The Risks and Progressiveness of Alzheimer's Disease

Where did I put my glasses? No I am sorry I cannot remember. These are the things that people with Alzheimer’s might reiterate. It is estimated that about 5.1 million Americans may have Alzheimer’s disease. Genetics is a key influence in developing Alzheimer’s, and as our population gets older, the disease impacts a greater percentage of Americans. Alzheimer’s or AD is a disease that can be lead to very severe problems and damage in the brain. Also, there is numerous studies taken place regarding the progressiveness of Alzheimer’s disease.

Age and Genetics are primary risk factors for people that acquire Alzheimer’s disease. One in ten people over the age of 65, and over half of those over 85 have Alzheimer’s disease. It is stated that over 15 million Americans will be affected by year 2050. One main reason for this is the rapid growth of the oldest age groups in the United States population. The number of individuals who are 75 to 84 years of age will double, and the number of people who are 85 years of age will quadruple believe it or not. This disease makes it very difficult for older people to go on with their daily routines. People with rare genetic changes that virtually guarantee they will develop Alzheimer’s often begin experiencing symptoms while they are in his or her 40s and 50s (Thies 2012). When people think of Alzheimer’s they often think of memory loss and an exaggeration of normal aging, which is not true. Alzheimer’s disease is more than just a disease of old age and memory failure. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. It is an age related, nonreversible brain disorder that develops over a period of time. People with Alzheimer’s often feel confused and lost. Also, their cognitive abilities b...

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...e effects of vitamin E and one of the drugs currently approved for Alzheimer’s, in preventing the development of the disease in people diagnosed with mild cognitive disabilities. Another research trial are examining the effectiveness of naproxen and celecoxib in reducing Alzheimer’s risk in a person who has a family history of Alzheimer’s or dementia. As scientist test these medications, the next generation of drugs is being made to target specific abnormal cellular pathways, including plaques, tangle formation, and death of brain cells. An interesting study out of Japan that looked at over one thousand men and women over the age of sixty, it was found that people with diabetes were twice as likely to acquire Alzheimer’s. Researchers are now trying to understand the molecular mechanisms that link diabetes to Alzheimer’s. It is thought that the link may be twofold