General Information About Alzheimer's Disease
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is a disease where the brain literally physically shrinks and melts as a result of the accumulation of sticky proteins called 'Amyloid Plaques' like garbage between brain cells and the severing of the transmission networks (Tau proteins) inside the cells. It is the most common cause of dementia.
Forgetting where you put the keys or momentarily not remembering someone's name is normal in old age or under stress (remembered later).
Alzheimer's, however, is a 'Recording' problem. The patient has never recorded that moment in their brain; they ask the same question 10 times at 5-minute intervals, claim they never ate the meal they just had, and can never remember it.
Alzheimer's starts wiping the brain first from the Hippocampus (the center for recording and learning new memories) region. Therefore, the patient doesn't know what they ate for breakfast but perfectly remembers their military service memory or wedding day from 40 years ago in the finest detail (Because those memories are in the deeper archives of the brain that have not yet been wiped).
Early Stage: Forgetting recent events, inability to find words, misplacing items (putting the remote in the fridge).
Middle Stage: Losing the sense of direction (getting lost on their own street), failing to recognize their spouse/children, paranoia (suspicions of 'you stole my money'), and confusion (mistaking night for day).
Advanced Stage: Complete cessation of speech, loss of the swallowing reflex, and becoming completely bedridden.
Memory is measured with Neuropsychological Tests (MMSE) where the neurologist asks the patient to draw a clock or recall words. A Brain MRI shows that the brain (especially the hippocampus region) is abnormally shrunken (atrophied) for their age. Sometimes, the amyloid protein level is checked by taking a sample of spinal fluid.
Today, there is not yet a cure that revives dead brain cells or completely stops the disease. However, medications such as Cholinesterase inhibitors (Donepezil, Rivastigmine) increase signal-carrying substances in the brain, allowing the patient to preserve their mental abilities for a few more years and slowing the progression (transition to the middle stage) of the disease. Family support and patience are the most important parts of the treatment.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
