Plain Talk About Alzheimers Disease and Senility

Today, it is estimated that about five million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's disease, and that approximately 350,000 people are newly diagnosed every year in the USA.

Because the population of the U.S. and many other Western countries is aging, the number of people with Alzheimer's will continue to rise unless something can be done to stem the rise or treat the disease.

At current rates, experts believe that as many as 16 million Americans will have the disease by the year 2050.

Alzheimer's affects about 10 percent of people ages 65 and over. In addition, the prevalence of Alzheimer's doubles roughly every 10 years after age 65. As such, half of the population over 85 of age may have Alzheimer's.

On a global scale, this means that there could be 10's or even 100's of millions of people of people in the world suffering from Alzheimer's.

The term Alzheimer’s disease refers to a condition discovered by a doctor called Alois Alzheimer. In 1907 he wrote in medical textbooks about a woman of 51 who had died of dementia, whose brain he had examined under the microscope.

This examination showed changes he had never seen before. In certain areas, parts of the brain were tangled together, and in other areas there was clumping of brain matter. As time went on, he discovered more “younger” people who had died of dementia had the same brain abnormalities. This condition was to be known as Alzheimer’s disease. This condition is sometimes known by the following names too:

It was subsequently noted that the same type of dementia (with the same symptoms) occurred much more frequently in older people, i.e. when their brains were examined under a microscope, they showed the same abnormalities.
At this time, only younger people were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease as this was what Lois Alzheimer had concentrated on. Older people were diagnosed with pre-senile dementia or Senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT).

This differentiation made things complicated however. These days, because dementia in younger people is comparatively rare, it is now common to refer to the whole group as Alzheimer’s disease.

The term "Alzheimer’s disease" can’t possibly convey the complicated set of symptoms that make up this condition unless you personally know someone who suffers from it.

One of the best descriptions I’ve heard of is "A living death." Another more medical term describes it as "the slow onset of memory loss with a gradual progression to a loss of judgement and changes in behaviour and temperament."

A more complicated and definitive definition from the Royal College of Physicians describes Alzheimers disease as…

Performance of learned perceptuo-motor skills = our learned responses such as washing, dressing and eating.

These definitions are only guides to the whole complicated medical condition known as Alzheimers disease.

Signs & Symptoms of Disease

It's not uncommon to occasionally forget dates or lose items, and these events tend to become more common as we grow old.

However, while occasional memory slippage may be a normal consequence of getting older, Alzheimer's disease is not. If memory problems interfere with one's day-to-day activities, it may be time to seek a doctor's help.

It's important to understand and watch for the early warning signs of Alzheimer's and to seek a professional medical diagnosis if several symptoms are noticed.

Often, in the early days of Alzheimer's, a family member or close friend will notice a change in a person's behavior or mood. These people should ensure that the person gets medical care quickly.

Causes/Risk Factors of Disease

Experts still don't know exactly what causes Alzheimer's Disease. But a great deal of research is being done around the world. And a lot of progress has been made, particularly in the past 5 years.

The research into the causes and possible cures for Alzheimer's Disease are very important areas of study. Understanding the causes should lead to more effective, targeted treatments. Plus, it should lead to more options for treating the disease in the future.

At this stage, experts generally agree that there is unlikely to be a single clear cause for Alzheimer's.

What is clear is that Alzheimer's develops as a result of a very complex series of biological processes that take place over many years inside the brain.

Experts believe that Alzheimers results from a highly complex and interrelated combination of genetic and non-genetic factors.

These so called risk factors influence a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Currently, each of these risk factors is the subject of a great deal of research around the world.

Genetic Risk Factors

A person's genetic make up can have a direct impact on the chances for getting Alzheimers. A person's genes are inherited from their biological parents and passed along family lines to their biological children. A very small number of people get Alzheimers because of a defective gene that runs in their families. With this type of Alzheimers, the onset is usually quite early... in your 40s or 50s.(This accounts for less than 200 cases worldwide.)

