Neurologist with Alzheimer's Shares His Strategy to Slow Disease Progression
Neurologist Dr. David Gibbs shares his personal battle with Alzheimer's and reveals the lifestyle modifications that helped slow his disease progression over nine years.
Dr. David Gibbs spent 25 years treating Alzheimer's patients before becoming one himself. Now, at 74, the Portland neurologist offers unique insights from both sides of the diagnosis, sharing the lifestyle changes that have helped him slow his disease progression.
His story began with an often-overlooked warning sign - loss of smell at age 55. As a neurologist, Gibbs knew this could signal Alzheimer's, though most people miss this gradual change. A genetic test later revealed he carried two copies of the APOE-4 gene, significantly increasing his Alzheimer's risk.
Nine years after his 2015 diagnosis, Gibbs maintains an active lifestyle with several key strategies:
- Physical Activity: He walks 10,000 steps daily and practices tai chi, supported by research showing regular exercise can cut Alzheimer's risk by up to 50%
- Diet: Following a modified Mediterranean diet rich in berries and low in dairy, which studies suggest can slow disease progression by 30-50%
- Sleep: Consistently getting 8 hours of sleep, aligning with research indicating 7.5 hours as optimal for brain health
- Social Engagement: Meeting friends one-on-one to maintain connections while managing cognitive load
- Mental Exercise: Daily crossword puzzles and continued reading despite increasing difficulty
Gibbs has also made significant lifestyle changes, eliminating alcohol after learning even moderate drinking can speed up Alzheimer's progression. He's adapted to challenges like losing his sense of smell, finding unexpected silver linings in his changed perception of the world.
His wife Lois plays a critical support role, managing finances and helping him maintain independence at home. Through his blog "Tattoo On My Brain" and recent book "Dispatches from the Land of Alzheimer's," Gibbs continues advocating for early intervention and lifestyle modifications.
Dr. Gibb's message is clear: start making changes early, ideally before symptoms appear. For those with family history, preventive measures could make a significant difference in disease progression.
Gibbs remains realistic yet hopeful, focusing on spending time with loved ones while using his unique position as both doctor and patient to help others understand and manage this challenging disease.
