ALZHEIMER’S

By: Tasso Skountzouris

David Schiano

General Description

Alzheimer’s is one the most common form of Dementia

Dementia causes a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It affects memory, thinking, language, judgment, and behavior

Parts of the Nervous System affected Alzheimer’s disease deteriorates the brain

by destroying nerve cells. Once the nerve cells begin to deteriorate it causes a reduction of responses to other nerve cells.

The condition spreads out, causing chemical interruptions, the transmission of impulses slow, and tissues in the brain begin to get worse.

Causes

Scientist’s are not completely sure what causes Alzheimer’s; however, they have found a correlation between protein build-up in the brain and Alzheimer’s. These build-ups manifest themselves as plaques and tangles(tau).

Alzheimer’s also has a genetic link, and people who suffer severe head trauma may also be more likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s

Therapy

There is no complete treatment for Alzheimer’s, yet some therapies may improve the severity of it.

Aromatherapy, listening to familiar music, spending time with pets.

Donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine.

Pharmacology

Most drugs used to treat Alzheimer's are aimed at slowing the rate at which symptoms become worse. The benefit from these drugs is often small, and patients may not always notice much of a change.

Donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne, formerly called Reminyl

Progression Early signs of Alzheimer’s include: difficulty

doing familiar tasks, problems using language, and disorientation to time and place.

Stage 1: No impairmentStage 2: Very mild cognitive declineStage 3: Mild cognitive declineStage 4: Moderate cognitive declineStage 5: Moderately severe cognitive declineStage 6: Severe cognitive declineStage 7: Very severe cognitive decline

Recovery

There is no true recovery from Alzheimer’s, it continues to wear away a person’s memory as time goes on.