Alzheimer's Disease

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Alzheimer's Disease

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Every era has its disease; the one debilitating killer that each individual grows up to fear and detest more than War or poverty or depression. In the sixteenth century the Black Plague swept Europe, and later Syphilis destroyed much of the New World. More recently Polio was what each mother feared would over take her child. However, each of these diseases had its own time and place, and each has all but disappeared by cure or public awareness. Unfortunately, as each disease passes away a new killer moves up through the ranks to strike fear in humanity, young and old. Currently, the United Statesí population is aging, with people over eighty-five becoming the nations fastest growing age group">(2).It should come as no surprise that the disease of the new millennium should be a disease of the elderly: Alzheimerís Disease. Effecting half the Americans over the age of eighty Alzheimerís Disease has left its victims in a world of confused dementia, and the rest of the world in a panic to find a cure">(2).

Since ancient times, it has been clear that some people lose mental sharpness (cognitive function) as they age. However, in 1906, the German neurologist Alois Alzheimer began an autopsy of a woman from Frankfurt, that had died after several years of progressive mental deterioration. From the accounts of the doctor, family, and friends of the woman, Alzheimer put together her mental state prior to death, and described the woman as being marked by increased confusion, disorientation, and memory loss.Taking advantage of staining techniques that had recently been established, Alzheimer noticed an odd disorganization of the nerve cells in the womanís cerebral cortex, the part of the brain...

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2)Th e surgeon generals report, The actual surgeon generals report on the disease and its impact

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro01/web3/www.mentalhealth.org/specials/surgeongeneralreport/chapter5/sec4/htm

3), A good article that gives good information

4), A good article which gives some details

5)Veritas Medicine, An actual doctor group that is doing research

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro01/web3/www.veritasmedicine.com/alzheimers

6), A group set up to help doctors and care givers

7)The Alzheimers forum, some good information

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro01/web3/www.alzforum.org/members/research/gene

8)The official Alzheimers website, The real site gives good links and references

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro01/web3/www.alzheimers.org/genefact.html

9), Good site with basic details

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