"Alzheimer's disease" is the term used to describe a dementing disorder marked by certain brain changes, regardless of the age of onset. Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of aging--it is not something that inevitably happens in later life. Rather, it is one of the dementing disorders, a group of brain diseases that lead to the loss of mental and physical functions. The disorder, whose cause is unknown, affects a small but significant percentage of older Americans. A very small minority of Alzheimer's patients are under 50 years of age. Most are over 65.
Causes of Alzheimer's Disease
The physical changes that cause brain damage in Alzheimer's disease are known, but the exact causes of Alzheimer's disease remain a mystery. Although certain conditions and genetic markers appear to accompany Alzheimer's, none of these conditions can account for brain damage in all cases. Many theories abound about the causes of Alzheimer's disease--theories that often cause intense debate among Alzheimer's researchers.
There may be a genetic factor in Alzheimer's disease, since we know it runs in some families. Researchers have even found a gene that causes a particularly severe form of the disease. If you inherit this gene from only one parent, you have an increased chance of getting Alzheimer's disease, compared to people with the normal gene. Inheriting it from both parents means you'll almost certainly get the disease, and at an earlier age.
If Alzheimer's is confirmed, an early diagnosis is beneficial - giving the individual and their family adequate time to explore treatment options and a maintenance plan. Early treatment may also relieve Alzheimer's symptoms and slow down the degenerative process.
Symptoms of Alzheimer's
Memory loss is usually the first noticeable sign of Alzheimer's. Memory loss starts slowly, but soon the episodes become more and more frequent. People with Alzheimer's forget things very often. They have trouble remembering answers to questions they may have asked a short time earlier. This causes the person to ask the same question repeatedly.
It is very easy to lose eyeglasses or misplace keys. However, individuals with Alzheimer's disease will lose many items, often placing them in inappropriate places, such as clothes in the freezer or milk in the cedar chest. Mood swings are common in individuals with Alzheimer's disease and often occur for no apparent reason. Someone may become quickly enraged and then immediately calm down.
Problems with language. The person can't recall words or understand the meaning of common words. A person with Alzheimer's disease may substitute inappropriate words, making it difficult to understand what he or she is saying.
Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease
Memantine (Namenda®) is the only medication approved by the FDA to treat moderate-to-severe symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. It can be used alone or in combination with other medications (e.g., donepezil).
Memantine helps protect nerve cells in the brain from excess glutamate, which is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in neurodegenerative diseases. Clinical studies have shown that it can improve memory and function and prolong the ability of Alzheimer's patients to perform some tasks independently. Side effects include headache, constipation, confusion, and dizziness.
Aricept. Aricept, a cholinesterase inhibitor, is the most widely used drug for Alzheimer's disease. Cholinesterase inhibitors stop the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical in the brain used for memory and other mental functions.These types of medications help increase the levels of acetylcholine. In Alzheimer's disease there is a deficiency in acetlycholine in some areas of the brain, which accounts for some of the symptoms of the disease. Aricept works by slowing down the breakdown of acetylcholine. Aricept is the only treatment approved by the FDA for all stages of Alzheimer's disease: mild, moderate, and severe.
Prevention Methods
Alzheimer's disease cannot be prevented since the causes are not known. However, research studies have proved that steps to maintain cardiovascular health such as weight reduction, regular exercise to control high blood pressure and cholesterol may also prove useful to prevent AD.
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