Alzheimer’s Disease
explanatory Essay
1523 words
It is said that memory declines as people age, and this can be just a natural part of life. However, in many cases as people grow older, they develop a mental disorder known as Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is a disease that causes problems with memory, thinking, and overall behavior, and progressively becomes a bigger problem. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia and is a very common disease in people over the age of 65. This terminal disease puts tremendous stress on the victim and the victim’s family. A cure for Alzheimer’s has yet to be discovered; however, through healthy and constant use of the brain and the aid of certain drug treatments, Alzheimer’s disease can be both naturally and medically prevented. In 1906, a German physician named Dr. Alois Alzheimer dealt with a patient that had been battling severe memory and confusion problems and had tremendous difficulty understanding questions and basic functions. Alzheimer suspected that the ailment had more to it than inherent memory loss. During an autopsy of the brain, he discovered that there were deposits of neuritic plaques surrounding the nerve cells and twisted fibers, known as neurofibrillary tangles, inside of the nerve cells. These observations became the definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. The plaques and tangles that develop are a natural part of aging; however, they develop far more aggressively in Alzheimer’s victims. The plaques and tangles then block communication among nerve cells and disrupt the cells processes, eventually killing them. This destruction causes memory failure, personality changes, and problems carrying out everyday functions. Alzheimer’s especially attacks the memory. A victim in the later stage of the disease can... ... middle of paper ... ...and Glaucoma. Web. 08 Nov. 2011. . "The Human Brain - Watch Your Head." Web. 11 Nov. 2011. . "Marijuana May Help Stave off Alzheimer’s - Health - Alzheimer's Disease - Msnbc.com." Msnbc.com - Breaking News, Science and Tech News, World News, US News, Local News- Msnbc.com. Web. 11 Nov. 2011. . "Preventing Alzheimer's with NSAIDs? - Dr. Weil." DrWeil.com - Official Website of Andrew Weil, M.D. Web. 11 Nov. 2011. . "The Search for AD Prevention Strategies." National Institute on Aging. Web. 11 Nov. 2011. .
In this essay, the author
- Explains that memory declines as people age, but alzheimer's disease is a mental disorder that causes problems with memory, thinking, and overall behavior. a cure for alzheimer’s has yet to be discovered.
- Describes how dr. alois alzheimer diagnosed alzheimer's disease in 1906. neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles block communication between nerve cells and disrupt the cells processes, causing memory failure, personality changes, and everyday functions.
- Explains that alzheimer's disease is not brought about solely because of genetic history. apolipoprotein e and a "deterministic gene" are definitive risk factors for the disease.
- Explains that a healthy mental and physical lifestyle can help prevent alzheimer's disease. studies conducted in animals show that certain fruits like blueberries, strawberries, and cranberries can improve brain functions.
- Explains that staying socially, physically, and mentally active in old age is crucial to repelling alzheimer's disease. mirage study revealed that patients with alzheimer’s were nearly ten times more likely to have a history of head injuries.
- Explains that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and other pain relieving medications are effective in lowering the risk of alzheimer's.
- Explains that alzheimer's is a terrible disease with repercussions that can be felt by everyone in proximity to the victim.
- Explains alzheimer's disease, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. the american health assistance foundation (ahaf).
- Opines that marijuana may help stave off alzheimer's — msnbc.com - breaking news, science and tech news; dr. weil, m.d.; national institute on aging.
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- Alzheimer's Diseaseexplanatory essayAlzheimer’s disease is described as a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys a person’s memory and clarity to learn, reason, make judgments, communicate, and carry out daily life. (r.1) Alzheimer’s is a disturbing disease affecting millions of elderly people. A person’s risk for the disease is fifty-percent when they reach the age of eighty-five.(r.1) Scientists have been studying the disease for many years now in hope to find answers to a cure for this depressive disease. The disease is persistently being studied with the hope of cures, and a better understanding of how one person can conquer Alzheimer’s disease.
In this essay, the author
- Describes alzheimer's disease as a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys memory and clarity to learn, reason, make judgments, communicate, and carry out daily life.
- Explains that alzheimer's disease contains no known single cause. scientists are patiently studying every aspect of the disease in hope to establish a precise cause
- Explains that as one ages, brain cells begin to die off, causing permanent damage. scientists are hoping with the development of new technology we may finally determine a single cause for the alzheimer's disease.
- Explains that alzheimer's disease is a progressive form of dementia that gradually destroys memory, cognitive ability, and ability to fend for themselves.
- Explains that dementia has seven main stages, beginning with no cognitive impairment, then to mild cognitive decline, to moderate, severe, and finally to severe. the symptoms are easy to establish and extremely noticeable once past the first three stages.
