Book Review
2023, Johns Hopkins Press.
Authors: Emily Clionsky, M.D. & Mitchell Clionsky, Ph.D.
Reviewer: Wendy C. Kasten, Ph.D.
Married couple Emily Clionsky, a physician and Mitchell Clionsky, a neuropsychologist combine their areas of expertise to write an informative book focusing on different kinds of dementias. This well-written book first defines dementias, including but not limited to Alzheimers. The authors distinguish the typical aging process from more serious and worrisome cognitive issues.
Subsequent chapters examine the genetics of dementias, various medical events or conditions associated with increased risks, such as hypertension, Type II Diabetes, and midlife obesity (See Dr. Carol Kuhn’s useful article on Hypertension in the winter 2023 issue of Village-Wise).
As the daughter of a parent who died of Alzheimer’s disease, I especially appreciated the chapter on lifestyle choices, such as the important role of sleep, which can help reduce the risk of acquiring Alzheimer’s disease (Refer to Carol Kuhn, M.D.’s helpful article in the spring 2023 issue of Village-Wise). Clionsky and Clionsky also describe a risk assessment model that would be useful for readers to study and understand.
Some readers may shy away from reading nonfiction, thinking it dry. However, Emily Clionsky, M.D. and Mitchell Clionsky, Ph.D. have written an engaging book, peppered with examples from their practices and their own research. For some of us, this may be the most important book we buy and read this year!
Dr. Wendy C. Kasten, Writer 