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Alzheimer's disease
M O Jamali, H Saeed & T Mathew
 Alzheimer’s
is the most common form of
dementia within the populace today. It is an
incurable degenerative disorder which is
terminal.
 The disease was first discovered by the
German scientist Alois Alzheimer in 1906
 Alzheimer's disease (AD)—also
called Alzheimer disease, senile dementia of
the Alzheimer type (SDAT), primary
degenerative dementia of the Alzheimer's
type (PDDAT)
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The exact cause of Alzheimer's disease isn't known,
although some risk factors are known. The risk of
developing the disease increases with age, for example.
There's a higher risk of Alzheimer's if a family member has
the disease. However, inherited genetic factors are
responsible in only a small number of families.
When the disease is inherited, it tends to lead to early
onset of Alzheimer's, usually between the ages of 35 and
60. One of several different genes may be at fault, such as
the presenilin-1 gene on chromosome 14 or the amyloid
precursor protein gene on chromosome 21.
Most cases of Alzheimer's develop later in life and the
genetic link is weaker. The genes at fault here are those
for apolipoprotein E. Problems with these genes increase
the risk of disease but don't make it certain.
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Memory and the ability to think clearly are gradually
lost over time. There may also be a change in
personality. Someone who used to be a calm person
may become agitated or upset more easily, for
example. Behaviour problems and communication
difficulties may also occur.
People with severe Alzheimer's may find it difficult to
perform everyday tasks, such as dressing, washing
and eating. As time passes they may not recognise
people or their surroundings, so it's common for them
to go for a walk and get lost.
Other problems, such as depression, may also
develop.
A ten point list can be found at:
http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_10_signs_of_
alzheimers.asp
There's no cure for Alzheimer's disease, but drugs
are available that may specifically slow the loss
of mental function in mild to moderate cases.
These include the acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
such as donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine,
which improve brain cell communication, and
memantine, a glutamate blocker which protects
brain cells against damage.
 Other drugs such as aspirin and the cholesterol
lowering treatments such as statins may be of
use in slowing the vascular damage that may also
play a role in many types of dementia including
Alzheimers.
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 There's
some evidence the herb ginkgo biloba
and possibly also vitamin E may help delay
progression of the disease
 Support and help can be provided by social
services for those with Alzheimer's disease
and their carers, but full-time residential
care may be necessary in the later stages of
the disease.
 Tests to identify those in the early stages of
Alzheimer's disease are in development.
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There are currently 750,000 people with dementia in the
UK.
There are over 16,000 younger people with dementia in
the UK.
There will be over a million people with dementia by 2025.
Two thirds of people with dementia are women.
One third of people over 95 have dementia.
60,000 deaths a year are directly attributable to dementia.
The financial cost of dementia to the UK is over £20 billion
a year.
64% of people living in care homes have a form of
dementia.
Two thirds of people with dementia live in the community
while one third live in a care home.
The same risk factors for heart disease are
believed to increase the risk of Alzheimer's. So
although there's no definitive way to prevent the
disease, not smoking, keeping blood pressure
and cholesterol at healthy levels, taking regular
exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and
eating a healthy diet rich in the antioxidant
vitamins C and E and oily fish are all sensible.
 Some research has suggested that taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or
cholesterol-lowering statin drugs may lessen the
risk of Alzheimer's disease
 Other research into brain stem cell therapy,
antioxidant therapy and a vaccination to prevent
build up of plaques on the brain is also ongoing
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 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alzheimer's_di
sease
 http://alzheimers.org.uk/
 http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Alzheimersdisease/Pages/Introduction.aspx
 http://psychservices.psychiatryonline.org/cg
i/content/abstract/50/9/1173
 http://alzheimers.about.com/updated.htm