk. It sounds simple, but in reality, I don’t think it is. I will explain my perspective on this complexity after sharing the core risk factors with you.

There are three risk factors that can’t be controlled or modified:

• Age

• Genetics

• Family History

Age

Early-onset Alzheimer’s can appear in a person in their forties, fifties, and early sixties. These rare cases comprise about 5% of all Alzheimer’s cases. To reduce your risk of falling into this group, it is critical to start protecting your brain early in life.

Genetics

Researchers have found variants of many genes that increase or decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s. At least 75 genetic variants are associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s. Of these known variants, APOE4 increases your risk more than any other single gene.

Risk Breakdown by Gene Copies

• APOE2: Rare; may lower Alzheimer’s risk.

• APOE3: Most common; carries a neutral (average) risk.

• APOE4 (1 copy): Carried by about 25% of people; increases risk.

• APOE4 (2 copies): Carried by about 2% to 3% of people; significantly higher risk

APOE provides the blueprint for a protein that transports cholesterol throughout the body, including the brain. Everyone inherits two copies—one from each parent. There are six possible APOE pairs: e2/e2, e2/e3, e2/e4, e3/e3, e3/e4 and e4/e4.

Having an APOE4 gene does not mean you will develop Alzheimer’s; it simply means you face a higher statistical probability. Conversely, some people without any APOE4 copies still develop the disease.

I did not know my gene varients, until my first visit to Duke Neurology when I was tested. I have APOE3/APOE4. My genetic risk of Alzheimer’s ultimately came to fruition.

Family History

A family history of Alzheimer’s is not necessary for an individual to develop Alzheimer’s, nor does having a family history of Alzheimer’s guarantee that an
individual will develop Alzheimer’s in older age.

However, individuals with a parent or sibling who has or had Alzheimer’s are statistically more likely to develop the disease than those without such a family history.

Modifiable Risk Factors

Many modifiable risk factors exist for Alzheimer’s. I am presenting the greatest risk factors in three specific age groups. For this report, my emphasis is on the first two age groups (under the age of 65).

Group 1: Early Life (Under 18 Years)

Limited Education

Researchers have long reported that people with more years of formal education are at lower risk for Alzheimer’s than those with fewer years of formal education.

Learning early in life creates a “cognitive reserve” that acts as a structural backup system. This is significant because research indicates that formal education may help sustain cognitive function in mid and late life and delay the development of Alzheimer’s symptoms even though brain changes may be present.

Group 2: Midlife (Ages 18 to 65)

The midlife group focuses on cardiovascular health. Brain health is affected by the health of the heart and blood vessels. Although the brain makes up just 2% of body weight, it consumes 20% of the body’s oxygen and energy supplies. A healthy heart ensures that enough blood is pumped to the brain, while healthy blood vessels enable the oxygen-and nutrient-rich blood to reach the brain so it can function normally.

Diet

To lower the risk of Alzheimer's, health experts recommend following the MIND Diet or the Mediterranean Diet. These eating plans focus on plant foods, healthy oils, and lean proteins while cutting back on red meat, sugar, and unhealthy fats

Foods to Eat More Often

• Leafy greens: Eat spinach, kale, or salad greens every day.

• Vegetables: Eat colorful and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and carrots daily.

• Berries: Eat blueberries or strawberries at least twice a week.

• Whole grains: Choose oats, quinoa, or brown rice for at least three servings a day.

• Nuts and beans: Snack on nuts most days and eat beans or lentils several times a week.

• Fish and poultry: Eat fish at least once a week and chicken or turkey a few times a week.

Foods to Limit

• Red meat: Eat beef, pork, and lamb less than four times a week.

• Butter and margarine: Use less than a tablespoon daily.

• Cheese and fast food: Cut back on high-fat cheese, fried items, and fast food.

• Sweets: Limit pastries, cookies, candy, and sugary drinks.

Obesity & Diabetes

These two risk factors are closely related. Both obesity and diabetes can disrupt energy metabolism in the brain, which in turn may lead to accelerated cognitive decline. They may also increase risks for anxiety and depression, which further affect cognition and increase your vulnerability to Alzheimer’s.

The most effective risk reduction approach involves adopting healthier lifestyles, including increased physical activity and diets that are lower in calories and processed foods. The MIND diet and Mediterranean diet are excellent choices here.

Treatment in mid-life for persons already experiencing obesity is possible through interventions promoting weight loss and increased physical activity. Recently, there has been considerable interest in the potential for treating obesity with newer classes of weight loss medications to reduce Alzheimer’s risk.

Physical Activity

Regular physical exercise helps lower the risk of Alzheimer's. It improves blood flow to the brain, and manages behavioral symptoms like restlessness. Safe routines combine aerobic activity, strength training, and balance work, ideally totaling about three hours per week of moderate movement.

Recommended Exercises

• Walking: A daily brisk walk boosts heart health and-by extension-brain function.

• Sit-to-Stand: Practicing standing up from a chair without using hands builds crucial lower-body strength.

• Dancing: Combines physical movement, memory of steps, and social interaction.

• Balance & Stretching: Yoga, tai chi, or simple seated stretches prevent falls.

Depression

Experiencing clinical depression or chronic depressive symptoms during middle age alters brain chemistry, promotes neuroinflammation, and serves as a major independent predictor of late-life cognitive decline.

Smoking

Smoking accelerates vascular damage, increases oxidative stress, and is associated with faster cognitive decline. Quitting at any age reduces risk. It is never too late.

Rates of cigarette smoking in the United States have been declining in recent decades due to increased awareness of the dangers of smoking. Quitting smoking can be very challenging due to the addictive nature of nicotine, so some people transition to electronic or e-cigarettes, which provide nicotine but theoretically reduce exposure to the thousands of toxic chemicals found in conventional cigarettes. The perceived safety of e-cigarettes, also called vapes, has led to their use by people who never smoked conventional cigarettes, especially teens and young adults. However, recent studies indicate that e-cigarettes can also expose users to a range of toxic substances, several of which are known to harm the brain.

