Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's
disease |
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Comparison of a normal aged brain (left) and an Alzheimer's patient's brain (right). Differential characteristics are pointed out. |
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Alzheimer's disease (AD),
also called Alzheimer disease, Senile
Dementia of the Alzheimer Type (SDAT) or simply Alzheimer's,
is the most common form of dementia.
This incurable, degenerative,
and terminal
disease of Alzheimer's disease was first
described by German
psychiatrist Alois
Alzheimer in 1906 and was named after him. Generally it
is diagnosed in people over 65 years of age, although the
less-prevalent early-onset
Alzheimer's can occur much earlier. An estimated 26.6 million
people worldwide had Alzheimer's in 2006; this number may quadruple
by 2050.
Although each sufferer of Alzheimer's disease
experiences Alzheimer's in a unique way, there are many common
symptoms. The earliest observable symptoms are often mistakenly
thought to be 'age-related' concerns, or manifestations of stress.
In the early stages, the most commonly recognised symptom is
memory
loss, such as difficulty in remembering recently learned
facts. When a doctor or physician has been notified, and Alzheimer's
disease is suspected, the diagnosis is usually confirmed
with behavioural assessments and cognitive
tests, often followed by a brain
scan if available. As the Alzheimer's disease
advances, symptoms include confusion,
irritability and aggression, mood
swings, language breakdown, long-term
memory loss, and the general withdrawal of the Alzheimer's
disease sufferer as their senses decline. Gradually,
bodily functions are lost, ultimately leading to death. Individual
prognosis
is difficult to assess, as the duration of the Alzheimer's
disease varies. Alzheimer's disease
develops for an indeterminate period of time before becoming
fully apparent, and it can progress undiagnosed for years. The
mean life expectancy following diagnosis is approximately seven
years. Fewer than 3% of individuals live more than 14 years
after diagnosis.
The cause and progression of Alzheimer's disease are not well
understood. Research indicates that the Alzheimer's
disease is associated with plaques
and tangles
in the brain.
Currently used Alzheimer treatments offer a small symptomatic
benefit; no treatments to delay or halt the progression of the
disease are as yet available. As of 2008, more than 500 clinical
trials were investigating possible Alzheimer treatments,
but it is unknown if any of them will prove successful. Many
measures have been suggested for the prevention
of Alzheimer's disease, but their value is unproven in slowing
the course and reducing the severity of the Alzheimer treatments.
Mental
stimulation, exercise,
and a balanced
diet are often recommended, as both a possible prevention
and a sensible way of managing the disease.
Because Alzheimer's disease cannot be cured
and is degenerative, management of patients is essential. The
role of the main caregiver
is often taken by the spouse or a close relative. Alzheimer's
disease is known for placing
a great burden on caregivers; the pressures can be wide-ranging,
involving social, psychological, physical, and economic elements
of the caregiver's life. In developed
countries, Alzheimer's disease is one of
the most economically costly diseases to society.
