...family member that’s alive. Alzheimer’s disease makes this nightmare a reality by taking away someone’s mental ability to perform normal everyday tasks and remember their most important memories. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative, disease that affects the brain and can also profoundly affect you or someone you love. Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative disorder that attacks the brain’s nerve cells or neurons. The neurons slowly break their connections with other nerve cells and then begin to slowly die, resulting in memory loss, behavioral changes, and loss in thinking and language skills (About Alzheimer’s, Definition of Alzheimer’s 1). An estimated 5.1 million Americans may have Alzheimer’s disease and half a million Americans under the age of sixty-five have a kind of early onset dementia including Alzheimer’s disease (About Alzheimer’s, Statistics 1)....
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...Alzheimer’s disease is a specific sort of neurological disorder that impairs memory and tampers with various other integral mental functions. Similar to disorders of the like, Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, essentially intensifying in severity as time continues. In 1999, approximately four million geriatrics in America alone were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Even with these staggeringly high numbers, the rate of incidence for the disease shows no signs of decelerating as experts expect this statistic to triple to by the year 2020 (Altman 9). The reason for this trend may lie in the most common cause of Alzheimer’s itself: old age. While old age in every human is not enough to cause Alzheimer’s, an amalgamation of specific lifestyle, environmental,...
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...Even though the cause of Alzheimer’s is yet to be discovered it is known that patients experiencing this disease exhibit two distinct changes in the brain; plaque and tangles. Plaques are made of a protein called beta-amyloid that builds into small clumps in the cortex of the brain that intermingles with the function of nerve cells ( Alzheimer's Disease). Once these nerve cells become affected, the patients gradually begin to change moods and personality. At first it can be difficult to recognize the subtle changes because one might be stereotypical and assume that age is the cause of crankiness or fatigue. Everyday tasks became harder to accomplish as the patient becomes unable to recognize how to go forth with these actions.At this point...
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...Although the cause of Alzheimer’s disease isn’t completely understood, two major factors that are connected to the progression are plaques and tangles. In the cell membrane of a neuron in the brain, you have an molecule called amyloid precursor protein, or APP. One end of the amyloid is in the cell, while the other is out. Scientists believe that this helps the neuron grow and repair itself after an injury. Since APP is a protein, it gets used and over time gets broken down and recycled. Normally it gets chopped up by enzymes called alpha secretase and gamma secretase. This chopped up protein dissolves over time. If another enzyme, beta secretase teams up with gamma secretase, then we have a problem. This piece cannot dissolve and creates...
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...Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia that develops in an old age. The initial symptoms may appear as early as at 40 years of age, and after 70 years the rate goes up 30 percent more. A sharp deterioration in the memory is the first symptom of Alzheimer's disease. Later on, person loses an orientation in time, where new information is poorly stored and is constantly blended with memories of the past. More frightening symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are the loss of identity, delusions, hallucinations and other mental disorders, when, in general, not quite old person completely drops out of life. Today, the results of clinical trials for drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease are still far from satisfactory. However, the results...
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...Alzheimer’s disease is characterized as a type of irreversible dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior which can affect the ability to perform simple tasks. (Alzheimer’s Association). Unfortunately, Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and over five million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s (National Institute of Aging). Each of the three categories of Alzheimer’s has unique symptoms. In mild Alzheimer’s disease, where Alzheimer’s is usually diagnosed, the person presents with memory loss and other problems such as behavior changes and taking longer to complete activities of daily living. In moderate Alzheimer’s, the person begins to have damage to parts of the brain that...
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...Culture and Disease Name HCS/245 Date Instructor Culture and Disease The disease that I chose to write about is Alzheimer’s disease. This disease is described as an economic and a social burden because the financial cost of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming. Alzheimer’s disease is the fifth leading cause of death in people 65 and older. It is estimated that 35 million people worldwide have Alzheimer’s disease and 5.3 million people in the U.S. have Alzheimer’s disease. (Fisher center for Alzheimer’s research foundation, 2002) Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological brain disorder discovered by a physician in 1906. (Fisher center for Alzheimer’s research foundation, 2002) Alzheimer’s is a most common form of dementia which is described as a group of disorders that impairs mental functioning. Alzheimer’s is unfortunately irreversible and progressive at the moment. Over time, abnormal changes worsen in the brain interfering with any aspects of the brain functioning. Memory loss is the earliest sign of Alzheimer’s, along with changes in personality or behavior and gradual decline of intellectual and thinking abilities called cognitive functions. (Fisher center for Alzheimer’s research foundation, 2002) Alzheimer’s is greatly known for advancing in stages, progressing from mild forgetfulness and cognitive impairment to widespread loss of mental abilities. When Alzheimer’s reaches the more advanced stages people become more dependent on others for every...
