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Causes And Risk Factors Of Alzheimers Disease

Memory test scoring for Alzheimer’s disease: Mayo Clinic Radio

What causes Alzheimers? That is the billion-dollar question of dementia research. Scientists have made progress in understanding what happens in the brain as the disease progresses, but they still dont know just what kicks off these changes.

Researchers believe that the vast majority of Alzheimers cases are due to some combination of genetics, lifestyle, and environment. Risk factors include:

  • Age Alzheimers disease is not a normal part of aging, with many people entering their nineties with their cognitive abilities intact. But age increases risk: Most people with the disease are 65 and older. After 65, risk doubles every five years. Nearly one-third of people who are 85 and older have Alzheimers.
  • Family History Having a first-degree relative such as a parent or sibling with the disease is a strong risk factor. This may reflect shared genetics, environmental factors, or both.
  • Genetics Scientists have identified over 20 genes involved with Alzheimers, although only one gene variant, called APOE-e4, appears to significantly raise risk. Still, some people with the APOE-e4 gene never develop Alzheimers, while others who develop Alzheimers dont have the gene.

Risk factors for Alzheimers that may be somewhat under a persons control include:

Learn More About Causes of Alzheimers Disease: Common Risk Factors, Genetics, and More

Signs And Symptoms Of Early

Symptoms are generally mild to start, but become more noticeable as the disease progresses. The person may begin having difficulty with:

  • Memory Losing items like keys around the house, forgetting a friends name or a recent conversation, getting lost in a familiar place.
  • Speech Repeating oneself or struggling to follow a conversation.
  • Visual Perception Difficulty seeing things in three dimensions and judging distances.
  • Concentrating, Organizing, or Planning Struggling to make decisions, solve problems, or complete multistep tasks, like cooking a meal.
  • Orientation Getting confused about where they are or the time or date.
  • Mood Feeling anxious, depressed, or irritable.

Which Medicines Are Used To Treat Alzheimers Disease

There is no cure for Alzheimers disease, but available medications temporarily slow the worsening of dementia symptoms and help with behavioral problems that may appear during the course of the disease.

Four medications representing two drug classes are currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat the symptoms of Alzheimers disease. These drugs are the cholinesterase inhibitors and a NMDA antagonist.

Cholinesterase inhibitors. The cholinesterase inhibitors are all approved to treat the symptoms of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease . Cholinesterase inhibitors include:

These drugs work by blocking the action of acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme responsible for destroying acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is one of the chemicals that helps nerve cells communicate. Researchers believe that reduced levels of acetylcholine cause some of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. By blocking the enzyme, these medications increase the concentration of acetylcholine in the brain. This increase is believed to help improve some memory problems and reduce some of the behavioral symptoms seen in patients with Alzheimers disease.

These medications do not cure Alzheimers disease or stop the progression of the disease. The most common side effects of these drugs are nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. Some people may have loss of appetite, insomnia or bad dreams.

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Research And Statistics: How Many People Have Alzheimers

More than six million people in the United States are living with Alzheimers, and 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimers or another dementia, according to the Alzheimers Association

As the number of older Americans rises, reflecting advances in medicine and the aging of the baby boomers, the number of people with Alzheimers is expected to more than double to as many as 13 million by 2050, barring any significant medical breakthroughs.

Who Gets Early Onset Ad

Pin on Dementia Alzheimers and Others

Although AD isnt an expected part of advancing age, youre at increased risk as you get older. More than 32 percent of people over age 85 have AD.

You may also have an increased risk of developing AD if a parent, sibling, or child has the disease. If more than one family member has AD, your risk increases.

A showed that African Americans, Native Americans, and Native Alaskans are at higher risk for developing early onset AD compared to white people.

Prevalence of early onset AD

Early onset AD affects approximately

The exact cause of early onset AD hasnt been fully determined. Many researchers believe that this disease develops as the result of multiple factors rather than one specific cause.

