...Alzheimer’s Disease We live in an advanced world of technology and medicine. As much as many things positively impact society, numerous may also have a negative effect. Throughout the years, we were able to create cures through medicine that have allowed the life expectancy of the older generation to outlast the previous ones. But for many seniors, new problems arise that still require an antidote with the help of research and development. Even though females have a higher rate in life expectancy, they also have a greater chance in degenerating diseases; but both have an equal chance in getting a specific disease. One of which is the most common form of Dementia called Alzheimer’s that is caused within old age. Alzheimer causes memory loss and it goes from losing a little portion to even forgetting your entire past. This paper will discuss what happens with Alzheimer’s, who it targets, what are the signs of detecting this disease, and if there is a way to cure it. Alzheimer’s was first discovered in the early 1900’s by a German physician, Alois Alzheimer. He discovered the disease while observing a patient, a 51 year old woman named Frau Auguste D., who developed symptoms of memory loss and had difficulty understandings and speaking. After a few years of observations, Dr. Alxheimer discovered a progression of the symptoms which inevitably led to the death of the patient. Upon autopsy, abnormal impairment of the brain was discovered, along with a remarkable...
Words: 2692 - Pages: 11
...The documentation of a severe form of dementia by Alois Alzheimer in 1907 began a massive investigation of the cause of this disorder. Some of the common symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease consist of memory loss, impaired language ability, impaired judgement, and learning (M. Wong, et al. , 1997). Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is mainly a disease of the cerebral cortex. Alzheimer's is marked structurally by the senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and severe loss of neurons and synapses in the cerebral cortex. Alzheimer's is a neurodegenerative disorder ( Hof, Vogt, Bouras, and Morrison 1997). Recent attention has been focused on visual dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease (K. U. Loffler, D. P. Edward, & M. O. M. Tso 1995). Visual Problems During the clinical evaluation of patients with mild to moderate dementia of the AD type, visual difficulties such as : topographic agnosia, visual agnosia, alexia without agraphia, and prosopagnosia are detected. AD patients have The problem of describing the individual components of a picture is consistent with the severity of cytochrome oxidase (C.O.) deficits in the association cortical areas. Other deficits experienced by AD patients were texture discrimination, blue-violet discrimination, and 4.72 deg/sec motion detection. When AD patients were compared to other age-matched controls, AD patients had shown specific deficits in contrast sensitivity. Deficits in color vision were only age-related (M. Wong-Riley, et al. , 1997). ...
Words: 899 - Pages: 4
...Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. Research advances have enabled detailed understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of the hallmarks of the disease-ie, plaques, composed of amyloid β (Aβ), and tangles, composed of hyperphosphorylated tau. However, as our knowledge increases so does our appreciation for the pathogenic complexity of the disorder. Familial Alzheimer's disease is a very rare autosomal dominant disease with early onset, caused by mutations in the amyloid precursor protein and presenilin genes, both linked to Aβ metabolism. By contrast with familial disease, sporadic Alzheimer's disease is very common with more than 15 million people affected worldwide. The cause of the sporadic form of the disease is unknown, probably because the disease is heterogeneous, caused by ageing in concert with a complex interaction of both genetic and environmental risk factors. This seminar reviews the key aspects of the disease, including epidemiology, genetics, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as recent developments and controversies. 100 years ago, Alois Alzheimer gave a lecture at a congress in Tubingen, Germany, on the first case of the disease that Kraepelin some years later named Alzheimer's disease.1 In this single case. Alzheimer described typical clinical characteristics with memory disturbances and instrumental signs, and the neuropathological picture with miliary bodies (plaques) and dense bundles of fibrils (tangles), which we today...
