Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Look Into Biomarkers

3468 Words7 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Environmental factors in depression

INTRODUCTION Alzheimer's disease is a form of dementia that is nonreversible and develops over a period of years that affects mostly the elderly population. Alzheimer's disease can be mistaken for normal aging but personality and behavior changes sets Alzheimer's disease apart. Although Alzheimer's disease is considered an aged disease, it has been documented to affect people before the age of 65. This is termed early onset Alzheimer's disease which accounts for 5-10% of all Alzheimer's disease. Statistics conducted by the Alzheimer's Association estimates that 5.3 million people have Alzheimer's disease with an annual cost for medical care of 172 billion dollars [2]. The impact of Alzheimer’s disease on American society has caused Social Security to change its guidelines for "Compensation Allowance" for individuals affected by the Alzheimer's disease [2]. Early detection for Alzheimer's disease is needed to alleviate the social, economical and financial burden tasked to family members and caregivers of Alzheimer's disease patients along with early treatment of AD patients. Current treatment for Alzheimer’s disease includes drug therapy such as cholinesterase inhibitors, a drug that supports communication among nerve cells which leads to memory improvement, and Memantine, another memory enhancing drug which regulates glutamate activity. The table below list a few drugs of the category above by generic and brand names. [17] Non drug treatment includes counseling of patients and family members of the possible mental changes and what can be done to ease the transition. Environmental changes and daily habits can be altered to reduce any obstacles associated with dementia and cognitive exercises can be performed by patients to he... ... middle of paper ... ...10650.jpg>. 19. Valeria Geylis, Vitaly Kourilov, Zeev Meiner, Inger Nennesmo, Nenad Bogdanovic, Michael Steinitz, Human monoclonal antibodies against amyloid-beta from healthy adults, Neurobiology of Aging, Volume 26, Issue 5, May 2005, Pages 597-606, ISSN 0197-4580, DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2004.06.008. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6T09-4DCN0R9-3/2/ab7a4837960d0afc8b844f274bdb2672) Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Anti-amyloid-beta antibodies; Epstein-Barr virus; Human monoclonal antibodies; Immunotherapy; Passive immunization 20. "Spinal Tap". eMedicineHealth. 5/26/2010 . 21. "ApoE Genotyping". Lab Tests Online. 5/26/2010 . 22. "APOE". Genetic Home Reference. 5/26/2010 .

Show More
Related

  • Still Alice by Lisa Genova

    1265 Words  | 3 Pages

    Alzheimer’s disease was first defined in 1906 by a German psychiatrist, Alois Alzheimer. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. It is a progressive brain disorder in which the nerve cells in the brain gradually die off. It is estimated that 26 million people world-wide are afflicted by Alzheimer’s and of those, approximately 4.5 million live in the United States. It is said to be the seventh leading cause of death in the USA and the fifth leading cause of death for those over age 65. Seventeen percent of women and ten percent of men age 55 and older can expect to develop Alzheimer’s (apa.org, 2009). Researchers report that this disease is more prevalent in African Americans and Hispanics than in whites (Crandell, Crandell, and Zanden, 2009, p. 578).

    Read More

  • Alzheimer's Speech Outline

    810 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Alzheimer´s Disease: An in Depth Look at Signs, Symptoms, and Disgnosis

    657 Words  | 2 Pages

    There are no current treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers are constantly looking for new and advanced treatments to alter the course. Any breakthrough in progress will ensure the improvement of the quality of life of people with dementia.

    Read More

  • Dementia Essay

    1654 Words  | 4 Pages

    Dementia is a significant health issue in Australia (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2012) (AIHW 2012). Whilst Dementia primarily affects older members of the community, it can also affect young people and has a significant influence on overall health and quality of life (AIHW 2012). The type of Dementia is a determinant in the severity and development of symptoms in individuals (Department of Health 2013) (DoH, 2013). The gradual, progressive and irreversible nature of Dementia has a considerable social and physical impact not only on the individual, but also on family and friends.

    Read More

  • Caring for a Person with Alzheimer's Disease

    2109 Words  | 5 Pages

    The sixth leading cause of death in the United States, Alzheimer’s disease afflicts approximately 5.2 million persons age 65 and over (Alzheimer's Association, 2012). Rapid growth of the older population as the Baby Boomer generation ages will cause unprecedented increases in the number of individuals with Alzheimer’s. It is estimated that by 2025 the number of Wisconsin residents with Alzheimer’s age 65 and older will increase by 30% to a projected total of 127,000 (Alzheimer's Association, 2012).

    Read More

  • Dementia Effects the Elderly and Their Caregivers

    718 Words  | 2 Pages

    Dementia is common among a large population of elderly people. The disease affects not only the individual diagnosed, but also the caregivers that work towards making their life comfortable in the end. Understanding and learning about the disease is crucial in helping those that experience or live with someone who has dementia. The services and support that are currently in affect for elderly people with dementia and the caregivers is poor, and ineffective because of the lack of research and information on the topic.

    Read More

  • Alzheimers Disease

    1255 Words  | 3 Pages

    Alzheimer’s can be diagnosed before age 65, although rare, and is caused by a mutation in 3 known genes. About 5 percent of those who are under 65 and possess the ailment have AD in their family history. Given that the symptoms of AD are caused by plaque in the brain, causing loss of nerve cells that help the body communicate with the brain, mutations to these genes; amyloid precursor protein, presenilin 1, and presenilin 2 cause a excessive production of certain proteins (primarily a B-42 form of amyloid protein), and therefore spark an excessive growth of plaque cells which are toxic to the neurons of the brain. For those cases of Alzheimer’s that occur after age 65, a genetic mutation has yet to be proven, although some may be linked, to the fact that a difference may cause an increased chance of developing the ailment. Whatever the case may be for patients over 65 years old, the disease and its symptoms are caused by neurofibrillary tangles of almyloid plaques. It is impossible for someone to test positive for Alzheimer’s Disease, because the only way to determine an affirmative case i...

