Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease was first described by Alois Alzheimer in 1907. He examined brain tissue from patients dying with dementia. The tissue has a characteristics appearance under the microscope, with protein 'plagues' accumulating outside brain cells and tangled deposits of  protein appearing inside the cells. Two key parts of the brain affected are the cortex of the cerebral hemispheres (the conscious part of the brain) and the hippocampus (involved with memory). Both plagues and tangles are caused by accumulation of abnormal proteins, amyloid B-protein in the case of plagues, and an abnormal form of tau protein which is overloaded with phosphate groups in the case of tangles. Normal tau protein is associated with micro tubules in the elaborate cytoskeleton of  neurones. The amyloid protein gene is found on chromosome 21 and the extra chromosome 21 in sufferers of Down's syndrome results in Alzheimer-like changes in their brains. The brain of Alzheimer's sufferers also shrink from loss of nerve cells.

What is Alzheimer's Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually even the ability to carry out the simplest tasks of daily living. In most people with Alzheimer’s, symptoms first appear after age 65. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia among older people.

The disease is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer. In 1906, Dr. Alzheimer noticed changes in the brain tissue of a woman who had died of an unusual mental illness. Her symptoms included memory loss, language problems, and unpredictable behavior. After she died, he examined her brain and found many abnormal clumps (now called amyloid plaques) and tangled bundles of fibers (now called neurofibrillary tangles).

Plaques and tangles in the brain are two of the main features of Alzheimer’s disease. The third is the loss of connections between nerve cells (neurons) in the brain.

Although treatment can help manage symptoms in some people, currently there is no cure for this devastating disease.

Alzheimer's disease is difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to those other diseases that cause dementia. It usually requires a post-mortem examination of brain tissue to confirm diagnosis. There is a genetic predisposition to the disease in some people, so it trends to run in families. There is also evidence that high levels of aluminium may contribute to the onset of the disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), also known as Alzheimer disease, or just Alzheimer's, accounts for 60% to 70% of cases of dementia. It is a chronic neuro degenerative disease that usually starts slowly and gets worse over time. The most common early symptom is difficulty in remembering recent events (short term memory loss). As the disease advances, symptoms can include: problems with language, disorientation (including easily getting lost), mood swings, loss of motivation, not managing self care, and behavioral issues. As a person's condition declines, she or he often withdraws from family and society. Gradually, bodily functions are lost, ultimately leading to death. Although the speed of progression can vary, the average life expectancy following diagnosis is three to nine years.

Causes of Alzheimer

The cause of Alzheimer's disease is poorly understood.  About 70%of the risk is believed to be genetic with many genes usually involved. Other risk factors include: a history of head injuries, depression or hypertension. The disease process is associated with plaques and tangles in the brain. A probable diagnosis is based on the history of the illness and cognitive testing with medical imaging and blood tests to rule out other possible causes. Initial symptoms are often mistaken for normal ageing. Examination of brain tissue is needed for a definite diagnosis. Mental and physical exercise and avoiding obesity may decrease the risk of AD. There are no medications or supplements with evidence to support their use.

No treatments stop or reverse its progression, though some may temporarily improve symptoms. Affected people increasingly rely on others for assistance, often placing a burden on the caregiver; the pressures can include social, psychological, physical, and economic elements. Exercise programs are beneficial with respect to activities of daily living and potentially improve outcomes. Treatment of behavioral problems or psychosis due to dementia with antipsychotics is common but not usually recommended due to there often being little benefit and an increased risk of early death.

What is Alzheimer's ?- Video

In 2010, there were between 21 and 35 million people worldwide with AD.  It most often begins in people over 65 years of age; although 4% to 5% of cases are early-onset Alzheimer's which begin before this. It affects about 6% of people 65 years and older. In 2010, dementia resulted in about 486,000 deaths. It was first described by, and later named after, German psychiatrist and pathologist Alois Alzheimer in 1906. In developed countries, AD is one of the most financially costly diseases.

What is dementia?

Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning—thinking, remembering, and reasoning—and behavioral abilities to such an extent that it interferes with a person’s daily life and activities. Dementia ranges in severity from the mildest stage, when it is just beginning to affect a person’s functioning, to the most severe stage, when the person must depend completely on others for basic activities of daily living.

Many conditions and diseases cause dementia. Two of the most common causes of dementia in older people are Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, which is caused by a series of strokes or changes in the brain’s blood supply.

Other conditions that may cause memory loss or dementia include:

Medication side effects

Chronic alcoholism

Tumors or infections in the brain

Blood clots in the brain

Vitamin B12 deficiency

Some thyroid, kidney, or liver disorders

Many of these conditions are temporary and reversible, but they can be serious and should be treated by a doctor as soon as possible.

Emotional problems, such as stress, anxiety, or depression, can make a person more forgetful and can be mistaken for dementia. For instance, someone who has recently retired or who is coping with the death of a spouse may feel sad, lonely, worried, or bored. Trying to deal with these life changes leaves some people confused or forgetful. The emotional problems can be eased by supportive friends and family, but if these feelings last for a long time, it is important to get help from a doctor or counselor.

What is Dementia?- Video