Facts About Alzheimer’s
by Melanie LePan

Over 4 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease (AD). There is a good chance you probably know someone that is affected by this disease. Many people have questions about what causes AD. Is this disease genetic? What are the early symptoms of AD? What are the causes of AD? How is this disease treated? This article is intended to give you a general understanding of AD. If you think you or someone you love may have AD please see your family physician for diagnosis. The earlier AD is diagnosed, the earlier treatment can be obtained.

What is Alzheimer’s?
AD is a form of dementia that usually affects the elder population. AD involves the deterioration of the part of the brain that controls thought patterns, memory and language. Early in the 20th century a Doctor by the name of Alois Alzheimer discovered (while doing an autopsy) that a woman believed to be suffering from mental illness had plaque present on the brain. This plaque (now referred to as amyloid plaques) was accompanied by tangled bundles of fiber not found in normal brains. Through the next part of the century, doctors discovered that AD patient’s nerve cells were found to be dead in the area of the brain responsible for storing memories. Upon future investigation, doctors also reported these same patients had an interruption between certain nerve cells and the chemical that delivers messages to the brain.

Who Gets Alzheimer’s?
One in ten people over age 65 and one in five people over age 85 will get AD. It is rare for people under age 65 to get AD. Most individuals between ages 30-65 that get AD (early on-set AD) do so because they are genetically predisposed. This type of AD is considered rare and you will not necessarily get AD because a relative had it. Most often AD occurs in the elderly and is not due to genetics.

What Are the Causes of Alzheimer’s?
Doctors and scientists will tell you they don’t know what causes AD. They will tell you that age is a significant factor. Once an individual is over 65, the chances of developing AD doubles about every 5 years. There is a gene called Apoe that is linked to late-on set AD (over age 65). This gene makes a protein which carries cholesterol through the blood. It is believed to be responsible for a small amount of cases. In these cases, individuals have a form of Apoe that is linked by scientists to AD. Diet and environmental factors are both areas of study in patients with AD.

What are the Symptoms of Alzheimer’s?
AD can often be confused with the aging process. Simple forgetfulness such as forgetting names, addresses, phone numbers and certain events, can be contributed to the aging process. We all know that any of us can be forgetful at times. With AD forgetfulness usually interferes with daily activities.
Here are some signs of AD.

 Forgetfulness or memory loss
 Asking the same question repeatedly
 Forgetting the right words to use
 Forgetting how to balance a check book or pay bills
 Diminished judgment
 Can’t remember how to do simple tasks such as; using the phone, brushing teeth
 Getting lost
 Generally confused
 Constantly forgetting where they put something
 Poor hygiene
 Inability to make decisions on their own
 Changes in mood or temperament
 Changes in behavior
 Changes in personality
 Misplacing things
 Problems with abstract concepts
 A loss of interest in activities

How Can I get Tested for Alzheimer’s?
The best way to get tested is to see your family physician. He or she will ask some questions involving your family and medical history. In most cases your physician will refer you to a specialist. There are a couple of ways AD is diagnosed. The only way to be 100% sure a patient has AD is through an autopsy upon death. The following is the most conclusive way to diagnosis AD at present:

• Questions about patients medical history
• Tests that measure memory, attention span, counting and problem solving
• Testing such as; blood, urine, spinal fluid
• Brain scanning

What is the lifespan of a Patient with Alzheimer’s?
AD is a slow progressing disease. There are people who have survived as long as 20 years, but the average would be about 9 or 10. Each individual case will vary.

How is Alzheimer’s Treated?
Through the use of drugs such as; donepezil, rivastigmine and tacrine, symptoms such as; anxiety, depression, mood swings and sleep problems can be slowed down or subsided. Although there is no current cure for AD, symptoms can be controlled to make life easier for the patient and their loved ones.

Clinical Trials
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) is leading the way in clinical trials. Scientists are also finding that inflammation in the brain may play a role in AD. Drugs that reduce inflammation are being used in these clinical trials to see if the progression of brain deterioration can be stopped. As of today nothing is conclusive. Studies involving antioxidants are currently being conducted to see if certain vitamins such as vitamin
E and C can slow down AD. Scientists are also looking at estrogen, folic acid and ginkgo biloba. A promising surgery has been conducted on a handful of patients. Many other clinical trials are on-going in the fight against AD.

The article is intended for informational purposes only and is not meant to replace diagnosis or treatment of AD by a qualified physician.