Alzheimer’s disease affects thousands of people and families everyday. The neurodegenerative disease slowly perpetuates over several years, with the “gradual slowing of mental and cognitive capabilities. Uusually developing in mid-to-late adulthood, usually after 60, Robert McEntarffer and Allyson Weseley stated in the Barron’s AP Psychology textbook, “it’s a form of dementia, a deterioration of cognitive abilities, often seen most dramatically in memory” (AP Psychology, 2016 pg. 228). It usually affects people sporadically, but a genetic link has been noted to influence the likelihood of inheriting the disease. According to an Encyclopedia Britannica article, “about 10 percent of those who develop the disease are younger than 60 years of …show more content…
age” (Alzheimer’s Disease, 2018). “The disease is characterized by the destruction of nerve cells and neural connections in the cerebral cortex of the brain and by a significant loss of brain mass” (Alzheimer’s Disease, 2018).
Kasthuri Magalingan mentioned in the article Current Concepts of Neurodegenerative Mechanisms in Alzheimer Disease that it also causes the reduction of “neurons as well as neural death” and forgetfulness is one of the primary signs that something serious could be going on. (Current Concepts of Neurodegenerative Mechanisms in Alzheimer’s Disease, 2018). Krisendu Gosh found that these changes “may occur in the areas of visual and verbal memory, visuospatial abilities, immediate memory, or the ability to name objects” (Alzheimer’s disease - Not an exaggeration of healthy aging 2011). Even with the improvements in modern medicine over the years, Alzheimer's disease remains without a cure, definite causes, a means of testing for the disease, leaving it irreversible. Despite this, fMRI and PET scans are helping doctors distinguish differences between normal aging and the sign of something more …show more content…
serious. There are three stages of Alzheimer’s disease: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer dementia. “Recognition of the preclinical stage acknowledges that the Alzheimer disease process begins before symptoms are apparent and anticipates advances in diagnostic testing that may eventually enable diagnosis at the preclinical stage” (Alzheimer’s Disease, 2018). MCI is divided into two categories- amnestic and nonamnestic. Amnestic deals with memory dysfunction, but the person still has cognitive abilities in judgement, reasoning, and perception. Nonamnestic is when memory stays intact, but cognitive abilities in attention, perception, and language diminish. “One of the most significant features of AD is substantial neural loss in hippocampus and cerebral cortex, the regions which are involved in memory and cognition. Studies have shown that high hippocampal diffusivity values in the hippocampal formation of healthy elderly individuals beyond their 50s, predicts memory decline. Myelin breakdown is predicted to be an important aspect of AD. According to this hypothesis, late myelinating fibers are the earliest ones to get involved in AD. Corpus calosum which connects two cerebral hemispheres is the largest white matter bundle in the human brain and this is where early degeneration begins. It contains late myelinating fibers in genu and early myelinating fiber in splenium. One study has shown that reduction in genu size occur even in the preclinical stage of dementia which reinforced the theory of late myelinating fibers get affected in AD first” (Ghosh, 2011). The presence of neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles have been identified in the brain relating to Alzheimer's, although doctors and researchers do not know if they are a cause or result of the disease. “Neuritic plaques—also called senile, dendritic, or amyloid plaques—consist of deteriorating neuronal material surrounding deposits of a sticky protein called amyloid beta”, a natural protein” (Alzheimer’s Disease, 2018). The “neurofibrillary tangles are twisted protein fibres located within nerve cells. These fibres consist of a protein, called tau, that normally occurs in neurons. When incorrectly processed, tau molecules clump together and form tangles” (Alzheimer’s Disease, 2018). A lack of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that aids in memory and motor movement, has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease as well. Abnormal insulin levels are linked to the development of Alzheimer's too.
