Alzheimer’s Disease Information

Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating brain disorder that results in memory loss, confusion and is ultimately fatal. It  is estimated to affect four to five million people in the United States and is the sixth leading cause of death. Those figures are expected to rise as the baby boomer generation grows older.

Alzheimer’s Disease Information

Alzheimer’s disease is a slowly progressing disease that starts with simple forgetfulness. Over time though, it advances to a point where the patient cannot remember how to do basic tasks and requires full-time care. The disease was first identified in 1906 by a German physician named Alois Alzheimer who observed abnormal structures in the brain of a woman who died with an unusal mental illness. What Dr. Alzheimer observed were plaques and tangles in the brain – the hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease even today.

These plaques and tangles found in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease patients are made up of peptides and proteins normally produced by neurons in the brain. Why these proteins aggregate and deposit on the brain in certain people, and how these plaques and tangles exactly contribute to the disease is still a matter of debate. But most experts believe that these abnormal structures inhibit neuronal communication,  eventually causing neuronal cell death that leads to the extensive memory loss.

Risk Factors

The biggest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease is age. The majority of patients are 65 years of age or older and the risk of developing the disease continues to increase as a person gets older. A family history of Alzheimer’s disease can also increase the chances that someone may develop the disease. While age and family history cannot be influenced, more recent research has suggested a link between Alzheimer’s disease and some of the factors involved in heart disease (high blood pressure, high cholesterol), factors that can modified by a healthy lifestyle.

Diagnosis

The only conclusive diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is the presence of plaques and tangles in the brain. Since the presence of these structures can only be assessed post-mortem, a probable diagnosis of the disease is made by medical professionals based on mental function tests  while also ruling out other potential causes. Research is ongoing in the diagnostic field for a more definitive test for the disease, however a specialist can correctly diagnose the disease 90% of the time.

There is a wealth of Alzheimer’s disease information online that can help patients and their families to better understand the disease and be prepared for what lies ahead. As with all health-related issues, please consult with your doctor before making any decisions regarding diagnosis and care.