Words: 7059 - Pages: 29
...Alzheimer Disease 2013 michaeltin [Type the company name] 4/30/2013 Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually even the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. In most people with Alzheimer’s, symptoms first appear after age 60. Estimates vary, but experts suggest that as many as 5.1 million Americans may have Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia among older people. Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning—thinking, remembering, and reasoning—and behavioral abilities, to such an extent that it interferes with a person’s daily life and activities. Dementia ranges in severity from the mildest stage, when it is just beginning to affect a person’s functioning, to the most severe stage, when the person must depend completely on others for basic activities of daily living. Alzheimer’s disease is named after Dr. Aloes Alzheimer. In 1906, Dr. Alzheimer noticed changes in the brain tissue of a woman who had died of an unusual mental illness. Her symptoms included memory loss, language problems, and unpredictable behavior. After she died, he examined her brain and found many abnormal clumps (now called amyloidal plaques) and tangled bundles of fibers (now called neurofibrillary tangles). Plaques and tangles in the brain are two of the main features of Alzheimer’s disease. The third is the loss of connections between nerve cells (neurons) in the brain...
Words: 1411 - Pages: 6
...Alzheimer’s Disease HCS245 11/14/2011 Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s disease, also known as dementia is a brain disorder that damages and destroys brain cells. Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death. Alzheimer’s disease causes loss of memory, thinking, and other functions of the brain to stop working correctly. Alzheimer’s is most often found in older adults over the age of 65 but this disease is not a normal part of aging. Alzheimer’s also can be found in people under the age of 40 (Alzheimer's Association, 2011). The brain consists of one hundred billion nerve cells or neurons. These nerve cells are grouped and each group has their own job. Some of these groups are for thinking, learning, remembering, seeing, hearing, and smelling. When brain cells are functioning correctly, they should receive information, process information, store the information, and communicate with other cells. Keeping everything running requires large amounts of fuel and oxygen for coordination. Alzheimer’s disease prevents the cells from working correctly. When there are problems in one area it in return causes problems in other areas. As damage in the brain spreads, the cells lose their ability to function correctly, do their jobs, and eventually die causing permanent changes in the brain (Alzheimer's Association, 2011). Alzheimer's disease is a growing health issue in the United States. This disease affects four million people, and 360,00 to 400,00 new cases of...
Words: 1195 - Pages: 5
...Gum disease (periodontal disease) is associated with the elevated risk of the cardiovascular disease in addition to the cerebrovascular disease as well as death in various studies. Some of the pathogens provide an association between gum disease and Alzheimer Disease. Thus, the inflammation that is caused by the gum disease is highly associated with Alzheimer Disease thus proving the assumption that there is an association between gum disease and the individuals who may be susceptible to developing Alzheimer disease. Introduction Studies have confirmed a relationship between gum disease and increased rate of cognitive decline in individuals who are in the early stages of the Alzheimer Disease (AD). Gum disease also referred to as periodontitis is a disease that is prevalent in the older adults and is increasingly becoming common in AD as a result of the reduced ability to take care of the dental hygiene following the progression of the disease. Increased levels of antibodies in line with periodontal bacteria are highly affiliated with increased inflammatory molecules levels in the other parts of the body consequently linked to elevated rates in the...
Words: 1790 - Pages: 8
...Most people in the worldwide can face to Alzheimer disease. Nowadays, the majority of elderly people can develop Alzheimer diseases. Moreover, type of young onset of dementia is also common and young people who are under the age of 65 can have dementia. Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. Ivan Seah Yu Jun (2014) claims, every four second someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer diseases. Alzheimer’s brain structure develops irregularities and their brain abnormalities cause neurological decline. This decline leads to difficult sleeping, drastic mood changing, memory loss, language problems and increasing confusion for patients. Alzheimer diseases have three different levels of the stage that are mild, moderate and severe....
