Too Much To Control

Alzheimer's and dementia are diseases much in the news. Even among my acquaintances there are more cases of older people who no longer remember the present or cannot recognize their own family. After reading scientific articles on brain development and learning how many neurons are involved in putting everyday experiences into actions, I noticed how many ideas – thoughts – are going through my head, past, present and future. I think of what happened today just for an instant then all manner of other thoughts come up.
One thought leads to another. I wish I had done or said something differently. I could go crazy over those thoughts. You know, the game people play rehashing football runs after the game. Or which card could have won the bridge hand. Thoughts and ideas race through my brain and I want to take action and get something done. When I focus I shut all distractions out. Close off my senses and do the job. In a sense I shut off neurons bouncing all over the brain cells and force myself to concentrate on what I am doing and take control.
But what happens when people can no longer physically control those things that have been their habits for a lifetime? Will the brain keep on bombarding them with thoughts, willing them to action they cannot perform? What agony! How much can a human stand? Is there the possibility that they have to close off the memories? Could there be a Hox gene or a protein that shuts off the torment of ideas, wishes, or dreams that cannot possibly come to be? Do they wander off to search?
I expect there can be a better solution than looking for another pill.

Naomi Sherer