What is Alzheimer's Disease?
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease characterized in the brain by abnormal clumps (amyloid plaques) and tangled bundles of fibers (neurofibrillary tangles) composed of misplaced proteins. Age is the most important risk factor for AD; the number of people with the disease doubles every 5 years beyond age 65. Three genes have been discovered that cause early onset (familial) AD. Other genetic mutations that cause excessive accumulation of amyloid protein are associated with age-related (sporadic) AD. Symptoms of AD include memory loss, language deterioration, impaired ability to mentally manipulate visual information, poor judgment, confusion, restlessness, and mood swings. Eventually AD destroys cognition, personality, and the ability to function. The early symptoms of AD, which include forgetfulness and loss of concentration, are often missed because they resemble natural signs of aging.
Is there any treatment?
There is no cure for AD and no way to slow the progression of the disease. For some people in the early or middle stages of AD, medication such as tacrine (Cognex) may alleviate some cognitive symptoms. Donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Reminyl) may keep some symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time. A fifth drug, memantine (Namenda), was recently approved for use in the United States. Combining memantine with other AD drugs may be more effective than any single therapy. One controlled clinical trial found that patients receiving donepezil plus memantine had better cognition and other functions than patients receiving donepezil alone. Also, other medications may help control behavioral symptoms such as sleeplessness, agitation, wandering, anxiety, and depression.
What is the prognosis?
AD is a progressive disease, but its course can vary from 5 to 20 years. The most common cause of death in AD patients is infection.
Additional Resources & Information:
2007 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures
Alzheimer's Disease - Unraveling The Mystery (PDF)
Understanding Alzheimer's (PDF)
Diagnosis/Symptoms
Alzheimer's Diagnosis (Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation)
Alzheimer's Disease Info: Questions to Ask the Doctor( Administration on Aging)
ApoE (Apolipoprotein E) Genotyping (American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
Mild Cognitive Impairment (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Understanding Alzheimer's Disease (Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation)
Understanding Stages and Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease (National Institute on Aging)
Understanding Alzheimer's Disease
Few things can rob a persons life as completely as Alzheimer's can. It steals a person’s memories, family, and dreams.
It is a progressive, irreversible disorder with no cure. There are dozens of theories about the causes of Alzheimer’s disease, but none satisfies the medical community. It attacks without warning, and works slowly. The only thing that everyone agrees on is that Alzheimer’s is a fatal form of dementia.
Symptoms include memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, disorientation, loss of language skills, and even a personality change.
At least 4.5 million Americans wil have Alzheimer’s disease and by 2050. Approximately, 350,000 new cases of Alzheimer's disease are diagnosed each year and 59,000 patients die. Estimates put the number of people who currently suffer with Alzheimer’s disease at 18 million people.
Alzheimer’s hits every nation where life expectancy has increased until it is considered a commonplace disease This figure is projected to nearly double by 2025 to 34 million people.
Alzheimer's Disease Research (ADR), a program of the American Health Assistance Foundation, funds research, and educate the public about Alzheimer's disease. ADR has awarded $46.8 million to support research in diverse fields from molecular biology to epidemiology.
AHAF played a role in Dr. Stanley Prusiner's Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1997 for his landmark research on prions. More than $1.2 million in research grants were awarded to Dr. Prusiner through the ADR program to develop his prion theory as a model for Alzheimer's disease.
The brain does change shape after Alzheimer’s hits as shown in this diagram: http://www.ahaf.org/alzdis/about/BrainAlzheimer.htm
Alzheimer's causes shrinkage of brain tissue. The grooves or furrows in the brain, called sulci (plural of sulcus), widen and the gyri (plural of gyrus) shrinks. The ventricles, or chambers in the brain that contain the cerebrospinal fluid, become enlarged.
Short-term memory begins to decline (see box labeled ‘memory') first when cells in the hippocampus start to degenerate. Followed by the ability to perform routine tasks.
Alzheimer's spreads through the cerebral cortex (the outer layer of the brain). Judgment declines, emotional outbursts may occur and language is impaired at this stage. Eventually, nerve cells die and resulting in more behavior changes, such as wandering aimlessly and agitation.