Words: 350 - Pages: 2
...Targeting Insulin Signaling in Treating Alzheimer’s Disease Name Institution Table of Contents Abstract 3 Summary 4 Introduction 5 Present Therapeutic Regimens for Alzheimer’s disease 5 Methods 7 Search Strategy 7 Exclusion/ Inclusion Criteria 8 Relevant Information 8 Results 9 Discussion of Results 12 Epidemiological information linking type 2 diabetes to AD 16 Insulin-signaling abnormalities in Alzheimer disease affected brain 17 Diabetes drugs in treatment for AD 19 Treatments regimens for type 2 diabetes Mellitus and their potential in treating AD 23 Thiazolidinediones (TZDs). 23 Metformin. 23 Amylin and Leptin analogs. 24 Findings 26 Interpretation of Results 26 Limitations 28 Future Research 29 Conclusion 31 References 32 Abstract Type 2 diabetic drugs could serve as potential in the treating Alzheimer’s disease. AD is a dementia defined by partial or total loss of memory. The risk of development of AD increases with age. Different therapeutic approaches have been employed when it comes to treatment of AD. Results of indicate that diabetic drugs are effective in treating Alzheimer ’s disease. Despite efforts directed at treatment of the condition, the results have not been satisfactory. This could be attributed to the early or late onset of AD pathogenesis while at the same time being underpinned by various mechanisms. There is evidence suggesting the effectiveness of type 2 diabetic drugs in treatment of AD. Research has focused on...
Words: 9399 - Pages: 38
...biomedcentral.com/1471-2377/1/3 BMC Neurology (2001) 1:3 Research article Traumatic brain injury as a risk factor for Alzheimer disease. Comparison of two retrospective autopsy cohorts with evaluation of ApoE genotype Address: 1L.Boltzmann Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, Baumgartner Hoehe 1, B-Bldg., A-1140 Vienna, Austria, 2Department of Neuropathology, University of Munster School of Medicine, Munster, Germany and 3Cognitive Neuropharmacology Unit, H.M. Jackson Foundation, Bethesda, Md, USA E-mail: Kurt A Jellinger* - kurt.jellinger@univie.ac.at; Werner Paulus - werner.paulus@uni-muenster.de; Christian Wrocklage - christian.wrocklage@uni-muenster.de; Irene Litvan - ilitvan@dvhip.org *Corresponding author Kurt A Jellinger*1, Werner Paulus2, Christian Wrocklage2 and Irene Litvan3 Published: 30 July 2001 BMC Neurology 2001, 1:3 This article is available from: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2377/1/3 Received: 29 June 2001 Accepted: 30 July 2001 © 2001 Jellinger et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. Verbatim copying and redistribution of this article are permitted in any medium for any non-commercial purpose, provided this notice is preserved along with the article's original URL. For commercial use, contact info@biomedcentral.com Abstract Background and Purpose: The impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI) on the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease (AD) is still controversial. The aim of our retrospective autopsy study was to assess the impact of TBE and ApoE allele...
Words: 3590 - Pages: 15
...Where did the name, Alzheimer's come from Sometimes called Alzheimer disease or Alzheimer's the origin of the term dates back to 1906 when Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German physician presented a case history before a medical meeting about a 51-year-old female who suffered from a rare brain disorder. What is Alzheimer's Wikipedia says that Alzheimer's accounts for 60% to 70% of cases of dementia. It is a Neurodegenerative disease that usually starts slowly and gets worse over time. The disease and its cause is poorly understood with professionals hypothesizing such factors as genetics, head injuries, depression, hypertension, plaques and tangles in the brain and several other possible causes that run the gambit. The diagnosis processes include such things as medical imaging and blood tests....
Words: 266 - Pages: 2
...Clinical Applications Objectives In this chapter we will study • various approaches to the study of disease; • the role of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; • common causes of disease; • the distinction between signs and symptoms of disease; • terms used to describe the time course of a disease; and • common abbreviations for medical specialists and specialties. Homeostasis and Disease The body’s tendency to maintain internal stability is called homeostasis. Examples include the body’s relatively stable temperature, blood glucose concentration, hormone levels, acid-base balance, and electrolyte balance. When physiological variables deviate too much from their set point, the body activates negative feedback loops that tend to restore stability and maintain health. In some cases, such as the stoppage of bleeding, positive feedback loops are activated to bring about rapid change. If the attempt to regain homeostasis fails, disease results. There is a strong emphasis in medicine today on promoting wellness through prevention. However, this manual focuses on what happens when prevention fails, homeostasis is disrupted, and disease occurs. The Study of Disease Disease (illness) is any deviation from normal that interferes with correct, life-sustaining bodily function. Literally, the word means dis-ease, the opposite of ease (comfort and normal function). Disease may have underlying structural foundations, such as a broken bone, and its effects may be observed not...