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...101/Professor Dunleavy October 5, 2014 Psychology: Chapter 2 Project Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, and the disease typically accounts for around sixty to eighty percent of dementia cases (“What is Alzheimer’s?,” 2014). Alzheimer’s disease is an incurable disease that effects the brain and brain cells. The majority of the people effected by Alzheimer’s disease are typically over the age of sixty five. Age is not the only factor to getting Alzheimer’s disease, but a few other causes will be described later in the paper. Alzheimer’s disease is a little over a century old now, as it was first discovered in the year 1906. Although it was discovered in 1906, it did not gain its official name until 1910. The disease is named after the discoverer, Alois Alzheimer. Now let’s discuss some other causes, effects, and treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. The causes of Alzheimer’s disease are not yet fully understood by scientist, but it has become clearer over the years. Multiple scientists over the years believe that Alzheimer’s disease results from a combination of many different factors. A few of these factors are age, genetics, lifestyle, and the degeneration of brain cells. Although these causes are not one hundred percent clear, it is clear that Alzheimer’s disease has a huge effect on the brain. The main cause out of these few factors is due to degeneration of brain cells. This disease damages and kills thousands of brain cells, causing the brain to begin...
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...David What is Alzheimer Disease? Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in which the brain cells start to die causing memory loss and the ability to concentrate fade away. Alzheimer’s typically occurs first in the hippocampus, where we record new memories. It also attacks the cerebral cortex. Alzheimer is also characterized by reduced production of certain brain cells called the neurotransmitters which enable nerve cells to receive and send messages and help us to carry out innumerable functions both cognitive and physical. Nevertheless AD is common among people aged 65 it is not part of aging. Although there is no cure for Alzheimer disease, there are treatments that can at least positively influence the progression of the disease. Scientists now know that Alzheimer’s progresses at the spectrum disorder with three basic stages including preclinical (no signs or symptoms yet), mild cognitive impairment, (MIC) and the final stage Alzheimer dementia. At this time, doctors cannot predict with certainty which people of MIC will or will not develop the disease. The only way to know for certain that someone has AD is to examine a sample of their brain tissue after death. Alzheimer’s early stage Although every case of Alzheimer’s disease is different, experts have identified common warning sign of the brain disease. Since AD is not a normal part of aging, it is important to look for signs that might indicate Alzheimer’s disease versus simple forgetfulness...
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...Alzheimer’s disease is an organic brain disorder that causes dementia by systematically damaging the brain tissue. It is progressive, unrelenting, and irreversible, and it affects more than 5 million Americans today, most of whom are older than age 60. Recent estimates rank Alzheimer’s disease as the third leading cause of death in the United States in the geriatric population (NIA). It has been long known that altered sleep patterns often accompany the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, but recent research is questioning just what the link between the two may be. Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by a build-up of toxins in the brain, namely amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. While there is some build-up of amyloid plaques...
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...Alzheimer’s Disease HCS245 11/14/2011 Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s disease, also known as dementia is a brain disorder that damages and destroys brain cells. Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death. Alzheimer’s disease causes loss of memory, thinking, and other functions of the brain to stop working correctly. Alzheimer’s is most often found in older adults over the age of 65 but this disease is not a normal part of aging. Alzheimer’s also can be found in people under the age of 40 (Alzheimer's Association, 2011). The brain consists of one hundred billion nerve cells or neurons. These nerve cells are grouped and each group has their own job. Some of these groups are for thinking, learning, remembering, seeing, hearing, and smelling. When brain cells are functioning correctly, they should receive information, process information, store the information, and communicate with other cells. Keeping everything running requires large amounts of fuel and oxygen for coordination. Alzheimer’s disease prevents the cells from working correctly. When there are problems in one area it in return causes problems in other areas. As damage in the brain spreads, the cells lose their ability to function correctly, do their jobs, and eventually die causing permanent changes in the brain (Alzheimer's Association, 2011). Alzheimer's disease is a growing health issue in the United States. This disease affects four million people, and 360,00 to 400,00 new cases of...