- Explains how scientists have discovered a method to find out whether there are plaques and tangles in the brain through the use of the microscope.
- Explains that there is no known cure for alzheimer's disease, but there are medications used to slow down cognitive deterioration.
- Explains that alzheimer's disease progresses through time, and many don't develop it until their late seventies. there is no cure to stop the progression of alzheimer’s, only a series of pills to "delay" the severity.
- Explains that there is no solution to the prevention of alzheimer's. there are possible steps a patient can take in order to postpone the disease.
- Explains that the hippocampus and motor cotex are affected by alzheimer's disease.
- Explains alzheimer's disease is being studied with the hope of cures, and a better understanding of how one person can overcome it. the pain the family endures through watching their loved ones literally fade away will eventually ignite an ambitious attempt to finally cure this disease.
1428 wordsRead More - Alzheimer's Disease Essayexplanatory essayAlzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, and this terminal, progressive brain disorder has no known cause or cure. Its greatest known risk factor is increasing age which is why is it is infamous for developing in the elderly, typically in ages 65 or over, however for the 5%(1) that develop Alzheimer’s in their 40s or 50s it is known as early Alzheimer’s. Because Alzheimer’s worsens over time, those with it tend to struggle with completing daily tasks especially elderly people. Given that there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, the treatments available slow the worsening of dementia symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. It is not known what causes Alzheimer's, however, those with Alzheimer's have been found to have abnormal amounts of protein (amyloid plaques) and fibres.(The amyloid plaques and fibres are found in regions of the brain where problem solving and thinking take place e.g The cerebrum.) Due to the unusual amounts of amyloid plaques and fibres, it reduces the effectiveness of healthy neurons and eventually, destroying them.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and has no known cause or cure.
- Explains that alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the united states.
- Explains that alzheimer's disease is a growing problem. the use of drugs or changing your lifestyle can reduce your chances of developing the disease. genetics is another possible factor.
- Explains that the use of ace inhibitors in older adults with mild to moderate alzheimer's disease is associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline independent of baseline or subsequent hypertension.
- Explains that ace inhibitors for treating alzheimer's disease could possibly slow the worsening of the disease, but not completely cure it.
- Explains that using antihypertensive drugs is appropriate because ace inhibitors showed that it wouldn't cure alzheimer's disease but in fact slow the worsening of it.
- Explains that another study based in japan also used ace inhibitors. the one-year study included 162 patients with mild to moderate alzheimer's disease.
- Explains that most prescribed drugs have side effects, such as dizziness, dry cough, abnormal heart rhythms, and angiodema.
- Explains that ace inhibitors are potentially a risk factor in the development of aki, which is when the kidneys cannot filter the waste products from the blood.
- Explains that ace inhibitors slow the worsening of alzheimer's disease, but they also treat other diseases, such as atherosclerosis.
- Opines that ace inhibitors would save many from the development of alzheimer's, since it is set to increase by 43% between 2010 and 2040.
- Explains that economicalace inhibitors would reduce the number of cases of alzheimer's disease and have a positive effect on the economy where it is an endemic.
- Opines that stem cell therapy can lead to advances in the treatment of alzheimer's disease. adult stem cells discovered by professor perry bartlett and professor samuel weiss, 'continuously divide to renew themselves and make new nerve cells.
- Explains that gene therapy reduces plaque in regions of the brain where problem solving, thinking, and learning is involved. this decrease in plaque meant an increase in the enzyme neuraminidase 1 (neu1).
- Explains that lysosomes are spherical sacs that contain digestive enzymes and destroy whole cells when old cells need to be replaced.
- Explains that the loss of neu1 activity resulted with a build up in lysosomes of the amyloid precursor protein (app).
- Explains that scientists used a modified cold virus as the vector to implant the neu1 gene into the brain cells of the mouse.
1896 wordsRead More - Alzheimer’s Diseaseexplanatory essayAlzheimer’s disease defined: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive, terminal, degenerative brain disease. It is the fourth leading cause of death in adults and currently affects over four million people in the United States. This number is expected to increase over the next several years as the baby boomers age, until it reaches fourteen million by the year 2025. Alzheimer disease generally occurs in people over seventy five years of age; however it does strike people in their forties, fifties, and sixties, but this is rare. When Alzheimer’s disease occurs prior to the age of sixty five, it is referred to as early onset Alzheimer’s.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that several medications are available that may, in some individuals, improve symptoms or temporarily slow the disease progress. other drugs are being tested and could be marketed in the near future.
