This research paper examines one of the most feared human diseases, which is Alzheimer’s disease. In this research paper, the following topics are analyzed thoroughly: description of the disease, etiology and pathogenesis, pathophysiology, symptoms and signs, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, research, and medical glossary. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is known to be one of the most common forms of dementia. Dementia is a general term used to denote a wide variety range of symptoms linked with a decline in memory and cognitive skills, severe enough to hinder a person’s ability to carry out their normal day-to-day activities. (Alzheimer’s Association, n.d.). According to Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s disease accounts approximately 60 to 80 percent of all cases of dementia. (Markus MacGill, 2009) Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative disease of the brain, which slowly and inexorably destroys nerve cells, thereby causing memory loss and cognitive impairment. In the most severe case of Alzheimer’s disease, the patient loses all of their mental functioning and memory. Thus, Alzheimer’s disease mainly affects the brain and spread to the different parts of the brain that control coordination, walking, talking, etc. In 1906, a German physician by the name of Dr. Alois Alzheimer described Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Alois Alzheimer had a female patient who was in her in fifties that suffered from mental illness. However, in 1906 the patient died and an autopsy was performed. In the autopsy, neuritic plaques were revealed around and outside the nerve cells in her brain. Within the nerve cells, there was a presence of neurofibrillary tangles, which is build-up of proteins that appear as part of a normal aging proc... ... middle of paper ... ...ey.edu/~wuhsi/alz.html Latest Medication for Memory Loss | Alzheimer's Association. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_standard_prescriptions.asp AlzOnline : Cholinesterase Inhibitors. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://alzonline.phhp.ufl.edu/en/reading/mmi_cholinesterase.php About the brain. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.alzheimer.ca/en/About-dementia/About-the-brain MacGill, M. (2014, April 22). "What is Alzheimer's disease? Causes, symptoms and treatment." Medical News Today. Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/159442. Crystal, H. (n.d.). Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - What is the prognosis of a person with Alzheimer's disease? - MedicineNet. Retrieved from http://www.medicinenet.com/alzheimers_disease_causes_stages_and_symptoms/page7.htm#what_is_the_prognosis_for_a_person_with_alzheimers_disease
There are lots of factors which could cause dementia. Those who have someone in the family with Dementia are at a higher risk of developing Dementia because Dementia can be in the genes and those genes are passed to the next generation. Someone with Downs Syndrome is also at high risk of developing Dementia in earlier years of life. Others factors which could cause dementia are: Stroke, Diabetes, High cholesterol, smoking and alcohol-Korsakoff’s Syndrome.
Memory loss-forgetting information really easy,Trouble planning and problem solving, Daily tasks,Times and places are confusing,Changes in Vision,Words and conversations are frustrating.Memory loss means forgetting information really easy. Trouble planning and problem solving turns tricky to follow a recipe, even one you’ve used many times. Is it hard to concentrate on detailed tasks that involves numbers. Daily tasks are a challenge ,familiar things can become hard. You have trouble driving to a location you go to often. Times and places are confusing get disoriented, get lost easily and forget where you are ,and how you got there.Changes in Vision makes it harder to read the words on the page.You have trouble judging distance,and can’t tell colors
Although Alzheimer’s disease appears to be the most common cause of dementia, “more than 50 conditions are associated with dementia, including degenerative ...
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).
People with dementia may have problems with short-term memory, keeping track of their belongings, keeping up with plans, remembering appointments or travel dates. Many dementias are progressive. This means that symptoms start out slowly and gradually get worse with time. Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia are diagnosed based on careful medical history, a physical examination, laboratory tests, and the characteristic changes in thinking, day-to-day function and behavior related to each
Alzheimer’s disease is a complex illness that affects the brain tissue directly and undergoes gradual memory and behavioral changes which makes it difficult to diagnose. It is known to be the most common form of dementia and is irreversible. Over four million older Americans have Alzheimer’s, and that number is expected to triple in the next twenty years as more people live into their eighties and nineties. (Johnson, 1989). There is still no cure for Alzheimer’s but throughout the past few years a lot of progress has been made.
Contrary to common belief, Dementia is not a disease, it is a term that encompasses a collection of symptoms. These symptoms are associated with numerous diseases that involve the impairment of cognitive functions (DoH, 2013).
The first case of dementia was discovered in 1906 by a German physiatrist Alois Alzheimer. It was first observed in a female patient and she was forty-one years old her name was Auguste D. Dr. Alzheimer observed a decline in the patient’s cognitive abilities. She lost her memory, she exhibited behavioral issues, and she suffered from hallucinations, lost the ability to comprehend language, disorientation and lost her speech. After Augusta’s passing Dr. Alzheimer preformed an autopsy that showed the classic triangles and knots we associate today with Alzheimer. Those triangles and knots are a proteins and plaque. The brain is self looked smaller and had distinct characteristics. Still with modern medicine the only way to diagnose a person with Alzheimer is after their death with an autopsy. (THE ALZHEIMER'S PROJECT, 2014).
Alzheimer's Disease Introduction to Alzheimer's Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain. It was first described by the German neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer (1864-1915). in 1905. This disease worsens with advancing age, although there is no evidence. that it is caused by the aging process.
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...
In Conclusion, Dementia is the progressive loss of cognitive function. People who suffer from this group of symptoms deal with memory loss, disorientation, and fluctuating feelings. The brain of a person who suffers from Dementia is different in many ways from a healthy brain. Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease take a toll on the brain causing shrinkage and tissue loss that accounts for the loss of brain function in some parts. Dementia has been separated into 5 stages from No Impairment to Severe Impairment as Dementia progresses the affected person become very dependent on someone’s help. As of now there is no known treatment for Dementia but there are research studies being preformed to help find one. Dementia is not just forgetting something sometimes; it is a lot more serious and dangerous and should be taken seriously if ever around it.
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.
Dementia is a long-term condition that normally affects people aged 65 and over, younger people can be affected. Having dementia can cause loss of key functions to the brain, such as; loss of memory; confusion; speech and language problems; loss of ability to make judgements; loss of concentration; difficulty in processing information; changes in behaviour and personality. These all lead to a person not been able to function properly. The person’s ability to function deteriorates over a period of time and is usually at least 6 months before positive diagnosis of dementia can be made. Dementia is caused when the brain is damaged by diseases such as Alzheimer’s which is the most common of dementia, vascular which is a series of mini strokes,
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.
KS Santactuz, M. a. (2011, January ). Dementia | Overview. Retrieved November 2013, 2013, from Dementia: http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/brain/disorders/662.html