While traditional cigarettes damage the brain via carbon monoxide and heavy tar, e-cigarettes deliver high levels of nicotine and toxic heated solvents that trigger oxidative stress, brain cell inflammation, and reduced blood flow, which are tied to cognitive decline.

Excessive Alcohol Consumption & Traumatic Brain Injuries

Excessive alcohol use acts as a neurotoxin that harms brain cells, triggers chronic inflammation, and accelerates the buildup of toxic amyloid-beta and tau proteins associated with Alzheimer's. Heavy drinking also damages blood vessels and reduces brain volume, raising the risk of cognitive decline.

Heavy drinking significantly increases the risk of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which independently double a person’s likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease. Up to 50% of adults who experience a TBI are under the influence of alcohol at the time of their injury.

A single, severe head trauma can initiate an invisible, decades-long molecular cascade - disrupting the brain's plumbing, triggering perpetual inflammation, and forcing Alzheimer's-associated proteins to aggregate prematurely.

At the beginning of this report, I mentioned the dificulty of reducing your Alzhiemer’s risk by managing the modifiable risk factors. Using my life as an example, I will explain why I believe it is challenging to maintain the recommended lifestyle.

Except for a five year period, I owned and managed small businesses throughout my career. In other words, I worked for myself. My companies had anywhere from five to twenty employees.

One the companies (I owned and managed it for about fourteen years), required international and domestic travel. The clients had high expecations. Our project budgets ranged from high five figures to high six figures. I often worked grueling seventy-hour weeks. An executive at my largest client had a penchent for emailing after midnight. If I did not respond fairly quickly, he would strongly express his displeasure the next morning.

During this intense period of my life, I had very limited time for social activities. I was not married, and admittedly, I made a few poor dating choices along the way.

I think you get the picture. My life was high stress. While I ate at very nice restaurants, the food was certainly not healthy. I never stepped foot in a gym. Simply, I was constantly working or thinking about work.

At age 41, I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder.

Looking back now, I deeply wish my lifestyle had been very different. Yet, looking at the reality of the situation, I am still unsure how it could have been, or if it was even possible to change it at the time.

My belief is that modern job expectations and our fast-paced society make managing Alzheimer’s risk factors incredibly challenging. Am I right? Please leave a comment below with your thoughts.

Group 3: Late Life (Over 65)

While my primary emphasis is on early and midlife, it is still vital to understand the factors that accelerate cognitive decline in our later years.

Vision Loss

Uncorrected vision loss strains the brain’s daily processing capacity and accelerates mental exhaustion.

Lack of Social Engagement

Late-life isolation and loneliness rapidly speed up brain decay and noticeable cognitive decline.

Poor Sleep Habits

Chronic sleep deprivation in older adults stops the brain’s waste system from flushing out toxic waste plaques overnight.

High and Consistent Stress

Elevated cortisol levels in your later years overwork and wear down the brain’s memory processing center.

In Closing

Reducing your Alzheimer’s risk is absolutely critical. Up to 40% of dementia cases worldwide could be delayed or completely prevented by addressing the risk factors outlined in this report. As a society, we must collectively make Alzheimer’s prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment a top priority.

I can tell you from my own firsthand experience as an early-stage Alzheimer’s patient this disease really sucks. Alzheimer’s touches every single aspect of your life and completely alters the lives of the loved ones who stand beside you.

I encourage sharing this article with your friends and family who may be unaware of Alzheimer’s disease.

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SOURCES:

2026 ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE FACTS AND FIGURES (Alzheimer’s Association)

Livingston G, Huntley J, Liu K et al. Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission The Lancet, 2024; 404, 572-628

Mostert CM, Udeh-Momoh C, Winkler AS, McLaughlin C, Eyre H, Salama M, Ranchod K, Trepel D, Vradenburg G, Hynes W, Fieggen G, Ali S, Mekkaoui NEL, Landay A, Bobrow K, Muyela L, Atkins K, Chadha AS, Marongiu R, Barbato M, Nightingale S, Joska J, Njamnshi AK, Rizig M, Kahn JG, Blackmon K, Merali Z, Ibanez A. Broadening dementia risk models: building on the 2024 Lancet Commission report for a more inclusive global framework. EBioMedicine. 2025 Oct;120:105950. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2025.105950. Epub 2025 Sep 25. PMID: 41004922; PMCID: PMC12509747.

De la Rosa A, Olaso-Gonzalez G, Arc-Chagnaud C, Millan F, Salvador-Pascual A, García-Lucerga C, Blasco-Lafarga C, Garcia-Dominguez E, Carretero A, Correas AG, Viña J, Gomez-Cabrera MC. Physical exercise in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. J Sport Health Sci. 2020 Sep;9(5):394-404. doi: 10.1016/j.jshs.2020.01.004. Epub 2020 Feb 4. PMID: 32780691; PMCID: PMC7498620.

Dams-O'Connor K, Guetta G, Hahn-Ketter AE, Fedor A. Traumatic brain injury as a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease: current knowledge and future directions. Neurodegener Dis Manag. 2016 Oct;6(5):417-29. doi: 10.2217/nmt-2016-0017. Epub 2016 Sep 7. PMID: 27599555; PMCID: PMC5066138.

​Good morning, friends.

Early mornings have always been a time of reflection and inspiration for me. In my forties and fifties, I often woke up at 4:30 in the morning. I found it to be easy to focus without the myriad of distractions that dominated my life during office hours.

Since my Alzheimer’s diagnosis, I have no set sleep schedule, although I continue to be an early riser. I wake up early naturally, without the aid of an alarm. Most importantly, I have relaxed mornings as opposed to my stressful business life many years ago.

This morning is my typical routine. I woke up about six and decided to read the news on my phone before actually putting my feet on the floor. Big Bit was peacefully sleeping beside me. Bella was lying in a chair beside the bed - also, sound asleep.

About 6:30, Big Bit wakes up and makes it apparent that she is hungry and wants me to feed her. Bella always wakes up when Big Bit does. It seems like there is a special feline communication channel that Big Bit uses to tell Bella it is time to wake up.