- Explains that there is no quick and easy way to diagnose alzheimer's disease. a diagnosis can only be conclusively arrived at following autopsy of the brain.
- Explains that delirium produces confusion and disorientation, but in contrast to the dementia seen in alzheimer’s disease, it produces a clouding of consciousness.
- Explains that depression can produce symptoms common to alzheimer's disease such as: forgetfulness, difficulty making decisions, withdrawal, poor judgment, and irritable mood.
- Explains how alzheimer's disease can be divided into seven stages using the reisberg scale. these stages are helpful for understanding the progression of the disease and planning environments, programs, and interventions.
- Explains that alzheimer's disease sufferers and their family and friends are unaware that anything is wrong. during this stage, changes take place in the brain, much like cancer silently works.
- Explains that alzheimer's is a mild form of forgetfulness, which increases in frequency and intensity.
- Explains the denial or cover up stage, which is referred to as the early confusional stage. mild cognitive decline is evident to close family and friends.
- Explains that stage 4 is the late confusional stage. deficits are obvious and denial is intense. the person at this stage is confused about current events and unable to balance a checkbook.
- Explains that alzheimer's disease is a progressive, terminal, degenerative brain disease that affects over four million people in the united states.
- Explains 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.
- Explains that alzheimer's disease is often used interchangeably with the term dementia, but these terms are not interchangeable. dementia is only a symptom of the disease, and it occurs only in the mid to late stages.
- Explains that dementia is the major symptom as alzheimer’s disease progresses through stages 5-7. dementia involves multiple cognitive thinking impairement.
- Explains that executive functioning impairments must be severe enough to significantly impact the individuals’ social or occupational functioning and must represent a decline from previous levels of functioning.
- Explains the cognitive decline and early dementia stages of alzheimer's patients. they can still make their needs known, though some may have expressive aphasia.
- Explains that the person in this stage is progressing backward and not forward as they progress through the disease. disciplinary action from the caregiver is not appropriate.
- Describes the end stage of alzheimer's disease, the failure to strive stage, which can last 5-7 years. the person in this stage is aware of only the immediate present, cannot make their needs known, and cannot recognize familiar people.
- Explains that people with alzheimer's disease become confused, restless, upset, and disoriented during the evening.
- Explains that communication is a major concern in living with or caring for indivudals with alzheimer's disease.
2552 wordsRead More - Alzheimer’s Diseaseexplanatory essayAlzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition where the neurons degenerate in the brain, while the brain substance shrinks in volume. Alzheimer’s is also the number one cause of dementia. When it was first noticed, Alzheimer’s was thought to be a pre-senile disease, but now it is known to be responsible for seventy-five percent of the dementia cases in people over sixty-five years of age. Alzheimer’s disease usually causes several years of personal and intellectual decline until death. Because there is an increasing number of elderly citizens in the United States, research into the causes and possible cures for the disease is on the rise (1).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that neurofibrillary tangles are not exclusive to alzheimer's patients, but plaques in the brain are unique to down’s syndrome, and to a lesser degree, normal aging.
- Explains that alzheimer's disease is a progressive condition where the neurons degenerate in the brain, while brain substance shrinks in volume.
- Explains that the beta-amyloid protein has been studied extensively and is a transmembrane protein and receptor, but its actual function is unknown. alzheimer's disease cannot be diagnosed without examination of brain tissue.
- Explains that functional abnormalities in the amyloid precursor protein biochemical pathway may be causal in alzheimer's disease.
- Summarizes clayman, c. b., and sadock, h. i. on alzheimer's disease. the american medical association: encyclopedia of medicine, 1989.
- Explains that amyloid beta protein is involved in the causation of alzheimer's disease.
- Cites cohen, c. d., rosenberg, r. n. and cohen.
1671 wordsRead More - Alzheimer's Disease Essayexplanatory essayAlzheimer’s disease is one of the hardest conditions to deal with; for the patient as well as their loved ones. It is nearly impossible to justify and comprehend the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, and those who have had personal experience with the disease, can attest to the profound impact it has had on their lives. This disease is very hard to deal with, and it is important for people who fear that someone they love is developing symptoms, to seek professional aid and assistance immediately. Alzheimer’s disease is one of the many medical mysteries that plague our society and it can only be resisted by public awareness and knowledge.
In this essay, the author
- Explains how alzheimer's was first recorded in 1901, when alois alzheimer studied auguste d, a fifty-year-old woman. the results of his study provided the structural framework for scientists and doctors to further the research of this disorder.
- Explains that alzheimer's disease is a degenerative neurological disorder that attacks specific areas of the brain, including the cerebral cortex and certain subcortical regions, mainly the hippocampus.
