What Is The Cause Of Alzheimers

October 11, 2022

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How Is Alzheimers Disease Treated

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Medical management can improve quality of life for individuals living with Alzheimers disease and for their caregivers. There is currently no known cure for Alzheimers disease. Treatment addresses several areas:

Helping people maintain brain health.
Managing behavioral symptoms.
Slowing or delaying symptoms of the disease.

Is Ad Just An Exaggeration Of Normal Aging

Normal aging is associated with brain changes such as tissue loss and degeneration of the synapse, which is the part of the nerve cell that is involved in passing an electrical or chemical signal to another nerve cell. Plaques and sometimes tangles are known to develop in cognitively normal older adults. These changes occur more frequently and severely in people with advanced vascular disease, suggesting that reduced blood flow to brain cells may be important in the development of AD. Many cognitively normal older adults show no NFTs, suggesting that AD is more than just normal aging of the brain.

The loss of brain cells that produce acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is active in the transmission of nerve impulses was an early finding in AD research. It led to the development of the cholinesterase-inhibiting drugs such as donepezil . Unfortunately, these medications are symptomatic treatments at best and often achieve only a limited benefit. The loss of these particular brain cells, therefore, is thought by many to be an effect rather than a cause of AD. In support of that idea is the finding that cell loss includes not only cholinergic cells but other cell types as well. Other neurotransmitters such as serotonin are also reduced in AD.

Symptomatic Treatment Of Ad

6.1.1. Cholinesterase Inhibitors

According to the cholinergic hypothesis, AD is due to the reduction in acetylcholine biosynthesis. Increasing cholinergic levels by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase is considered one of the therapeutic strategies that increases cognitive and neural cell function. AChEIs are used to inhibit acetylcholine degradation in the synapses, which results in continuous accumulation of ACh and activation of cholinergic receptors. Tacrine was the first FDA -approved cholinesterase inhibitor drug for the treatment of AD, which acts by increasing ACh in muscarinic neurons, but it exited the market immediately after its introduction due to a high incidence of side effects like hepatotoxicity and a lack of benefits, which was observed in several trials. Later on, several AChEIs were introduced, such as donepezil , rivastigmine , and galantamine , and are currently in use for the symptomatic treatment of AD . Another strategy that may help in the treatment of AD is increasing choline reuptake and as a result, increasing acetylcholine synthesis at the presynaptic terminals. This can be achieved by targeting choline transporter which is responsible for supplying choline for the synthesis of ACh. Developing drugs that are capable of increasing CHT1 at the plasma membrane may become the future therapy of AD .

The chemical structures of approved drugs for symptomatic treatment of AD and disease-modifying compounds that entered clinical trials .

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Amyloid: Still An Important Piece Of The Alzheimer’s Puzzle

The initial 1907 report of Dr. Aloysius Alzheimer described senile plaques, later recognized as containing beta amyloid. These plaques, along with neurofibrillary tangles, are hallmarks of AD.

The Amyloid Cascade Hypothesis proposes that deposition of beta amyloid in the brain triggers the formation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles . This theory fits with evidence from mice studies.

It also fits with genetic findings that I’ll discuss later in this article. However, brain injury can trigger the formation of senile plaques, raising the possibility that these plaques are an effect rather than a cause of some more basic disease process in AD. Furthermore, the connection between plaques and the development of NFTs is not yet fully understood. There is an additional concern about the ACH: The theory’s prediction that reducing brain amyloid might improve cognitive performance or diminish the risk of AD has been tested with trials of medications that do indeed reduce amyloid in the blood and brain. So far, clinical trial results have been negative for many of these medications and the small number of positive findings have been of limited magnitude.

Results Could Explain Why Drugs Designed To Remove Amyloid Deposits Have Failed To Stop Disease

WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, PARKINSONS, ALZHEIMER

Fluorescent microscopy shows flower-like formations of autophagic vacuoles in neurons of a mouse with Alzheimers disease.

A breakdown in how brain cells rid themselves of waste precedes the buildup of debris-filled plaques known to occur in Alzheimers disease, a new study in mice shows.

For decades, scientists argued that such plaques, which contain the protein amyloid beta, built up outside of cells as a crucial first step toward the brain damage observed in Alzheimers disease. Led by researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and the Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, the new study challenges this idea, known as the amyloid cascade hypothesis.

The latest study findings argue instead that neuronal damage characteristic of Alzheimers disease takes root inside cells well before these thread-like amyloid plaques fully form and clump together in the brain.

