A degenerative, organic, mental disease characterized by progressive brain deterioration and dementia, usually occurring after the age of 50.
The most common form of dementia, characterized by increasing impairment in memory and other cognitive functions, such as language disturbance, inability to carry out motor activities, and disturbances in intellectual functioning. The course of the disease is characterized by gradual onset and continuing cognitive decline. The hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease is the presence of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, which is believed to have a strong association with the disease.
In DSM-lII-R, primary degenerative dementia of the Alzheimer type; a degenerative organic mental disease with diffuse brain deterioration and progressive dementia. The symptoms are similar to Pick’s disease.
Named after Alois Alzheimer who first described the Amyloid β Protein (AβP) plaques in the human brain that are caused by this disease, in 1906. Alzheimer’s disease causes progressive memory loss and dementia in its victims as it kills brain cells (neurons). The drug Tacrine appears to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, but there is currently no way to stop the disease.
Degeneration of the brain cells.
A disease where a person experiences progressive dementia due to nerve cell loss in specific brain areas, resulting in loss of mental faculties including memory [Described 1906. After Alois Alzheimer (1864-1915), Bavarian physician.]
Progressive disease characterized by deterioration of memory and other cognitive functions; major cause of dementia in the elderly.
Progressive loss of mental ability and function, often accompanied by personality changes and emotional instability. A common disorder affecting both men and women, it usually starts between ages 50 and 60, often with memory lapses and changes in behavior; it progresses to include symptoms of confusion, restlessness, inability to plan and carry out activities and sometimes hallucinations and loss of sphincter (i.e., bladder) control. The cause is unknown but plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are commonly found in the brain tissue. There is no cure, with treatment aimed at alleviating the symptoms. Also called presenile dementia.
A degenerative brain disorder that causes dementia and physical deterioration with typical onset late in life; disrupts brain function by formation of amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and cerebral atrophy.
A degenerative disease of the brain, usually occurring in middle-aged or elderly people, characterized by loss of memory and progressive mental deterioration.
An irreversible brain disease, usually found in older people, that causes a progressive decline in mental function. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, a syndrome characterized by a gradual loss of memory and other intellectual functions. Typically in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), brain cells die and the connections between them deteriorate. Researchers suspect AD may be caused either by a deficiency in a brain chemical or a genetic defect.
A progressive form of dementia occurring in middle age, for which there is no treatment. It is associated with diffuse degeneration of the brain.
A progressive degenerating process of neural tissue affecting mainly the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain in middle and late life. There is probably a genetic component to Alzheimer’s disease, but early-onset Alzheimer’s is linked to certain mutations, or changes, in three particular genes. Examination of affected brains shows ‘senile plaques’ containing an amyloidlike material distributed throughout an atrophied cortex. Many remaining neurons, or nerve cells, show changes in their neurofibrils, which thicken and twist into ‘neurofibrillary tangles’. First symptoms are psychological with gradually increasing impairment of recent memory and disorientation in time and space. This becomes increasingly associated with difficulties in judgement, comprehension and abstract reasoning. After very few years, progressive neurological deterioration produces poor gait, immobility and eventual death. When assessment has found no other organic cause for an affected individual’s symptoms, treatment is primarily provision of appropriate nursing and social care, with strong support being given to the relatives or other carers, for whom looking after sufferers is a prolonged and onerous burden. Proper diet and exercise are helpful, as is keeping the individual occupied. If possible, sufferers should stay in familiar surroundings, with day-care and short-stay institutional facilities a useful way of maintaining them at home for as long as possible.
A chronic, progressive, degenerative cognitive disorder that accounts for more than 60% of all dementias. The most common form occurs in people over 65; the incidence rate of the disease increases with age. The illness affects more than 4 million older Americans, causes significant functional disability, and costs $80 billion to $100 billion for health care and lost wages in the U.S. every year. That number is expected to triple in the next 20 years (14 million by 2050) as more people live into their 80s and 90s.
A disease in which a person gradually loses menial capacities and the ability to carry out daily activities.
A form of senile dementia associated with atrophy of parts of the brain.
In the realm of neurological afflictions, a relentless and gradual malady emerges, known as Alzheimer’s disease. This insidious condition, marked by the degeneration of nerve cells in multiple regions of the brain, orchestrates a tragic symphony of dwindling capabilities and the ultimate demise of cognitive prowess. Memory, once a steadfast companion, fades into the abyss alongside other faculties of comprehension and acquisition. Within the intricate tapestry of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease claims its throne as the primary instigator, reigning over the harrowing realm of mental decline.
Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive ailment characterized by the degeneration of brain cells and the subsequent shrinking of the brain, stands as the predominant catalyst behind dementia, a comprehensive deterioration across various facets of cognitive function. While its manifestation before the age of 60 is infrequent, the prevalence of this condition escalates progressively as individuals advance in age.
The occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease at an early stage, characterized by the emergence of symptoms prior to the age of 60, is frequently attributed to genetic inheritance with a dominant trait.
The onset of Alzheimer’s disease at a later stage is linked to a specific gene involved in the synthesis of apolipoprotein E, a blood protein. Additionally, genetic factors contribute to the atypical accumulation of beta amyloid, a protein found in the brain. Furthermore, chemical imbalances are observed, including a deficiency of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
Alzheimer’s disease encompasses a range of characteristics, with three overarching stages. Initially, individuals experience a gradual increase in forgetfulness, often accompanied by anxiety and depression due to memory-related challenges. It is important to note that some decline in memory is a natural part of the aging process and does not necessarily indicate the presence of dementia.
During the second stage of Alzheimer’s disease, the loss of memory, particularly concerning recent events, gradually intensifies, often leading to disorientation in terms of time or location. There is a noticeable decline in concentration and numerical aptitude, accompanied by dysphasia, which manifests as difficulty in finding the right words. Anxiety levels rise, mood changes become unpredictable, and there is a possibility of experiencing alterations in personality. In unsupervised situations, the affected individual may frequently wander away.
In the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease, confusion reaches a profound level. Symptoms of psychosis, including hallucinations and delusions, may manifest. Additionally, signs of nervous system dysfunction such as abnormal reflexes (involuntary actions) and the onset of faecal or urinary incontinence become apparent.
The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease typically relies on the observation of symptoms; however, in order to rule out other potential causes of dementia, additional tests such as blood tests and brain imaging techniques like CT scanning or MRI (which generate cross-sectional or three-dimensional images) may be necessary.
The primary focus of treating Alzheimer’s disease lies in providing appropriate nursing and social care for individuals affected by the condition, as well as offering support to their family members. Tranquilizer medications can often be beneficial in managing challenging behaviors and promoting better sleep. Treatment with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, such as rivastigmine and donepezil, may temporarily slow down the progression of the disease but does not enhance cognitive abilities. It is important to note that side effects such as nausea and dizziness may occur as a result of this treatment.