Researchers have discovered rare genes that may directly cause or contribute to AD. These deterministic genes are:

  • amyloid precursor protein on chromosome 21
  • presenilin-1 on chromosome 14
  • presenilin-2 on chromosome 1

These genes may be carried from one generation to the next within a family. Carrying these genes can result in adults younger than age 65 developing symptoms much earlier than expected.

Mutations in these genes account for only 5 to 10 percent of all Alzheimers cases but a majority of early onset AD cases.

Apolipoprotein E is another gene associated with AD. Its more commonly a factor in people who develop AD after age 65.

Lifestyle changes that help reduce risk include:

  • regular physical activity

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Signs Of Mild Alzheimers Disease

In mild Alzheimers disease, a person may seem to be healthy but has more and more trouble making sense of the world around him or her. The realization that something is wrong often comes gradually to the person and his or her family. Problems can include:

  • Poor judgment leading to bad decisions
  • Loss of spontaneity and sense of initiative
  • Taking longer to complete normal daily tasks
  • Repeating questions
  • Increased sleeping
  • Loss of bowel and bladder control

A common cause of death for people with Alzheimers disease is aspiration pneumonia. This type of pneumonia develops when a person cannot swallow properly and takes food or liquids into the lungs instead of air.

There is currently no cure for Alzheimers, though there are medicines that can treat the symptoms of the disease.

What Happens In The Early Stage Of Dementia

Dementia affects everyone differently and early symptoms are often relatively mild and not always easy to notice.

Many people at the early stage of dementia stay largely independent and only need a bit of assistance with daily living. It is important to focus on what the person can do and not to take over and do things for them. Instead, try doing things with them, for example helping the person develop a routine, reminder lists and prompts, and use technology.

For more information for people living with dementia, see the ‘Keeping active and involved‘ page.

The early stage of dementia is when many people choose to make plans for the future, while they still have the ability to do so. This includes making a Lasting power of attorney , and advance decisions and advance statements to ensure their wishes and preferences are made clear.

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You May Have Difficulty Handling Complex Tasks

“Having dementia can make many everyday tasks increasingly problematic. People do lots of things automatically without thinking about it,” says Alzheimer’s Europe. “With dementia, simple tasks like getting dressed, having a bath or making a cup of coffee gradually become problematic it is no longer obvious what to put on first it is difficult to switch from the shower unit to the bath tap the coffee machine is complicated to work out, etc. As these tasks seem so easy and obvious, it can be frustrating and embarrassing to mention it to other people. Consequently, many people with dementia struggle on, trying to hide their problems.”

What Are The Symptoms Of Alzheimers Disease

Mayo Clinic Minute: Early onset Alzheimer’s disease

Symptoms of Alzheimers disease vary from person to person and worsen over time. Symptoms of the disease include:

  • Memory loss. This is usually one of the first symptoms of Alzheimers disease.
  • Putting objects in odd places
  • Confusion about events, time and place
  • Repeating questions

For more information on the stage of disease, click here.

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Difficulty Completing Familiar Tasks

Some people may experience a greater problem with concentration. Routine day-to-day tasks requiring critical thought may take longer as the disease progresses.

The ability to drive safely may also be called into question. If you or a loved one gets lost while driving a commonly traveled route, this may be a symptom of AD.

Mental Status And Neuropsychological Testing

Your doctor may give you a brief mental status test to assess memory and other thinking skills. Longer forms of neuropsychological testing may provide additional details about mental function compared with people of a similar age and education level. These tests can help establish a diagnosis and serve as a starting point to track the progression of symptoms in the future.

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Alzheimers And The Brain

Alzheimers disease is named for a German psychiatrist and neuropathologist named Alois Alzheimer. While conducting a postmortem in 1906, the doctor noticed abnormalities in the brain of a woman with a mysterious illness that caused memory loss, language problems, unpredictable behavior, and ultimately death.