    Read More

  • Alzheimer's Disease

    2171 Words  | 5 Pages

    ...hed and streamlined to allow for earlier diagnosis. In the case of tertiary prevention, the pharmaceutical companies have a huge financial incentive to create a cure for Alzheimer’s but that is not enough. More government funded research should be dedicated towards finding methods to delay or cure Alzheimer’s disease. The baby boomer generation has already entered their 60’s. As people live longer, as a result of new treatments for common killers such as heart disease and cancer, the chances that they will succumb to Alzheimer’s increases. Failing to find preventative or curative measures will be costly. On a personal level, Alzheimer’s disease slowly attacks cognitive function-the higher thought processes; individuals degenerate into infantile dependents. The cost of caring for increasing numbers of such dependents will be a burden on both family and society.

    Read More

  • Alzheimer's Disease Essay

    1896 Words  | 4 Pages

    Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, and this terminal, progressive brain disorder has no known cause or cure. Its greatest known risk factor is increasing age which is why is it is infamous for developing in the elderly, typically in ages 65 or over, however for the 5%(1) that develop Alzheimer’s in their 40s or 50s it is known as early Alzheimer’s. Because Alzheimer’s worsens over time, those with it tend to struggle with completing daily tasks especially elderly people. Given that there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, the treatments available slow the worsening of dementia symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. It is not known what causes Alzheimer's, however, those with Alzheimer's have been found to have abnormal amounts of protein (amyloid plaques) and fibres.(The amyloid plaques and fibres are found in regions of the brain where problem solving and thinking take place e.g The cerebrum.) Due to the unusual amounts of amyloid plaques and fibres, it reduces the effectiveness of healthy neurons and eventually, destroying them.

    Read More

  • Alzheimer’s Disease

    2552 Words  | 6 Pages

    Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive, terminal, degenerative brain disease. It is the fourth leading cause of death in adults and currently affects over four million people in the United States. This number is expected to increase over the next several years as the baby boomers age, until it reaches fourteen million by the year 2025.

    Read More

  • Dementia in Older Adults

    2100 Words  | 5 Pages

    Taylor, C., Dening, K., Duncan, A., & Kendall, T. (2009). Therapeutic Interventions in Dementia. Retrieved [18th April 2011] from http://www.nursingtimes.net/nursing-practice-clinical-research/therapeutic-interventions-in-dementia-part-1-cognitive-symptoms-and-function/1961703.article

    Read More

  • The Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease

    1201 Words  | 3 Pages

    disadvantage of this test is that it is can be time consuming. Brain imaging is also used to

    Read More

  • Dementia And Dementia

    548 Words  | 2 Pages

    Dementia is a major neurocognitive disorder that interferes with the independence of the elderly by inhibiting memory and thinking skills. Fifty to eighty percent of dementia cases constitute of Alzheimer’s diagnoses; consequently Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia and currently affects 5.2 million Americans. Most of these cases are patients above the age of 65 and by 2050; 13.8 million Americans in total will suffer Alzheimer’s due to aging of the general population, specifically the baby boomers. Total cost to society ranges from $157- $215 billion (Associated Press). Some would assume the cost of Alzheimer’s to be incurred by pharmaceuticals or medical costs, however RAND Corp suggests dementia cost to society is from care rather than treatment. Therefore, assistance provided by informal providers and directs caregivers incur a majority of the financial and social cost. Currently, the workforce does not have the capacity or training to care for these unique patients; the delivery system needs to address Alzheimer’s as the population ages and more and more fam...

    Read More

  • Essay On Dementia

    1107 Words  | 3 Pages

    ... and duration varies from person to person. It depends on multiple factors, including the age of diagnosis and other medical conditions. The signs and symptoms start with cognitive disturbance as all other forms of dementia begin. We should refrain from being prejudiced and judgmental because of not taking the time to truly understand this disorder and how it may affect one’s life. Education and patience are the best ways to tackle this issue. In this paper, relevant topics involving dementia were discussed. Part one covered the pathology and staging of dementia. Part two explained the most common types of dementia that many people are diagnosed with. Part three summarized the treatment methods used to manage the disorder. We should apply a professional, respectful, and empathic approach while maintaining specific culture traditions to achieve a successful outcome.

    Read More

  • Narrative-Enhancement Medication Analysis

    576 Words  | 2 Pages

    As of today in 2017, there is no cure for AD yet. In the DSM-V it states that a “mean duration of survival after diagnosis is approximately 10 years”. There are some people who can live with the disease up to 20 years. There is medication and exercises to help improve symptoms temporarily. There is cognitive-enhancement medication which help "increase the level of acetylcholine (a key brain chemical), another one to protect the neurons from dying, and a third medication that will improve neuronal health" (Devi pg.144). The medication that helps increase acetylcholine was discovered in 1976 by three independent groups of investigators. This is treatment is also known as cholinesterase inhibitors which help from within the brain. Helps retain memory and slow down the killing of the neurons that enables

    Read More

More about Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Look Into Biomarkers

Open Document