Publishing as the cover article in the journal Nature Neuroscience online June 2, the study traced the root dysfunction observed in mice bred to develop Alzheimers disease to the brain cells lysosomes. These are small sacs inside every cell filled with acidic enzymes involved in the routine breakdown, removal, and recycling of metabolic waste from everyday cell reactions, as well as from disease. Lysosomes are also key, researchers note, to breaking down and disposing of a cells own parts when the cell naturally dies.

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Aluminum In The Environment

Aluminum has a non-metallic form that makes up eight per cent of the earth’s surface. In small amounts, aluminum is referred to as “trace elements”, and occur naturally in the foods we eat, in our drinking water and are even added to the water treatment process in some municipalities.

Trace elements of aluminum may also be found in:

Many processed foods
Cosmetics and personal hygiene products, such as deodorants and nasal sprays
Some drugs in order to make them more effective or less irritating
The air we breathe from dry soil, cigarette smoke, pesticide sprays and aluminum-based paint.

What You Should Know About Alzheimers Disease Symptoms Causes Treatment And Diagnosis

Alzheimer’s disease is a terrifying prospect for anyone, but especially for family members who may have to care for someone with this frightening condition. Fortunately, there are many ways to prevent the development of Alzheimer’s and other related dementias. The key is recognizing the risk factors and taking action before it’s too late.

This blog post shares some eye-opening facts about Alzheimer’s disease and how you can reduce your risk. The more you know about Alzheimer’s and what you can do to lower your risk, the better your chances of avoiding this terrible fate. Let us help you take action today!

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What Causes Alzheimer Disease

Lots of research is being done to find out more about the causes of Alzheimer disease. There is no one reason why people get it. Older people are more likely to get it, and the risk increases the older the person gets. In other words, an 85-year-old is more likely to get it than a 65-year-old. And women are more likely to get it than men.

Researchers also think genes handed down from family members can make a person more likely to get Alzheimer disease. But that doesn’t mean everyone related to someone who has it will get the disease. Other things may make it more likely that someone will get the disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, Down syndrome, or having a head injury.

On the positive side, researchers believe exercise, a healthy diet, and taking steps to keep your mind active may help delay the start of Alzheimer disease.

The Brain And Alzheimer’s Disease

When a person has Alzheimerâs, their brain changes. It has fewer healthy cells, and it gets smaller over time. Most of the time, the brain cells also form two types of flaws:

Neurofibrillary tangles. These are twisted fibers inside brain cells that keep nutrients and other important things from moving from one part of the cell to another
Beta-amyloid plaques. These are sticky clumps of proteins that build up between nerve cells instead of breaking down like they do in healthy brains.

Plaques and tangles damage the healthy brain cells around them. The damaged cells die, and the brain shrinks. These changes cause the symptoms of Alzheimerâs, such as memory loss, speech problems, confusion, and mood swings.

Brain cells affected by the disease also make lower amounts of the chemicals called neurotransmitters that nerves use to send messages to each other.

Scientists don’t know if these brain cell changes cause Alzheimerâs or happen because of it.

What Is The Outlook For People With Alzheimers Disease

Alzheimers disease gets worse over time and is ultimately fatal. Persons with Alzheimers disease live, on average, four to eight years after diagnosis. Some patients can live as long as 20 years after diagnosis. The course of the disease varies from person to person.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 03/18/2019.

References

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Alzheimers Disease Vs Other Types Of Dementia

Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of conditions that involve a loss of cognitive functioning.

Alzheimers disease is the most common type of dementia. It involves plaques and tangles forming in the brain. Symptoms start gradually and are most likely to include a decline in cognitive function and language ability.

To receive a diagnosis of Alzheimers, a person will be experiencing memory loss, cognitive decline, or behavioral changes that are affecting their ability to function in their daily life.

Friends and family may notice the symptoms of dementia before the person themselves.

There is no single test for Alzheimers disease. If a doctor suspects the presence of the condition, they will ask the person and sometimes their family or caregivers about their symptoms, experiences, and medical history.

The doctor may also carry out the following tests:

cognitive and memory tests, to assess the persons ability to think and remember
neurological function tests, to test their balance, senses, and reflexes
blood or urine tests
a CT scan or MRI scan of the brain
genetic testing

A number of assessment tools are available to assess cognitive function.

In some cases, genetic testing may be appropriate, as the symptoms of dementia can be related to an inherited condition such as Huntingtons disease.

