Although some memory loss and cognitive decline is normal as people get older, sometimes sudden changes in mental function can indicate a more serious condition. Alzheimer's disease is a condition that causes mental dysfunction. It most commonly affects the elderly but can, in some cases, affect people in their 40s. In some cases this condition is hereditary but for some people there is no identifiable cause.
Identification
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive and incurable form of dementia, which means that when someone has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, his symptoms will only worsen over time. Dementia means that Alzheimer's affects the brain and will interfere with a person's day-to-day life and make it difficult for him to do normal daily activities. According to the National Institutes of Health, Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia in the elderly.
Symptoms
The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease typically start off as mild and gradually get worse. One of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer's disease is memory loss, which can cause patients to repeat things, forget where they have put things, and forget conversations and appointments. People with Alzheimer's also can experience disorientation (not recognizing familiar surroundings), problems with language and communication (trouble finding "the right word"). They may also experience difficulty with abstract thinking (such as simple math operations) and doing activities that require planning. Later-stage patients may also experience sudden mood swings.
Cause
The cause of Alzheimer's disease is not completely understood, but most of the research focuses on two different proteins, known as a-beta and tau. In Alzheimer's disease, a-beta, which is normally harmless, becomes abnormally folded and forms large clumps of protein called amyloid plaques. The other protein, tau, is part of the supportive network which protects neurons. In Alzheimer's disease, however, it becomes changed (via the addition of phosphate molecules) and forms large structures called tangles. Both of these abnormalities may lead to the death of brain cells which causes the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
Diagnosis
Alzheimer's disease can only be definitively diagnosed by looking at brain tissue under a microscope. However, there are a variety of tests that can be used that will strongly suggest that a person is suffering from Alzheimer's. The first test is a blood test to rule out thyroid problems or other causes. Next, an extensive test of brain and memory function can be performed which will try to screen for some of the stereotypical mental deficits that Alzheimer's causes. Finally, doctors can use different ways of looking at the brain, such as CT scans, MRIs and PET scans, to examine the brain tissue and look for abnormalities.
Treatment
Although it is impossible to cure or even reverse the symptoms of Alzheimer's, there are some medications which can slow its progression. Cholinesterase inhibitors, such as donepezil and rivastigmine, help increase the levels of a brain chemical called acetylcholine. Because patients with Alzheimer's disease typically develop lower than normal levels of this chemical, raising the amounts of this in the brain can help slow the disease's progression. Another medication, known as memantine, helps protects the brain cells from the toxic activity of high levels of glutamate, a chemical which is found at higher levels in the brains of those with Alzheimer's.