Insulin binds to membranes, which then affects the uptake of glucose, making it difficult for the brain to carry out its regular functions. The lack of insulin receptors creates a build up in the blood serum, also known as hyperinsulinemia. This can lead to inflammation, neuritic plaques, and other forms of nerve cell dysfunction. In addition to insulin levels, genese do play a role in the presence of Alzheimer's. The gene APP, if defected, can be associated with early-onset Alzheimer's, though only a very low percentage. “A defect [in the gene], which codes for amyloid precursor protein, may increase the production or deposition of amyloid beta, which forms the core of neuritic plaques” (Alzheimer's Disease, 2018). APOE2, APOE3, and APOE4 are associated with late-onset Alzheimer's. Those with APOE4 are said to have a hyperactive hippocampus, the area of the brain that deals with emotions and memory. The spike in activity while young leads to brain memory decrease later in life and the hippocampus not working as well. People with the gene TOMM40, along with APOE 3 or 4 are linked to getting the disease before 80 if in a long form of DNA and the short forms after 80 years
old. Although there is no cure for the disease, there are some current methods doctors use to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s in patients. “In roughly 50 percent of patients, the progression of amnestic MCI can be delayed for about one year by drugs called acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (or anticholinesterases)” (Alzheimer’s Disease, 2018). The drugs galantamine, donepezil, and rivastigmine slow down the breakdown of acetylcholine and are used to help those in the beginning stages of the disease. Memantine can be used to decrease abnormal brain activity, and other drugs can be used to alleviate side effects common with the disease such as depression, behavioral problems, and insomnia. “One drug that has demonstrated some success is methylthioninium chloride (Rember), more commonly known as methylene blue (an organic dye), targets the tau protein of neurofibrillary tangles. In clinical trials, methylthioninium chloride either stopped or significantly slowed the progression of cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer disease. It is the first drug capable of dissolving tau protein fibres and preventing the formation of neurofibrillary tangles” (Alzheimer's Disease, 2018). A lifestyle focusing on cardiovascular health, including regular exercise, a healthy diet, and low stress can help warn off developing the disease. Limiting fat and sugar can also help, because a link has been found between foods high in those substances and neuritic plaques. “In persons aged 75 and older who have normal cognitive function, the consumption of moderate amounts of alcohol, defined as being between 8 and 14 drinks per week (one drink equals 0.5 ounce of 100 percent alcohol), has been shown to reduce the risk of dementia by nearly 40 percent” (Alzheimer’s Disease, 2018). Rheumatoid arthritis also is associated with a decreased risk of developing Alzheimer’s. “A test designed to analyze spinal fluid for certain biomarker signatures indicative of Alzheimer disease has shown promise in early detection of the disease. Fluid for the test is collected via lumbar puncture (spinal tap). The sensitivity of the test is such that it can identify persons who are affected by mild cognitive impairment and hence are at the greatest risk of later developing the disease, thereby providing time for intervention strategies to delay its onset” (Alzheimer’s Disease, 2018).
What is Alzheimer ? Is Alzheimer 's more difficult for the patient or for the patient’s siblings?
Thesis/Preview Statement – Alzheimer’s disease (AD) causes a decline in brain function, it destroys healthy nerve cells. Today, we have discussed Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis of AD.
Memory plays a significant role in the everyday lives of people of all ages. It allows them to recall information and remember skills that were learned in the past. Memory also organizes past information to help people make current and future decisions. However, imagine forgetting the names of close family members or not having the ability to find your keys every time you want to leave the house. These are some of the struggles that people with Alzheimer’s disease face daily. Alzheimer’s disease was first identified by German neurologist Alois Alzheimer in 1906, and was discovered to have an overpowering effect on explicit memory loss (Gruetzner, 1988). There are two types of Alzheimer’s disease – early onset and late onset. Early onset occurs in patients who are diagnosed before the age of 65 whereas late onset occurs in patients who are diagnosed after the age of 65. In the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, short-term memory is often lost. As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, problems with long-term memory begin to develop, in addition to short-term memory impairments. Although a lot is known about the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, the cause has not been conclusively identified. However, as research continues, new theories about the cause of Alzheimer’s disease are being proposed. This has led to a controversy over whether Alzheimer’s disease is caused by genetics or environmental influences (Gruetzner, 1988).
Nerve cell death and tissue throughout the brain is the most significant affect over time. Naturally by age twenty-five the brain starts to decrease in size. With Alzheimer’s, the amount decrease is extremely significant. The cortex begins to shrivel up which is the part of the brain required for planning, remembering, and thinking. The most noticeable shrinkage occurs in the hippocampus. The hippocampus is responsible for the formation of new memories, it is also located inside the cortex. Upon further inspection under microscope, tissue samples are observed and synapses and nerve cell count is severely decreased. Tangles, are also found which our twisted strands of another protein due to nerve cells dying and bunching together. Plaques and tangles are prime suspects in the death and tissue loss in the Alzheimer’s brain. Beta-amyloid is a chemical and is sticky which causes it to gradually build up into plaques. This chemical derives from a larger protein found in the nerve cells with fatty membranes. These tangles destroy a vital cell transport system made of proteins.
Alzheimer’s disease, named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, is a disease that is on the rise in America and the rest of the world. People should learn as much as they want about this disease, because as you age, your chances of becoming an Alzheimer’s Disease, or AD, patient increases. It is estimated that approximately 3 percent of Americans between the ages of 65 and 74 have the illness, and more than half of all people over age 85 have the ailment.
Alzheimer’s is a result from a combination of factors that cause progressive brain deterioration that affects the memory and behavior of an individual. There are two known risk factors. The first risk factor is age. Alzheimer’s usually affects people older than 60, and rarely affects those younger than 40. The average age
Patients with Alzheimer’s lose this input, which prevents making new memories and remembering old ones (Marieb and Hoehn 2013). There are three different abnormalities that can make up Alzheimer’s disease. The first abnormality is beta-amyloid peptide cut from APP, a membrane precursor protein (Marieb and Hoehn 2013). Too much beta-amyloid is toxic and causes plaque buildup between neurons that reduces levels of acetylcholine, which makes it difficult to retrieve old memories and make new ones (Marieb and Hoehn 2013). Another abnormality of Alzheimer’s disease is the presence of neurofibrillary tangles inside the neuron.