Once the cats are fed, I go to the kitchen to make coffee. The coffee maker someone gifted to me is a fantastic piece of machinery. It grinds my favorite coffee beans and brews the perfect cup of coffee. With a coffee mug in my hand, I shuffle back to bed to watch the morning news on the television.

While watching the news, I check my email, scan a few scientific journals for articles related to Alzheimer’s research, and make notes about what I want to accomplish today. Big Bit is beside me taking a nap. Being a cat would be nice.

I feel good today. Some mornings, I have no energy, no motivation, and an inability to focus. I generally act like a cat and sleep in on those mornings.

My breakfast this morning will be cereal with a handful of blueberries. After eating breakfast, I will get serious and focus on writing.

Before I eat breakfast and prepare for my serious research and writing, I want to share something on my Alzheimer’s mind.

What is the deal with all the Instagram ads touting devices to treat Alzheimer’s symptoms and improve memory? Here are a few questionable products advertised on Instagram:

• Memory Air Device - “designed based upon olfactory enrichment concepts which may help reduce the risk of memory loss”; “strengthens long term brain health”; “endorsed by professors, doctors, nurses and people like you” $799 (on sale for $399)

• BlueVibe - “Dual 40HZPEMF+Blue Light Therapy for Cognitive Support”; “Based on cutting-edge MIT research”; this wearable device costs $499 (on sale for $349)

• Villim ball - “certified medical device for hand tremor reduction”; “advanced AI technology”; “smart algorithms analyze each user’s tremors and personalize therapy in real time”; this handheld ball costs $337.55 (on sale for $270.04)

Before some lawyer calls me and threatens a lawsuit, I am not expressing an opinion on these fine products. They may all do exactly as they claim. I am a skeptic, though.

I understand that people suffering from cognitive issues, persistent tremors, and memory loss can be desperate for a cure. Hell, I am in that group. Please don’t spend hundreds of dollars on a medical product advertised on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok without talking to your doctor.

It is time for me to eat breakfast. I hope you have a wonderful Friday. Look for the second in my series, Alzheimer’s Disease - Everything You Should Know, later today.

Greg

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Until I was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, I knew very little about it. I associated memory loss with Alzheimer’s, but that was about the extent of my knowledge. I believe most people without direct experience with Alzheimer’s have the same limited information.

As an Alzheimer’s patient, I have made Alzheimer’s awareness my mission. I know the importance of understanding Alzheimer’s at an early age. Numerous ways exist to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. Knowledge is required to take the correct steps to reduce your risk.

As I approach the one-year anniversary of my Alzheimer’s diagnosis, I will write a series of articles about Alzheimer’s. The articles will include an overview of Alzheimer’s, how lifestyle habits can reduce your risk, understanding genetic risks, and early testing options. The articles will be written from my perspective as an Alzheimer’s patient and will include personal reflections on my life.

Let’s begin by answering a question I am often asked: What is Alzheimer’s disease?

The short answer is that Alzheimer’s is a disease that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. Alzheimer’s is much more than a single-sentence definition, though.

Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, is a progressive, terminal brain disorder with no known cause or cure.

The disease slowly destroys memory, thinking skills, and the ability to carry out simple daily tasks. There is no standard progression. Alzheimer’s affects people differently.

In my case, I struggled with memory lapses for several years before my diagnosis. Because I knew little about Alzheimer’s, I assumed my memory issues were associated with aging. As the disease progressed, I experienced problems with writing. I would leave words out of texts and emails. I believe Alzheimer’s compromised my ability to make good business and personal decisions. These symptoms progressed very slowly over five or more years.

Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia. It accounts for between 60 and 80 percent of all dementia cases. Most people with Alzheimer’s also have brain changes associated with one or more other types of dementia. This is called mixed pathology or mixed dementia.

Dementia is a group of symptoms that consistently occur together. The symptoms of dementia include:

• Loss of memory

• Inability to speak

• Trouble solving problems and making decisions

• Difficulty concentrating

• Struggling to understand and express thoughts

• Confusion

• Apathy

• Poor judgment

• Impulsive behavior

Some people have one or more of these symptoms and are not diagnosed with dementia. The symptoms must be severe enough to interfere with daily activities. Symptoms must also represent a change from previous abilities and cannot be attributable to another medical condition.

Characteristic brain changes indicate someone has Alzheimer’s dementia, which is known as Alzheimer’s disease.

Brain Changes Indicating Alzheimer’s Disease

• Amyloid plaques: Abnormal clumps of protein fragments that build up between brain cells.

• Tau tangles: Twisted fibers of another protein that build up inside cells.

• Cell death: These clusters damage and kill neurons, starting in the memory-controlling hippocampus and spreading.

To learn more about Alzheimer’s symptoms, pathology, and treatments, please visit my research publication.

If you experience any of these symptoms and they affect your daily life, you should see a doctor. If you are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, treatments are available that may slow the progression of the disease. I encourage you not to delay seeking an evaluation.

As my memory worsened and my writing mistakes became frequent, I ignored them even though a part of me suspected something more than age was at play. I always had an excuse not to visit my doctor: too busy, too much travel, or that it wasn’t really a problem.

Eventually, I went to my primary care doctor. After a cognitive test, extensive blood tests, and an MRI scan, he referred me to a neurologist. I discovered that many neurologists are booked for ten to twelve months in advance. I lucked out and secured an appointment at Duke Neurology fairly quickly.

After extensive cognitive testing and a PET scan, my neurologist, Dr. Andy Liu, delivered the shocking news that I had early-stage Alzheimer’s.

Tomorrow, I will write about Alzheimer’s risk factors and how you may be able to reduce your risk with specific lifestyle habits.

I encourage sharing this article with your friends and family who may be unaware of Alzheimer’s disease.

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As I approach the one-year anniversary of my Alzheimer’s diagnosis, my initial symptoms have progressed or worsened, and I am experiencing several new symptoms. One bright spot is that my ability to conduct research, read scientific papers, and write has not declined - in fact, those skills may have improved. The other surprise is my recent interest in artificial intelligence. Recently, I have learned a lot about how artificial intelligence works. As I learned about artificial intelligence, I decided to dust off my video production skills and try my hand at producing artificial intelligence-generated videos.

