Searching for the Cure for Alzheimer's Disease Essay

In times past many people thought that memory loss was a normal occurrence for elderly people. This thinking was major reason for why Alzheimer’s disease was not caught until very later in the stages. Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging. After heart disease, cancer, and strokes, Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of death in adults in the Western world. “It is estimated that 4.5 million Americans over the age of 65 are affected with this condition. After the age of 65, the incidence of the disease doubles every five years and, by age 85, it will affect nearly half of the population” (Robinson).

Throughout history there have been reports of decreased memory and mental deterioration that accompanied old age. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) was named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer who described the symptoms in a woman in Germany in the 1907 but it was not until the 1970’s that AD was considered to be a major disorder and AD continues to be a major health concern worldwide (Reger, 2002).

There is no cure for Alzheimer’s. But drug and non-drug treatments may help with both cognitive and behavioral symptoms

One in three seniors die of Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia (Godman). Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia but all types of dementia diseases effect seniors and their families in a dramatic drastic way. Early signs of Alzheimer’s start as early as the age of 30 and can affect someone for the rest of their life. These diseases have become more reoccurring every year, effecting around 5.3 million Americans and will continue to change lives for the rest of time (Bender, 2). As of now, there has been no cure for Alzheimer’s but scientists and doctors are putting time and effort into an Alzheimer’s cure through research, trials and ways to prevent the disease.

There are few people who do not worry about getting AD as they get older. Indeed, the incidence of AD increases with each successive year of life after age 60. Currently, scientists estimate that “4.5 million people have AD in America alone and 22 million worldwide” (Willett 63). The disease affects about “five percent of people ages 65 to 74 and nearly half the population of people 85 and older” (“Alzheimer” 1). Disturbingly, the disease is becoming even more common. Statistics now show that the number of people with the disease doubles every five years among older people. Using this as a rule, Dr. Robert Katzman of the University of California “estimates the total could be 45 million worldwide by 2050” (qted in Willett 13).

More than 5 million Americans currently suffer from Alzheimer's disease, a number that will grow to 13.4 million by 2050. Health experts estimate that a 65-year-old has a 10% risk of developing Alzheimer's and that baby boomers currently approaching peak age for the disease (60 to 80) will add $627 billion in Alzheimer's-related health care costs to Medicare. There is a considerable psychological price tag too, for patients and caregivers alike--and a fear factor. In a recent poll conducted for The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Takes On Alzheimer's, 84% of adults surveyed were concerned that they or someone in their family would be affected by the disease. That fear is compounded by the belief that research for Alzheimer's is lagging behind

According to Alzheimer’s Association there are “more than five million Americans that are living with Alzheimer’s.” (e.g.) Over the years more people have been diagnosed with Alzheimer has increased which is very concerning. Especially, considering that there is still no known cure for it. Although, this is no cure that does stop researchers from looking for ways to prevent the aggressiveness of the disease. Alzheimer’s is a mysterious disease that we know little about, it is important to know what it is, what causes it, and possible treatments.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a slow-progressing neurodegenerative disease that has no cure and most often affects people over the age of sixty-five. Neurodegeneration is characterized by the loss of function in the central nervous system due to degeneration of neurons found mostly in the brain. The most recent data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention shows that AD is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. The cause of Alzheimer’s is still not completely understood, but the current theory is that it appears to be genetic in which many genes are involved. AD is also the most common form of dementia and accounts for 60-80% of cases (Alzheimer’s Association 2016). Dementia is not a disease itself, but instead is characterized by a group of symptoms that is caused by brain disease or injury in which memory, personality, and reasoning skills are affected.

There is a growing epidemic in the United States that makes life for senior citizens fraught with danger and uncertainty. The current state in which millions of senior citizens live is frightening. Since 2015, there is an estimated five million people who are dealing with the effects of the Alzheimer’s disease and around 83,000 who die from it each year. Although doctors have some methods of treating Alzheimer's disease, these methods are quite inadequate. Even if family were to use the current Alzheimer’s disease treatment methods, it would only minimally delay the effects of Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, the treatments for Alzheimer's disease is often too expensive for family to cover the cost. With all of this in mind, it is necessary

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) was initially described in 1907 by Bavarian neuropathologist and psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer, and today is defined as a progressive and irreversible decline in cognitive abilities related to memory, behaviors, functionality, orientation, communication, language, abstract thinking and learning (Jacob, 2013). According to the latest figures, AD affects 10% of adults 65 and older and almost 50% of those over the age of 85. There are as many as 4.5 Americans currently living with AD, and the estimated that upwards to 13 million we be inflicted with AD within the next 50 years (Imbimbo, Lombard & Pomara,

Cholinesterase inhibitors are used to breakdown the acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter that is connected to memory, by blocking the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. The donepezil, rivastigmine, and the galantamine are three commonly prescribed cholinesterase inhibitors. The known side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach, and dizziness (Wattmo, Londos, & Minthon, 2014). To block the NDMA receptors, the memantine is prescribed to improve cognition and regulate the glutamate that acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain around the learning and memory area. Excessive glutamate could cause damaged, killed nerves. Common side effects of memantine consist of dizziness, confusion, and headaches (Koch, Szecsey, & Haen, 2004). Additional medication can be prescribed to patients with symptoms such as depression, psychosis, disturbed sleep, and apathy. Howes (2014) supported the commonly used drug treatments as he compared AD to the issues of the cardiovascular disease. The reduced blood flow to the brain, the reduction of oxygen, clogged arteries and vessels could damage the brain cells, making the Alzheimer’s disease worse. The treatment of AD reduces some of the effects of the cardiovascular (Howes,

Of particular interest to seniors, is how they can prevent neurological disorders, like dementia and Alzheimer’s, and possibly reverse the damage. Alzheimer’s develops when a type of plaque forms in the brain, which will eventually lead to damage of the neurons in the brain.

Unfortunately the most accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is by postmortem examination of the brain. The disease itself is not well defined, and its varied yet subtle manifestations lend difficulty in distinguishing it from other nervous system diseases or dementia-causing diseases. The danger exists that appropriate therapy that might bring relief or even cure, might be withheld from some patients if their conditions are misdiagnosed. Because, even though no effective treatment for AD is available, there are useful therapies for various diseases that produce symptoms of dementia (4).

Aging is considered an inevitable part of life and for the most part it can be considered a safe and exciting journey. Throughout the aging process starting from early childhood into late adulthood there are things that one looks forward to. Things like learning how to drive, getting into university, finding a career, and getting married. These goals do not occur simultaneously, rather they occur at certain stages of the aging process. However, as one continues to age and reaches into the later parts of the aging process it can lead to problems. One of these problems is Dementia, which has a common form called Alzheimer’s disease (Burns & Iliffe, 2009). Alzheimer’s disease is defined as, “a form of progressive cognitive decline due to accumulating

Alzheimer's Disease is a condition that affects 50% of the population over the age of eighty five, which equals four million Americans each year. It is becoming an important and high-profile issue in today's society for everyone. There are rapid advancements being made in the fight against this disease now more than ever, and the purpose of this essay is to educate the public on the background as well as the new discoveries. There are many new drugs that are being tested and studied every day which slow down, and may even halt the progress of the disease.