ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

Alzheimer's Disease:

also called: senile dementia

Alzheimer's disease

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE CAN IRREVERSIBLE, PROGRESSIVE BRAIN DISORDER THAT SLOWLY  DESTROYS THINKING SKILLS, MEMORY AND  EVENTUALLY; THE ABILITY TO CARRY OUT THE SIMPLE TASK.

Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia is one of them. In this disease, the patient forgets about their present, and also various types of problems are there. While some peoples forget a person's name (ANOMIA), while some peoples forget about new events also.  Because of the increasing number of persons who are coming in with complaints this 'forgetfulness' so much research is being conducted in the field of dementia.

• Another name:       Alzheimer's disease, Alzheimer's.
• Specialty:                  Neurology.
• Symptoms:               Difficulty in remembering recent events by 

                                               individuals, a problem with language, mood

                                                swings, disorientation.

                                             

• Usual onset:             Over 65 years old. 
• Duration:                  Long term.
• Risk factor:               Genetics, head injuries, hypertension,

                                               depression. 

• Diagnosis                  Cognitive testing after ruling out other possible methods:                    causes and based on symptoms.
• Differential 

        diagnosis:                  Normal aging 

• Medication:              Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, NMDA                                                         receptor antagonists (small benefit).
• Prognosis:                 Life expectancy 3-9 years.
• Frequency:                29.8 million.
• Death:                         1.9 million.                                             

HISTORY:

 

The name of Alzheimer's disease named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer. In 1906, Dr. Alzheimer observed changes in the brain's tissue of a woman, who had died of an abnormal mental disease. Her symptoms included language problems, memory loss, and unpredictable behavior. After that woman died, Alzheimer examined her brain and he found so many abnormal clumps(now known as Amyloid Plaques) and tangled bundles of fibers (now called Neurofibrillory or tau, tangles).

                             These plaques and tangles in our brain are still considered some of the main features of Alzheimer's disease. Another feature is the loss of connections between nerve cells(nerves) in the brain. Nerves transmit messages between various parts of the brain, and from the brain to organs and muscles in the body.

Dr. Alois Alzheimer

HOW DOES ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AFFECT THE BRAIN?

Alzheimer's disease affects the brain

Scientists continue to unravel the complex brain changes involved in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease.

                               The brain typically shrinks to some degree in healthy aging but, surprisingly, does not lose neurons in large numbers. In Alzheimer's disease, however, the loss is widespread, because so many neurons stop working, lose connections with other neurons, and die. The disrupts of Alzheimer's processes vital to neurons and their networks, which including communication, metabolism, and repair.

                                Firstly, typically Alzheimer's disease destroys

neurons and their connections in parts of the brain involved in memory, including the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex. After that, it affects areas in the cerebral cortex responsible for language, reasoning, and social behavior. Eventually, so many other areas of the brain are damaged. With time, a person with Alzheimer's gradually loses his or her ability to live and work independently. Ultimately, Alzheimer's disease is fatal.

SYMPTOMS:

                      

                       The main symptoms or can say key symptoms of Alzheimer's disease is -memory loss. 

                                   First of all, people with Alzheimer's disease may be aware of having difficulty with remembering things and organizing thoughts.      

                        Brain changes associated with Alzheimer's disease lead to growing trouble with:

*Memory:

                       Generally, we also memory lapses. It's normal to lose track of where you put your keys or forget the name of an acquaintance. But the loss of memory which associated with Alzheimer's disease persists and worsens, affecting the ability to function at work or at home.

Memory lapses 

People with Alzheimer's may:

• Repeat statements and questions over and over.
• Routinely misplace possessions, often putting them in illogical locations.
• Forget all conversations, appointments, or events, and not remember them later.
• Get lost in familiar places.
• Eventually, forget the names of family members and everyday objects.
• Have trouble finding the right words to identify objects, express thoughts, or take part in conversations.

