Brain Disorder: Alzheimer´s Disease Essay

Alzheimer’s disease is a common problem in today’s society and within the older population this disease makes up the largest form of dementia. Although it is a problem in mainly older people, this disease can still occur in the younger population also. People in their 30s-50s can be diagnosed with this disease, even though it is not as common as people in their 60s-90s. The number of people with Alzheimer’s in the U.S. is close to five million and is expected to double within the next 30 years. With our modern medicine and advancements one would think a cure would be available, however, getting to the cause of the disease is a major factor. The cause of Alzheimer’s disease is one that is very debatable and questionable and most likely is a result of multiple factors rather than one. The main issue with finding the cause is because this disease affects the brain and can

Alzheimer’s disease is incurable, but there are many stages, warning signs, and risk factors that can serve as detection devices for those who have older adults in their lives. One of the most common early signs of this form of dementia is memory loss. While it is normal for people to occasionally forget things, such as appointments and names, people with Alzheimer’s tend to forget these things more often and are not able to recall them even after a period of time. Other signs that signify a possible case of Alzheimer’s is difficulty performing familiar tasks (cooking, brushing teeth), problems with language (using odd words, failing to remember correct words), disorientation (forgetting where one lives, not knowing how he got to a certain place), problems with abstract thinking (forgetting what numbers represent), misplacing items (putting a hair brush in the freezer), moodiness, personality changes (confusion, suspicion, fearfulness), and loss of initiative

Alzheimer’s is a disease in the brain that affects a person’s memory, thinking, and behavior. It is the most common form of dementia and is common in adults older than 65. More than five million Americans are being affected by Alzheimer’s at this moment. Alzheimer’s comes in three stages; early, middle, and advanced. The disease is caused by the shrinking of the brain due to many risk factors and genetics.

Many of the people with Alzheimer's Disease will be misdiagnosed or have to wait two to four years after they start experiencing symptoms before they will officially be diagnosed, according to Nancy MacDonald, PhD (Drug Week, Failure...). Studies have shown that genetics play some sort of role in the development of Alzheimer's, but exactly what their role is has not yet been determined. Since Alzheimer's disease is not the result of one single gene, sometimes a person may have to get a deformed gene from both of their parents in order to get Alzheimer's disease.

There are two types of Alzheimer’s, early onset and late onset, which both have genetic components. Alzheimer’s disease was named after Alois Alzheimer in 1906 when he had discovered changes in the brain tissue of a woman who died unusually from mental illness. Alzheimer’s is ranked as the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. Familial Alzheimer’s disease commonly known as, Early Onset Alzheimer or eFAD is a form of Alzheimer that is usually detected between the ages of 30-60. Familial Alzheimer is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. Familial Alzheimer’s symptoms may include; movement difficulties, sense of smell, word finding, vision and spatial issues, times and places confusion,

In majority of clinical trials that have been performed they said that their is no single test that proves that a person has alzheimer’s, diagnoses are made through a complete assessment that considers all possible causes such as medical history, physical exam, neurological exam, mental status, & brain imaging. However, one genetic risk factor having one

Alzheimer’s disease effects hundreds of thousands of older adults. Research has been done and a cure is being searched for, but so far there is no way to cure it. There are treatments for Alzheimer’s that may help, but the cure is slow coming and few things have been learned about it. Older persons who experience the disease can experience a wide array of effects such as confusion, depression, violent tendencies, and many other things of that nature. There are different stages of the mental sickness, from minor, to severe. Different research states that the more schooling you have the, the less likely you are to develop Alzheimer’s, it may also be genetic and passed down through generations.

Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia that causes memory loss, thinking, and behavioral issues. Nearly 5.4 million American’s are affected by Alzheimer’s. People who are affected begin with early-onset Alzheimer’s. One will experience symptoms such as confusion, mild memory loss, and speaking issues. The inheritance pattern of early-onset Alzheimer’s is autosomal dominant inheritance. This means that if you inherit the abnormal Alzheimer’s gene from a parent, you are likely to get the disease. Even though Alzheimer’s is a somewhat common disorder, the inheritance pattern of late-onset Alzheimer’s is still unknown. Although, scientists believe genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors play a role in a person’s risk for developing the disease.

     In Alzheimer’s disease, there are three rare genetic syndromes that cause people to develop the disease before the age of sixty. These syndromes are caused by mutations in single genes call APP, PS1, and PS2. These mutated genes are usually inherited by one’s parents and virtually guarantee the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Genetic testing is currently available for these mutations and could prove to be extremely helpful in taking early action against the disease.

Two of the most common myths that are widely known are memory loss, and family history. As I explained above memory loss does take a key role in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease but it also takes a role in other illnesses also. The association with memory loss is what it pertains to on a day to day basis. If the individual is unable to do daily tasks that one was capable to do only weeks prior one must look at all other aspects issues at hand. Other symptoms along with memory loss are compiled to result in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, family history does increase the risk of an individual having Alzheimer’s disease but it does not intentionally mean one has the disease (Sounders). There are still many myths out there that scientists are debunking every day. So just because you forgot to start the washing machine before going to bed, or left an ink pen in your shirt pocket doesn’t mean you have early onset Alzheimer’s disease. However, if your maternal grandmother had Alzheimer’s disease and your mother is experiencing early onset symptoms of this particular disease, it would not hurt to keep an eye on the risks factors on the early warning signs. Eat healthy, exercise daily, and enjoy life to the

Alzheimer’s is a disease that destroys the memory and other important brain functions. Alzheimer's is a disease where the brain cells die; which also can cause other brain cells to become disconnected, the result is progressive memory loss and mental breakdown. These chemical breakdowns are enough to interfere with normal everyday activities. The leading cause of Alzheimer’s is dementia, which are several brain disorders that cause social and intellectual skills. The disease affects not only the person but it also affects the family members and friends close to the person. Alzheimer’s (Mayo Clinic, 2013).

     Imagine waking up one morning and you cannot remember where you are or your own child’s name. This could be a direct sign that you or a family member has Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia, which means that it affects certain functions of the brain such as memory, logic, and everyday bodily functions. This disease was first described by a doctor named Alois Alzheimer in 1906. He discovered unusual growths of fibers in the brains of woman that had died from an unusual mental illness (National Institute, 1995).

Alzheimer’s disease is a very slowly progressive disease that occurs inside the brain in which is characterized by damage of memory. Also this type of disease can lead into interruption in language, problem solving, planning and perception. The chance of a person developing Alzheimer’s disease increases enormously after the age of 70 (Crystal, 2009). Also people who are over the age of 85 have over a 50 percent chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease. This type of disease is not at all normal in the aging process and is also not something that happens out of no where in a person’s life.

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease and the most common cause of dementia. Dementia is also caused by other diseases and conditions. It is characterized by a decline in memory, language, problem-solving and other cognitive skills that affects a person’s ability to perform everyday activities. This decline occurs because nerve cells (neurons) in parts of the brain involved in cognitive function have been damaged and no longer function normally. In Alzheimer’s disease, neuronal damage eventually affects parts of the brain that enable a person to carry out basic bodily functions such as walking and swallowing. People in the final stages of the disease are bed-bound and require around-the-clock care. Alzheimer’s disease is

The causes of Alzheimer’s disease are somewhat a mystery. However, specific characteristics have been identified to make individuals more vulnerable to becoming a victim of this disease. Like with many other diseases, family history poses a threat to individuals. If there is a “genetic mutation on chromosomes 1, 14, and 21” then there is an increased likelihood of developing early on-set Alzheimer’s. In addition to this, people who are carriers of a specific version of apolipoprotein-E-gene are also more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.