Words: 3427 - Pages: 14
...In the article clinical epidemipology of Alzheimer’s disease the author is trying to assess the sex and gender differences observed in the incidence and prevalence of Alzheimer disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment. The author is also trying to research on the protective factors and gender-specific risk of Alzheimer disease. Both sex and gender play crucial roles in the development and progression of the Alzheimer disease. Researchers have a required to understand both sex and gender precise risk and Alzheimer protective factors in order for them to develop ways of the disease prevention and cure. The other uses the findings of David Barlow where he states that Alzheimer disease is the most prevalent type of dementia. Serge Gauthier previously found out that Alxheimer’s disease is characterized by loss of memory. This is a characteristic that distinguishes the disease from other cortical degenerative diseases. The author supports Hebert and Scherr findings that fourteen to sixteen million Americans will be diagnosed with the illness by 2050 unless research comes up with new treatment of the disease. The author supports a finding by Petersen RC that says the men have a higher threat of developing mild cognitive impairment. Knopman DC also supports that men have higher chances of being diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. These previous findings show that Alzheimer’s disease have incidence and prevalence differences between men and women. The author of the article main purpose...
Words: 1087 - Pages: 5
...The first incidence of Septo-Optic dysplasia was reported in 1941 by David Reeves after having examined a 4 month old baby with an optic nerve irregularity i.e. the absence of the septum pellucidum. After this discovery, the disease would then take another thirty years to become properly reconnoitered and linked to pituitary hormone deficiencies by de Morsier and Kaplan et al respectively which are the primary causative factors of the disease. What then, is septo optic dysplasia and why did it take so long for the illness be to investigated? The answer is simple, the disease is as rare as hen’s teeth. Septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) is a rare disorder characterized by abnormal development of the optic disk, pituitary deficiencies, and often (absence) of the septum pellucidum (the part of the brain that separates the anterior horns or the lateral ventricles of the brain). The development of the forebrain which occurs at the early stages of embryogenesis, between 4 to 6 weeks of gestation in humans could account for the presentation of SOD/ Morsier’s syndrome....
Words: 1046 - Pages: 5
... No Way Out but Death Alzheimer’s disease is the most common case of dementia; it is generalized degeneration of the brain that destroys many mental functions and can occur in middle to old age. Although it is most common in old age it is not a normal part of the aging process and can also effect younger people. This is known as early-onset Alzheimer’s. The lifespan of people with the disease varies but it usually about 8-10 years and in some cases, has been 20 years. There has not been enough reach to know if Alzheimer’s is inherited but certain genes do make someone more likely to develop it. There are three stages of Alzheimer’s disease, and although...
Words: 721 - Pages: 3
...Alzheimer's disease (AD), also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease, is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death. It was first described by German psychiatrist and neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer in 1906 and was named after him.[1] Most often, AD is diagnosed in people over 65 years of age,[2] although the less-prevalentearly-onset Alzheimer's can occur much earlier. In 2006, there were 26.6 million sufferers worldwide. Alzheimer's is predicted to affect 1 in 85 people globally by 2050.[3] Although Alzheimer's disease develops differently for every individual, there are many common symptoms.[4] Early symptoms are often mistakenly thought to be 'age-related' concerns, or manifestations of stress.[5] In the early stages, the most common symptom is difficulty in remembering recent events. When AD is suspected, the diagnosis is usually confirmed with tests that evaluate behaviour and thinking abilities, often followed by a brain scan if available.[6] As the disease advances, symptoms can include confusion, irritability and aggression,mood swings, trouble with language, and long-term memory loss. As the sufferer declines they often withdraw from family and society.[5][7] Gradually, bodily functions are lost, ultimately leading to death.[8] Since the disease is different for each individual, predicting how it will affect the person is difficult. AD develops for an unknown and variable...
Words: 468 - Pages: 2