Alzheimer s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia.

There is no cure for Alzheimer s, which worsens as it progresses and eventually leads to death. It was first described by German psychiatrist and neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer in 1906. Alzheimer s is usually diagnosed in people over sixty five years of age, but five to ten percent of people who suffer from AD get it before they turn sixty five. In 2006 there were 26.6 million people with Alzheimer s. Although AD develops differently for every individual, there are common symptoms. Early symptoms are mistakenly thought to be age or stress related. In the early stages the most common symptom is difficulty remembering recent events. When Alzheimer s is suspected, the diagnosis is confirmed by a brain scan and tests that evaluate behavior and thinking abilities. As the disease progresses, symptoms can include confusion, irritability and aggression, mood swings, long term memory loss, and trouble with language. Because AD cannot be cured and is degenerative, the sufferer relies on others for assistance. The role of the main caregiver is often taken by the family 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, AD is one of the most costly diseases to society. AD is divided into stages in which the symptoms get worse or increase. Stage 1(Mild): This stage lasts two to four years. Early in the illness, those with AD tend to be less energetic. They exhibit minor memory loss and mood swings, and are slow to learn and react. They become withdrawn, avoid people and new places and stick to the familiar. They become confused, have difficulty organizing and planning, get lost easily and have poor judgment. They may have difficulty performing routine tasks, and have trouble communicating and understanding written material. If the person has a job, memory loss may begin to affect job performance. They easily become angry or frustrated. Stage 2(Moderate): This is usually the longest stage and can last two to ten years. In this stage the individual is clearly becoming disabled. They can still perform basic tasks but need assistance for more complicated tasks. They forget recent events and personal history and become disoriented and disconnected from reality. Memories of the distant past become confused with the present, and affect the person s ability to comprehend the current state, date, and time. They have trouble recognizing familiar faces, and have trouble reading, writing and understanding. Speech problems occur and the individual might

invent words. They will no longer be safe alone and will wander. As the individual becomes aware of this loss of control they become more depressed, irritable, restless and more withdrawn. They may experience disturbances in their sleep and have trouble eating, grooming and dressing. Stage 3(Severe): This stage lasts one to three years. During this last stage, the individual loses the ability to feed themselves, speak, recognize people, and control body functions such as swallowing or bowel and bladder control. Their memory worsens and may become almost non-existent. They will sleep often and grunting or moaning can be common. Constant care is typically necessary. In a weakened physical state, patients may become vulnerable to other illnesses, skin infections, and respiratory problems, particularly when they are unable to move around. Scientists are still trying to figure out what the cause of Alzheimer s is. There are few characteristics that they know of. Alzheimer's disease is characterized by a build-up of proteins in the brain. Though this cannot be measured in a living person, extensive autopsy studies have revealed this phenomenon. The build-up manifests in two ways: Plaques and Tangles which deposit two different proteins that accumulate in between spaces between nerve cells in the brain. Scientists are still studying how plaques and tangles are related to Alzheimer s

disease. One theory is that they block nerve cells ability to communicate with each other, making it difficult for the cells to survive. Autopsies have shown that most people develop some plaques and tangles as they age, but people with Alzheimer s develop far more than those who do not develop the disease. Scientists still don t know why some people develop so many compared to others. However, several risk factors for Alzheimer s disease have been uncovered. At present, the only way to definitely diagnose Alzheimer's is through a brain autopsy. If the person exhibited Alzheimer-like symptoms while alive and the brain tissue contains the microscopic physical abnormalities typical of Alzheimer's disease, then a definitive diagnosis can be made. While a person is alive, physicians can correctly diagnose Alzheimer's disease about 90 percent of the time based on mental and behavioral symptoms, a physical examination, neuropsychological tests and laboratory tests. The physician will normally take a history of mental and behavioral symptoms, using information provided by the patient and the family. In nearly 75 percent of cases, Alzheimer's starts with the inability to remember recent events and to learn and retain new information. Early stage patients experience memory problems that interfere with daily living and steadily worsen. Other early symptoms can include difficulty managing money, driving, orientation, shopping, following instructions, abstract thinking and finding the right words. There may also be other

problems, such as poor judgment, emotional instability and apathy. Alzheimer's disease can be distinguished from other types of dementia in part by the symptoms exhibited, the extent to which these symptoms occur and the speed with which the disease progresses. Alzheimer's disease is a complex disorder, for which there is currently no known prevention or cure. Some research has generated hope that one day it might be possible to slow the progression of Alzheimer s disease, delay its symptoms or even prevent it from occurring at all. Although there is preliminary data to support the benefit of some interventions, such as physical activity and cardiovascular risk reduction, nothing at this time has definitively been shown to prevent Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. A number of preliminary studies suggest that how we eat may raise or lower our risk of developing Alzheimer s disease. Eating a diet that is high in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and that is low in sugar and fat can reduce the incidence of many chronic diseases, and researchers are continuing to study whether these dietary modifications are also applicable to Alzheimer s disease. However, the strongest research supporting these modifications has been performed in animal studies, and remains to be rigorously established in randomized and controlled clinical trials. There are, however, some exciting

reports, that though currently preliminary, may one day be shown to protect against Alzheimer s disease. Many of these modifications have also been shown to be part of overall healthy lifestyles that are likely to protect against other diseases as well. For example, researchers found that clinical trial participants who adhered to a Mediterranean diet have a slower decline on the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) cognitive decline. The Mediterranean diet may be protective against other diseases as well, including age-related macular degeneration. Also, vitamin D3 has been shown to have protective effects that may preserve cognitive function. This vitamin is produced naturally by the body from exposure to the sun, and is also being studied by scientists for its potential protective effects. Some studies conducted in animals have shown that including blueberries, strawberries, and cranberries in the diet can lead to improved cognitive function, both in animals that age normally and in those that have been bred to develop Alzheimer s disease. Scientists are beginning to study what chemicals within these berries might be responsible for their beneficial effects. Curcumin is a spice typically found in turmeric which is used to enhance the flavor of curries and meats in Indian cuisine. Currently researchers are studying the effects of curcumin on

the human brain. Recent research implies that curcumin might actually reduce the amount of beta-amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer s disease. The problem with curcumin is that, in its natural state it is very difficult for a human body to absorb curcumin consumed as food. Once in the blood stream, it is also quite difficult for curcumin pass from the blood to the brain. AHAF funded scientists are studying whether special preparations of curcumin might overcome these limitations. Similarly, a study conducted on green tea and Alzheimer s disease indicates that an antioxidant found in green tea, called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), has powerful anti-plaque ability and may actually prevent or delay Alzheimer s disease. Switching from animal based oils and vegetable oil to extra virgin olive oil may also be a good habit to adopt. According to recent research, not only is extra virgin olive oil a generally healthy food, but it may prevent Alzheimer s disease as well. Exercise is an important activity to add to a healthy lifestyle. 1,700 adults aged 65 years and older were observed over a 6year period in this study. Results showed that the risk of Alzheimer s disease was 35 to 40 percent lower in those who exercised for at least 15 minutes 3 or more times a week than in those who exercised fewer than 3 times a week. While it is not proven that exercise could prevent Alzheimer s disease or slow its progression, animal studies and preliminary

human studies have produced significant interest amongst scientists.