Steve Jobs described computers as “bicycles for the mind”. For me, artificial intelligence is a bicycle, not a cyclist. I am the cyclist. I never use artificial intelligence for writing. It is a tool that helps my Alzheimer’s mind.

You will notice a significant improvement in today’s video compared to last Friday’s video. I will continue to improve with each new video I produce. This activity involves creative writing, graphic design, working with AI agents, and many other tasks.

I certainly keep my Alzheimer’s brain busy with cognitive activities—two Substack publications, several websites, an online store, and my social media involvement. Not to mention a few new ventures currently percolating. I am actually having fun. Ten months ago, I never thought fun would return to my life.

There is plenty of financial stress, treatment worries, and disease progression concerns in my life; however, I have decided to look at the time I have left differently. Rather than considering the end, I am focusing on the journey. The end will certainly come. I have a lot of living before it arrives, though.

The concept of the videos is the adventures Big Bit has as she takes care of me. I plan for each video to be humorous and informative. The viewer should learn the challenges and struggles faced by an Alzheimer’s patient while enjoying the antics of Big Bit and her feline sisters. Linda will make a few appearances as well.

Please do me a favor. After viewing the video, please vote on whether I should continue producing Big Bit and Greg. There is a tip button below that enables you to drop one US dollar into my tip jar. Every dollar is a vote for me to continue. Comments are also encouraged.

Thank you!

TIP JAR

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Hello Friends,

The United States Social Security Act was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on this date in 1935. Many Alzheimer’s patients depend on Social Security.

Here are a few interesting facts about Social Security:

• Approximately 71.3 million Americans receive traditional Social Security benefits as of mid-2026. That number climbs to roughly 75.7 million when you include Supplemental Security Income recipients.

• Roughly 1 in every 5 U.S. residents relies on these monthly payments for financial support.

• About 87% of all Americans aged 65 or older receive Social Security income.

• The system currently relies on 2.9 active workers paying payroll taxes for every 1 beneficiary drawing from the fund

I continue to seek activities to keep my Alzheimer’s brain focused on learning and reading. My latest activity is learning how artificial intelligence works. Along that journey, I became fascinated with artificial intelligence’s ability to create animation for video.

My 35 years of experience in television and corporate video production started as a lowly floor manager at a CBS affiliate and ended as a producer/director for a wide range of corporate and consumer programs. I miss the business of video production - especially the creative side.

My video experience and my interest in artificial intelligence led me to try my hand at producing an AI video. This foray into artificial intelligence has certainly exercised my mind. The challenges are immense.

Here is my first attempt at a very short artificial intelligence video. I wrote the script, and I edited the video using Canva. All the elements (animation, music, and narration) were created by artificial intelligence. Feedback is encouraged. I have thick skin, so bring on the criticism.

Have a splendid weekend.

Greg

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“You’ve been so kind and generous.”

Those are words from a beautiful song by Natalie Merchant.

I woke up this morning feeling confused. My Alzheimer’s brain seemed to be out of focus. Something felt ‘off.’ I made coffee, hoping it would give me clarity of thought. My hands were trembling so badly that I had to hold my coffee cup with two hands.

As I enjoyed the coffee, I checked my email. I discovered a generous donation had been made overnight. Immediately, I became overwhelmed with gratitude. The donation last night was not the only generous donation we received this week.

As my Alzheimer’s brain slowly woke up and allowed me to think somewhat clearly, Natalie Merchant’s song “Kind and Generous” came to mind.

While petting Big Bit, I suddenly had a jumble of thoughts: my late father’s birthday is a few days away, the healing power of writing, how blessed I am to have Linda as my wife, and how special our cats are. Most importantly, I thought of the generosity of strangers.

The donations this week came from people we do not know. Our connection is my writing. Asking for financial help is a new thing for me. It is not something I take lightly. I hope my writing has value to my readers. If it does have value, then the donation can be seen as compensation for my writing. I feel better knowing I earned money, rather than someone giving me a gift. That odd belief originates from my Southern Baptist upbringing, or maybe from my father’s strict work ethic.

The donations this week go far beyond compensating me for my writing. These donations were made by people who understand how my horrible disease has turned our lives upside down. The donors are caring, kind, loving, and generous people. I deeply appreciate the donations.

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines kindness as the quality or state of being kind. Kind is defined as being of a sympathetic or helpful nature. The definition of gratitude is the state of being grateful. Finally, the dictionary defines grateful as appreciative of benefits received: feeling or showing thanks.

I believe kindness and gratefulness go together perfectly. It generally takes an act of kindness for someone to be grateful.

In an interview during her How I Met Your Mother era, Cobie Smulders observed..."Kindness is something that I feel is leaving us a little bit – people are getting more self-involved.” Before I stopped driving, I often felt the same way. Acts of kindness while driving are rare.

Actually, acts of kindness are on the rise according to several recent studies. There is an awareness problem, though. Kindness seems to get overwhelmed by divisiveness on social media and the news. Sadly, I don’t believe the divisive rhetoric is going to stop anytime soon. What we can do is to talk about kindness and gratitude more often. Drown out the negativity with positivity.

Will you join me in this mission?

Post on social media the small acts of kindness you experience. It could be as simple as, “I am grateful for the kind man who held the door open at the cafe today.” If enough of us talk about kindness, it may block some of the negative and divisive rhetoric.

In closing, my Alzheimer’s disease is progressing. I notice it mostly in my memory and my ability to gather my thoughts. The good news is that I can overcome these inadequacies with patience. As I mentioned above, my hand trembling has worsened. It is odd that some days the trembling is barely noticeable and other days I can’t write or hold my coffee mug with one hand.

Thank you for your commitment to my blog, your support, and your kindness. Linda and I are extremely grateful to have you on this dreadful journey.

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Dear Friends,

If you’ve been following along with my posts here on Greg Rowland’s Alzheimer’s Journey, you know that navigating Alzheimer’s is a process of constant adaptation. It forces you to look at the future with a mix of realism, resilience, and strategy.