Some forms of the APOE e4 gene are associated with a higher chance of developing Alzheimers disease.

Can I Get Alzheimers Disease If Im Younger Than 65

Even though Alzheimers disease most commonly affects people older than 65, it can develop and cause symptoms in younger people.

When that happens, its referred to as early-onset Alzheimers disease or younger-onset Alzheimers disease. This condition can strike when someone is even in their 40s and 50s, which can make getting an accurate diagnosis difficult as we mainly think of the disease happening in someone older.

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Medications For Cognitive Symptoms

No disease-modifying drugs are available for Alzheimers disease, but some options may reduce the symptoms and help improve quality of life.

Drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors can ease cognitive symptoms, including memory loss, confusion, altered thought processes, and judgment problems. They improve neural communication across the brain and slow the progress of these symptoms.

Three common drugs with Food and Drug Administration approval to treat these symptoms of Alzheimers disease are:

donepezil , to treat all stages
galantamine , to treat mild-to-moderate stages
rivastigmine , to treat mild-to-moderate stages

Another drug, called memantine , has approval to treat moderate-to-severe Alzheimers disease. A combination of memantine and donepezil is also available.

Support For Family And Friends

Currently, many people living with Alzheimers disease are cared for at home by family members. Caregiving can have positive aspects for the caregiver as well as the person being cared for. It may bring personal fulfillment to the caregiver, such as satisfaction from helping a family member or friend, and lead to the development of new skills and improved family relationships.

Although most people willingly provide care to their loved ones and friends, caring for a person with Alzheimers disease at home can be a difficult task and may become overwhelming at times. Each day brings new challenges as the caregiver copes with changing levels of ability and new patterns of behavior. As the disease gets worse, people living with Alzheimers disease often need more intensive care.

You can find more information about caring for yourself and access a helpful care planning form.

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Why Is Type 1 Diabetes Easier To Control Than Type 2

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This is the Complete Works of Lu Xun s Words from Qu Qiubai, apple cider vinegar to lower a1c a gift to Comrade Qu Qiubai 9, translated by Ito, and the Study and Research Society edition.

Alzheimers And Diabetes Medicine He often flew to doctor blood Chengdu to accompany Wu Jiao, and his family also flew over. He is very sincere to Wu Jiao.

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Alzheimer’s Disease: Signs, Symptoms, Treatment | Max Hospital

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Causes Of Death In People With Alzheimer’s Disease

The Alzheimer’s Association notes that Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. It also points out that out of the top 10 causes of death, it’s the only one without an effective treatment or cure.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also highlights Alzheimer’s as a significant cause of death, pointing out that between 1999 and 2014, deaths attributed to Alzheimer’s rose by 55%.

One of the challenges in tracking deaths from Alzheimer’s is that Alzheimer’s disease is not always identified as the cause of death on a death certificate. Sometimes, the conditions that develop from Alzheimer’s are listed instead as primary on the death certificate. In other cases, Alzheimer’s may have never been officially diagnosed. These challenges in tracking Alzheimer’s deaths are demonstrated in one study that found that deaths from Alzheimer’s in people over the age of 75 may be as high as six times the count officially recorded.

Average life expectancy for people living with Alzheimer’s is four to seven years after diagnosis, although some people may live as much as 20 years or more.

Contributing Factors To Alzheimer’s Disease

“Scientists do not yet fully understand what causes Alzheimer’s disease,” the CDC says. “There likely is not a single cause but rather several factors that can affect each person differently.” These include:

Potentially, diet, lifestyle and environment

“Experts agree that in the vast majority of cases, Alzheimer’s, like other common chronic conditions, probably develops as a result of complex interactions among multiple factors, including age, genetics, environment, lifestyle and coexisting medical conditions,” the Alzheimer’s Association says.

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What Causes Alzheimers

The causes of Alzheimers disease are not yet fully understood, but probably include a combination of:

Age-related changes in the brain, like shrinking, inflammation, blood vessel damage, and breakdown of energy within cells, which may harm neurons and affect other brain cells.
Changes or differences in genes, which may be passed down by a family member. Both types of Alzheimer’s the very rare early-onset type occurring between age 30 and mid-60s, and the most common late-onset type occurring after a persons mid-60s can be related to a persons genes in some way. Many people with Down syndrome, a genetic condition, will develop Alzheimers as they age and may begin to show symptoms in their 40s.
Health, environmental, and lifestyle factors that may play a role, such as exposure to pollutants, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.

Watch this video to see how Alzheimers disease changes the brain.

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