Much more common is Sporadic Alzheimer's, also known as Late Onset Alzheimer's. This type of Alzheimer's tends to occur much later in life than the family type. It can affect adults of any age, but it usually occurs after age 65.

This form of Alzheimer's can affect people who may or may not have a family history of the disease.

There is currently no evidence that inheriting mutated genes causes Sporadic or Late Onset Alzheimer's. So, that means that just because your mother or father may have had Alzheimers, it doesn't mean you're at risk for it.

However, genetics does appear to play a key role in whether you'll get the disease.

Different variations of a certain type of genes accounts for your inherited traits, such as height, skin color, eye color, blood type, and so on.

In the early 1990s, researchers at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, found an increased risk for late-onset Alzheimer's in people who inherited one or two copies of a particular variation of a gene called apolipoprotein E (APOE) — the variation known as APOE e4.

Apolipoprotein E is a protein that has various functions. One function is to help the blood to carry cholesterol throughout the body.

This protein is found in neurons and other brain cells of healthy brains. But it is found in larger than normal amounts in the brains of people with Alzheimer's.

Studies over the last few years indicate that there are other risk factor genes for late-onset Alzheimer's as well.

Non-Genetic Risk Factors

Food and Diet Risk Factors

There is a growing pool of evidence that suggests that what you eat is very important to your brain. A range of recent studies have reported a link between dietary habits and specific nutritional factors to the risk for Alzheimer's disease and/or cognitive decline. In particular, the benefits to the brain of a low-fat diet rich in antioxidants such as vitamins E and C throughout life are becoming clearer. Anti-oxidants, Vitamin E and the B vitamins, in particular, are thought to be helpful in warding off Alzheimers, though more studies are needed before we have conclusive proof.

A number of long-term, prospective clinical trials are now underway to test the effectiveness of vitamin E and other antioxidants in preventing or postponing cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. Several are funded by the National Institute on Aging.

Other Possible Risk Factors for Alzheimers

One of the most alarming and controversial hypotheses about the potential risk factors for Alzheimer's concerns a trace metal called aluminum. This metal became a suspect when researchers found traces of it in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. However, studies have not really proved that aluminum is really related to the Alzheimers disease. On the whole, scientists can say that it is still very debatable whether exposure to aluminum plays any role in the development of Alzheimer's disease.

Another metal that may have some link to Alzheimers is zinc. Some research reports suggest that too little zinc may be a problem, while other studies suggest that too much zinc is an issue. Current studies with zinc are going on, with new tests that closely mimic conditions in the brain. Time will tell if zinc has any effect on Alzheimers.

For a more detailed look at Alzheimers disease risk factors, you may want to claim your copy of our book, "Plain Talk About Alzheimers Disease... An In Depth Look for the Layperson"

Traditional Treatment for Alzheimers

Studies on the results of various treatments have been mixed and more research is needed. It is important to talk to your doctor before starting any new treatment for Alzheimer's (even for over-the-counter treatments), as some of these may even be harmful in certain circumstances.

When diagnosed and treated for Alzheimer's, you will need to have regular follow-up visits with your health care team. In addition to regular checkups for overall health, your doctor will also want to regularly assess your level of daily functioning, mental status, mood, emotional state, and the status of your caregiver(s).

Emotional and psychological support is also very important for those affected by Alzheimer's. Ask your health care provider to recommend Alzheimer's support groups in your area.

It is worthwhile to maintain a positive attitude. While, currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer's, new drugs and treatments are regularly becoming available. Research is continuing all around the world, and the next breakthrough may be just around the corner.

Modern drugs can help sooth agitation, anxiety, depression, and sleeplessness, and may also help boost participation in daily activities. Newer medications are also becoming available that can improve or preserve thinking skills, at least temporarily.

Please note : Regular reassessment is required while you are on any of these medications. This helps doctors determine if the medicines are being tolerated without troublesome side effects. These regular visits are also to make sure the patient is responding to the medication appropriately.

It is important to note that consumption of some nutritional supplements or medications can have serious side effects or interfere with other prescribed medications. Please consult with your doctor before using any nutritional supplements or medications.

