Alzheimer's disease, is a fatal dementia, But what are its causes and cure? what are symptoms? know all about this disease and even more.

1. Preksha Jain
Biomedical
Science
ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

2.  Neurodegenerative disease.
 .Cause of dementia.
 A progressive disease that destroys memory and
other important mental functions.
 Brain cell connections and the cells themselves
degenerate and die, eventually destroying memory
and other important mental functions.
ABOUT

3.  More than 1 million cases per year in India.
 Effects more than 40 million people worldwide
 In India the cases of Azheimer’s is over 5.3 million cases.
 Expected to rise to 7.6 million in 2030, according to
the Dementia in India Report 2020 published by the
Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI).
PREVALENCE

5.  Dr. Alois Alzheimer, German psychiatrist first descried the
symptoms in 1901.
HISTORY

6.  In the brain of Alzheimer’s patient, plaques and tangles are
found.

CAUSE

7. MRI Scan- Neurofibrillary tangles
Scan of normal brain vs
alzheimer’s patient’s brain

8.  Plaques arise when proteins in the fatty membrane
surrounding nerve cells get sliced by a particular protein
resulting in beta- amyloid proteins.
 Sticky in nature
 Blocks the signaling between cells
 Tangles, built from protein TAU.
 Start death from the hippocampus region.
 Gene- APOEe4
CAUSE

9.  Stage 1- No impairment. Doctor might have found biomarkers
or you are aware of genetic history.
 Stage 2- Very mild impairment. Normal forgetfulness.
 Stage 3- with time symptoms will are more clear. Affects
work and social life.
 Stage 4 -two years. Mood changes such as withdrawal and
denial are more evidence, Decreased emotional response,
decreasing awareness of current or recent events, losing
memory of personal history, trouble with handling finances
and bills, inability to count backward from 100 by 7s
STAGES OF ALZHEIMER

10.  Stage 5- 1.5 years, They’ll also show some confusion
regarding time or place and have difficulty counting
backward. They will remember their name and close family
members.
 Stage 6- 2.5 years, Unable to put on clothes correctly. they’ll
need help adjusting the water temperature before baths.
they’ll lose control of their bladder and bowels and need help
with cleanliness.
 Stage 7- 1.5 years. Speech is limited to six words or fewer.
Speech is lost. They’ll be unable to sit up independently. Grim
facial movements replace smiles. They’ll no longer be able to
hold their head up.
STAGES OF ALZHEIMERS

12.  Dementia
 Drastic mood change
 Difficulty in sleeping
 Increase in confusion
 Hallucinations
SYMPTOMS

13.  The analysis of cerebrospinal fluid.
 Physical and neurological exam
 Lab tests
 Brain imaging
 Positron emission tomography (PET)
DIAGNOSIS

14.  Temporary treatment- Reduce acetylcholine.
 Cholinesterase inhibitors may also improve neuropsychiatric
symptoms, such as agitation or depression. Commonly
prescribed cholinesterase inhibitors include donepezil
(Aricept), galantamine (Razadyne) and rivastigmine (Exelon).
 Memantine (Namenda). This drug works in another brain cell
communication network and slows the progression of
symptoms with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease.
 In June 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
approved aducanumab (Aduhelm) for the treatment of some
cases of Alzheimer's disease.
TREATMENT

15.  Vaccine- ACI-35.5 is a potent liposomal anti pTAU vaccine. It
have antibodies against phosphorylated Tau.
 Gene Therapy- San Diego, in 2021 launched clinical trail for
AD patients. Here the gene codes for the protein BDNF.
 BDNF- Brain derived neurotropic factor

16.  Non pharmacologic treatment
 They are often used for people with Alzheimer's dementia with
the goal of maintaining or improving cognitive function,
overall quality of life or the ability to perform activities of
daily living.
 computerized memory training, listening to favorite music as
a way to stir recall, and using special lighting to lessen sleep
disorders.
TREATMENT

18.  Healthy lifestyle
 Exercise
 Maintain dental health
 Learn something new as it builds new synapses.
 Vitamin E, Ginkgo, Omega-3-fatty acid, curcumin
PREVENTION

20.  Keep medications in a secure location.
 Arrange for finances to be on automatic payment.
 Install alarm sensors on doors and windows.
 Make sure regular appointments are on the same day at the
same time as much as possible.
 Remove excess furniture
 Keep photographs and other meaningful objects around the
house.
 Reduce the number of mirrors.
SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT

21.  Principles of Anatomy and Physiology 15th Edition Custom
Edition (Book by Bryan H. Derrickson and Gerard J. Tortora).
 www.mayoclinic.org
 www.wikidoc.org
 www.alz.org
 stanfordhealthcare.org
 alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
 www.healthline.com
REFERENCES