- Explains that alzheimer's disease is a progressive degeneration process that can drastically vary in time and severity.
- Describes alzheimer's disease as a progressive worsening of the major factors of early-stage alzheimer’s.
- Explains that scientists have found no direct link to the cause of alzheimer's disease, rather charge its development as a complex, multifaceted network of possible catalysts.
- Explains that alzheimer's disease is one of the many medical mysteries that plague our society and can only be resisted by public awareness and assistance.
1279 wordsRead More - Alzheimer's Disease Essayexplanatory essayAlzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that is on the rise among ageing populations worldwide. Alzheimer’s disease leads to the death of neurons in numerous areas of the brain, including the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, which are two areas of the brain correlated with memory. (5) According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease could rise from 5 million to 16 million in the United States and by 2050 the total worldwide is predicted to rise to 100 million. This could relentlessly strain health-care systems because the
In this essay, the author
- Explains that alzheimer's disease leads to the death of neurons in numerous areas of the brain, including the hippocampus and cerebral cortex.
- Explains that amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are the two main characteristics of alzheimer's disease.
- Explains that the research article being evaluated is entitled "a nh2 tau fragment targets neuronal mitochondria at ad synapses: possible implications for neurodegeneration."
- Explains that mitochondrial nh-2 tau peptide distribution may exacerbate the synapse degeneration occurring in tauopathies. amyloid-b plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles are known causes that can lead to alzheimer's disease.
- Describes how the experiment design addresses the hypothesis. synaptosomes contain the molecular structure necessary for uptake, storage, and release of neurotransmitters.
- Explains that the independent variable controlled by investigators was the wistar rat. human alzheimer’s disease patients are the dependent variables and the non-transgenic littermates/non-demented control accounts for unexpected or unknown variables.
- Explains that synaptosomal fractionation demonstrated the significance of an nh2-derived human tau protein fragment of 20-22 kda located within a living (in vivo) specimen.
- Explains the link between the synaptic distribution of the nh2 tau peptide and neurofibrillary fibers degenerate, amyloid neuropathology, mitochondrial impairment, and synapses degenerative rate in human alzheimer's disease patients.
- Explains that the paper compares the presence of nh2 human tau fragments to its immunoreactivity intensity to the expression level/distribution of specific pre and post-synaptic markers in synaptosomes from ad and non-demented human brains.
- Opines that additional experiments could be performed to enhance the relevance and accuracy of the current study.
1178 wordsRead More - Alzheimer's Diseaseanalytical essayAlzheimer's Disease If we accept that the brain's ability to "fill in the blanks" about each experience we have, then we can conclude that our past is indeed partially our own brain's creature. However, there are still some norms created by people that define certain experiences as normal and others as not. What happens when a person starts to behave ab-normally? How is his/her brain filling the blanks in a different manner? To discuss this subject we would discuss the most common form of dementia among old people, the Alzheimer's disease.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia among old people.
- Explains alzheimer's disease, a form of progressive, irreversible dementia with no known cause or cure, causes damage to the parts of the brain that control thought, memory and language.
- Explains the processes which occur in an ad patient. neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are the most affected types of brain cells by ad.
- Explains that normal thinking and memory is harmed due to the disrupted communication between the different neuron cells.
- Explains that the patient's experience of the world and the way they react to it is influenced by this unhealthy interaction within the brain.
- Explains that the symptoms of ad are behavioral — agitation, anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, and withdrawnness.
- Explains that age is one of the greatest risk factors for dementia. genetic origin, genetic predisposition, abnormal protein build-up in the brain, and environmental toxins are also debated.
- Explains that people with down's syndrome who survive until their 50s are likely to develop ad.
- Analyzes the effects of alzheimer's disease on memory, experience, and behavior, arguing that memory loss is a natural part of aging.
- Describes the alzheimer's society information sheet, symptoms, risk factors, etc., and alzheimer’s disease fact sheet.
1070 wordsRead More - Alzheimer's Diseaseexplanatory essayAlzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive degenerative disease that attacks the brain and results in impaired memory, thinking and behavior. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia. Dementia is the lost of thinking, remembering and reasoning so bad it screws up ability to do daily functions and eventually resolves in death. Dr. Alois Alzheimer’s first discovered the disease in 1906. Since then research has developed a deeper understanding of the changes in the brain.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that alzheimer's disease is a progressive degenerative disease that affects the brain and results in impaired memory, thinking, and behavior.
- Describes the symptoms of alzheimer's disease, including memory loss, and how they can be remembered.
- Explains that the ninds, which is part of the national institute of neurological disorders and stroke, conducts research on alzheimer's disease.
- Explains that memory loss is one of the most common early signs of alzheimer's.
- Explains that people with alzheimer's disease can change a lot with age, such as being confused, suspicious, fearful, or dependent on family members.
1070 wordsRead More - Alzheimer's Disease Essayexplanatory essayIn the modern age scientists and researchers are constantly discovering new diseases and disorders that affect the human body. With technology improving and new equipment being introduced it enables scientists to gain more knowledge about the disorders than ever before. During the last century a German physician by the name of Alois Alzheimer linked a patient’s memory loss to her brain autopsy which displayed signs of brain shrinkage. His discovery is now known today as Alzheimer’s disease; which is a form of dementia and is a psychological disease that causes the brain to deteriorate. In today’s day and age, there are still many unanswered questions about Alzheimer’s disease (Crider, A., Goethals, G., Kavanough, R., & Solomon, P. 1989). A few known facts are that Alzheimer’s disease is it is most commonly found in elderly humans, with majority of carriers being age 60 or older. It is important to note that Alzheimer’s disease is not an old person’s disease and that it can also be found in adults of younger ages. Furthermore, there are two forms of Alzheimer’s disease. The two forms are called Early-onset which is found in adults ages 30-59 and Late-Onset which is more common and occurs in adults ages 60 and up. Alzheimer’s disease may not be curable, however with the right information it can be easy to conquer (Alzheimer and Dementia Resources).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that scientists and researchers are constantly discovering new diseases and disorders that affect the human body. alois alzheimer linked a patient's memory loss to her brain autopsy.
- Explains that alzheimer's disease has three stages: mild, moderate, and severe. the mild stage causes short-term memory loss, small mood changes, lost ability to do tasks, etc.
- Explains the two types of alzheimer's disease, early and late onset, which are genetically inherited and occur in people ages 60 and older.
- Explains that caring for a loved one with alzheimer's disease can be stressful and difficult, since caregivers are usually spouses, siblings, or children of the carriers.
- Explains the positive aspects of being a caregiver of an alzheimer’s patient.
- Explains that there is no cure for alzheimer's disease. however, there are ways to treat the disease to try to create a lifestyle to alter to the newly found needs and to help manage the symptoms.
- Explains that scientists hope to find a cure for alzheimer's disease. cholinesterase inhibitors affect chemicals in the brain and increase acetylcholine levels.
- Explains that learning to cope with alzheimer's disease can be difficult, but it is important to do in order to try and live a normal life.
- Explains how alzheimer's disease affects the human brain and how the brain deteriorates over time. the cortex shrivels, the hippocampus shrinks and the ventricles grow larger.
- Explains how a team of finnish scientists conducted an experiment on 100 people who were affected by alzheimer's disease. half of the people were given the real drug, while the other half received placebo.
- Explains that the battle against alzheimer's disease is ongoing and researchers will continue to examine it in search of a cure.
- Concludes that alzheimer's disease can be managed if certain precautions are taken. learning to cope with it and taking care of another with alzheimer’s is important for recovery and preserving the mental state of a possessor.
1524 wordsRead More - Alzheimers Diseaseexplanatory essayIn this day and age, it seems as though almost everyone has experience a loved one taken away form a very serious disease known as Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is unbelievably devastating for everyone affected by it. This disease is causing major economical problems such as less occupancy in the nursing homes, and hospitals due to the rising population of elderly men and women being diagnosed with it everyday. Because there is not yet a cure for this disease and the percent of the population being diagnosed keeps rapidly rising, more time and money needs to go towards Alzheimer’s research.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that alzheimer's disease is devastating for everyone affected by it, and that more time and money needs to go towards alzheimer’s research.
- Explains alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder that impairs mental functioning. it attacks the part of the brain that controls memory, language, and thought.
- Explains that alzheimer's disease was named after dr. alois alzheimer, who noticed abnormal clumps and bundles of fibers in the brain tissue of a woman who had this strange illness.
- Explains that alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of aging. it usually starts in the mid sixties and lasts approximately seven to fourteen years, but can rarely last for close to twenty years.
- Explains that alzheimer's disease is caused by several factors, including family history and age. people with down syndrome are also at high risk.
- Explains that before finding a cure for alzheimer's disease, scientists must research all aspects of the disease such as the cause, the damage to the brain, and genetics.
- Explains that researchers are mainly concerned with improving the quality of life for those with alzheimer's. social workers and care givers try to teach the patient how to communicate and interact in ways that improve functioning and reduce behavioral problems.
942 wordsRead More