ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

BY: IBADAT QAYYUM

MRS. CAMERON
HUMAN ANATOMY&PHYSIOLOGY
PERIOD 4
OVERVIEW
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia in the elderly
and the fifth leading cause of death among those 65 and older.

Dementia is the decline in memory and cognitive function.

The neurotransmitters transferring at the synapse starts to fail,

which leads to the death of a neuron. The brain tissue shrinks
and the ventricles become larger with progression.

There are many treatments available but no cure for the

disease.
DIAGNOSIS
• A patient can be diagnosed though memory, problem-
solving, or attention tests.
• Additional tests include: blood, urine and spinal fluid tests.
• An MRI/CT scan can provide physical evidence of dementia.
• A true diagnosis can only be made after the patient is dead
by an autopsy.

The earlier someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, the sooner

the treatment can occur to significantly slow down the
progression of the disease. 
CAUSES
The exact cause for Alzheimer's is still unknown.

Alzheimer's can be caused by environmental and biological

factors.

Alzheimer's is prevalent in women, Hispanics, and African-

Americans.

Very few cases are caused by genetics, about 1% of the

population.
CAUSES
Studies have shown that higher levels of beta-amyloid protein
in the brain is a sign that a person may have Alzheimer’s. This
protein is found on chromosome 21.

Another protein, apolipoprotein E (ApoE), is closely related with

beta amyloid and this is also found in a gene (ApoE-e4).
Mutations in this gene can increase the risk of Alzheimer's.

This was measured by a PET scan and the two protein were
mainly found in the temporal lobe, which is responsible for
memories.
The protein builds up around the cells, causing it to die.
This seems to be a primary cause of cell loss, but
scientists are still not sure of the exact causes of brain
tissue loss.
AGE OF ONSET
Most people in their 60s and beyond are at greater risk for
Alzheimer's.

The older a person is, the higher risk they have of being
diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

However, some people can develop Alzheimer's at a younger

age, this is called "early-onset Alzheimer's." 
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Alzheimer's progresses in stages:
Very early signs and symptoms include: memory problems, or
amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI is a condition
when people have more problems with their memory than
people normally do their age. MCI may develop into Alzheimer’s
later on. 
Mild Alzheimer’s: memory loss and changes in cognitive
abilities

i.e: poor judgement, changes in personality/mood, getting lost,

trouble completing daily activities.  

Most people are usually diagnosed at this stage.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Moderate Alzheimer’s: memory loss, damage to the brain that
controls language, reasoning, sensory processing, and
conscious thought.

i.e: not recognizing family/friends, trouble completing tasks with

multiple steps, experience hallucinations, etc 

Severe Alzheimer’s: most of the brain has shrunk, this damage

is irreversible

i.e: unable to communicate with others

Most people are usually bedridden and need help with all daily
functions until they die.
TREATMENT/MANAGEMENT
There is no cure for Alzheimer's.

Treatment varies by the stages. Drugs, such as Aricept,

Exelon, Razadyne, and Namenda, are used to maintain normal
function. These drugs can only help slow down progression for
several months to even years.  

New treatments are still being studied to treat behavioral

problems such as anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, and
anger. 

Counseling and other support services can also help those with
Alzheimer's cope with it. 
PREVENTION
Maintain a healthy diet.
• dark leafy greens (spinach, broccoli, eggplant, etc.)
• fruits that are high in antioxidants (cherries, prunes,
 strawberries, blackberries, etc.)
• omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish, such as salmon)
• vitamin E (almonds, walnuts, pecans, etc.)

Stay physically, mentally, socially active.

Those that are overweight/obese have a higher risk of getting

Alzheimer’s when they are older.
NEW FINDINGS
Gray matter that was breaking down in those with MCI and mild
Alzheimer's was shown to be the same through an MRI.
• This atrophy was mainly found in the areas of the thalamus,
which is responsible for memory. 

This relation between MCI and Alzheimer's has not been

shown in areas of white matter, yet.
IN CONCLUSION,
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia in
the elderly.

The exact cause is still unknown, but an excess in proteins

(plaque) may play a role.

Maintaining a healthy diet and staying active is key in

prevention.

There are few FDA-approved medications to treat Alzheimer's,

but there is no cure.
FIN.
REFERENCES 
2010 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures.. (n.d.). 2 010 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures.. 
    Retrieved January 15, 2011, from www.alz.org/documents_custom/report_alzfactsfigures2010.pdf

A Caregiver’s Guide to Understanding Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms and Stages. (2010, January 21). 
    WebMD. Retrieved January 14, 2011, from http://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/slideshow-alzheimers-
    overview

Alzheimer's Association - Adopt a Brain-Healthy Diet. (2010, November 29).  Alzheimer's Association. 
    Retrieved January 15, 2011, from http://www.alz.org/we_can_help_adopt_a_brain_healthy_diet.asp

Alzheimer's Association - Brain Health . (2010, November 29).  Alzheimer's Association. Retrieved January 
    15, 2011, from http://www.alz.org/we_can_help_brain_health_maintain_your_brain.asp

Alzheimer's Disease Fact Sheet. (2010, February 19). National Institute on Aging. Retrieved January 15,    
    2011, from http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/adfact.htm
REFERENCES 
Balthazar, M. F., Yasuda, C. L., Pereira, F. R., Pedro, T. T., Damasceno, B. P., & Cendes, F. F. (2009). 
        Differences in grey and white matter atrophy in amnestic mild cognitive impairment and mild 
        Alzheimer’s disease. European Journal of Neurology, 16(4), 468-474. doi:10.1111/j.1468-
        1331.2008.02408.x

Plaques and tangles | Slide 10 | Alzheimer's Association Brain Tour. (n.d.).  Alzheimer's Association. 
    Retrieved January 15, 2011, from http://www.alz.org/brain/10.asp

Study ties blood protein to Alzheimer's brain abnormalities, December 20, 2010 News Release - National 
    Institutes of Health (NIH). (2010, December 20). National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Home Page. 
    Retrieved January 15, 2011, from http://www.nih.gov/news/health/dec2010/nia-20.htm