Alzheimer's Disease

Overview

Alzheimer's is often referred to as an 'old-age' disease which is associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning affecting the memory, thinking, behaviour and other mental abilities. It is the most common cause of dementia and most often affects people over the age of 65. Dementia is known as the group of symptoms affecting brain functions. Although it is seen most commonly among the geriatric population, early onset of Alzheimer's can affect individuals as young as 30 years old. There is no accurate cause for Alzheimer's however, an increasing number of risk factors can contribute to the risk of one developing this brain condition with certain medications and therapies to help manage symptoms temporarily.

What is Alzheimer's Disease?

Alzheimer's disease is one of the most common brain condition and also the most common type of dementia that affects people over the age of 65. from manageable to severely impairing daily tasks. It is a disease which eventually affects a person's ability to carry out basic daily activities ranging in difficulty. This condition leads to a progressive decline in brain activity leading to forgetfulness, memory loss, difficulty in remembering things, inept in learning and no organizing skills.

Alzheimer's disease and dementia are often mistaken to be the same when in truth, dementia only tells the state of a person’s mental function but it is not a specific disease. While on one hand dementia develops post infections or when a disease impacts the parts of your brain involved with learning, memory, decision-making and other skills needed to perform daily activities on the other hand, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia.

Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease

People with Alzheimer's usually experience changes typically beginning in the part of the brain that affects learning and remembering. As per experts, Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging however issues with memory typically are one of the first warning signs of the disease and related dementias.

Anyone with symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease may experience one or more of the following:

- Memory loss that disrupts daily life, such as getting lost in familiar places or frequently repeating questions.
- Trouble handling money and paying bills.
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, work, or during leisure activities.
- Decreased or poor judgment.
- Misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps to find them.
- Changes in mood, personality, or behavior.

Even if you or someone you know exhibits several or even most of these signs, it doesn't necessarily mean it's Alzheimer's disease. Consulting a professional is essential without self-diagnosing.

Further the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) vary based on the stage of the condition. AD can range from mild to severe stage with symptoms becoming noticeable in the mild stage, moderate Alzheimer's being the longest stage spanning many years and dementia symptoms being the most severe during the final stage.

Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease

Although old age is a high risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, early-onset Alzheimer's affects people younger than age 65 with many a times people exhibiting symptoms in their 40s and 50s. Getting an accurate diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's can be a long and exasperating process; in many cases doctors do not know why younger people develop this condition and in many situations end up incorrectly attributed early-onset symptoms to stress or other conflicting and comorbid diagnosis.

Causes of Alzheimer's Disease

Just as the other types of dementia, Alzheimer's also develops due to the death of brain cells. And since Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative condition, brain cell die over time. Alzheimer's is caused by the abnormal build-up of protein around brain cells i.e. the brain tissue has fewer and fewer nerve cells and connections, and tiny deposits called plaques and tangles.

While plaques develop between the dying brain cells made from the proteins, known as beta-amyloid tangles, occur within the nerve cells made from another protein, called tau. With over 100 billion nerve cells and other cells in the human brain, the nerve cells work together to communicate to perform functions such as thinking, learning, organising and remembering.

Despite the ongoing medical research, the exact cause of Alzheimer's disease is not known, leading to believe the existing evidence showing a combination of genetic and environmental factors to be the likely cause.

Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease

While some risk factors for Alzheimer’s, such as age and genetics, are unchangeable, managing other factors may help reduce your risk. Some unavoidable risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease include:

- Aging
- Family history of Alzheimer’s disease
- Carrying certain genes

Other factors that could increase the risk of Alzheimer’s include:

- Traumatic head injury
- Depression
- Cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular disease
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Exposure to contaminants, such as toxic metals, pesticides, and industrial chemicals

Regular tests and medical checkup by your healthcare provider can help determine any symptoms related to Alzheimer's or to a more treatable condition, such as a vitamin deficiency or other medication side effect, allowing for early diagnosis, better financial planning, advance directives, clinical trial enrollment, and anticipating future care needs for you, your family and care givers.

Tests, Management and Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease

There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but certain medications can temporarily slow the worsening of dementia symptoms. Even though it is not possible to reverse the death of brain cells with the help of therapy and medication patients can relieve their symptoms and improve quality of life.

Medical management can enhance the quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. While there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s, treatments focus on several key areas: maintaining brain health, managing behavioral symptoms, and slowing or delaying the progression of the disease. These treatments aim to provide better daily living conditions and support for both patients and those who care for them.

While many medicinal and caregiving facilities are available, medicine may only slow its progression; eventually, it will lead to severe impairment. As per 2023 statistics, 7.4% of Indians, i.e., 8.8 million people above 60, suffer from the disease.

Early diagnosis is crucial for Alzheimer's disease, symptoms may be caused by more treatable conditions, like vitamin deficiencies. Diagnosing Alzheimer's involves physical and neurological exams to check reflexes, senses, and coordination. Brain imaging helps determine the type of Alzheimer's and the best course of action. Blood and imaging tests can also help rule out other potential risks with biomarkers can detect Alzheimer's by identifying plaques and tangles in the brain. Patients with Alzheimer's need constant care once they reach a stage where they cannot care for themselves.