Cholesterol lowering medicines known as statins, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or aspirin, ginkgo biloba, and Eldepryl - a monoamine oxidase inhibitor - may lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's causes the destruction of neurons (brain cells). It also destroys the important chemical messenger acetylcholine, which is responsible for memory and other cognitive skills. While no drug has yet been shown to completely protect the brain against the effects of Alzheimer's, drugs that protect acetylcholine from destruction appear to hold the symptoms at bay for a while longer. However, this class of drugs can have serious side effects, so talk with your doctor about whether they are right for you.

Another medicine, called Namenda, has recently been approved for use in the U.S. This medication has a different action than the acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and the two types of drugs may be used together, at the same time. This may increase the effectiveness of therapy.

All of the FDA-approved treatments now available only provide relief of cognitive symptoms; they do not attack underlying disease.

A recent study found that patients with mild Alzheimer's disease who take a drug called Flurizan were able to slow the disease-related decline in their activities of daily living (such as eating and dressing) by about 67 percent when compared with people on placebo.

Flurizan is the first of a new class of drugs known as selective amyloid beta- lowering agents, which are intended to affect the suspected underlying cause of the disease, a build-up of beta-amyloid protein.

Other studies have found that insulin delivered intranasally benefited individuals with both early Alzheimer's and abnormal insulin regulation.

Alternative/Natural/Complementary Treatments for Alzheimers

Research conducted over the past decade indicates that a healthy lifestyle and regular physical and mental activity may help delay the onset of Alzheimer's Disease. In addition, you will reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. Physical activity, good nutrition, and social interaction are important for keeping Alzheimer's patients as functional as possible. Maintaining a calm, safe, structured environment also helps patients feel better and remain independent longer.

A recent study conducted in China found that a herbal extract improved cognitive function in people with mild cognitive impairment, often a precursor to Alzheimer's. The extract, known as GETO (for ginseng, epimedium herb, thinleaf milkwort root and two other herbs), has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine.

Several studies have investigated whether nutritional supplements and certain medications may reduce the risk of developing dementia. Studies suggest that vitamins C, E, and B, as well as folic acid, may have a positive impact on this disease.

Things You Can Do

Alzheimers disease is very stressful—both for the person who has it, as well as for the person's family. Support groups can be beneficial, especially for the family, as their loved one starts to deteriorate into someone who hardly knows them. Alzheimers support groups are free and offer the following benefits...

It's also important to plan ahead. Alzheimer's affects people differently. One person may begin to lose the ability to handle money matters or make competent business decisions at an early stage, while another may keep these skills much longer. However, sooner or later, the abilities of all people with Alzheimer's will decline and they may be unable to make their own decisions about their financial and legal matters.
Planning ahead can save a lot of pain, hassle, and friction later on. Think about things such as bank accounts, power of attorney, wills and living wills, and guardianship.

More Information About Alzheimers

Some stunning progress has been made in recent years in unraveling the complex biological processes involved with Alzheimer's, and scientists are slowly obtaining a clearer picture of what actually happens to the brain when Alzheimer's strikes.

Determining how the brain changes under normal aging conditions and what relevance these have to Alzheimer's is a highly important area of research.

As improvements are made in understanding of the genetic effects of Alzheimer's Disease, scientists will continue to look for clues as to which protein structures hasten the initiation of the disease process, what mechanisms cause it, and what the precise sequence of events is. Once they understand these, they can then look for new ways to diagnose, treat or even halt or prevent Alzheimer's Disease.

Just about every country and state / county has their own Alzheimer's Association. To find the Alzheimer's Association in your area using the internet, use the Google search box below. Just type in "Alzheimer's Association" +location. For example, searching on the following: "Alzheimer's" +"New Jersey" OR "Alzheimer's" +"South Australia" will list the Alzheimer's Association(s) in New Jersey (USA) and South Australia respectively.

You may also want to visit our Resources page, where you'll find links to some of the best Alzheimers Disease resources on the Web.

Alzheimers Disease (Dementia or Senility)