*Making decisions and judgment:

                              The ability of a person to make reasonable decisions in everyday situations will decline. Example: A person wears clothes that are inappropriate for the weather or person may poor choices in social interactions.

*Thinking and reasoning:

                              Alzheimer's disease causes difficulty concentrating and thinking, especially about abstract concepts such as numbers.

                              Multitasking is literally difficult for Alzheimer's patients and it may be challenging to manage balance, finances, checkbooks, and pay bills on time.

*Planning and performing familiar tasks:

                               Such as planning and cooking a meal or playing a favorite game, become a struggle as the disease progresses. Gradually; over time person with advanced Alzheimer's may forget how to perform basic tasks ever bathing and dressing also.

*Changes in Behaviour and Personality:

                                Alzheimer's disease can affect moods and behaviors. Including problems:

• Depression
• Apathy 
• Mood swings, social withdrawal
• Distrust in others
• Changes in sleeping habits
• Aggressiveness and Irritability
• Loss of inhibitors
• Wandering
• Delusions, such as believing something has been stolen.

Risk factors of Alzheimer's disease:

• Genetics and family history: Our risk of developing Alzheimer's is somewhat higher if a first-degree relative parent or sibling has the disease.

                                      Genetics factor is a form of the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE). A variations gene, APOE e4, increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease, but not everyone with this variation of the gene develops the disease.

                                       Scientists have identified rare changes (mutations) in three genes that virtually guarantee a person who inherits are of them will develop Alzheimer's, but these mutations account for less than 1% of people with Alzheimer's disease.

• Age: The greatest risk factor of Alzheimer's disease is increasing age. Alzheimer's is not a part of normal aging but as we grow older the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease increasing.

• Down Syndrome: People with down syndrome develop Alzheimer's disease. This is related to having three copies of chromosomes 21- and subsequently three copies of the gene for the protein that leads to the creation of beta-amyloid.

• Sex: There appears to be little difference in risk between men and women, but, overall, there are more women with the disease because they generally live longer than men.

• Post - Head Trauma: If a person has severe head trauma having greatest risk of Alzheimer's disease.

• Poor sleep patterns: Many of the research has shown that poor sleep patterns, such as staying asleep or difficulty falling asleep are associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease.

• Lifestyle and heart health:   Research has also shown that the same risk factors associated with heart disease may also increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease. These include:

• Obesity
• Lack of exercise
• Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke 
• High blood pressure 
• High cholesterol
• Poorly controlled type 2 diabetes

Complications:

                           A person with Alzheimer's disease may not be able to:

• Communicate that he or she is experiencing pain For Example: from a dental problem.
• Report symptoms of another illness
• Follow a prescribed treatment plan
• Notice or describe medication side effects

TREATMENT:

                             Alzheimer's disease is complicated, and it is unlikely that anyone drug or other intervention can successfully

treat it. Current approaches focus on helping people maintain mental function, manage behavioral symptoms, and slow down certain problems, such as memory loss. Researchers hope to develop therapies specific genetics, cellular, and molecular mechanisms so that the actual underlying cause of the disease can be stopped or prevented.

• Medications to manage Behaviour Alzheimer's disease:

Common behavioral symptoms of this Alzheimer's disease include agitation, sleeping, wandering, and aggression, scientists are learning why this symptom occur and are studying new treatment-drug and non-drug to manage them. Research has shown that treating behavioral symptoms can make people with Alzheimer's more comfortable and makes things easier for caregivers.

• Looking for New Treatments for Alzheimer' Disease:

Alzheimer's disease research has developed to a point where scientists can look beyond treating symptoms to think about addressing underlying processes. In clinical trials, scientists are testing and developing several possible interventions, cognitive training, physical activity, and treatments for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Conclusion: A dangerous progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions.

                                                 Therefore, changing lifestyle habits can to some degree after your risk. For Example, Regular exercise and a healthy low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables are associated with a decreased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

 

             -AKSHITA SRIVASTAVA