Alzheimer’s disease comes from the last name of a neuro-psychiatrist from Germany, Alois Alzheimer. The disease was first diagnosed when a woman in her early fifties began experience memory problems. “Alzheimer recounted the now famous case of ‘Auguste D.’ a 51-year-old housewife who had been failing mentally for several years. As a result she had been admitted to his care in the Asylum for the Insane and Epileptic…” (Maurer and Maurer 1). After her death, he continued to examine her brain to find causes and explanations for her behavior. He discovered “…classic neuro-pathological signs of plaques and tangles” (Maurer and Maurer 1). “Plaques are chains of amino acids that are pieces of the amyloid precursor protein…tangles are aggregates of the protein tau” (Secko 1). As plaques develop they produce tangles and “these two abnormalities ultimately lead to loss of cognitive function” (Secko 1) Alois Alzheimer’s research has allowed many specialist to conclude that the apolipoproetein E gene may contribute to the disease.
Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia which is a brain disorder that impairs mental functioning. Dementia attacks the part of the brain which controls memory, language, and thought. It makes everyday tasks like remembering to brushing your teeth, or to pay your bills next to impossible to do, which is why so many people who are diagnosed with this disease are in complete care. This disease has different phases, the first being slight forgetfulness and then the persons emotions may heighten as well as language impairment, violent outbursts, loss of bladder control and from there it keeps getting worse until complete dysfunction of the brain occurs and eventually death, which most of the time is the result of infection.
Alzheimer's disorder is a mental disorder that affects your brain, and in particular the disorder affects the memory part of your brain. The disorder slows down the memory section of your brain, and as a result the number one symptom of Alzheimer's is memory loss. The disorder usually doesn't affect younger people, but instead affects people that are older than the age of sixty. The disorder can get so serious that the patient could loss there of about everything that has ever happened in their life. Patients usually loss their memory of their childhood during the most severe, intense, and last stage of the disorder. Alzheimer's disorder can also have a drastic effect on the patient's family, because during the disorder the patient can forget about their entire family.
The participation in leisure activities, such as dance, is related with a reduced risk of development of dementia, both Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia (Verghese et al., 2003). Dementia is “a general term that describes a group of symptoms-such as loss of memory, judgment, language, complex motor skills, and other intellectual function-caused by the permanent damage or death of the brain's nerve cells, or neurons” (Alzheimer’s Foundation of America [AFA], 2015, para 1). Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in persons over the age of 65, representing about 60 percent of all dementias. Dementia is specifically characterized by “different pathologic, or structural, changes in the brain, such as an accumulation of
In 1906, a German physician named Dr. Alois Alzheimer dealt with a patient that had been battling severe memory and confusion problems and had tremendous difficulty understanding questions and basic functions. Alzheimer suspected that the ailment had more to it than inherent memory loss. During an autopsy of the brain, he discovered that there were deposits of neuritic plaques surrounding the nerve cells and twisted fibers, known as neurofibrillary tangles, inside of the nerve cells. These observations became the definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. The plaques and tangles that develop are a natural part of aging; however, they develop far more aggressively in Alzheimer’s victims. The plaques and tangles then block communication among nerve cells and disrupt the cells processes, eventually killing them. This destruction causes memory failure, personality changes, and problems carrying out everyday functions. Alzheimer’s especially attacks the memory. A victim in the later stage of the disease can...
Scientists know that Alzheimer disease is characterized by a gradual spread of sticky plaques and clumps of tangled fibers that disrupt the organization of nerve cells in the brain. However , a definite cause, prevention, or cause has not been found.
The topic selected for this assignment investigates the relationship between Alzheimer’s Disease and Diabetes. There continues to be a growing pool over research surrounding this topic. Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that effects the cognitive processes of the brain. It is known as the most common form of dementia, accounting for up to 60-80 percent of all dementia cases (ALZ, 2017). This condition is commonly seen in older populations and presents with symptoms of memory, cognitive, and behavioral impairments. Other than alterations in cognitive and behavioral function, there are many physiological changes that occur in these patients as well. The neuropathology of this condition characterizes two physiological changes in neural
Alzheimer’s Disease is named after a German doctor, who specializes in the brain and nervous system, named Alois Alzheimer. This Disease forms in the brain. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of Dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to enter. The Tau protein ensures the tubes in your brain stay straight allowing molecules to pass through freely. In Alzheimer’s Disease the protein collapses into strands or tangles, making the tubes disintegrate. There is visible differences of brain tissue in the from misfolded proteins called plaques and tangles. Beta-Amyloid clumps block signals and communication between cells in the brain. Researchers agree that Alzheimer’s Disease is m...