As you may already know, Linda and I are moving.

When we first moved to Chapel Hill, it was to be close to Duke Health so I could conveniently receive my regular Lecanemab infusions. Since the infusions were halted due to consistent and pesky side effects, we no longer need to live near Duke Health. The realities of living on a severely restricted income after my Alzheimer’s disease forced us to close our construction business have caught up with us.

To stay ahead of our financial needs and maintain our independence, we are relocating to Greensboro. Greensboro offers us a significantly lower cost of living while still keeping us close enough to my Duke Neurology care team. It is the right move for our long-term health and peace of mind, but getting there comes with its own heavy upfront costs.

How You Can Back Our Transition 🚚

Many of you in this incredible community of nearly 475 subscribers have asked how you can support Linda and me through this transition. We want to be entirely transparent about what we need. To keep things practical, we’ve broken down our literal moving expenses into a "Sponsorship Menu." Instead of just giving to a blank fund, you can see exactly what your dollar buys: The MOVE button takes you to Stripe where you can select and purchase an item for us.

Sponsorship Menu

U-Haul Truck Rental $365

Two Beefy Men to Load, Drive, and Unload $450

Enterprise Car Rental (cat transportation) $268

Fuel for Truck and Car $60

Boxes:

Wardrobe (need 3) $21.50 each

Large (need 10) $2.72 each

Small (need 50) $1.30 each

Laydown Wardrobe (need 6) $6.95 each

Large Mirror and Picture (need 6) $7.95 each

Wrapping Paper and Tape $64.50

MOVE

AMAZON WISH LIST

If you are in a position to sponsor a box, the U-Haul truck, fuel, or anything else on the menu, it would mean the world to us. If you cannot give financially, simply forwarding this email to three friends or sharing a link to this post on Facebook helps us immensely.

Thank you for reading, for subscribing, and for walking this winding road right alongside us.

With gratitude,

Greg & Linda

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most devastating diseases, yet it persists without satisfactory preventive and curative strategies. It is frustrating that in 2026, when artificial intelligence has been developed, we are unable to cure AD. More than 7 million Americans and roughly 55 million people worldwide live with AD and related dementias. Every one of those people will die from AD, usually much sooner than they would have if they did not have the disease.

I feel robbed.

At age 68, AD took away my ability to work and support my family. It took away our plans for an Alaskan cruise. Gone are weekend hiking trips. Dreams of moving to Mexico are a distant memory. Without adequate income, Linda and I are unable to enjoy weekly dinners at favorite restaurants or explore new places to eat. I can no longer drive safely because AD took away my ability to focus and make quick decisions.

We sold our home and moved over 200 miles because of a promising treatment to slow the progression of my AD. Eight months later, my doctors at Duke Neurology stopped the infusions of Lecanemab. The side effects were unmanageable. Since I stopped the infusions less than halfway through the prescribed 18 months of treatment, I probably received zero benefit. There is no way to know for certain.

The life we left behind in Spartanburg was fulfilling and boringly normal. Linda enjoyed creating beautiful works of art in her studio. I enjoyed helping people realize their home improvement dreams or resolving problems through the small construction company we owned. We loved simple things, like sitting on our front porch at the end of the day with a friend and neighbor. We enjoyed trips to favorite places. Life was not necessarily easy, but it was good in so many ways.

Looking back, I know AD affected my ability to make the best decisions long before Duke Neurology told me I had this horrible disease. When I made poor decisions or forgot an important task, others were impacted. Friendships were lost, employees were frustrated, and clients were disappointed.

Through it all, Linda and I leaned on each other for strength. Linda’s breast cancer diagnosis and surgery in 2024 was a terrible period for her. Her recovery took much longer than expected. Together, we navigated the challenges of recovery. Today, we manage my AD together.

My story is not dissimilar to millions of other people with AD.

The total number of AD patients in the United States equals the population of Tennessee or Massachusetts. The cumulative population of Wyoming, Vermont, Alaska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Delaware, and Rhode Island roughly equals the number of AD patients in the United States.

Plenty of people are somewhere on the long goodbye journey.

Not a day goes by that I don’t think about why there isn’t a cure, a vaccine, or at least an effective treatment for AD symptoms. If we can create artificial intelligence, why can’t we cure AD?

In a nutshell, I believe the answer boils down to money.

Pharmaceutical and biotech companies earn huge profits rolling out drugs that ineffectually treat AD symptoms. If a cure and prevention were developed, those profits would disappear.

Our political and government leaders seem focused on selfish gains rather than funding AD research. The money spent on Trump trophies and what seems like an endless war with Iran may have been enough to discover an AD cure.

Wealthy individuals and corporations, for the most part, are overflowing with greed instead of helping find a cure for a disease that over 7 million United States citizens are dying from.

Looking at the above three groups​ - pharmaceutical companies, politicians, and billionaires​ - the commonality seems to be a self-centered focus rather than a concern about the needs of others.

I understand my opinions and thoughts may be controversial. As one of the over 7 million people struggling with Alzheimer’s disease, I think I have a right to express my opinions.

To paraphrase Rodney King, “Can’t we all come together and find a cure for Alzheimer’s?”

Final Thoughts - There are millions of AD patients suffering much more than I am. Linda and I are blessed to have the support of friends, family, and readers of my publications. My fight for an AD cure isn’t just for me; it is for all AD patients around the world.

It will certainly raise awareness if this blog post is shared far and wide. Alzheimer’s awareness is the first step in motivating people to step up to the plate.

For additional information about Alzheimer’s disease and my journey, please visit GregoryRowland.com

I choose to keep this blog completely free so anyone can read it. However, the background research and writing require many hours of independent work. If you are in a position to help sustain this newsletter, you can make a voluntary donation here. Thank you for your support!

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Linda and I are struggling to find motivation to pack for our upcoming move. There are 24 days until move day.

I know the smart packing method involves tackling small areas for short periods of time. We downsized substantially when we moved to Chapel Hill last October, so there isn’t a tremendous amount of stuff to pack. It feels overwhelming, though.

