preview

Does Aging Cause Alzheimer's Disease?

Good Essays

Khachaturian (2000). Aging: A Cause or Risk for AD? PDF. The main discussion of the article focuses on the topic of whether aging is a cause of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), or simply a risk factor. Researches state that "natural aging plays a more important role in neurodegeneration than is currently recognized", and that studies have proven there is a direct correlation between the natural aging process(es) and the prevalence of AD. Though the disease is seen as a horrible, life-crippling setback, many adults are able to remain healthy and productive, and even carry on with their own independence. However, the rates of cognitive dysfunction are said to only increase as the number of people exceeding the life expectancy of 85 also increases. Many …show more content…

Schuurmans, Beekman, de Beurs, Deeg, Emmelkamp, van Dyk (2005). The outcome of anxiety disorders in older people at a 6-year follow up: results from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. PDF. The article examines the results of a 6-year longitudinal study focusing on longterm anxiety in older adults. Contrary to modern belief, anxiety is more prevalent in the older population than depression or dysthymia. Anxiety greatly impacts the quality of life in any individual, especially if they are at an older age. Many cases of adult anxiety disorders are usually left untreated; some patients are prescribed to be treated with mild doses of benzodiazepines, with a small handful also using antidepressants. Though these prescribed medications can slightly improve the quality of life of these individuals, it also increases the risk of long-term memory impairment and risk of falls. During the actual follow up questionnaire, 69% of the participants were concluded to have some form of severe or mild anxiety while 17% were reported to be in full remission. The article concludes that anxiety disorders are more common in …show more content…

Small, Komanduri, Gitlin, and Jarvik (1986). THE INFLUENCE OF AGE ON GUILT EXPRESSION IN MAJOR DEPRESSION. The article followed a study that initially examined the hypothesis that older patients would express less guilt than younger patients, showing a slight mental imbalance. When studied, 56% of the 93 older patients expressed some form of guilt, which was concluded to in fact be less than the younger patients. It was further concluded that older male patients were seen to have expressed guilt the least of all the groups. 24 of the elderly patients studied met the requirements of having some form of endogenous depression, and they grieved even less than the elderly group without this disorder. The article could conclude that a lower 'severity of guilt' was linked to older age groups. This could be a predictor of a possible mental imbalance or illness. The study could also offer information on how older patients with preexisting illnesses could react in emotional situations. With severity of guilt shown being directly associated with age concludes that the belief that age is associated with mental illness and impaired mental health is

Get Access