Intervention strategies and if necessary, appropriate medication can lessen symptoms such as agitation and anxiety, and improve sleep and participation in activities. Suspected causes include diseased genes or a genetic predisposition, abnormal protein buildup in the brain and environmental toxins. Much of the remaining costs are borne by patients and their families. Symptoms include failing memory, behavior changes and lack of muscle coordination. CJD progresses rapidly, usually causing death within a year.
Symptoms can include disorientation, confusion and behavior changes.
Pick's disease - a rare brain disease that closely resembles AD, with personality changes and disorientation. Diagnosis is difficult and is confirmed by autopsy. Parkinson's disease - a disease affecting control of muscle activity, resulting in tremors, stiffness and speech impairment. Parkinson drugs can improve steadiness and control, but have no real effect on mental deterioration. Lewy body disease - a disease in which symptoms are a combination and AD and Parkinson's disease.