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Alzheimer's Is Not Contagious Essay

Decent Essays

Contagious?
No, Alzheimer’s disease is not contagious. Alzheimer’s disease develops in the brain due to genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. If it was contagious, many more people would have Alzheimer’s disease. There is no supportive evidence that Alzheimer’s is transmissible in any way.

Transmitted?
A new study shows Alzheimer’s disease is spread from brain cell to brain cell and slowly moves to cover larger areas of the brain. Before the twentieth century scientists weren’t sure how it was transmitted. It moves along paths that nerve cells use to communicate between. Eventually, patients can lose all memory.

Signs/Symptoms
Forgetfulness is not the only sign of Alzheimer’s disease. A patient with Alzheimer’s may also feel …show more content…

The only treatment known now is medication. There are 4 approved medications, Galantamine, Donepezil, Memantine, and Rivastigmine Scientists are working to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease and more treatments. It would be nice to have a treatment that doesn’t just mask the symptoms.

Vaccine
There is no vaccine for Alzheimer’s disease, but hopefully there will be one day. Scientists and researchers are conducting studies for possible vaccines. We can only wait; the fact that Alzheimer’s is not an infection makes it very hard to discover a vaccine.

History of Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease was discovered by doctor Alois Alzheimer. The doctor described various symptoms of one patient with the disease in 1906. He realized the patient had brain shrinkage and later made a book in 1910 about the disease. Years later doctors discovered a high amount of protein in the brain.

Fatal and how do they die?
Sadly, Alzheimer’s disease is fatal. The disease itself is not, but the symptoms are. Some people live up to 15 years from the diagnosis to their last seconds on earth. With Alzheimer’s, you can really die anywhere.. falls, confusion, and aspiration are three ways.

Genetic

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