The womans brain, Alzheimer reported, had many abnormal protein clumps as well as tangled bundles of fibers . Those clumps and tangles are today considered the hallmarks of Alzheimers disease.

Alzheimers disease causes nerve cells to stop functioning, lose their connections with other neurons, and die.

Typically, the damage first affects the parts of the brain that form memories. Eventually neurons in other areas of the brain also begin to die, causing the brain to shrink.

Early Signs Of Alzheimers Mayo Clinic

Pin on Dementia

While there is no perfect memory loss remedy, there are several things that you can do to prevent it. First of all, exercising regularly can help keep your lungs in good shape. People who get regular exercise have better memories, and a regular exercise program can reduce stress. Additionally, exercising can help prevent memory loss by keeping your mind active. Here are some of the best ways to make your brain healthier and keep your mind sharp. Read on to learn more. Early Signs of Alzheimers Mayo Clinic

Also Check: Who Tests For Alzheimer’s Disease

You May Exhibit Inappropriate Behavior

“The diseases that cause dementia can damage parts of the brain that usually stop us behaving in inappropriate ways,” says the Alzheimer’s Society. “Remarks or actions of a nature can cause problems, particularly if directed at a friend or family member. However, it is important to realise that they are usually a symptom of the person’s dementia. Care home staff should know this and be trained in how to respond.”

How To Talk To A Loved One About Signs Of Alzheimers Disease

Scientists have identified a condition called mild cognitive impairment that for some people is a harbinger of Alzheimers dementia. MCI involves problems with memory or mental function that are noticeable to the person affected but not serious enough to interfere with everyday life.

Men and women who have MCI may be at higher risk of developing Alzheimers or other forms of dementia than individuals who dont. But MCI doesnt always progress some people even get their cognitive abilities back. Researchers are trying to figure out why, notes the Mayo Clinic.

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Mayo Clinic Minute: Family Risk Of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions. Many people who have relatives with this disease worry that it may run in the family. Does having a family member with Alzheimer’s disease increase your risk of developing it?

If your family member has Alzheimer’s disease, does that mean you’ll get it too?

“There’s a truly inherited form of the disease called familial Alzheimer’s disease, early-onset Alzheimer’s disease,” says Dr. Ronald Petersen, of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Mayo Clinic.

Dr. Petersen says people with this rare, genetic form of Alzheimer’s have a 50-50 chance of getting the disease, often at an early age, say, in their 40s or 50s.

“The vast majority of the disease is called sporadic, but even in sporadic cases, there can be a familial tendency,” he says.

Sporadic cases tend to happen after age 65. So even if you don’t have a known genetic link but do have relatives with Alzheimer’s disease, your risk could be double or triple that of the general population.

“In general, people 65 years and older, the risk of getting the disease is perhaps 10%,” says Dr. Petersen.

How can you reduce your risk? Dr. Petersen recommends moderate exercise brain games socialize and eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean sources of protein.

©2021 Mayo Clinic News Network.Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Husband With Early Alzheimers: Question About Medications

Mayo Clinic discusses Alzheimer’s disease

My husband is 68 and was diagnosised with alzheimers two years ago, he has done very well and is currently on both donepezil and Namenda. He has complained recently of more anxiety and frustration. He is very alert in the morning but struggles as the day goes. If I ask his doctor to increase his medications would that help with his anxiety and frustration? He says he feels “on the edge” a lot. He is a very low key, quiet man. Any suggestions?

@clayton48 we brought your questions to a pharmacist here at Mayo Clinic. She writes:

@shellsk24 this is definitely in line with the experience you had with your father too, isnt it?

@clayton48 we brought your questions to a pharmacist here at Mayo Clinic. She writes:

@shellsk24 this is definitely in line with the experience you had with your father too, isnt it?

@clayton48 we brought your questions to a pharmacist here at Mayo Clinic. She writes:

@shellsk24 this is definitely in line with the experience you had with your father too, isnt it?

Clayton do you or your husband notice any triggers that might lead to the on edge feeling?

