Alzheimers Disease: Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease

No one realizes that it’s happening. No one believes it will happen to them, they’re too strong, too intelligent. First they forget where they put their car keys or glasses. Next, they forget the names of coworkers or family members and struggle to describe unseen objects. They can’t seem to calculate basic math or remember to pay their bills on time. They become withdrawn and easily upset, preferring to remain in solitude than social situations. Soon, they require help with basic functions, like eating, getting dressed, and using the bathroom. They cannot recognize their loved ones or remember their own history. They become unrecognizable and physically disabled. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive dementia that has become the 6th leading cause of death in the United States and a reality for more than 4 million people.

Alzheimer’s disease was first diagnosed in 1906 by Dr. Alois Alzheimer. He became interested in a woman’s case when she died if a mental disorder with symptoms of memory loss, language issues, and unpredictable behavior. Upon examining her brain, Dr. Alzheimer found a number of tangled fibers and clumps (now known as amyloid plaques). He concluded that these plaque buildups, fiber tangles, and neuron disconnections were the causes of her demise. With this information, her disease became known as Alzheimer’s after the doctor’s research.

Alzheimer’s disease is the slow degradation of the brain and its ability to function. Although disintegration occurs naturally with aging, the level of atrophy and damage is not. The initial damage caused to the brain has been shown in preclinical trials to be present a decade or more before the full onset of the disease. As time continues, the neurons lose the...

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...mal deposits of amyloid proteins that may signal plaque build-ups or neuron tangles, which both signal the degradation of the brain. Recent trials by Professor Tiago H. Falk show that a new tool to diagnose this disease may lie in using EEGs to monitor cerebral cortex functions. Currently, there is no treatment for Alzheimer’s because we cannot stop its progression; however, doctors can work to lessen the symptoms and maintain as much mental and behavioral function as possible. At this time, there are four medications approved by the FDA for treating Alzheimer’s, including Aricept, Exelon, Razadyne, and Namenda. They don’t treat the cause, but help maintain neurotransmitter function and thinking skills. According to the Journal of Alzheimer’s, scientists have found that E64d, an enzyme inhibitor, can reduce the production of pGlu-AB to decrease memory deficiencies.