Forget me knot, the threads of forgetting

Paula Xiberras

The forget me not flower is the symbol for the most common cases of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and perhaps in the flowers legend there is a hint of one of the ways we can help keep this condition at bay.

Germans in the fifteenth century believed wearing the ‘forget me knot’ flower they would not be forgotten by those that loved them. This belief has its origin in medieval times and the story of a knight and a lady walking along the side of a river. The knight picked up some forget me not flowers, but the weight of his heavy armour causes him to fall into the river, before he succumbs he throws the flowers to his loved one pleading with her ‘forget me not’.

Woman would wear the flower to illustrate their faithfulness and love. The interesting thing is that the legend is about walking and the knight falls because of his cumbersome weight and cannot be rescued.

The legend may just be a story but in a way a prophetic one. I recently had the opportunity to talk to Professor Ralph Martins, a researcher of Alzheimer’s about his new book ‘Understanding Alzheimer’s’. Professor Ralph Martins has a connection with Tasmania, visiting at least once a year to visit his former supervisor and work colleagues. Professor Martins new book works to explain the causes and treatment of the condition and encourages real hope in the fight against this insidious disease. It informs us how to do the ‘forget me knot’, practical ways to help to tie the threads of forgetting. The professor told me that one of the most protective measure you can take to possibly ward off and combat Alzheimer’s is to have frequent physical exercise. Physical exercise ,just like mental exercise ,such as doing puzzles, taking up of learning a new language or subject helps the brain create new neuron pathways and connections.

Professor Martins clearly explains what makes an Alzheimer patient different from a patient with a normal case of memory loss. It’s appropriate that a Dr Alzheimer form Germany the country of the legend of the knight discovered the formation of clumps of proteins called amyloid plaques (starchy proteins). These are not present in normal brains. The clumping together of the proteins can, be caused by free radicals, those properties that damage cells. Amyloid Plaques interfere with the communication between neurons. Free radicals that cause cellular damage are harder to fend off as we age and that is why it is important to include in the diet anti-oxidant rich foods that help ‘mop them up’ . Anti-oxidants includes things like curcum in found in turmeric.

Professor Martins creates a very useful table of comparison highlighting symptoms of what are normal memory lapses and abnormal memory lapses. The professor cautions that sometimes this is not a clear cut definition and can be blurred. For instance under stress or depression a person with no other indication of Alzheimer’s might do something which could be termed bizarre behaviour and a possible indication something is not quite right like when unpacking groceries putting the ice cream in the oven or parking ones car in a familiar environment and then failing to remember where it was parked. The discerning factor is that if such an event occurs on one occasion it can be seen as normal memory confusion caused by the stressful situation. It is only when such bizarre behaviour becomes the norm that we might consider Alzheimer’s as a possible cause.

Professor Martins and his Australian research team have conducted brain imaging that can predict if a person is going to get Alzheimer’s disease 20 years prior to it being established. But the screening is not for widespread use so there are other methods being developed such as eye imaging.

Professors Martins’ book is a positive resource for all people dealing in whatever way with Alzheimer’s disease, that offers practical advice on prevention as well as information for carers on how to cope with taking care of someone with the condition.

There are ample resources listed and many case studies that help us see both the devastating impact and the positive aspects that can arise from the condition, but most of all it teaches us how we can tighten that knot against forgetfulness unravelling.

Professor Ralph Martins’ book ‘Understanding Alzheimer’s ‘ is out now published by Macmillan Australia.