I hesitate to recommend more medications, but it may be helpful to ask your doctor if an anti-anxiety/depression medication could make a difference. It was a good choice for my mother. have made a positive difference for us.

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Difficulty Determining Time Or Place

Losing track of dates and misunderstanding the passage of time as it occurs are also two common symptoms. Planning for future events can become difficult because they arent immediately occurring.

As symptoms progress, people with AD can become increasingly forgetful about where they are, how they got there, or why theyre there.

Stages Of Alzheimer Disease

The stages of Alzheimer disease usually follow a progressive pattern. But each person moves through the disease stages in his or her own way. Knowing these stages helps healthcare providers and family members make decisions about how to care for someone who has Alzheimer disease.

Preclinical stage. Changes in the brain begin years before a person shows any signs of the disease. This time period is called preclinical Alzheimer disease and it can last for years.

Mild, early stage. Symptoms at this stage include mild forgetfulness. This may seem like the mild forgetfulness that often comes with aging. But it may also include problems with concentration.

A person may still live independently at this stage, but may have problems:

  • Remembering a name

  • Staying organized

The person may be aware of memory lapses and their friends, family or neighbors may also notice these difficulties.

Moderate, middle stage. This is typically the longest stage, usually lasting many years. At this stage, symptoms include:

  • Increasing trouble remembering events

  • Problems learning new things

  • Trouble with planning complicated events, like a dinner

  • Trouble remembering their own name, but not details about their own life, such as address and phone number

  • Problems with reading, writing, and working with numbers

As the disease progresses, the person may:

Physical changes may occur as well. Some people have sleep problems. Wandering away from home is often a concern.

Severe, late stage. At this stage, a person:

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> > > 1tsp Of This Powder Stops Brain Fog And Rejuvenates Brain Cells

Eating a healthy diet is an excellent memory loss remedy. It should consist of fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains and low-fat proteins. Avoid alcohol and drugs, which can also cause confusion and memory loss. Its important to follow your doctors recommendations, and review your medications regularly. If you suspect a medical condition, you may want to consult a medical professional for a diagnosis and treatment. This way, a physician can prescribe the right medication. Early Signs of Alzheimers Mayo Clinic

Eating a healthy diet is an effective memory loss remedy. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can improve your memory. A balanced diet can also help you to retain information longer. Try to consume at least five servings of these foods a day. The berries contain anthocyanins and flavonoids, which can be very helpful in fighting memory loss. A study of 16,000 women found that those who ate more berries were less likely to suffer from cognitive decline. Turmeric root contains a substance called curcumin, which is found in high concentrations. This compound is a powerful antioxidant that has anti-inflammatory effects.

Study Offers New Insights Into Genetic Mutations In Autism Disorders And Points To Possible Treatments

The First Warning Sign of Alzheimer

If youd like to use music to help a loved one who has Alzheimers disease, consider these tips:

  • Think about your loved ones preferences. What kind of music does your loved one enjoy? What music evokes memories of happy times in his or her life? Involve family and friends by asking them to suggest songs or make playlists.
  • Set the mood. To calm your loved one during mealtime or a morning hygiene routine, play music or sing a song thats soothing. When youd like to boost your loved ones mood, use more upbeat or faster-paced music.
  • Avoid overstimulation. When playing music, eliminate competing noises. Turn off the TV. Shut the door. Set the volume based on your loved ones hearing ability. Choose music that isnt interrupted by commercials, which can cause confusion.
  • Encourage movement. Help your loved one to clap along or tap his or her feet to the beat. If possible, consider dancing with your loved one.
  • Sing along. Singing along to music together with your loved one can boost the mood and enhance your relationship. Some early studies also suggest musical memory functions differently than other types of memory, and singing can help stimulate unique memories.
  • Pay attention to your loved ones response. If your loved one seems to enjoy particular songs, play them often. If your loved one reacts negatively to a particular song or type of music, choose something else.

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