If only I could teach the cats to pack boxes. All they want to do is destroy the packing paper.

While trying to muster motivation, I remembered when my dad and I owned a moving support services company. I can’t remember the exact years we operated the business, but it was about 45 years ago.

At the time, Dad was a Jartran rental truck dealer.

Jartran Truck Rental no longer exists. James A. Ryder started the company in 1978 to rival U-Haul and Ryder, but high-interest rates and heavy debts caused it to go bankrupt and shut down completely in the mid-1980s. I found this television commercial from 1983.

I came up with the idea for a company to provide packing, loading, driving, unloading, etc. We did not need an interstate commerce license since the truck rental contract was not in our name. The person or family moving rented the truck and hired us for labor.

The company name was Budget Moving Services. Operating the company wasn’t particularly hard. Yet, there were many adventures and interesting experiences. It was a true family business. My mother and sisters were often helping with the packing.

One of my favorite stories involved a move to Los Angeles. My parents offered to drive the small rental truck so they could sightsee along the way from South Carolina. I hired a local crew to unload the truck in Los Angeles. The apartment building in Los Angeles had an overhead walkway that you drove under to reach the parking lot. The rental truck barely cleared the walkway. After the truck was unloaded, it no longer fit under the walkway. Dad called and told me he had reduced the air pressure in the tires, but the truck was still too tall. They were panicking because they had a flight home in a few hours. The solution was to completely flatten the tires and have a tow truck winch the rental truck under the walkway. As I recall, we lost money on that move.

It is interesting how I remember experiences from decades ago with great detail, yet I can’t remember what I had for dinner last night.

Alzheimer’s disease attacks the hippocampus and temporal lobes first. The hippocampus acts like a save button for new experiences. When Alzheimer’s harms this area, new data cannot convert into saved memories. Older long-term memories are already deeply stored across the wider cerebral cortex through repeated neural connections. They survive the initial Alzheimer’s damage and remain accessible longer.

Memories from my childhood or decades ago are deeply ingrained. They rely on widespread networks in the outer brain layer rather than the failing hippocampus. Someone told me memories use a first-in, last-out filing system.

I assume if you live long enough, the older memories will begin to fade.

I best go pack a few boxes - or, put it off until tomorrow.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone.

I choose to keep this blog completely free so anyone can read it. However, the background research and writing require many hours of independent work. If you are in a position to help sustain this newsletter, you can make a voluntary donation here. Thank you for your support!

Support Greg

I always get excited when there is good news on the Alzheimer’s therapy research front.

A team of researchers at the University of Minnesota has identified a type of plaque that represents a new potential therapeutic target for Alzheimer’s disease. This is an important discovery because the current treatments are amyloid-focused. Those treatments have modest results. This newly discovered plaque opens the door for a new treatment target.

You can read the details on my research report.

Hello, friends.

I hope everyone had a meaningful, restful, and rejuvenating weekend. It is hard for me to believe we are already in the month of August. Where did the summer go?

This weekend was difficult for me. Emotionally, I was in a depressive funk. Depressive funk is my phrase for an emotional state that combines depression, sadness, and frustration.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, up to 40 percent of people with Alzheimer’s also suffer from depression. About 7 percent of the general population reports suffering from depression. John Hopkins Medicine cites direct physical changes in the brain, psychological or emotional reactions to memory loss, and social or life changes as contributing factors to this higher rate of depression.

The physical changes to the brain include:

• Damaged brain cells and changes to the brain’s structure.

• Chemical imbalances: Alzheimer’s lowers important mood chemicals like serotonin.

• Brain inflammation and high stress hormones affect areas that control emotions

Psychological or emotional reactions to memory loss include:

• Awareness of decline resulting in feelings of shock, fear, or sadness.

• Frustration due to the inability or difficulty doing everyday tasks. This often leads to feelings of helplessness.

The social and life changes include:

• Isolation resulting from the loss of social activities.

• Sadness from losing a job, hobbies, or other pursuits.

Other health issues further complicate these disease-related changes.

I suppose I am an average Alzheimer’s patient because I see the listed changes and reactions in myself. While my decline, or disease progression, is slow, I am aware of new and worsening symptoms. Frustration is an emotion I fight every day. I am trying to change frustration into acceptance. Life changes are the most difficult thing for me to manage. In the blink of an eye, I went from owning and managing a business to having nothing to keep me occupied.

The business I closed provided social interaction, physical activity, creative thinking, problem-solving skills, and substantial income. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss the business. I have replaced some of those attributes with my research, writing, online stores, and Alzheimer’s advocacy work. None of my new pursuits provide the income (not yet!) that the construction business provided. That is certainly a huge source of stress.

I believe adapting to life as an Alzheimer’s patient is a process that requires patience, resilience, support from family and friends, and excellent medical care. It certainly isn’t an easy journey. It is a one day at a time process.

Happy Friday!

The quote of the day comes from Linda. My hand tremor is really active today. Linda stated, “You do not need to use your electric toothbrush since your hand is trembling so much.”

Today’s topic is about a fascinating new product that uses AI. Well, perhaps “fascinating” isn’t the best description. “Odd,” “unusual,” and “gross” are a few adjectives that come to my Alzheimer’s brain.

Before I tell you about the product, I need to remind you of the importance of the gut microbiome to brain health - especially, Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Research indicates that the brain and the gut microbiome are connected through the gut-brain axis - an intricate network of neurons, proteins, and chemicals that relay messages between the digestive system and the brain. A study at the Queensland Brain Institute in Australia found that chronic inflammation in the brain can contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s.1

The Newcastle University Institute of Ageing in Belfast, Ireland, studied the relationship between diet and Alzheimer’s. Their research suggests that high-fiber foods, including whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, may help reduce inflammation. 2 Certain gut bacteria convert the fiber from these foods into compounds called short-chain fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties. People in the earliest stage of Alzheimer’s disease - after brain changes have begun but before cognitive symptoms become apparent - harbor an assortment of bacteria in their intestines that differs from the gut bacteria of healthy people, according to a study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

The fascinating new product is called Throne. In a nutshell, it is a small camera that fits on the side of a toilet to monitor your poop. Using Bluetooth technology, the camera connects to an app on your phone. According to Throne’s website, “Throne measures four dimensions of your wellness: gut health (stool form and frequency via the clinically established Bristol Stool Scale), hydration, urinary flow, and your bathroom habits.”

