Alzheimer's Disease is the most common form of dementia, associated with tangles and plaques in the brain. Affecting memory, thinking, and behavior, it starts off slowly. At first, a patient has mild memory loss - they may repeat themselves, display poor judgement, or understand new ideas more slowly. As it progresses, they need help to remember to eat or bathe. They may become clingy or irascible. In the final stages, they become totally dependent on others, displaying extreme memory loss.
Currently, the exact cause of Alzheimer's is unknown, but there appears to be a genetic basis. For the early onset variety (before age 65), most cases are caused by mutations in presenilins 1 and 2 or amyloid precursor protein. This causes greater production of Aβ42, which forms the characteristic brain plaques. For the other "sporadic" cases, some genes appear to be connected to the disease. For example, he APOE ε4 gene is present in 40 to 80% of people with Alzheimer's, but the gene itself does not guarantee the disease.
There's currently no cure, but researchers are working to change that. One tactic among many is a vaccine that the would prevent Aβ42 from building up to form brain plaques, and to possibly break down existing plaques.
As far as prevention today goes, researchers advise maintaining blood pressure, eating a low fat diet, and keeping active mentally and socially. It's also recommended to eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids as well as eating less linoleic acid ands more antioxidants.
Alzheimer's: The Dementia Enigma
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This was a very good overview of what Alzheimer's is, and it made a lot of sense to me (and the diagram was a huge help as well!); so kudos on that. It's nice to know that scientists are possibly on their way to cure and that they've identified ways to prevent the disease. But I'd definately like to know more about this vaccine.
I also did my blog on Alzheimer's disease and agree with you that there is no cure yet. However, my research found that there are ways to prevent it all together like you said with becoming mentally active and eating right and also doing these things can help people who have it from getting worse. I also like the picture you included.
I enjoyed reading this blog, it's a very good summary on the illness. I espcecially appreciated the diagram as well as the analysis of the genetic basis of Alzheimer's. This is such an awful disease and I truly hope that a cure will be found soon. The prevention steps that are listed are good to know.
Great info on the specific genetic causes of the disease. I was just wondering if it is more common to affect a particular sex?
It is a clear description and explanation. The picture makes me easy to understand the progresses of Alzheimer.
Very good and very clear explanation. I was not aware of:" It's also recommended to eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids as well as eating less linoleic acid ands more antioxidants.".
Many doctors also recommend staying mentally active through board games and game that make you think. This is said to fight off the disease. My grandma had Alzheimer's but she wasn't diagnosed until she was about 70 and the doctors think that that was because how much time she spent staying mentally active. After seeing her go through it, I cannot think of a worse possible disease.