How Alzheimer's works
The brain uses brain cells and their branches to analyze and process data. scientists call this network ,"neuron forest". signals going through these forests form memories,ideas and emotions.
brain cell branches connect together at "synopses". when signals (in form of a tiny electricity charge) reach synopses "neurotransmitters" are released to the other branch. That's how the brain communicates and processes.
Alzheimer's disease disrupts both the way electrical charges travel within cells and the activity of neurotransmitters
when a person is diagnosed with Alzheimer's their brain contains
plaques
dying cells due to tangles
tough scientist are not sure but they suspect they are responsible for brain cells death.
plaques
they are made of ,chemically, sticky proteins called beta-amyloid (BAY-tuh AM-uh-loyd) that comes from the fat covering the cells.
The small clumps may block cell-to-cell signaling at synapses. They may also activate immune system cells that trigger inflammation and devour disabled cells.
Tangles
Usually the brain cells have a transport system in shape of parallel lines held in place by a kind of protein called tau. Food molecules, cell parts and other key materials travel along these "tracks."
Alzheimer's makes these "Tau"s collapse into twisted strands called tangles therefore, The tracks can no longer stay straight. They fall apart and disintegrate. Nutrients and other essential supplies can no longer move through the cells, which eventually die
Stages
early stages. lasts up to 20 years.
mild to moderate stage, lasts 1-10 years.
mild: the person will experience memory loss, wandering, getting lost, trouble with money and bills, repeating questions, taking longer to complete normal daily tasks, and personality and behavior changes.
moderate: damage in areas that control language, reasoning, sensory processing, and conscious thought. problems recognizing family and friends. can't carry out multi-step tasks such as getting dressed, or cope with new situations. In addition, people at this stage may have hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia and may behave impulsively.
severe stage. lasts 1-5 years
in this stage the person cannot communicate and is completely dependent on others for his care. Near the end, the person may be in bed most or all of the time as the body shuts down.
symptoms
- MEMORY LOSS THAT DISRUPTS DAILY LIFE
- CHALLENGES IN PLANNING OR SOLVING PROBLEMS
- DIFFICULTY COMPLETING FAMILIAR TASKS AT HOME, AT WORK OR AT LEISURE
- CONFUSION WITH TIME OR PLACE
- TROUBLE UNDERSTANDING VISUAL IMAGES AND SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS
- NEW PROBLEMS WITH WORDS IN SPEAKING OR WRITING
- MISPLACING THINGS AND LOSING THE ABILITY TO RETRACE STEPS
- DECREASED OR POOR JUDGMENT
- WITHDRAWAL FROM WORK OR SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
- CHANGES IN MOOD AND PERSONALITY
factors
- age: while one of nine people age 65 or older has Alzheimer's, nearly one of three people age 85 or older has the disease. One of the greatest mysteries of Alzheimer's disease is why risk rises so dramatically as we grow older.
- genetics: if someone in your family has Alzheimer's, you should do a genetic test. if gene APOE ε4 is found there is 20-25% chance that you will get it too, but it is not certain. if your gene contains: amyloid precursor protein (APP), presenilin-1 (PS-1) and presenilin-2 (PS-2) you will definitely get Alzheimer's.
- environment and lifestyle: tough nothing is known for sure, there is a possibility that reducing chance of other diseases might help reduce the chances of Alzheimer's. If you are active, on a healthy diet and social throughout your life there is chance that it will reduce the chance of Alzheimer's
Since there is no cure for Alzheimer's what ca we do for the people with have Alzheimer"s?
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