The victim cannot recognize faces or communicate in the final stages. Patients may lose bowel and bladder control.
The victim is complete dependent on care, sometimes for year, before they die. Diagnosis to death can span 4 to 20 years.
The Mayo Clinic lists some risk factors. Age is a risk factor as Alzheimer’s hits most patients after 65 years old, which also increases the incidents in women, because they live longer. However, there is also evidence that hormone treatments can reduce the risk factors.
The risk factors for cardio disease may also be risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. Diabetes may also increase the risk of developing AD. The number of boxers who end up with AD leads some researchers to believe that head injuries can increase the risk of developing AD.
Education and mental activity appear to have a positive aspect. This is based on the fact that uneducated people are more likely to develop AD.
Diagnosis/Symptoms
Alzheimer's Diagnosis (Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation)
Alzheimer's Disease Info: Questions to Ask the Doctor( Administration on Aging)
ApoE (Apolipoprotein E) Genotyping (American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
Mild Cognitive Impairment (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Understanding Alzheimer's Disease (Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation)
Understanding Stages and Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease (National Institute on Aging)
The Stages Of Alzheimer's Explained
Alzheimer's is a progressive disease that can take up to a complete two decades to fully run its course. The disease moves forward at its own pace, leaving devastation in its path. With an estimated five million Americans diagnoses with this condition, there is little doubt the condition has impacted a tremendous number of people. How fast or slow the condition will progress is never known, but there are marked stages of Alzheimer's.
The stages of Alzheimer's number at seven, although they are often clumped into three - early, middle and end. Each one of the seven comes in its own time with no two patients following exactly the same path. There are some stereotypical markers for each of the stages of Alzheimer's, however.
The stages of Alzheimer's and their symptoms are:
Stage 1 - There are no visible symptoms during the earliest formation of Alzheimer's.
Stage 2 - This stage will present with very minor memory issues, but these problems are quite easily brushed off to distraction, normal forgetfulness or other similar causes. The signs here can include such things as misplacing items, forgetting words that should be familiar and so on. The symptoms will not likely be noticeable to anyone since they are so easy to brush off.
Stage 3 - It is at this point some people are diagnosed. The symptoms here can include such things as forgetting names, misplacing objects, loss of ability to plan, poor performance at work or in social settings and even an inability to retain information or remember names.
Stage 4 - Diagnosis is often made during this stage, but not always. Some characterize this stages as mild Alzheimer's. It is here that loss of personal history might begin along with an inability to handle challenging mental tasks.
Stage 5 - It is very difficult to deny that problems exist when this stage is reached. Also known as "moderate" Alzheimer's, this stage delivers large memory gaps, difficulty with normal social functioning and even the inability to recall names of family, friends and perhaps even the patient's own name. Date and time confusion might also be present.
Stage 6 - This is considered an extension of the mid stage, however, the symptoms will become quite harsh at this point. Some patients will have trouble dressing and feeding themselves. It is very likely they will be unable to recall names and they might be prone to wandering.
Stage 7 - This is the final of the stages of Alzheimer's. This one delivers some very serious blows for the patient, but more generally the family members involved. Symptoms in this stage include loss of ability to recognize speech, total inability to eat and toilet without help and even an inability sit without help, smile and more.
The stages of Alzheimer's progress at their own pace for each patient. The progression has been noted to take as much as 20 years, but has also been seen in as little as five. There is no way to tell in advance how slow or fast the stages will be progressed through. The only thing that is certain at this point is that no cure is known and treatments to slow the progression don't work for everyone and they do not work indefinitely.
Diagnosis/Symptoms
Alzheimer's Diagnosis (Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation)
Alzheimer's Disease Info: Questions to Ask the Doctor( Administration on Aging)
ApoE (Apolipoprotein E) Genotyping (American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
Mild Cognitive Impairment (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Understanding Alzheimer's Disease (Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation)
Understanding Stages and Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease (National Institute on Aging)
Alzheimer's - The Facts
Someone in your family has Alzheimer's disease, and you’ve been gathering info on Alzheimer's disease to try to help you make decisions about what to do next, but everything you find is so scientific and complicated. What can you tell your kids to make them understand why their grandfather or uncle doesn’t recognize them anymore? The info on Alzheimer's disease below is aimed at children and families, so read it together.
