Alzheimer S Disease: Frequently Asked Questions
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
It is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain in which brain cells die and are not replaced. It results in impaired memory, thinking and behavior, and is the most common form of dementing illness.
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Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia among older people. It is marked by progressive, and at present, irreversible, declines in certain cognitive functions. These impairments may include declines in memory, time and space orientation, abstract thinking, the ability to learn and carry out mathematical calculations, language and communication skills, and the performance of routine tasks.
Source: www.alzcare.net
“The brain has 100 billion nerve cells (neurons). Each nerve cell communicates with many others to form networks. Nerve cell networks have special jobs. Some are involved in thinking, learning and remembering. Others help us see, hear and smell. Still others tell our muscles when to move. In Alzheimer’s disease, deposits of protein—plaques and tangles—impair communication among our nerve cell networks. Scientists are not sure exactly where the trouble starts. ...
Source: www.memorybridge.org
What exactly is Alzheimer’s disease?
According to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, Alzheimer’s disease is defined as a “progressive, degenerative disorder that attacks the brain’s nerve cells, or neurons, resulting in loss of memory, thinking and language skills, and behavioral changes”. Among those 65 or older, Alzheimer’s is the most common cause for the loss of intellectual function.
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What are the common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease?
Short-term memory impairment
Familiar tasks become difficult to accomplish
Word-finding difficulties
Confusion about time and place
Impaired judgment
Impaired abstract thinking
Losing and/or hiding things on a regular basis
Behavioral changes
Personality changes
Loss of motivation/initiative
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How is Alzheimer’s disease diagnosed?
There is no single or simple test to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. A detailed medical history, physical examination and series of neurological tests are conducted. The process is intended to rule out any other possible cause of symptoms. A completely conclusive diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can only be made by analyzing the brain following death. However, physicians today can accurately diagnose Alzheimer’s disease 80% to 90% of the time.
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Alzheimer’s disease can only be conclusively diagnosed by examining the brain after death in an autopsy to determine the presence of characteristics plaques and tangles in certain brain areas. However, doctors can make a clinical diagnosis of “possible” or “probable” Alzheimer’s disease in a living person. Several tools are used to arrive at this diagnosis. These include: a complete medical history and tests that measure memory, problem solving, attention, counting, and language abilities. ...
Source: www.alzcare.net
There are no simple tests for Alzheimer’s Disease. The diagnosis is usually arrived at by a process of elimination, which may involve: a thorough medical history and physical examination a psychological assessment or questionnaire an assessment of how well memory is functioning a brain scan Because the symptoms of AD are diffuse and difficult to quantify, the doctor making the diagnosis will often need to take a history from a partner, or somebody who knows the patient well. ...
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Is Alzheimer’s disease hereditary?
Both early- and late-onset Alzheimer's disease are hereditary (a person diagnosed with Alzheimer's before the age of 50 is said to have early-onset Alzheimer's disease) - a person with one or more parent or grandparent diagnosed with Alzheimer's is genetically predisposed to the disease and has a higher likelyhood of being diagnosed himself. Researchers have discovered the specific gene responsible for early-onset Alzheimer's disease, but do not yet know the genetic basis for the late-onset form.
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We are learning more and more about the genetics of the disease and it appears that there is a genetic component to Alzheimer’s Disease in some families and in many other Alzheimer’s Disease individuals no genetic link has yet to be found.
Source: www.memorycenternj.com
Is there a cure for Alzheimer’s disease?
There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but progress in treatment options is being made every day. There are many medications available to Alzheimer's patients which delay the progression of and symptoms associated with the disease.
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Currently, there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease, although there are treatments to slow the progression of the disease and to improve cognitive functions.
Source: www.memorybridge.org
Not currently. A good deal of research time and money is being spent to investigate various treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.
Source: www.uphs.upenn.edu
Are there effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease?
Yes! Current treatments for Alzheimer’s disease include cholinesterase inhibitors (Aricept, Exelon and Razadyne) and NMDA receptor antagonist (Namenda). Several new medications are currently in clinical trials. For further information on Alzheimer's disease treatments,
Source: med.emory.edu
What are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease?
“People with AD may have trouble remembering things that happened recently, or names of people they know. Over time, symptoms get worse. People may not recognize family members or have trouble speaking, reading or writing. They may forget how to brush their teeth or comb their hair. Later on, they may become anxious or aggressive, or wander away from home. Eventually, they need total care. This can cause great stress for family members who must care for them.” -- Medline Plus
Source: www.memorybridge.org
What are the stages of Alzheimer’s disease?
The Alzheimer’s Association recognizes seven stages of Alzheimer’s disease, they are: no-impairment, very mild cognitive decline, mild cognitive decline, moderate cognitive decline, moderately severe cognitive decline, severe cognitive decline and very severe cognitive decline. It is important to keep in mind that not everyone will experience the same symptoms in these stages or progress at the same rate. Santa Fe Assisted Living
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How accurate are tests for Alzheimer’s disease?
