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We have all heard of this disease, whether in passing or in a personal


situation. Alzheimers is a huge epidemic, because it affects millions of people in the
U.S alone, yet we know so little about it. Most people have a general understanding
of the disease. We are aware that it causes people to lose their memory and that
there is no current cure. Scientists are continuously conducting research in an
attempt to answer the questions that so many of us have. Imagine the lives of those
that have had to stand by and watch this disease take over their loved ones. Maybe
you have had experience with it yourself. Knowing about Alzheimers can be helpful
to the millions that are affected by it.
Alzheimers is a neurodegenerative brain disease. It has been listed as the
sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. This disease is most commonly seen in
people of ages sixty five and older. Research supports that damage begins years
before symptoms become noticeable. Scientists have discovered primary markers
to the on-set of Alzheimers known as amyloid beta plaques and neurofibrillary
tangles. They are created by toxic protein deposits, and they inhibit neurons from
successfully sending nerve signals throughout the brain. The damage usually begins
in the hippocampus which is the center for emotion and memory. Over time, the
entire brain becomes affected. In the later stages of Alzheimers, brain scans
indicate significant tissue shrinkage.
Through the process of finding links to the possible causes of Alzheimers,
scientists have been able to identify certain genes as possible predispositions to
developing the disease. A specific gene known as APOE4 has most commonly been
paired with late-onset (age 65 and older) Alzheimers. You can receive this gene
from each parent. Receiving the gene from both parents increases your risk more.
By using previous knowledge scientists have been able to identify other genes that
could possibly be involved in developing Alzheimers. For example, the amyloid beta
plaques that have been linked to the onset of Alzheimers, are cleared regularly by
the gene CIU, which has also been linked to a possible genetic predisposition. These
genes are more accurately referred to as risk factors rather than causes, because
having the genes does not necessarily mean that it will lead to the development of
Alzheimers. While these genes are risk factors, lifestyle and environment have also
shown to have a significant effect.
Having a healthy lifestyle is important in general, but has also indicated an
ability to slow the process of Alzheimers. Protecting the cerebrovascular system
strengthens the brains ability to defend itself against neurodegenerative diseases
like Alzheimers. High blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking damages circulation in
the brain, which in turn decreases the brains ability to protect itself. Aerobic
exercise activates vascular and other protective factors that strengthen the brains
ability to function properly over time. Studies have also shown that keeping an
active mind is important in brain health. Attending social events, completing
puzzles, and even engaging in simple conversations strengthens the brain
significantly. A healthy diet plays an important role in brain health. A healthy diet is

consistent with what most people have heard before, such as consuming a good
balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, avoiding refined sugars, and relying on
water as a main source of hydration. While this type of lifestyle cannot serve as a
cure, it can prolong life without Alzheimers symptoms.
While not everyone will develop Alzheimers, those that will cannot prevent it.
There are ways to delay the on-set, but eventually symptoms will appear. The
symptoms range in severity, and that has led to three categorizations that
determine which stage an Alzheimers victim is in. The first is the mild stage. In this
stage symptoms are minimal, ranging from having difficulty coming up with the
right word in a conversation, to misplacing valuable items. Next, is the moderate
stage. In this stage symptoms are more prominent and noticeable. Victims
experience more confusion and are more likely to wander off. This is the longest
stage. The last stage, known as the severe stage, results in the Alzheimers patient
being completely dependent on others for everyday care. At this point victims are
no longer responding to their environment. As it is briefly mentioned throughout the
stages of Alzheimers, symptoms change throughout the disease. Some of the most
common symptoms displayed are the inability to reason and retain information.
Results of these inabilities are repetitive questions and conversations, as well as a
failure to notice threats to safety. One of the most devastating symptoms is the loss
of personality. Mood swings occur regularly, frustration and anger are easily
triggered, and the person you once knew is no longer the same.
Families are the first to notice symptoms. Their assistance allows the doctors
to form a diagnosis. Tests are also used in the diagnosis of an Alzheimers patient by
measuring the damage caused from the disease. A common test called MMSE
assesses a large range of mental abilities. The assessments can measure the
patients ability to understand instructions, measure their attention span, and much
more. The assessments can include activities such as repeating a list of words or
even writing grammatically correct sentences. Different scans such as CTs or MRIs
help rule out other possible causes of symptoms, such as brain tumors. EEGs can
help doctors in diagnosis by measuring brain activity. Once the patient has been
diagnosed, medications are generally prescribed to attempt to delay symptoms.
Over time scientists have been able to develop treatments, not to cure, but to
prolong an Alzheimers patients memory as long as possible. Razadyne and Aricept
are two common medications used today. These types of medications are currently
all that is available to help Alzheimers patients.
The only way to continue to develop new links and medications that have
stronger effects are to conduct clinical trials. Each trial starts off with a question. By
creating a chain of questions, scientists are able to pick up information and expand
it. Currently there is a trial focusing on a medication called solanezumab. The goal is
for this new medicine to delay Alzheimers by destroying the amyloid before it
destroys the brain tissue. If this medication proves to be a success, science will
have made a major leap into identifying Alzheimers as a whole.
Alzheimers has spread dramatically over the last decade. Many more people
are affected by it every day. Over 44 million people in the entire world have been

diagnosed with Alzheimers or some other form of memory impairment. This does
not include the seventy five percent that have not yet been diagnosed. Studies
suggest that as a result of the baby booming age the amount of Alzheimers victims
in the future are expected to grow rapidly. Two thirds of the victims diagnosed are
women, and predominantly African American and Hispanic. With such a rapid
growth of the disease expected in the near-by future, a cure could not come fast
enough. Different organizations have been put into place to advocate for research
and funding, the most common being the Alzheimers Association. While this
organization plays a huge role in supporting research, they also provide services for
those who have been affected by the disease. They offer services anywhere from
providing coping mechanisms to counseling sessions. These groups help victims and
their families cope with this devastating disease. While a cure is not available, the
support helps those affected in tremendous ways.
"AAIC Press Release | AAIC 2015." AAIC. Alzheimer's Association International
Conference, n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2016. <https://www.alz.org/aaic/releases_2015/wed7amET.asp>.
"Alzheimer's Statistics." Alzheimers.net. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2016.
<http://www.alzheimers.net/resources/alzheimers-statistics/>.
Frisoni, Giovanni B. "Alzheimer's and Lifestyle Risk Factors." YouTube. YouTube, 10
July 2014. Web. 30 Mar. 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PV_aagH2Sc>.
MacGill, Markus. "Alzheimer's Disease: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments." Medical
News Today. MediLexicon International, 21 Mar. 2016. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.
<http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/159442.php#signs_and_symptoms>.

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