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WHY DOES IT TAKE SO LONG TO DIAGNOSE DEMENTIA?

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

In today’s newsletter, we explore the best images of the tiny things around us, find a breakthrough in long COVID ... and learn how difficult it is for Bruce Willis and others to get dementia diagnosed. Plus, a 3,770-year-old customer complaint—engraved on a rock!

Actor Bruce Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.

PHOTOGRAPH BY RICH FURY, GETTY IMAGES

Scruffier clothing. Uncharacteristic foul language. These are among many possible tipoffs to emerging dementia.

Getting to a diagnosis is a journey, as in the case of Bruce Willis (shown above in 2018). He now has frontotemporal dementia, which moves much faster than Azheimer's, the most common form of dementia.

Sometimes the person is able to mask declining faculties; or the form and cause of the brain-ravaging illness is elusive. What are the forms of dementia? And what can a friend or a loved one do to help?

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

This microscopic view of breast cancer cells, which won third place, formed the shape of a heart.

PHOTOGRAPH BY MALGORZATA LISOWSKA, NIKON SMALL WORLD

It looks like a tiny heart: A Nikon Small World 2023 finalist captures breast cancer cells. See breathtaking images of the tiny things around us—or inside us.

Discovering the underlying causes of long COVID

These insects are masters of disguise—even before hatching

10 of the world’s quirkiest forms of public transport

Our average body temperature is going down. Why?

What is POTS? This strange disorder has doubled since the pandemic

What sugar does to your brain

The world’s greatest illusionist took aim at dark powers. He left questions with his sudden death.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

This palm-sized clay tablet, inscribed in cuneiform nearly 4,000 years ago, rails against the delivery of poor-quality copper.

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY THE TRUSTEES OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM

I'd like my money back: Dissatisfied buyers and bad customer service go way back. Waaaay back. Take a look at this 3,770-year-old complaint by a man who said he was shortchanged by a skivvy copper seller. Oh yeah, the complaint (above) was carved into a rock.

ROCK SOLID COMPLAINT

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Children mold a sculpture in the sand at a beach in Bangladesh

PHOTOGRAPH BY ISMAIL FERDOUS

Delayed rewards: Ismail Ferdous is this year's Leica Oskar Barnack Award winner with his work on Cox's Bazar, the beach in Bangladesh he remembered as a youth—and one he couldn’t get to for two years during the COVID pandemic. The time he spent away, he says, "made me more curious and also made me a stranger to my own heritage." (Above, kids mold a sand sculpture.)

WHAT IN THE WORLD?

Adrenaline, dopamine, and cortisol all play a role in how we react to fear-inducing experiences like an intense ride at the Minnesota State Fair, seen here.

PHOTOGRAPH BY JOEL SARTORE, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

Halloween’s big question: Why do we like to be scared? At a time of year when front yards transform into spooky, spider-webby terrain and horror movies dominate video streams, we look at why fear—Halloween style or not—sells. (Above, a couple partakes in a fear-inducing ride at the Minnesota State Fair.)

Which of these things does our body do when it is afraid?

A. Dilate our pupils so we can see better.
B. Widen our bronchi so we can take in more oxygen.
C. Divert blood and glucose to vital organs and skeletal muscles.
D. All of the above.

CLICK HERE FOR THE ANSWER

Today’s soundtrack: Better Days, Le’Andria Johnson

Thanks for reading our newsletter! It was edited and curated by Jen Tse, Nancy San Martín, and David Beard. We'd love to hear from you: [email protected]. Keep shining!

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