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Q)
What is Alzheimer's Disease?
A) Alzheimer's
Disease is the most common form of dementia (a broad term to describe
symptoms caused by a decline in mental functioning) in older people, affecting
the part of the brain that controls speech, thinking, and memory.
Q)
What are the symptoms?
A #1) According to the Alzheimer's
Association, symptoms include: memory loss, difficulty performing
familiar tasks, problems with speech, disorientation, poor or decreased
judgment, problems with abstract thinking, misplacing things, changes
in mood and/or behavior, changes in personality, and loss of initiative.
A #2) Scientists have identified a number of brain structures that are
now considered the hallmark signs of the disease: amyloid plaques, which
are clumps of protein fragments that form outside of brain cells, and
neurofibrillary tangles, which are clumps of mutated protein inside the
cells.
Q)
What are the causes?
A) Scientists are still unsure of exact causes, but they do believe that
the disease is a result of a combination of risk factors - most importantly,
age and genetics. The risk of aquiring Alzheimer's increases with age,
and reseachers have identified a few genes that increase the risk of developing
the disease.
A great deal
of research is also being directed at other, non-genetic factors that
may increase one's risk of developing Alzheimer's, including: past head
injuries, poor diet, childhood illnesses, lower levels of education, and
even one's socioeconomic status.
Q)
How is Alzheimer's diagnosed?
A) The
only way to positively diagnose the disease is by finding the amyloid
plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. Unfortunately, this
can only be done through an autopsy, after the patient dies. However,
a physician can conduct many phychological and physical tests that often
lead to an assessment of at least 90 percent accuracy.
Q)
Can it be cured?
A) Currently,
there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease. However, symptoms can be managed
through many drug and behavioral options. Commonly perscribed drugs to
treat the cognitive symptoms of patients in the early to middle stages
of the disease include Cognex, Aricept, Exelon, and Reminyl. For
those in the late stages of the disease, Namenda is the only drug approved
for treatment.
Sources:
-Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org.
-Fisher Center
for Alzheimer's Research Foundation. http://www.alzinfo.org.
-National Institute on Aging. http://www.alzheimers.org.
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