2. Alzheimer’s
The deterioration of intellectual capabilities,
memory, judgment, and personality to the extent
that daily functioning and quality of life are
seriously impaired.
Generally occurs in the elderly impairing brain
function, which can lead to dementia.
Named for German neurologist Alois Alzheimer
in 1907.
3. Statistics
4 million or more
cases in U.S.
100,000 die each year.
4th major leading
cause of death in U.S.
65 or older when
symptoms can begin
4. Clinical Features
1. Loss of short-term memory and ability to create
memories
2. Concentration on past
3. Loss of time
4. Communication diminishes
5. Personality changes
6. Delusions
7. Become immobilized and uncomprehending
8. Death due to respiratory failure
9. 65 and up disease lasts 8-20 years
10. 65 and down disease lasts 5-10 years disease
more rapid
5. Histological Analysis
3 distinctive neuropathological features
1. Devastating losses of synapses and
neurons within hippocampus and
entorhinal cortex.
2. Dense spherical structures, called senile
plaques (SP), prevalent outside the
neurons of the hippocampus and other
regions of the brain.
3. Aggregations of fibrils (Neurofibrillary
tangles, NFT) accumulate within cell bodies
and dendritic processes of the neurons of
the hippocampus, neuro cortex, entorhinal
cortex, and other brain parts.
7. Stages of Alzheimer's disease
AD may progress through the following stages as follows
1. Mild Alzheimer’s Disease (Early Stage):
May Function Independently: may drive, work or maybe
apart of social activities. Memory Lapses: familiar words,
location of objects, names of new people, recently read
material.
Difficulties noticed by family, friends and doctors:
challenges performing activities at home or work, difficulty
planning. Lack of spontaneity. Subtle personality changes.
Disorientation to time and date
8. Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease (Middle Stage):
Longest stage may last for years.
Personality changes: moody or withdrawn, suspicious,
delusions, compulsive, repetitive behavior.
Increased memory loss: forgetfulness regarding
personal history, unable to recall address, phone
number, or high school they graduated from.
Decreased independence: trouble controlling bowel and
bladder, increased risk of wandering or becoming lost,
dependence with choosing appropriate clothes for event
or season, increased Confusion. Impaired cognition and
abstract thinking. Restlessness and agitation.
Wandering, "sundown syndrome". Inability to carry out
activities of daily living.
9. Severe Alzheimer’s Disease (Late
Stage):
Decreased response to the environment:
decreased ability to communicate and may
speak in small phrases, decreased
awareness of experiences & surroundings.
Dependence on caregiver: decreased
physical functioning: walking, sitting &
swallowing; increased vulnerability to
infections, incontinence. Emaciation,
11. Senile Plaques
Densely packed fibrous
structures called amyloid
bodies.
Consists of mainly protein,
4-kDa peptide.
Many isoforms make up the
amyloid proteins.
Amyloid precursor protein
another source of which can
lead to AD. Functional role
unknown.
12. Neurofibrillary Tangles
Consist of helical filaments called PHF.
Intertwined protein strands made of tau
protein molecules.
Formation of NFT’s not unique to AD.
Found in many other neurodegenerative
disorders with dementias, affecting the brain.
Scientists believe that the amyloid
proteins lead to the formation of the
neurofibrillary tangles, and both can lead
to AD symptoms.
13. Diagnosis
Only definitive way is to use brain
scans (CT) to see plaques or tangles in
brain tissue.
Tests used to exclude other diseases.
14. Treatments
No treatment can prevent Alzheimer’s
Drugs for early stages
Cognax, Aricept, Exelon, or Razadyne
Severe stages
Memantine (Namenda)
Medicines used to control symptoms,
allow caregivers to provide easier care.
15. Research
Neuroimaging
Finding damaged parts of the brain
Alzheimer’s Genetics
Anti-oxidants
Ginkgo biloba
Using to stimulate memory
Estrogen
Tested for levels found in AD patients,
which are women
16. References
Pasternak, J. Jack. Introduction to
Molecular Genetics. 2nd edition.2005. pg.
403-408.
www.bic.ucs.edu/images/alz3d.jpg
www.ahaf.org
www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications
