ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE (AD)
Also see:
- Memory Loss: (see Alzheimer’s disease)
- Degenerative Disease of the Brain (see Alzheimer’s disease)
- Donepezil (see Alzheimer’s disease)
- Acetylcholine (see Alzheimer’s disease)
- Ginkgo Biloba (see Alzheimer’s disease)
- Selegiline (see Alzheimer’s disease)
- Dementia (see Alzheimer’s disease)
- Amyloid Protein (see Alzheimer’s disease)
- APOE Gene (see Alzheimer’s disease)
- Chromosome 19 (see Alzheimer’s disease)
- Cognitive Exercise (see Alzheimer’s disease)
Question: What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Answer: Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative disease of the brain from which there is no recovery. Slowly and inexorably, the disease attacks nerve cells in all parts of the cortex of the brain, as well as some surrounding structures, thereby impairing a person's abilities to govern emotions, recognize errors and patterns, coordinate movement, and remember. At the last, an afflicted person loses all memory and mental functioning.
Aluminum ingestion – and Alzheimer’s disease (AD):
Prior theories regarding the accumulation of aluminum, lead, mercury, and other substances in the brain leading to AD have been disproved. The only way to know for certain that someone had AD is by microscopic examination of a sample of brain tissue after death. (Source: National Library of Medicine May 2006)
Aluminum – and Alzheimer’s
According to the FDA's Jones, there has been speculation linking Aluminum to Alzheimer's disease. The link has never been proved, he said, but if consumers are concerned, they should avoid cooking acidic foods, such as tomato sauce, in aluminum pans. For other uses, well-maintained aluminum pans--as well as stainless steel, copper and iron pots and pans--present no apparent hazards. (FDA Consumer: July 2002)
Alzheimer’s - Prevention
Question: How can Alzheimer’s Disease be prevented?
Answer: There have been no proven methods for preventing Alzheimer's disease since the cause of it is still unknown.
Alzheimer’s - Cure
Question: Can a person who has Alzheimer’s disease get well?
Answer: Unfortunately for the more than 15 million people worldwide who have Alzheimer's disease, the answer at the moment is, No. There currently is no treatment that can substantially reverse the progressive loss of memory and cognitive function that come with this disease. But there are therapies that may temporarily slow or halt the progress of Alzheimer's disease and minimize some of the more disturbing psychological and/or behavioral problems it can bring. And ongoing research holds out the possibility of new therapies that may prevent, better treat, and ultimately reverse the damage caused by Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer’s - Medications
Currently available prescription medicines to treat Alzheimer's disease: Donepezil (brand name Aricept) is the most widely used. It seems to work by increasing the levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the brain. These drugs are usually used in people with mild-to-moderate disease. Unfortunately, these medications produce only small (but measurable) improvements in cognitive function. Several studies of an extract of Ginkgo Biloba, a subtropical tree, have suggested that this substance may also modestly improve cognitive function in those with Alzheimer's disease.
The prescription drug selegiline (sold under the brand names Eldepryl, Atapryl, and Carbex) and nonprescription alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) have been shown to delay the onset of the later, more severe stages of Alzheimer's disease. Vitamin E is generally safe, but selegiline has many potentially dangerous drug interactions. Both drugs seem to delay the progress of the disease by only 20-30 weeks, at best.
A variety of medications and non-drug therapies are available to treat the depression, delusions, and disruptive behavior that sometimes accompany Alzheimer's disease. And, although early trials of estrogen as a treatment of Alzheimer's disease have been disappointing, researchers are studying several promising prospects for treating and preventing the disease. These include a vaccine that may prevent the changes in the brain that cause Alzheimer's disease. But, until these prospects become safe options, people with Alzheimer's disease should seek available therapies from clinicians experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
Alzheimer’s disease – Brain Findings
Answer: Alzheimer's disease is a disorder in which certain parts of the nerves break down or degenerate. This is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. To date, there is no test available to diagnose Alzheimer's disease. The diagnosis is made after excluding other causes of dementia. There are, however, classic findings recognized on autopsy. At autopsy, the brain of someone affected with Alzheimer’s typically shows deposits of amyloid (starch-like) protein, loss of neurons, and neural fibers and tangles extending in every direction.
Alzheimer’s – Genetics and Family History
Question: My father and grandfather both had Alzheimer’s. What are my chances of developing the disease and what can I do to decrease my children’s odds of getting it?
Family studies show that genetics plays a role. Women are two to three times more likely than men are to develop Alzheimer's disease. Mutations in genes (on chromosomes 21, 14, and 1) can result in early onset Alzheimer's. A mutation at the APOE gene on chromosome 19 can influence both early onset and the more common late-onset Alzheimer's.
What does this mean for you? If you carry the mutated APOE gene, will you develop Alzheimer's disease? No one knows for sure. Our ability to perform genetic tests to predict a disease before we have the ability to prevent and treat it poses a dilemma. Before you test yourself for this gene, you must ask, "What would I do with this information?" Might your healthcare insurance company label you as a "high-risk" patient based on your profile? Many of us are afraid of the answer.
Alzheimer’s – Preventive Strategies
There are no sure fire answers but scientists have suggested some strategies that they think might help to prevent Alzheimer's disease. These include cognitive exercise (challenging your brain), the use of antioxidants and the use of anti-inflammatory medications (ibuprofen). Talk to your primary care physician. He or she can guide you through the mountains of information to find the answers that are right for you.
Alzheimer’s and Hormones
Question: I’ve heard that estrogen may have a role in preventing Alzheimer’s disease. Is there any truth to this?
Answer: Some studies showed that women who took estrogen after menopause scored better on neuropsychological testing of language, memory, and ability to abstract. This observation led to many studies further examining the effect of estrogen on memory, and specifically evaluating whether it could prevent Alzheimer's disease. Unfortunately, we don't yet know whether taking supplemental estrogen can prevent or defer Alzheimer's disease. Further research is necessary before we can answer this question.
Alzheimer’s and Chronic Inflammation
Inflammation: There is some evidence that inflammation in the brain may contribute to AD damage. Researchers are continuing to look for ways to test how other anti-inflammatory drugs might affect the development or progression of AD.
Alzheimer’s and Anti-oxidants
Antioxidants: Some studies have suggested that vitamin E can slow the progress of some of the consequences of AD. Additional studies are underway in patients with mild to moderate AD to determine whether other known antioxidants can slow AD. Antioxidants and antioxidant combinations under investigation include:
- Vitamins E
- Vitamin C
- Vitamins E and/or selenium
- Vitamins E, C, alpha-lipoic acid
- Coenzyme Q
Ginkgo biloba. Early studies suggested that extracts from the leaves of the ginkgo biloba tree may be of some help in treating AD symptoms.
Alzheimer’s and Estrogens
Estrogen. Some studies have suggested that estrogen used by women to treat the symptoms of menopause also protects the brain. Scientists believe that more research is needed to find out if estrogen may play some role in AD. They would like to know whether starting estrogen therapy around the time of menopause, rather than at age 65 or older, will protect memory or prevent AD.