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...Alzheimer’s Disease: Not Just Loss of Memory This is a 8 page, 10 resource paper discussing Alzheimer’s disease, discussing the history, symptoms, diagnosis and hopes for a cure of the disease. Alzheimer’s Disease: Not Just Loss of Memory Introduction Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative brain disease, is the most common cause of dementia. It currently afflicts about 4 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Furthermore, Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of mental impairment in elderly people and accounts for a large percentage of admissions to assisted living homes, nursing homes, and other long-term care facilities. Psychotic symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations, have been reported in a large proportion of patients with this disease. In fact, it is the presence of these psychotic symptoms can lead to early institutionalization (Bassiony, et all, 2000). Learning about Alzheimer’s disease and realizing that it is much more that just a loss of memory can benefit the families of those with the disorder as well as society as a whole. The purpose of this paper is to look at the disorder, as well as to discuss the history, symptoms, diagnosis and hopes of a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. History Around the turn of the century, two kinds of dementia were defined by Emil Kraepin: senile and presenile. The presenile form was described more in detail by Alois Alzheimer as a progressive deterioration of...
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...Alzheimer’s Disease: Not Just Loss of Memory Introduction Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative brain disease, is the most common cause of dementia. It currently afflicts about 4 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Furthermore, Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of mental impairment in elderly people and accounts for a large percentage of admissions to assisted living homes, nursing homes, and other long-term care facilities. Psychotic symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations, have been reported in a large proportion of patients with this disease. In fact, it is the presence of these psychotic symptoms can lead to early institutionalization (Bassiony, et all, 2000). Learning about Alzheimer’s disease and realizing that it is much more that just a loss of memory can benefit the families of those with the disorder as well as society as a whole. The purpose of this paper is to look at the disorder, as well as to discuss the history, symptoms, diagnosis and hopes of a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. History Around the turn of the century, two kinds of dementia were defined by Emil Kraepin: senile and presenile. The presenile form was described more in detail by Alois Alzheimer as a progressive deterioration of intellect, memory and orientation. As a neuropathologist, Alzheimer studied the case a 51 year-old woman. When she died, Alzheimer performed an autopsy and found that she had “cerebral atrophy”...
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...http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_alzheimers.asp ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE * Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases. Bottom of Form * Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging, although the greatest known risk factor is increasing age, and the majority of people with Alzheimer's are 65 and older. But Alzheimer's is not just a disease of old age. Up to 5 percent of people with the disease have early onset Alzheimer's (also known as younger-onset), which often appears when someone is in their 40s or 50s. * Alzheimer's worsens over time. Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, where dementia symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer's, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment. Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Those with Alzheimer's live an average of eight years after their symptoms become noticeable to others, but survival can range from four to 20 years, depending on age and other health conditions. * Alzheimer's has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues. Although current Alzheimer's treatments cannot stop Alzheimer's from progressing, they can temporarily slow the worsening...
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...Alzheimer’s Disease Kathryn Hardcastle, PSY 340 February 5, 2012 Chris Garwick-Foley Alzheimer ’s Disease Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that causes a gradual and irreversible decline of cognitive abilities (Feldman, 2010, p. 325). Informally known as “old timers” disease, it strikes more than half of the elderly community greater than age 85 (Feldman, 2010). In addition to the loss of memory there are also major neurological, functional, and behavioral changes as well. There are a few risk factors including age, family history, and head injuries. There is no definitive way of predicting that a person will get Alzheimer’s, but there are genetic markers and neurological tests that can signify a person’s chances at acquiring Alzheimer’s later in life (Association, 2012). Although there is no cure at this time there are methods to treating symptoms, and leading a healthy lifestyle, eating right, and staying fit both mentally and physically can help with prevention. Defining Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s disease is neurological and affects short-term memory, behavior, the ability to match words with familiar objects, and attention span. The disease is degenerative with the gradual loss of neurological function. Alzheimer’s is distinguished from other dementias by the presence of beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (Swaminathan, 2011). These create a disruption in the synapses responsible for critical thinking and changes in...
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