For those who aspire to live a very long life, dementia is a threat second only to death-or is death in another form. Alzheimer's disease is incurable. It leads to death within an average of 8 years after diagnosis, the last 3 of which are typically spent in an institution. Besides memory loss, Alzheimer's patients show dramatic personality changes, disorientation, declining physical coordination, and an inability to care for themselves. In the final stages, victims are bedridden, lose urinary and bowel control, and suffer epileptic attacks.
Death is usually due to pneumonia or urinary tract infection.
It appears that Alzheimer's disease begins with gradual accumulation of beta-amyloid peptide in the form of diffuse plaques which, through glycation and oxidation evolve into senile plaques. These neurons may include those in nuclei outside of the cerebral cortex which activate the cortex with modulatory neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, serotonin, and noradrenaline. Summary Alzheimer's disease is a progressive form of dementia primarily affecting people over 60. The disease is incurable and leads to death within about 8 years. The acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, tacrine and donepezil, are the only currently approved drugs by the FDA in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.