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Snow 1 Shaun Snow Professor: William Green Biology 1090, 8am-8:50am Fall Semester, 2014 ePortfolio, Signature Report Slowly Disintegrating Memories. From the moment life begins the brain is constantly managing the body. Telling the body when it’s time to start the next step of life. Examples of this would be birth, puberty, growing old, and death. Inside the brain there are billions of neurons instantaneously firing electrical signals. These signals make up thoughts, and memories. As well as help the storage of experiences, and ideas. Neurons help us experience life. Memories of an individual make them who they are. Memories are a priceless treasure, the building blocks of knowledgeable life and personalities. It would be heart break to have your memories wiped, or taken away. Sadly Alzheimer’s disease does just that, and is the main cause of Dementia (gaps in memory). As society ages a large portion experience some sort of dementia at a one time or another. Many of those individuals are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, in fact so many that someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease “every 4 seconds” (Ted-Ed, 0:10). Surprisingly the number of patients is expected to increase with each year, based on the past years. Snow 2 Alzheimer’s disease is a slow and heartbreaking death, and no one is immune. Alzheimer’s disease has been known to be genetically passed down, and can be influenced by diet or lifestyle. Alzheimer’s disease was first classified as a disease in 1907, discovered by a middle aged German physiatrist by the name of Aloȉs Alzheimer. “Dr. Alzheimer first noticed the symptoms in one of his patients.” (TED-Ed, 0:40). According to Alzheimer Forschung Initiative, this patient was female whom was named Auguste D. Dr. Alzheimer kept his eye on Ms. Auguste for six years, after which she passed away. With permission Alzheimer was able to do an autopsy. Where he discovered two major differences in her brain Senile plaques, and Neurofibrillary tangles. Alzheimer ’s disease Education & Referral Center explains the cause of senile plaques, and Neurofibrillary tangles. “Normally an enzyme called Alpha-secretase snips Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) releasing a fragment (from the neurons membrane). A second enzyme, Gamma-secretase, also snips APP in another place… In Alzheimer’s disease the first cut is made by another enzyme, Beta-secretase, followed by the cut by Gamma-secretase. This results in the release of Beta-Amyloid… When Beta-amyloid clump together they become toxic, eventually forming Plaques. Neurofibrillary tangles are made when a protein called Tau separates from Microtubules (located in the Axon of the cell). Strands of Tau then form tangles inside the neuron destroying the cell.”(Alzheimer’s Disease Education & Referral Center, 1:30) Alzheimer’s disease takes place in 7 stages. In stage 1 there are no noticeable symptoms, and is also undetectable by most medical professionals. Stage 2 sparks the first chance being noticed although it is unlikely. In this stage the individual may forget simple everyday things but memories remain intact. Stage 3 begins to slightly show cognitive decline, being diagnosed is possible but unlikely. The simple things in stage 2 begin to gradually decline, and some may experience slight memory loss at this time. Stage 4, the symptoms of forgetfulness is usually noticeable by friends and family, being the stage most people begin to see a doctor. Stage 5 is the Snow 3 most common diagnosed stage due to the noticeable symptoms, including gaps in memory and the requirement of assistance in simple tasks. Stage 6 is when most care takers will also require professional help. This stage consists of constant fluctuations in personalities, worsening of memory, and unpredictable sleep patterns and actions. Once stage 7 is reached the command in the brain for heart beat is disrupted, causing death. Currently there are no known cures. Although there exists many FDA approved drugs to slow the stages. These drugs block enzymes who eat the chemical Acetylcholine form the Synapse. In blocking these enzymes it is attempted to keep the Acetylcholine present longer, increasing the chance to create the charge needed to form a signal. Disappointingly these drugs have symptoms themselves, and only for a short term. As this drug blocks the enzymes in the neuron synapse, it also blocks enzymes in synapses between nerves to muscles in the gut. Which causes craps, vomiting, and more. Brain-Tools, LLC claims to have made a drug whom does the same thing with less side effects, last longer, and more benefits. Brain-Tools claim this works by permanently blocking the enzymes, stating that the enzymes in the nerve to muscle synapses are replaced more frequently. As of now it is unknown if there will be a cure to repair and revive damaged neurons, but we are getting close to stopping the increasing damage. Snow 4 Works Cited Alzheimer Forschung Initiative E.V. “Mechanisms and Secrets of Alzheimer's Disease: Exploring the Brain.” Perf. Animation. 2013. Film. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dj3GGDuu15I Alzheimer’s Disease Education & Referral Center. “Inside the Brain: Unraveling the Mystery of Alzheimer's Disease.” Perf. Animation. 2010. Film. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjgBnx1jVIU Alzheimer’s Disease Education & Referral Center. "Alzheimer's Disease Fact Sheet." 11-6423 (2011). National Institute on Aging. Web. 15 Nov. 2014. http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publication/alzheimers-disease-fact-sheet Brain-Tools, LLC. “New Alzheimers Treatment.” Perf. Animation. 2013. Film. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZ_n5X4MMGw TED-Ed. “What is Alzheimer’s disease? – Ivan Seah Yu Jun.” Perm. Animation. 2014. Film. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJXTXN4xrI8