Alzheimer's Disease

DisclaimerThis page is not here to be used as a self-diagnosis, self-identification, or promotion - it's simply here to be informational. Whether or not one self-diagnoses, self-identifies, and/or seeks a professional diagnosis is up to them.

**Alzheimer's Disease**, also simply called **Alzheimer's**, is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging. The majority of individuals with Alzheimer's are 65 and older, but it can be considered **Younger-Onset Alzheimer's** if it affects an individual younger than 65. It slowly destroys memory, thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks.

## Signs & Symptoms

The most common early symptom of Alzheimer's is difficulty remembering newly learned information. Decline in nonmemory aspects of cognition are also common first symptoms, such as:

* Word-finding.
* Vision/spatial issues.
* Impaired reasoning or judgement.

## Stages of Alzheimer's

### Mild Alzheimer's disease

With mild Alzheimer's, problems can include wandering and getting lost, trouble handling money and paying bills, repeating questions, taking longer to complete normal daily tasks, and personality and behavior changes. Individuals are often diagnosed in this stage.

### Moderate Alzheimer's disease

In this stage, damage occurs in areas of the brain that control language, reasoning, conscious thought, and sensory processing, such as the ability to correctly detect sounds and smells. Memory loss and confusion grow worse and the individual may begin to have problems recognizing family and friends. They are unable to learn new things, carry out multistep tasks (such as getting dressed), or cope with new situations. Individuals in this stage may have hallucinations, delusions and paranoia and may behave impulsively.

### Severe Alzheimer's disease

With severe Alzheimer's, plaques and tangles spread throughout the brain and brain tissue shrinks significantly. Individuals in this stage cannot communicate and are completely dependent on others for their care. Near the end of life, the individual may be in bed most of the time or all of the time as the body shuts down.

## Causes

The causes of Alzheimer's are not yet fully understood. At a basic level, brain proteins fail to function normally, which disrupts the work of brain cells and triggers a series of toxic events. Neurons are damaged, lose connections to each other and eventually die.

Less than 1% of the time, Alzheimer's is caused by specific genetic changes that virtually guarantee an individual will develop the disease, there rare occurrences usually result in disease onset in middle age.

The damage most often starts in the region of the brain that controls memory, but the process begins years before the first symptom. The loss of neurons spreads to other regions of the brain in a somewhat predictable pattern. By the late stage of the disease, the brain is shrunken significantly.

Researchers trying to understand the cause of Alzheimer's disease are focused on the role of two proteins:

* Plaques: Beta-amyloid is a fragment of a larger protein. When these fragments cluster together, they appear to have a toxic effect on neurons and disrupt cell-to-cell communications. These clusters form larger deposits called amyloid plaques.
* Tangles: Tau proteins play a part in a neuron's internal support and transport system to carry essential materials, like nutrients. In Alzheimer's disease, tau proteins change shape and organize themselves into into structures called neurofibrillary tangles. These tangles disrupt the transport system.

## Treatment

There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease, but there is a lot that can be done to help one live well with the condition.

### Drug Treatments

There are drug treatments for Alzheimer's that can temporarily ease symptoms or slow down their progression.

An individual in the mild or moderate stages of Alzheimer's or mixed dementia will usually be prescribed:

* Donepezil.
* Rivastigime.
* Galantamine.

The rug may reduce anxiety, help with memory problems, improve concentration and motivation, and help with aspects of daily life.

An individual in the moderate or severe stages of Alzheimer's disease or mixed dementia may be offered mematine. This may help with mental abilities and daily living, and might also reduce agitation and hallucinations.

A wide range of other drugs may be prescribed at different times for an individual with dementia. These may include drugs for blood pressure or diabetes, depression or anxiety, sleeping tablets, or antipsychotics.

### Non-Drug Treatments

There are many ways to help someone with dementia stay independent and cope with changes. These include supporting the individual to have a routine. There are assistive technology available, such as electronic reminders and calendar clocks.

Many individuals try talking therapies to keep mentally active and others also like to do life story work, in which someone shares their experiences and makes a personal record. This can help with memory, mood and well-being.

Keeping mentally, physically and socially active can have a very positive impact on an individual with Alzheimer's disease.

* Regular physical exercise.
* Reading or puzzles.
* Joining a group to sing, dance or make music.
* Doing arts, crafts or other hobbies.
* Visiting local museums or galleries, or going on day trips.

Over time, changes in the individual's behavior become more likely. Understanding the reason behind someone's behavior will help to support them This can include making sure they have opportunities for social interaction, life story work, music, exercise or other activities they enjoy.

## References

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/types-dementia/alzheimers-disease

https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-disease-fact-sheet

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350447

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/types-dementia/treatment-support-alzheimers-disease#content-start