Alzheimers Disease - Literature review Example

Alzheimer’s disease Most profoundly known as Alzheimer disease or AD in the medical literature, it is considered as the most usual kind of dementia. Alzheimer’s is an incurable illness which upon progression aggravates and ultimately leads to fatality. It was initially depicted by a neuropathologist as well as a psychiatrist of German origin, named Alois Alzheimer during 1906 and thus the disease has been called after him (Berchtold and Cotman 173). In most of the cases, Alzheimer disease is diagnosed in individuals having age more than sixty five years, though the less predominant premature onset of Alzheimers can take place much earlier (Brookmeyer, Gray and Kawas 1338). During the year 2006, approximately twenty seven million individuals over the world were diagnosed with AD. It is estimated that the Alzheimers will impact one in eighty five individuals all over the world by the year 2050 (Johnson et al. 187). While the progression of Alzheimers disease varies amongst individuals but they are certain general symptoms. Most of the earlier symptoms of Alzheimer’s are often misinterpreted as the cause of either the increased age of the individual or an outcome of stress. During the earlier phases, the most usual symptom is the difficulty in memorizing recent events, often referred as memory loss in a short term basis. Upon the suspicion of Alzheimer’s the diagnosis is commonly affirmed with tests that measure thinking capabilities and behavioral characteristics. These initial tests are then most commonly succeeded by a scan of brain upon availability. Besides, in order to be definite in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, the brain tissues are needed to be examined. With the advancement of the malady, the symptom range increases from memory loss on short terms to mood swings, irritability, confusion, difficulty with language, aggression and loss of memory on longer terms. The disorder causes declination of the individual which eventually leads to withdrawal from the society as well as from the family. In a gradual manner, the body starts losing its functions and as a consequence death occurs. As each individual suffering from Alzheimer’s is distinct, it is quite difficult to ascertain or forecast the way it will impact an individual. The development period of Alzheimer’s is not known and it varies in the time duration required for complete onset of the disease thus the disease may remained undiagnosed for several years since its earlier onset. The life expectancy on average after the diagnosis is around seven years and the chances of survival for more than fourteen years amongst individuals with Alzheimer’s are only less than three percent once the disease has been diagnosed (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke). Causes of Alzheimer’s disease Though the procedure of the progression of Alzheimer’s is still unknown but it seems that the impairment of brain begins around a decade before the issues become apparent. At the preclinical stage, the individuals do not have any symptoms although the toxic alterations are occurring within the brain. The disease is more common amongst females in comparison to males and in a recent study, it has been found to have linked with a gene that is extraordinarily hazardous to women and can be considered as the cause of increased diagnosis of the disease in females than in males. The gene, called APOE4, enhances the dangers of the development of Alzheimer in both females and males but it has been recently found to impact only minimally in males while the risks are doubled in females. Around two-third of the individuals diagnosed with AD are women. However, one most probable cause of this increased diagnosis in females can be attributed to the fact that females tend to live longer as compared to males and thus the increased age causes the onset of disease apart from the genetic causes of disparity (Hamilton). Studies performed in the last decade of twentieth century quote the disparity to be linked with genetic factors. The gene that has been recently known is carried by almost fifteen percent of the whole population although only fifty percent of the individuals that are diagnosed with the disease carry it. The gene variant discovered can be thus said to be one of the risk factors attributed to Alzheimer’s, although it is considered by scientists as an essential one (Hamilton). Apart from genetic contributions, the main cause of the Alzheimer’s is like all the kinds of dementia are the death of brain cell. It can thus be referred as a neurodegenerative malady and involves progressive death of brain cells over a period of time. Due to the death of brain cells, the total size of brain shrinks as the brain tissues carry progressively less neurons and connections. Microscopic tangles and plaques have been identified both within and between brain cells in Alzheimers. Although these tangles and plaques cannot be tested or seen in living and functioning brain impacted by Alzheimers disease, autopsy or postmortem will always depict small inclusions within the nerves. Plaques are detected between the brain cells that are dying in the brain due to the formation of a protein known as beta-amyloid while the tangles are observed within the neurons of the brain resulting from the breakdown of a protein known as tau. These unnatural protein deposits constitute tau tangles and amyloid plaques as mentioned afore all around the brain and thus formerly-healthy brain cells start to function less expeditiously. With the passage of time the neurons lose the power to communicate and function, and finally they die (Alzheimer’s Association). It has been suggested by research that a legion of elements outside fundamental genetics may function a purpose in the course and ontogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. There exists a good deal of concern, for instance, in connections between metabolic and vascular conditions and cognitive decline like stroke, heart disease, increased blood pressure, obesity and diabetes. Early-attack Alzheimers disease The factors behind the early attack of Alzheimer’s disease that runs in families and is typically presents amongst the ages thirty and sixty years are genetic. Caused by either of three transmissible genes, it is also referred as young-onset, and it is not usual and accounts for only approximately five percent of all of the cases of Alzheimer’s. According to the Alzheimers Association the diagnosis of this kind of Alzheimer’s can be frustrating and lengthy procedure as it is not expected to occur in younger individuals and therefore for younger individuals, the medical practitioner search for causes of other kinds of dementia. Thus, the healthcare professionals may attribute the symptoms to other factors like stress and thus fail to agree on diagnosis (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke). Treatment There is no one way solution for Alzheimer’s as it is an incurable disorder and hence multiple strategies are applied to ease out the difficulties associated with AD. The initial attempt involves taking care of the individuals with AD. The incurable nature of dementia can be attributed to have caused due to the incessant brain cells death that can neither be reversed nor halted. In order to assist individuals in coping with AD, therapeutic interventions have the most backing. Although no disease-altering drugs exist for AD but certain options alleviate its symptoms and thus aid in improving the life quality. Within the United States, four drugs within a class known as cholinesterase inhibitor have been approved for the relief of symptoms of AD. These are Alantamine with the brand name Reminyl, Donepezil with the brand name Aricept, Rivasrigmine with the brand name Exelon and Tacrine with brand name Cognex. Another type of medicine named Namenda (memantine), an antagonist for NMDA receptor, can be also utilized either alone or combined with afore mentioned cholinesterase inhibitor (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke). Other therapies for alleviating the symptoms include providing adequate support by the healthcare professionals to enhance the quality of life of individuals with AD as with the progression of disease, individuals lose their independency are tend to be more dependent upon others for their basic necessities. Works Cited Alzheimer’s Association. The role of plaques and tangles. 2014. Web. 20 April, 2014. Berchtold, N. C., and Cotman, C. W. “Evolution in the Conceptualization of Dementia and Alzheimers Disease: Greco-Roman Period to the 1960s.” Neurobiol. Aging. 19.3 [1998]:173–89. Brookmeyer, R., Gray, S. and Kawas, C. “Projections of Alzheimers Disease in the United States and the Public Health Impact of Delaying Disease Onset.” American Journal of Public Health. 88.9 [1998]:1337–42. Hamilton, Jon. “Gene Linked To Alzheimers Poses A Special Threat To Women.” NPR. 14 April, 2014. Web. 20 April, 2014. Johnson, E., Ziegler-Graham, K. Brookmeyer, R., and Arrighi, M. H. “Forecasting the global burden of Alzheimers disease.” Alzheimers and Dementia 3.3[2007]:186–91. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. “NINDS Alzheimer’s disease information page.” US National Institutes of Health, 18 April, 2013. Web. 20 April, 2014. Read More