Alzheimer’s Disease: What do we do?
What exactly is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease
characterized by progressive memory loss, poor judgment, language
deterioration, and impaired visuospatial skills. Alzheimer’s disease
usually begins after the age of 65 but may occur as early as (early
onset type) 40 years old. It usually begins with minor impairment in
short-term memory with such experiences as frequently losing keys, and
eventually progresses to include severe short-term and long-term
memory loss, as well as affecting most other areas of an individual’s
cognitive functioning. Alzheimer’s disease eventually destroys
cognition, personality and ability to function. In the earliest stages
it may be difficult to differentiate from normal aging, but as it
progresses it simply and individuals total ability to function.
How would an individual get Alzheimer’s?
There continues to be extensive research in this area to determine how
individuals contract the disease. Current research indicates that
there are two main categories associated with the etiology of
Alzheimer’s disease, including the familial and sporadic. Familial
Alzheimer’s disease is a genetic form which is transmitted from one
generation to the next. Approximately 5 % of all case of Alzheimer’s
disease have been associated with a genetic component. These
individuals frequently come from families where as many as half of the
family members may develop the disease. This form of the disorder is
rare, however. The remaining 95 % of Alzheimer’s disease cases are
sporadic, randomly occurring in the population. At the present time,
particular dietary habits, professional occupations and specific
personality types do not appear to lead the development of the
disease.
Signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease and prognosis:
Early-stage Alzheimer’s symptoms can also be very similar to those
which result from fatigue, illness, vision or hearing loss, grief,
depression or the use of alcohol and various medications. However,
Alzheimer’s symptoms become progressively worse over time, eventually
destroying short-term memory, concentration, long-term memory,
judgment and personality. The primary symptoms include multiple
cognitive deficits manifested by memory impairment and other cognitive
disturbances, including language disturbances, impaired ability to
carry out motor (physical) activities despite intact motor function,
failure to recognize and identify simple objects and disturbances in
executive functioning. The cognitive deficits must cause significant
impairment in social or occupational functioning and represent a
significant decline from previous functioning.
Alzheimer’s disease is progressive in nature, but its course may vary
from individual to individual. some individuals may have it for sure
appear in time and the last five years of their life while others may
have it offers many as 20 years. Most common cause of death in
Alzheimer’s patients is infection.
Treatment and research:
Currently there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease and no sure way to
limit its progression. Some people in the early to middle stages of
the disease, find medications such as tacrine (Cognex), Aricept (donezepil)
and Exelon (rivastigmine) slow the progression.other medications are
also used to control the behavioral symptoms associated with
Alzheimer’s disease such as aggression, sleeplessness, wandering
common anxiety. Also, frequently environmental and behavioral
modification are effective in reducing the effects of an
over-stimulating environment, along with basic behavioral modification
techniques to improve specific behaviors.
Current research includes searching for the cause or etiology, as well
as developing a vaccine which is aimed at preventing or reversing the
formation of Alzheimer’s disease-associated pathologic lesions.
Recent results using a transgenic mouse model suggests that
immunological interventions may slow or reverse the development of
some of the pathogical changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Early clinical trials are hopeful but currently are still very
tentative.
By
Paul Susic MA Licensed Psychologist Ph.D. Candidate