Based on my research of Throne, I believe the device can flag shifting stool behavioral and structural patterns related to Alzheimer’s patients’ gut microbiome changes, alerting caregivers to changes in a patient’s daily health without requiring manual tracking logs. The data collected by Throne can be downloaded and shared with a physician.

The cost is $399, plus $5.99 per month. There are discounts offered on their website.

This is pure speculation, but I think a device like Throne could be used as an early indicator of Alzheimer’s (before symptoms are apparent). It would likely require consistent poop monitoring. Will the day come when poop monitors are an integral part of a toilet?

I contacted Throne requesting comment. When I receive a response, I will share it with you and update this article.

What are your thoughts on Throne? Please leave a comment and let me know.

To be clear, I am not being compensated by Throne and I am not recommending the product.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Greg

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Hello, friends.

Linda and I are moving 53 miles west to Greensboro. This move is ​a cost-saving action. Although we love Chapel Hill, the cost of living is very high. We will save $516 per month in rent. Interestingly, our Greensboro apartment has the same amenities and features as our current apartment; yet, the rent is 25% less.

We believe other costs, including groceries and restaurants, will also be lower than in Chapel Hill. Greensboro is a great city. There are many parks with hiking trails. Downtown Greensboro is thriving. The city bus service has a stop less than one half of a mile from our apartment. Grocery stores, restaurants, and other services are near our home.

North Carolina has Amtrak service from Raleigh to Charlotte with many stops along the way. When I have an appointment at Duke Health, I will take the train. The cost is $14 each way, and the ride takes forty-five minutes.

We will move on August 30.

​Over the past few months, I have spent countless hours researching housing across North Carolina. I quickly discovered there is an affordable housing shortage not just in North Carolina, but across the United States. The problem goes beyond just affordability. There is a housing shortage. Estimates of the shortage’s size vary; one finding suggests that as of early 2025, 2 million additional ​housing units were needed to balance supply and deman​d.1

My housing search included market rate, income-based, and senior subsidized apartment rentals. I found an income-based apartment community in Hendersonville, North Carolina. They have a two-year to three-year waiting list. That is hard for my Alzheimer’s-affected brain to process. How do people wait up to three years for an affordable apartment?

A recent collaborative report from Realtor.com and the National Association of Realtors, the May 2026 Housing Mismatch Report, sheds light on the significant challenges facing the housing market. ​This report states that the middle class faces the greatest housing shortage. Buyers earning around $75,000, for instance, can typically afford homes priced up to about $261,140. ​Currently only about 23% of listings nationally​ fall below this threshold. For a balanced market, 44% of listings need to fall below this threshold. ​2

A ​2025 report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) finds a national shortage of 7.1 million affordable and available rental homes for extremely low-income renter households - those with incomes at or below the poverty level or 30% of their area median income, whichever is greater​. This results in just 35 affordable and available rental homes for every 100 extremely low-income renter households nationwide.3

​I could jump on my soapbox and share my thoughts on why there is an affordable housing crisis. You will be happy to know that I packed my soapbox yesterday in preparation for our upcoming move.

The anxiety and stress of trying to find affordable housing are significant. I certainly felt increased anxiety while searching for an affordable apartment. It is sad that the United States can spend billions of dollars on wars, building Trump monuments, and other questionable projects; yet, millions of Americans struggle to find affordable housing. Oops, I almost unpacked my soapbox with that last sentence.

Not much has changed with my Alzheimer’s progression. I did have an embarrassing situation at a grocery store yesterday. My hands were trembling so much that I struggled to enter my store loyalty card number into the keypad. The cashier was very kind and patient.

Thanks for your continued support.

Greg

A New Community and Resource for Alzheimer’s Patients Seeking Information About (also known as NeuroEPO)

By Greg | Founder & Fellow Patient

When I was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease in September 2025 at age 68, my world turned upside down - as it does for millions of families every year.

For eight months, I was on Lecanemab infusions through the care team at Duke Neurology. But as many patients experience with disease-modifying therapies, adverse side effects arose, and my doctors ultimately decided to take me off the drug.

If you are reading this, you might know the exact feeling that follows: the overwhelming urge to find something else. Like so many walking this path, I began searching for alternatives to slow disease progression, preserve cognitive function, and restore hope.

That search led me to NeuralCIM (NeuroEPO) - and ultimately, to creating NeuralCIM.info.

Why I Built NeuralCIM.info

When faced with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, patients and caregivers are vulnerable. We live in a world where emerging medical opportunities can sometimes be overshadowed by bad actors looking to capitalize on desperation for financial gain.

I firmly believe that NeuralCIM is a neuroprotective therapy worth serious consideration for individuals in the early to mid-stages of Alzheimer’s. However, finding clear, unbiased, and reliable information about it shouldn’t require navigating sales pitches or misleading claims.

I created NeuralCIM.info as an independent, transparent community portal dedicated to sharing evidence-based information freely.

What You Can Expect Here:

• Real Community Experiences: Firsthand accounts and insights from current users.

• Grounding in Science: Summaries and analysis of clinical research published in reputable scientific journals.

• Vetted Resources: Clear guidance on reputable service providers, travel agents, and legitimate clinics.

• A Broad View of Care: Discussions covering both emerging therapies like NeuralCIM and standard non-amyloid symptomatic treatments (such as cholinesterase inhibitors).

Our Ethical Pledge & Guiding Principles

To ensure this platform remains a trusted space for everyone who visits, I am committing to three strict rules:

1. Always 100% Free Access: There will never be a paywall to access the information on NeuralCIM.info.

2. Zero Commercial Bias: I will never sell advertising space on this site, nor will I accept donations or sponsorships from anyone directly involved in the manufacturing or distribution of NeuralCIM.

