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Alzheimer’s Disease; A Long Goodbye

Writer's picture: biologicalfervorbiologicalfervor
Jan 31, 20245 min read

Updated: Mar 10, 2024

Written by: Zainab Naqvi


Introduction

Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia. It is a gradual condition that begins with mild memory loss and may eventually lead to a loss of capacity to converse and respond to the environment. Alzheimer's disease affects areas of the brain that control thought, memory, and language.


It gets worse over time. Alzheimer's is a progressive illness, with dementia symptoms worsening over time. Memory loss is moderate in the early stages of Alzheimer's, but as the disease progresses, people lose their ability to converse and respond to their surroundings. Alzheimer's patients survive an average of 4 to 8 years after diagnosis, but they can live up to 20 years depending on other circumstances.

 


Difference Between Alzheimer's and Dementia

Alzheimer's disease and dementia are similar but distinct terms:

Dementia encompasses symptoms that impact cognitive abilities, memory, thinking, and behavior. The term "dementia" refers to a set of symptoms rather than a specific disease. 

Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause, accounting for the majority of cases. It is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that predominantly impairs memory and cognitive functioning.


In summary, dementia is a broad word that refers to a variety of symptoms that impair cognitive functions, whereas Alzheimer's disease is a specific type of dementia marked by gradual memory loss and cognitive decline. There are several different varieties of dementia, each with its unique set of causes and characteristics.

 


Discovery of Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer's disease was named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer. In 1906, Dr. Alois discovered abnormalities in the brain tissue of a woman who had died from a unique mental disease. Her symptoms included memory loss, linguistic difficulties, and unpredictable behavior. After she died, he studied her brain and discovered several aberrant clumps (now called amyloid plaques) and tangled bundles of fibers (now called neurofibrillary, or tau, tangles).


These plaques and tangles in the brain are still regarded as major hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. Another specific problem is the loss of connections between neurons in the brain. Neurons transport messages between brain regions as well as from the brain to muscles and organs throughout the body.        

 


History of Alzheimer’s

Dementia has been present in humans since before it was identified.

  • Around 2000 B.C., the ancient Egyptians were aware that memory deteriorates with age. Pythagoras (570-495 B.C.), a Greek doctor and mathematician, divided a person's life into six stages: infancy (0-6), adolescence (7-21), adulthood (22-49), middle age (50-62), senescence (63-79), and old age (80+).

  • Hippocrates (460-370 B.C.), a doctor from Greece, believed that brain injury causes cognitive disease.

  • Plato (428-347 B.C.), a Greek philosopher, stated that the primary cause of dementia is old age itself, as mental capacity is doomed to decrease.

  • On the contrary, Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 B.C.), a philosopher, statesman, and jurist in Rome, stated that aging does not always result in a reduction in mental capacity, especially in persons with weak willpower. In short, he stated that dementia is not an unavoidable result of aging.

  • Around the second century A.D., Aretheus, a doctor from Turkey, classified dementia into two types: delirium, a curable acute loss of cognitive function, and dementia, an irreversible progressive illness.

Figure 1. Distribution of aggregate costs of care by payment source for Americans age 65 and older with Alzheimer's or other dementias, 2023.

 



Facts About Alzheimer’s

  • Alzheimer's disease, or another kind of dementia, kills one in every three seniors. More people die from it than from prostate and breast cancer combined. 

  • Women are far more susceptible than men. In fact, about two out of every three Alzheimer's sufferers in the United States are women. Traditionally, it was considered that this was because women live longer than men. Researchers are beginning to challenge this conclusion, however, as more genetic and hormonal variables emerge.

  • Alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) is a condition induced by excessive alcohol consumption over time. Excessive intake can cause numerous types of dementia, including Alzheimer's.

  • More than 16 million Americans are care takers for Alzheimer's patients. These unpaid care takers account for 83% of the help. They give 18.4 billion hours of care, valued at more than $230 billion.

  • Alzheimer’s is a leading cause of death. In fact, it ranks sixth after heart disease, cancer, respiratory disease, accidents, and strokes.



Causes of Dementia

Although Alzheimer's disease is the most frequent type of dementia, there are a number of other causes as well, such as frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Lewy body dementia, and vascular dementia.


The second most common cause of dementia is vascular dementia. It happens when there is less blood supply to the brain, usually as a result of minor strokes or other vascular problems. Cognitive impairment results from these blood flow issues causing harm to the brain.


Lewy Body Dementia

The brain's aberrant protein deposits known as Lewy bodies are what define Lewy body dementia. It is similar to Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease in that it causes cognitive deterioration, visual hallucinations, erratic alertness, and issues with movement.


Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)

It is a category of brain illnesses characterized by degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes. FTD impacts personality, behavior, and linguistic abilities. It can cause changes in social behavior, impulsivity, linguistic difficulties, and issues with executive functioning.


Mixed Dementia

Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia are both examples of mixed dementia. Mixed dementia is most prevalent in older persons. The presence of different kinds of dementia might exacerbate the symptoms and course of the disease.


Figure 2. Dementia is a general term that refers to a range of symptoms affecting brain function, whereas Alzheimer's disease is a specific type of dementia characterized by gradual memory loss.

 


Symptoms of Dementia

However, a few common early indicators may appear prior to a formal dementia diagnosis. Among them are:

  • memory loss

  • inability to focus

  • difficulty performing routine everyday chores, such as figuring out which change to make while shopping

  • difficulty following a discussion or finding the perfect word

  • confusion with time and place

  • mood swings

These symptoms are minor and may only very gradually worsen. Since the symptoms are not severe enough to be classified as dementia, it is frequently referred to as "mild cognitive impairment" (MCI).

 


Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease

  • asking the same questions over and over again

  • memory issues, such as frequently forgetting names, faces, or recent events

  • growing challenges with tasks and activities that require organization and planning

  • confusion in unfamiliar environments

  • trouble finding the right words

  • problems with numbers and/or handling money in shops

  • staying away or becoming anxious


Figure 3. Dementia and their caregivers. Created from data from Alzheimer's Association.



Stages of Dementia


Figure 4. The seven stages of dementia start from no cognitive decline, mild cognitive decline, and declining with a very severe cognitive decline.



Therapy for Dementia 

Alzheimer's disease cannot be cured, although there are treatments that can help control the symptoms and delay the illness's course.

  • Drugs

  • Several drugs have been approved by regulatory bodies to treat Alzheimer's disease. These drugs can aid in the treatment of symptoms like anxiety, memory loss, and cognitive abnormalities. They function by controlling specific molecules found in the brain, primarily the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.

  • Supportive Therapies

  • A range of supportive therapies can improve general well-being, control behavioral symptoms, and preserve the cognitive capacities of people with Alzheimer's disease. Cognitive stimulation programs, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and remembrance therapy are a few examples of these therapies. Counseling and support groups can also offer emotional help to those who are caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease.

  • Lifestyle Modifications

  • Making some lifestyle adjustments may help those who have Alzheimer's disease live better lives. For general well-being, a balanced diet, regular exercise, and enough sleep are essential. Using memory aids like calendars or reminder systems, adhering to structured routines, and keeping a secure and comfortable environment can all be helpful.

 





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