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Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the most common cause of
dementia in older people. A dementia is a medical condition that
disrupts the way the brain works. AD affects the parts of the brain
that control thought, memory, and language. Although the risk of
getting the disease increases with age, it is not a normal part of
aging. At present the cause of the disease is unknown and there is
no cure.
AD is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German psychiatrist. In
1906, Dr. Alzheimer described changes in the brain tissue of a
woman who had died of an unusual mental illness. He found abnormal
deposits (now called senile or neuritic plaques) and tangled
bundles of nerve fibers (now called neurofibrillary tangles). These
plaques and tangles in the brain have come to be characteristic
brain changes due to AD.
Symptoms Include:
- initial mild forgetfulness
- confusion with names and simple mathematical problems
- forgetfulness to do simple everyday tasks, i.e., brushing their
teeth
- problems speaking, understanding, reading, and writing
- behavioral and personality changes
- aggressive, anxious, or aimless behavior
Statistics
It is estimated that currently 4 million people in the United
States may have Alzheimer’s disease. The disease usually
begins after age 65 and risk of AD goes up with age. While younger
people may have AD, it is much less common. About 3% of men and
women ages 65-74 have AD and nearly half of those over age 85 could
have the disease.
Diagnosis
No definitive test to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease in
living patients exits. However, in specialized research facilities,
neurologists now can diagnose AD with up to 90% accuracy. The
following is some of the information used to make this
diagnosis:
- a complete medical history
- basic medical tests (i.e., blood, urine tests)
- neuropsychological tests (i.e., memory, problem-solving,
language tests)
- brain scans (i.e., MRI scan, CT scan or PET scan)
Research for Possible Risk Factors
Scientists are trying to learn what causes AD and how to prevent
it. This list may not be all inclusive or definite. However,
research has lead scientists to consider these as possible risk
factors:
- Genetic factors
- Environmental factors - aluminum, zinc, and other metals have
been detected in the brain tissue of those with AD. However, it
isn’t known whether they cause AD, or build up in the brain
as a result of AD.
- Viruses - Viruses that might cause the changes seen in the
brain tissue of AD patients are being studied.
The only known risk factors are age and family history. Serious
head injury and lower levels of education may also be risk factors.
AD is probably not caused by any one factor. Most likely, it is
several factors together that react differently in each person.
Unfortunately, no blood or urine test currently exists that can
detect or predict AD.
Treatment
Alzheimer’s disease advances in stages, ranging from mild
forgetfulness to severe dementia. The course of the disease and the
rate of decline varies from person to person. The duration from
onset of symptoms to death can be from 5 to 20 years.
Currently, there is no effective treatment for AD that can halt
the progression. However, some experimental drugs have shown
promise in easing symptoms in some patients. Medications can help
control behavioral symptoms; making patients more comfortable and
easier to manage for caregivers. Still other research efforts focus
on alternative care programs that provide relief to the caregiver
and support for the patient.
For More Information:
Contact your local Mental Health Association, community mental
health center, or:
National Mental Health Association
2001 N. Beauregard Street, 12th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22311
Phone 703/684-7722
Fax 703/684-5968
Mental Health Resource Center 800/969-NMHA
TTY Line 800/433-5959
Alzheimer’s Association
919 N. Michigan Ave.
Suite 1000
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (800) 272-3900
Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral
Center
PO Box 8250
Silver Spring, MD 20907-8250
Phone: (800) 438-4380
Eldercare Locator
Phone: (800) 677-1116
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