Alzheimer's: What Is It?
Alzheimer's disease is a form of a mental disorder known as “dementia”. Dementia is a brain disorder that seriously hampers the brain’s ability to process rational or normal thought and inhibits the daily activities of its sufferers because of this. Alzheimer's disease, therefore, affects the part of the brain that is responsible for thought, memory, and language.
Alzheimer's disease is one of the leading causes of death in America. The German physician Aloes Alzheimer first identified this disorder in 1907. This disorder is a serious illness that affects the memory ability of the brain, capability of learning, making rational decisions and capacity to function routinely.
Alzheimer's disease robs millions of people each year of their memories, their personalities, and the ability to complete daily activities. For the longest time, it was believed that nothing could be done to prevent this awful disease; that it was simply something that people had to look forward to when they reached their golden years. However, new research indicates that there is a number of ways to prevent Alzheimer's disease.
The hallmark sign of Alzheimer's disease is the loss of memory. Generally, those 65 years of age or older, begin to concern themselves with this disease at the first episodes of forgetfulness. Although forgetfulness is a sign of Alzheimer's disease, it is important to note that there are other signals that may herald the onset of this malady. Therefore, being knowledgeable about Alzheimer's, through exhibited signs, and is paramount for our loved one’s health as well as our own.
Dealing With Alzheimer's
Hearing the news that a family member has received an Alzheimer's diagnosis can be an emotionally devastating moment in anyone’s life. However, before the Alzheimer's diagnosis can be given to the patient and their family, the patient must undergo a variety of laboratory tests, such as medical assessments and laboratory measurements. There is no single test existing that will categorically give the Alzheimer's diagnosis.
With this proactive stance, diagnosticians have been able to devise a set of Alzheimer's disease testing tools that can detect symptoms of Alzheimer's disease in its earlier stages. As of yet, there is no single diagnostic test that is able to determine if a person has Alzheimer's disease, but the battery of testing that is available makes it possible for physicians to diagnose it with about 90 percent accuracy. Alzheimer's disease testing can take anywhere from one day to several weeks to ensure accuracy and proper diagnosis.
An Alzheimer's test is important to ensure that the person isn’t just going through the usual memory loss associated with age; however, sometimes an Alzheimer's test isn’t necessary. Alzheimer's disease doesn’t just affect a person’s memory; it can make people see things that aren’t there, and even send them into screaming fits.
If you think a loved one is starting to become senile or experience other symptoms of dementia, you may want that person to undergo Alzheimer's testing. Unfortunately, there is currently no definitive test for Alzheimer's disease that a person can undergo. The only way doctors diagnose Alzheimer's with 100% certainty is through physical examination of the brain after the person has passed away. Rather than Alzheimer's testing, what you want to look for is some type of psychological and behavioral screening coupled with extensive tests to rule out other types of dementia.
Living With Alzheimer's
Living with Alzheimer's can be a crippling experience for both the disease sufferer and the family that is involved. There are many moments of misunderstanding or confusion for most and the symptoms can become frustrating and difficult. The loss of memory and other associated factors can often cause immense separation in families and can create a nervous tension on relationships that is not necessary if suitable information is available and utilized by all parties involved.
Finding in-house Alzheimer's help should not be an emotionally laden issue for the entire family. Tackling this need in an organized way, from evaluating to planning, is the key to making in-house Alzheimer's help feasible. First, you should sit down and evaluate the needs of the family caregiver and the patient. From there, creating a job list and a set of guidelines becomes easy to make and follow.
Caring for someone with Alzheimer's can be a daunting task. You will need all of the support you can get, along with the latest and most significant Alzheimer's info and research. It is a confusing time, and the more you know, the more confident you will feel in your ability to give your loved one the best possible care and support. It is also important to build a support network that will help you to avoid the common problems associated with caretaker burnout.
