The Leading Cause For Dementia, Alzheimer's Disease

The disease stem cells could fix is called Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). The reason I chose this topic is because I have seen first hand how badly someone who suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease is affected in their daily lives. This disease completely takes over their lives and they turn into a completely different person who can hardly function. AD is very tough on the loved ones of the person suffering from it because that person, most of the time has no idea what is going on or who their loved ones are. The memories for people with AD is completely gone and even the simplest tasks such as remembering to use the bathroom becomes difficult. The way stem cells could be feasible is because stem cell-based therapies could potentially treat

Alzheimer’s Disease has been one of the top leading causes of death in our country. It is understood that this disease is identified as an excess of the protein amyloid-ß within an increase of plaque (Seneff, Wainwright, and Mascitelli, 2010). Additionally, as the brain ages, it gets used to the inflammation and oxidative stress, so it is important to take the right amount of antioxidant micronutrients like vitamin C and vitamin E as well as anti-inflammatory macronutrients such as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to protect the brain from ageing (Whalley et. al, 2004). This is a devastating disease that affects most people over the age of fifty. Recently, there have been many studies done to figure out what causes this disease, if there is anything that can cure it, and how to prevent the disease. Seneff, Wainwright, and Mascitelli, believe Alzheimer’s develops with consuming too many carbohydrates, especially fructose and having a deficiency in cholesterol and dietary fats as well (2010). Whalley, Starr, and Deary have seen that poor diet, poverty, and failing health are links to developing Alzheimer’s Disease (2004). Furthermore, seeing increase in plasma homocysteine concentration increases risk of Dementia, which can result from an inadequate intake of vitamin B12/folate (Walley et. al, 2004). Additionally, Gray supports Walley’s findings and even believes having an adequate intake of vitamin B12/folate will have a positive effect on the overall health

In a study that was done called aging, demographics and memory study (ADAMS) it was found that older African Americans are two times more likely than older whites to develop Alzheimer or any other dementia. Some of the reasons that have been discovered as to why older African Americans are more common to have Alzheimer’s is because they are found to have higher rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, along with other vascular diseases. Some other factors that can affect who may end up with Alzheimer’s are lower level of education, and socioeconomic characteristics which are found to be more common in African Americans. In the health and retirement study (HRS) 80% of African Americans were found to have high blood pressure. Other risks that have been found to have increased risk of Alzheimer’s are those with lower educations, low income being below $18,000 a year, and

Alzheimer’s disease is a prominent brain disease that effects a massive amount of individuals in the United States. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for 60-80% of dementia cases, with no chance of being cured, prevented or decelerating over time (Alzheimer’s Association, 2014). AD is the most well-known form of dementia, causing complications in brain function in the areas of memory, thinking, and behavior (Alzheimer’s Association, 2014). In an effort to gain a deeper understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, researchers create new knowledge about the disease, which is then distributed to the public. The goal in this information disbursement is to find new and inventive ways to treat AD, prevent AD from progressing at such a rapid pace, and aid in the quality of life in those diagnosed with AD as well as caregivers and medical professionals providing treatment to individuals’ with AD.

“There is one thing Alzheimer 's cannot take away, and that is love. Love is not a memory - it 's a feeling that resides in your heart and soul.” (Fade to Blank). The human brain is a remarkably complex organ that processes, stores, and recalls information. “Alzheimer 's disease (AD) is a slowly progressive disease of the brain that is characterized by impairment of memory and eventually by disturbances in reasoning, planning, language, and perception. Many scientists believe that Alzheimer 's disease results from an increase in the production or accumulation of a specific protein (beta-amyloid protein) in the brain that leads to nerve cell death.” (Crystal). It is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 50 to 80 percent of dementia cases, and currently has no cure. (# 3) Research continues to be done to develop better ways to care for those affected with the disease, as well as to find support for family members, friends, and caregivers. Alzheimer’s is a devastating illness that is not a normal part of aging. In order to find a cure, awareness needs to increase to improve understanding, develop effective treatments, and to essentially prevent the disease.

A brain deteriorates, slowly being engulfed by a mysterious disease. The neurons being cut off and destroyed by two abnormal structures. First memory is affected gradually getting worse. Then one is unable to think properly, reason, and lacks of self control. Gaps are formed in the brain 's ventricles, due to the amount of dead tissue. In the end, it will lead to death. All of this may sound like something from a science fiction movie but infact its very real. These are all known possible symptoms of a common disease that affects about millions of Americans. It is known as Alzheimer 's disease (AD), and I plan on explaining it a bit more in this paper. First I will explain the disease and list some facts about it,then I will talk about some commonly asked questions about it.

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease of unknown cause that is the most common form of dementia. Alzheimer’s usually starts in late middle age or in old age and results in progressive memory loss, impaired thinking, disorientation and changes in personality and mood. It is an irreversible, progressive disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills which leads to the eventual inability to carry out the simplest tasks. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia among older adults.

“I’m only sixteen, I am too young to be in a care facility!” That is just one of the many things a person with dementia might say. Many patients with dementia lose their memories of growing up and may think they are a child again. Or perhaps they think they are still at home and caring for their families. You could see why some dementia patients may be upset or have behaviors because of this. Not every person with dementia is the same, but most symptoms are similar. In the knowledge of health science there are four different types of dementia which are Vascular Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia and the Alzheimer’s disease. Questions about Dementia may still be unsolved about how this disease was originally derived, but

Dementia, known as one of the world 's current pandemics, is estimated to be the fourth most common cause of death in the developed country, second only to cardiovascular, cerebrovascular diseases and cancer. With the aging population, dementia has gradually become a serious threat to the health of the elderly people in Australia.

