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Time is so difficult to understand. The feeling of time. Sometimes, time feels like all oceans on earth. Sometimes, time feels like it does´t even exist. A big challenge in life, at least for me, is to make a balance between both extremes. That is why I just like to spend a Friday evening at home doing nothing. Have something good to eat, talk with family, watch tv, listening to music. Collect new energy. Be present.

One of my interests is to catch moments in life when I walk. The above photo is from one of my walks. This summer has been unusually warm in Sweden, and the good weather is actually still present. Now when it has become a little chilly, it is easier to exercise. Not only walks.

I have told you that my mother suffers from Alzheimers disease. This is a disease that affects the family a lot. It takes a lot of energy. My opponent when I defended my thesis was Professor Agneta Nordberg. She is actually both a physician and a pharmacist. She has very good knowledge in Alzheimers Disease and dementia diseases in general. She has helped to introduce new tools for early diagnosis in Alzheimers disease. You can actually see, by using various imaging techniques (eg PET), how the brain undergoes changes. If accurate diagnosis is established at an early stage, pharmacological treatment can be introduced to hamper the memory loss symptoms.

My feeling today is that we have quite a lot of information how to hamper the dementia symptoms. There is always an interaction between environment and the body/brain. For instance, simple tasks like listening to music, make a cake, caress a dog or cat, increases the brain activity, and thereby also the resistance for further development of the disease.

There are a lot of scientific studies supporting the view that pharmacological treatment has the best turnout in combination with social support.

I have been in contact with Professor Agneta Nordberg during summer. She sent me some literature to read with special regard to Alzheimers disease. On Monday I will attend a symposium where dementia diseases are in focus. I am looking forward to meet Agneta and also to listen to the political debate. Politicians have a lot to do when it comes to helping families to support a difficult role. It is a tragedy to watch a family member change. This is not how we would like to remember a family member. At least I care.

I wish you all a pleasant weekend with lots of love,

Anna

Today has been a lovely day in Stockholm. Rather warm. Sunny. Autumn is approaching but, luckily, a little late. I like nice weather and warmth. There is governmental election in Sweden today, so of course I have voted.

A few years ago I promoted chocolate for Anthon Berg. I like fairtrade and I like the values Anthon Berg stands for. I am grown up with Anthon Berg, especially the tasty Marsipan bars, so it was an easy decision for me to promote.

Please, visit the website www.anthonberg.se

You know that I like history, and the history of chocolate is well described. Interesting historical journey.

Sweet moments to you!

Anna

Indian summer. So nice weather. I have told you that I have travelled some alone. I mean, since I don´t have a man I must take care of myself and not just stay at home. So a few years ago I went to lovely Cuba. That was when I moved back from Norway to Sweden. Pharmacies had been owned by the state in Sweden. To the best of my knowledge, Cuba, North Korea and Sweden are the only countries with pharmacies owned by the state. I was a little worried that I wash´t going to meet any people during my journey. But I did. I got many new friends.

Sometimes it is good to put things in perspective so of course I had to go to a pharmacy. Please see the photo above. They were very busy helping a lot of customers but I got this photo. Nice colleges!

Ok, all for tonight.

Des bisous,

Anna

Theoretical pharmacology. I have always liked to study at different libraries. In Uppsala it was very nice to study at Carolina Rediviva. Beautiful ambience. Inspiration. It was also very nice to meet friends over a cup of coffee to discuss various issues. Do we really need to learn all this by heart? Etcetera. I also went to a very unknown library in Uppsala. Few people new about it so it was very good to stay there when I needed discipline. I will not reveal what library it was… In Stockholm I have found this lovely library. Gives a lot of inspiration. Yes, I am so boring…

Yes. Theoretical pharmacology.

I don´t know why but I think I need to underline the importance of top-down pharmacology. Or integrated pharmacology. What you see in vitro may be completely different in vivo. Very clear cut studies in vitro can be completely different in vivo. Because in vivo you have so many biological systems orchestrating your body functions. But for me it is important to have the whole view. That is, you collect evidence from molecule to behavior-physiological changes. Based on results your gut feeling tells you where to move on. However, to be able to develop new pharmaceutical drugs you need a strong effect. Like in the famous experiments by Professor Arvid Carlsson where reserpine treated rabbits “woke up” after L-DOPA administration. That is the fairy tale of the monoamines. Simplicity is beautiful.

Je vous embrasse,

Anna

Hope you have had a good day. I did. Fall is slowly approaching. It is getting darker, but we are still happy to have a pleasant temperature. The feeling of summertime is still present.

Right now my life is a contradiction. I exercise quite a lot, which is so fun. But I do not know how I can live without sweets. I have always been very keen on sweets. Especially chocolate. My biggest weakness. But so good!

I have started to think a little about a journey somewhere, but I will continue to write my book. I also think a lot about my theoretical pharmacology. Even though I have travelled alone I miss company. Someone to share my traveling experiences with. However, writing is a way of traveling. To travel with imagination.

Sweet dreams,

Anna