Everything about Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by the progressive loss of brain function. The areas of the brain targeted first by the disease are associated with memory, so the first observable symptoms are usually mild forms of amnesia. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of the more general condition known as dementia. Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe any progressive damage to the areas of the brain that control memory or any other cognitive function.
The earliest stages of Alzheimer’s all involve symptoms associated with memory loss. Affected individuals may have a hard time remembering what day or month it is. They may find themselves losing items more frequently than normal, forgetting recent events or confused and disoriented in familiar environments. Normally, old memories are unaffected in these earlier stages. An affected person will recognize old friends and family, but may not have any clear memory of recent interactions with them.
As Alzheimer’s progresses, the affected person often begins exhibiting difficult behavior. They often become paranoid, quick to anger, overreact to minor things, suffer from hallucinations, and can even become violent. These behaviors are seen even in individuals that were shy, timid, or passive people prior to developing the disease. Someone in the middle stages of Alzheimer’s will usually begin to lose motor control and will need help dressing and performing everyday personal hygiene functions. They often also lose the ability to speak clearly, read or write. At this stage in the disease, even older memories become affected, and afflicted people may not recognize family members or life long friends at times.
In the later and final stages of the disease, individuals usually have complete memory loss and will recognize no one. They will be unable to communicate, walk, participate in personal care activities, or even eat on their own. As a result, sufferers in these late stages usually are incontinent and begin to lose a lot of weight. They often spend most of their time sleeping, and frequently suffer from seizures. Alzheimer’s will eventually lead to death due to loss of brain function.
While there are no known cures for Alzheimer’s, there are some treatments available that can slow the condition down, and a promising array of new treatments on the horizon. Our increased understanding of biology and the human genetic code have many scientists hopeful for effective preventive measures and possibly even cures in the near future. Already, there are results from a number of recent studies that suggest that certain life behaviors, such as a healthy diet and regular exercise, can help reduce your chances of developing the disease.
Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by the progressive loss of brain function. The areas of the brain targeted first by the disease are associated with memory, so the first observable symptoms are usually mild forms of amnesia. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of the more general condition known as dementia. Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe any progressive damage to the areas of the brain that control memory or any other cognitive function.
The earliest stages of Alzheimer’s all involve symptoms associated with memory loss. Affected individuals may have a hard time remembering what day or month it is. They may find themselves losing items more frequently than normal, forgetting recent events or confused and disoriented in familiar environments. Normally, old memories are unaffected in these earlier stages. An affected person will recognize old friends and family, but may not have any clear memory of recent interactions with them.
As Alzheimer’s progresses, the affected person often begins exhibiting difficult behavior. They often become paranoid, quick to anger, overreact to minor things, suffer from hallucinations, and can even become violent. These behaviors are seen even in individuals that were shy, timid, or passive people prior to developing the disease. Someone in the middle stages of Alzheimer’s will usually begin to lose motor control and will need help dressing and performing everyday personal hygiene functions. They often also lose the ability to speak clearly, read or write. At this stage in the disease, even older memories become affected, and afflicted people may not recognize family members or life long friends at times.
In the later and final stages of the disease, individuals usually have complete memory loss and will recognize no one. They will be unable to communicate, walk, participate in personal care activities, or even eat on their own. As a result, sufferers in these late stages usually are incontinent and begin to lose a lot of weight. They often spend most of their time sleeping, and frequently suffer from seizures. Alzheimer’s will eventually lead to death due to loss of brain function.
While there are no known cures for Alzheimer’s, there are some treatments available that can slow the condition down, and a promising array of new treatments on the horizon. Our increased understanding of biology and the human genetic code have many scientists hopeful for effective preventive measures and possibly even cures in the near future. Already, there are results from a number of recent studies that suggest that certain life behaviors, such as a healthy diet and regular exercise, can help reduce your chances of developing the disease.
Diagnosis/Symptoms
Alzheimer's Diagnosis (Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation)
Alzheimer's Disease Info: Questions to Ask the Doctor( Administration on Aging)
ApoE (Apolipoprotein E) Genotyping (American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
Mild Cognitive Impairment (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Understanding Alzheimer's Disease (Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation)
Understanding Stages and Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease (National Institute on Aging)
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