3. Sustained by the Community: To cover hosting, software, and the significant time required to research and maintain this site, NeuralCIM.info relies entirely on voluntary community donations and official site merchandise available in our store.

Join the Conversation

This platform isn’t just about my story - it’s about building a safe, informative hub for all of us looking for answers. A community of people interested in NeuralCIM.

> Disclaimer: NeuralCIM.info is an independent patient advocacy and educational portal. The content provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your neurologist or primary physician before starting or modifying any treatment plan.

Hello, friends.

I often reminisce about previous travels and experiences. This morning, my mind wandered to Hammonasset Beach State Park in Connecticut. The park is located between two small towns - Clinton and Madison. For many years, a camping trip to Hammonasset was the highlight of summer. Clinton is home to Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tale. We would ride our bikes from the park to the restaurant to enjoy excellent lobster. The above photo was taken in June 2018, when Linda and I enjoyed lobster and ice cream at Lenny & Joe’s. Sadly, lobsters straight from the ocean are likely not in my future.

My Alzheimer’s symptoms and behaviors fascinate me. They also make me sad and angry.

Only recently have I mentally accepted that I have Alzheimer’s disease​ (AD). ​Before, I often thought the PET scan might have been wrong. Of course, I experienced the symptoms of AD, so I knew something was terribly wrong.

​My questioning was a psychological denial, unlike anosognosia, which is a physical, brain-based condition. ​Anosognosia​ is a serious situation. People truly do not believe they are sick. I hope that doesn’t happen to me.

I mentioned Friday that I thought I needed a new body thermostat. My assumption may very well be true. The hypothalamus, which regulates vital functions like ​body temperature, sleep, and hormones, is significantly impacted by AD. ​It also regulates blood pressure, appetite, and mood. This discovery answers many questions and explains several changes I am experiencing.

An odd phenomenon is my frequent and sudden confusion about my location. This used to happen only when I woke up. Lately, at random times, I think I am somewhere other than my actual location.

​Alzheimer’s disease is a strange beast. My AD experiences and behaviors are random and unpredictable. It is a debilitating disease that is slowly taking away my memory and thinking skills. Yet, I still function well with daily activities. Unless I forget something.

Last night, I walked ten feet from the oven to a cabinet and, in those few seconds, forgot what I needed from the cabinet. It took me two or three minutes to remember I needed a plate. It would be ok if that memory lapse only happened occasionally. Sadly, it happens many times every hour.

There is a certain peace and happiness in my life. I have a slow pace for the first time in my adult life. I certainly enjoy my frequent naps. Writing and research are the highlights of my days (and nights). It is wonderful to be with Linda everyday - all day. I can’t imagine life without her. The cats certainly enjoy my constant presence. I understand that my abilities will change one day, so I just take life one day at a time.

I best go finish the research report. A clinic in Italy followed a small group of AD patients for a year; these patients were receiving either lecanemab or donanemab infusions. The study did not compare the two drugs. Instead, the study examined the effectiveness of amyloid targeting therapy.

If you have any questions for me, or if you want to share your own AD experiences (or those of a loved one), please leave a comment or email me. I would love to hear from you.

Greg

Greg’s Alzheimer’s Research Report

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Hello, friends.

I feel like my Alzheimer’s disease is progressing.

My immediate memory is worsening. ​ I struggle to recall simple things, such as names, dates, and what I have read. Yet, I remember details of events in the past.

Linda and the cats are afraid I will forget their names. I hope that doesn’t happen for a very long time. I have been designing name tags, though. How do you attach a name tag to a cat?

In addition to my short-term memory slipping, I am experiencing frequent chills in my arms and legs. There are no related shivers; however, the chills often last ten minutes or more. I suspect I need a new body thermostat. I think my current body thermostat is not functioning correctly due to Alzheimer’s.

A concerning issue is my mood and emotional state in the evenings. I get sad and cry for no apparent reason. Actually, there is a reason: Alzheimer’s.

My final complaint for today is sleep. I’m becoming more like a cat every day. I sleep frequently during the day, and I am awake at night. Sleep is good for brain health, so maybe I should be happy that I sleep a lot.

Linda and I are making progress on reducing our housing expenses. I hope to share good news early next week.

When not sleeping, I read, study, and write. My research publication is growing. The growth makes me happy. Today’s article is about the drug developed in Cuba: NeuroEPO. As I more seriously consider NeuroEPO, I am researching travel costs and procedures. Sadly, I encountered two travel agents that seem to see an opportunity to fleece desperate Alzheimer’s patients. This morning I met (virtually) someone who is assisting people in obtaining the drug for all the right reasons. Lena is a good person. Please read my research report to learn more.

I spend time thinking about the future. It is difficult not to feel sad, angry, frustrated, and regretful. Most of my anger is directed toward the pharmaceutical industry, the FDA, and the Trump administration.

​In a 2018 Goldman Sachs biotech research report​, an analyst explicitly asked,“Is curing patients a sustainable business model?​” I really don’t think the pharma industry wants to cure Alzheimer’s. There is so much money to make treating symptoms. Call me cynical if you like.

The FDA is just so screwed up. We have industry roosters guarding the henhouse.

I believe it was Senator Tammy Baldwin who commented this week that the money spent on the Iran War could fund the research to find a cure for Alzheimer’s and cancer. She is right. I don’t think hard working Americans will die or be permanently disfigured seeking a cure for Alzheimer’s like they are while fighting a war. Will someone please call Trump and ask him to end the war and stop building stupid monuments to himself so we can end homelessness, child hunger, and find a cure for Alzheimer’s and cancer? Please, I beg you.

Let’s end my post on a happy note. On this day in 1982, the single “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor from the Rocky III soundtrack began a six week run at number 1 on the US music charts. Click here to watch and listen.

Finally, a big shout-out to my friend Erin for posting the rest of my interview with her. Great editing job, Erin.

I wish you all a great weekend. If you are battling Alzheimer’s, I send you encouragement to keep fighting. If you have a loved one dealing with this horrible disease, please encourage them not to give up.

With love and gratitude,

Greg

Greg’s Alzheimer’s Research Report

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$25 Sponsorship Donation

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