More than five million are living with Alzheimer’s disease in the United States and the number is set to almost triple by the year 2050. It is common in the elderly and generally occurs in persons over 65 years of age, but early onset of Alzheimer’s has also been documented (“Alzheimer’s disease facts,” 2016, para. 1). It starts in the medial temporal area of the brain, usually in the hippocampus, and then spreads to other areas of the brain. Blows (2011) explains, “Alois Alzheimer was a German psychiatrist who in 1906 described a dementia with two specific changes found in the brain after death... these changes were the presence of extracellular plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles and these became the hallmarks of this disease” (p. 286). Loss of neurons takes place and amyloid plaques form. This is due to build-up of non-functioning proteins and can be observed by imaging techniques (Radin, 2003, p. 41). There are many risk factors that increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The greatest risk factor is family history, but other risk factors include diabetes, hypertension obesity, hyperlipidemia, smoking, depression, physical inactivity, low estrogen levels, and head trauma (Huether & McCance, 2014, p. 546). The actual cause of Alzheimer’s is unknown, but there are genes associated with it that make the disease heritable. What is clear is that

Auguste Deter was the first patient who had such a serious case of dementia that Alois Alzheimer decided to look at her brain when she died. Deter was 51 years old when she began to show signs of what is now considered Alzheimer’s Disease or AD. When she died, Alois Alzheimer, a German physician, decided to look into her brain. He wished to see what was causing her to act so wild and uncontrollable. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, he found that parts of her brain and the cells seemed to be dead. The disease soon was named after Alzheimer because of his discovery and has grown to be recognized throughout the world. While there are other diseases in need of research, Alzheimer's is a growing disease that is in need of more research

I think it is important for people to be aware of Alzheimer disease, especially adults who have a family member in late adulthood. If people were to have knowledge on how to help or treat someone who has Alzheimer disease it would be beneficial for both of them and it would make living together much easier. Many people don’t know what Alzheimer disease is “Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. The risk of AD increases with age” (Takashi 2015). As someone ages they are most likely to get Alzheimer disease, this due to generalized degeneration of the brain. Alzheimer’s is a complex disease with multiple risk factors. Age and genetics are outside ones control, but many others are within your sphere of influence. These factors can be quite powerful when it comes to your brain health. I personally feel like I am well educated about this topic because school has done a very good job at teaching me how to deal and understanding people who have Alzheimer. Psychology has done a great job at helping understand this disease even further. The reason why I picked this topic was to try and find different ways to prevent and learn about Alzheimer disease because I have a great grandmother who has Alzheimer’s disease. My parents and grandparents would always tell me how difficult it is for them to help her out and have to deal with all her necessities. They would have to take turns taking care of her until they decided to hire someone to come take care of her.

Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the development of plaque or protein deposits in the brain, especially areas associated with memory. Brain neurons collapse, crumble, and lose connections with other neurons which causes disorientation, confusion, erratic behavior, and partial to complete memory loss. (Trivedi, Bijal, 2012). While a poor sensitivity to insulin is associated with type 2 diabetes, some researchers including Dr. Suzanne de la Monte, a neuropathologist at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, have suggested that Alzheimer’s disease may in fact be another type of diabetes. If these scientists are correct in their suppositions about diabetes and dementia, immediate and troubling concerns are going to present overwhelming challenges to the medical and senior care systems. Ewan McNay, of the University of Albany in New York states that “if the epidemic of type 2 diabetes continues on its current trajectory, it is likely to be followed by an epidemic of dementia” (Trivedi, Bijal, 2012). Alzheimer 's disease is increased in individuals with diabetes. Higher glucose levels in individuals without diabetes has also been associated with elevated occurrences of Alzheimer 's disease. These findings

To begin with, all dementias share a variety of similarities. The first uniting element of all dementias is the causes for all. Whether it is a traumatic head injury, cerebrovascular disease (one that affects blood vessels, such as strokes), brain tumors, toxic reactions, nutritional deficiencies, or any other brain altering infections and diseases, all dementias are caused by the death of brain cells and neurodegenerative disease. Neurodegenerative disease is the progressive death of brain cells over periods of time. Uncommon causes that can lead towards dementia are prion diseases, HIV infection, and Down syndrome (MacGill). All in all, there are many causes that lead toward any type of dementia.

A growing body of evidence has indicated that sAD is multifactorial, with age being an important risk factor. Main neuropathological hallmarks identified in Alzheimer’s brains are beta-amyloid deposits, hyperphosphorylated tau proteins, and astrogliosis [1]. Recently, dysregulated brain insulin signaling has been reported to play a pivotal role in AD pathology. Additionally, several studies have indicated that insulin malfunction induces beta amyloid accumulation and tau pathology in AD brain [2]. Thus, Alzheimer’s disease has been argued to be a type III diabetes [3, 4]. Given the specific nature of sAD, there is no clinical evidence on its early stage, and this makes making an appropriate model more difficult. Thus, a convenient model for the initiation phase of sAD could be the