Doctors in specialized Alzheimer’s disease treatment centers can now diagnose Alzheimer’s disease with up to 90 percent accuracy in a living person.
Source: www.alzcare.net
Who is afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease?
Ten percent of those over 65, and almost half of those over age 85 have the disease. However. Because of improved testing and greater public awareness, physicians are seeing an increase in diagnosed patients in their 40s and 50s. Alzheimer’s disease strikes equally at men and women, all races, and all socioeconomic groups.
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What causes Alzheimer’s disease?
Scientists still are not certain. Age and family history have been identified as potential risk factors. Researchers are exploring the role of genetics in the development of Alzheimer’s, but most agree the disease is likely caused by a variety of factors. Each year, scientists are uncovering important new clues about potential causes of the disease, which is helping to generate more accurate diagnostic tests and better treatment options for affected individuals.
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Research has shown that Alzheimer's disease patients’ brains contain a large volume of sticky senile plaques. The plaques’ main ingredient is beta-amyloid, a fragment of a normal body protein that goes awry in people with Alzheimer's disease. beta-amyloid is generated from APP (amyloid precursor protein) through cleaving action of beta and gamma secretase. Some patients produce too much beta-amyloid and others simply do not clear it out of the brain properly. ...
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What Is the National Cell Repository for Alzheimer’s Disease?
The National Cell Repository for Alzheimer's Disease (NCRAD) is a resource facility funded by the National Institute on Aging. The purpose of the Repository is to provide important and critical resources to assist researchers in identifying the genetic factors (genes) contributing to Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. ...
Source: ncrad.iu.edu
Who gets Alzheimer’s disease? Does it run in families?
No one knows exactly what causes Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists do know that it sometimes runs in families. People who have a brother, sister or a parent with Alzheimer’s disease are more likely to develop the disease themselves.
Source: www.alzcare.net
How does purified HupA influence Alzheimer’s disease?
Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter critical for cognitive processing, memory, arousal, and attention. Gradual loss of mental clarity is associated with both diminishing acetylcholine synthesis and rapid degradation of this neurotransmitter by the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. Abundant research suggests that HupA exerts a slow reversible inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, thus preserving acetylcholine and leading to the alleviation of many of the symptoms and progression of AD. ...
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What is the usual treatment for Alzheimer’s disease?
Anticholinesterase drugs, such as donepezil (Aricept) and rivastigmine (Exelon), are usually used to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, the FDA recently approved a new drug, memantine (Namenda), for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. A doctor might also recommend Vitamin E . Various behavior management treatments are used depending on the types of behavioral symptoms a patient displays. As the disease progresses other symptoms are treated as they occur. ...
Source: www.uphs.upenn.edu
What is the goal of treatment for Alzheimer’s disease?
Currently, attention to the patient's and caregiver's quality of life are central to Alzheimer’s disease treatment. Since there is no cure, one goal might be to slow the progression of the disease. Keeping a patient happy and comfortable might be another. As mentioned above, the caregiver's health is also of primary importance.
Source: www.uphs.upenn.edu
Who gets Alzheimer’s Disease?
Women are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s. The incidence of Alzheimer’s doubles every 3 years after age 60. At 85 years of age, half of the population has the disease. Studies show that risk factors including a larger waist (obesity), hypertension, stress, sleeplessness (with sleep apnea) may increase your risk by ten-fold. Lab tests can predict who will develop Alzheimer’s.
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Is dementia the same as Alzheimer’s Disease?
the majority of individuals diagnosed with "dementia" have Alzheimer’s Disease". The exact number varies with different studies but an acceptable number is 80 percent. Those other 20 percent of cases of "dementia" may have strokes (vascular dementia, mixed dementia (combination of Alzheimer’s Disease and vascular dementia) and other less common causes of dementia. ...
Source: www.memorycenternj.com
Is Alzheimer’s Disease an inevitable part of ageing?
The risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease increases with age – it is present in 5% of people over the age of 65 and 25-30% of people over 85 years. However, most researchers would resist the temptation to categorise AD as an inevitable part of normal ageing. There are many sprightly 90 year olds who do not suffer from Alzheimer’s, and there are occasional cases where Alzheimer’s Disease develops in people as young as 40 years old. ...
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How many people are affected by Alzheimer’s disease?
One in 10 persons over 65 and nearly half of those over 85 have Alzheimer’s disease. Today, four million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. Unless a cure or prevention is found, that number will jump to 14 million by the year 2050. Worldwide, it is estimated that 22 million individuals will develop Alzheimer’s disease by the year 2025. Caregivers are affected by this disease, too. ...
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How does Alzheimer’s disease progress?
Alzheimer’s disease causes the formation of abnormal structures in the brain called plaques and tangles. As they accumulate in affected individuals, nerve cell connections are reduced. Areas of the brain that influence short-term memory tend to be affected first. Later, the disease works its way into sections of the brain that control other intellectual and physical functions. ...
Source: www.seniordirection.net
