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Alzheimer's Disease
Along with the development of modern technologies, go to the moon and other exciting developments humans face the threat of diseases that affect the process of life and can be fatal in some cases. One of the diseases that have a large effect on the behavior of people is Alzheimer's Disease (EA). Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative brain disease among the elderly in which there is no recovery. Slowly the disease attacks brain cells in all parts of the brain and some surrounding structures, so that an ill person loses the ability to govern above emotions, understand the errors, coordinate their movements and, finally, a person loses all memory and mental function (B. Alturas 2002).
AD is the name of a German doctor Alois Alzheimer. Dr. Alzheimer noticed changes in brain tissue from a woman who died of an unusual mental illness. Found abnormal groups (now called amyloid plaques) and bundles of fibers entangled (now called neurofibrillary tangles). Today, these plaques and tangles in the brain is considered characteristic of AD. Many scientists have found other brain changes in people with AD. There is a loss of nerve cells in brain areas that are vital to memory and other mental abilities. There are also levels low chemicals in the brain that carry complex messages back and forth between nerve cells. AD may alter the normal thinking and memory by blocking these messages between nerve cells (H. Simon).
Scientists are finding specific biologic factors (Peter, Konrad, and Ballenger 2000) involved with the AD. Different genetic and environmental aspects involved in the cause of AD. However, the real cause of the disease is still unknown. The major factors known risk for late onset Alzheimer's disease are age and family history of Alzheimer's. Research around the world are trying to find other factors that can cause AD.
AD is now the fourth leading cause of death among adults. Almost four million Americans have it. The number is doubling every five years in people over sixty-five years of age. At the age of eighty-five, nearly half of Americans have Alzheimer's. Some studies show that women are more likely to be affected by Alzheimer's than men (most of these studies were conducted in European and Asian populations, studies of U.S. however, no significant differences). If there is a gender difference, then it is because estrogen, which is the main female hormone that is responsible for protecting against memory loss and normal mental functioning, compared to normal years. When a woman gets older, the drop in estrogen levels occurs after of menopause and could explain the increased risk of AD among elderly women than for men. From the other hand, some of testosterone, the male hormone, it becomes estrogen and may protect men. People who have a family history of disease are above the average risk for AD. Researchers have found that the ApoE4 gene may be responsible for cases of early and late onset. Some studies found that African Americans and Hispanics are at greater risk than whites, AD occurs less frequently in the Cree and Cherokee Native Americans and Asians than among regular American. Genes can have different effects in different populations (Tanzi and Ann B. 2000).
High blood pressure and high cholesterol levels may, in fact, even risky than ApoE4. In a very high risk are also people who inherit the syndrome. Some other risk factors are: 1) groups of lower education and economic 2) small head size, 3) depression, 4) head injuries.
A very dangerous thing about EA is that the brain is damaged for years even before the onset of symptoms. The first symptoms appear may be so mild that people could hardly notice. The first one could be forgotten. People with this disease may have problems remembering names of people who know or remember recent events or simple math problems. As the disease progresses people may face
• unjustified weight loss
• Incontinence
• Changes in sexuality
• Difficulties walking
• Depression, apathy, irritability
Half of all patients with AD compared with psychotic problems can include hallucinations, visions. It is a complex form of the disease is probably based on the genetic level. Many other medical conditions have symptoms similar to Alzheimer's disease. Is essential to identify the right disease to succeed in future treatments of the same. However, we have not yet developed a test to diagnose AD with one hundred percent guarantee. So, now diagnosis involves ruling out other disorders of the following questions about the status of a patient:
• Do tests indicate dementia psychologist?
• Does the patient have problems with language use, walking, perception?
• Is memory has gotten much worse?
• Is the patient over 40?
• Does your changes in behavior?
• Does the patient has a family history of Alzheimer?
• Are there other symptoms such as depression, weight loss, hallucinations?
Other measures which are involved in making a decision involving laboratory tests (EEG and tests for other diseases) and psychological tests to determine the presence of dementia.
There is no guarantee that some lifestyles prevent AD, however, studies show that particular lifestyle, may play a role very important in the prevention of AD. It is essential to prevent heart disease. Calcium - channel blockers and other anti - hypertensive agents can be used to protect the heart and therefore the brain. Statins, which are common medications to lower cholesterol levels can also be used to reduce the risk of AD. Another method that is used to prevent AD is hormone replacement therapy. Due to the difference in rates of AD in different populations, research is studying dietary factors as protection. In China and Nigeria, where fat intake is much lower than in the U.S. the risk of AD at the age of sixty-five years is only 1% vs 5% in U.S. studies in the Netherlands reported the relationship between cholesterol and dementia. Eating a large amount of dark colored fruits and vegetables may reduce the degradation of the brain. Blueberries found to be more useful. In any case, dark-colored fruits and vegetables are good for health. Other studies showed that soy has estrogen which is believed to protect the memory. Some said the reduced consumption of alcohol may be effective to stop the brain aging. Not everyone agrees however. Caffeine has a good effect on women in terms of mental functioning. Much research on AD has been shown that oxidation may have an impact on the disease process. Vitamin E may protect against mental decline. Other health behaviors such as aerobics or running are important for stopping mental decline. The person more exercise the better. Another aspect that play role in preventing mental deterioration and lifelong learning stress reduction.
Unfortunately, we can only try to prevent AD and no cure. However, there are investigational drugs that have the target delay the progression of AD. The bad news is that improvements in some of these drugs when she can a patient or his family does not know. The good news is that even these drugs help delay the need for a patient to a nursing home (Alzheimer's Association). The only agents that have been approved so-called selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. They are designed to protect the cholinergic system, which is responsible for memory and learning and is destroyed in the year. We have the following:
• donepezil. Donepezil (Aricept) is taken once a day and has only modest benefits but it helps reduce the loss of function and reduce caregiver burden. Works the same in patients with or without ApoE4. You may even have some advantage for patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease.
• rivastigmine. Rivastigmine (Exelon) targets two enzymes (the significant acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase). It is taken twice daily. This agent can be particularly beneficial for patients with the disease progresses rapidly. This drug has either decreased or slightly improved disease status even in patients with advanced illness. (Rivastigmine may cause significantly more side effects that donepezil, such as nausea, vomiting and headache.) Like all anticholinergics, the drug is not a cure.
• galantamine (Reminyl). Galantamine not only protects the cholinergic system but also acts on nicotine receptors, which are also depleted during Alzheimer's Disease Research indicates improving daily living, behavior and mental functioning, even in patients with mild to moderate to advanced Alzheimer's disease and those with mixed Alzheimer disease and vascular dementia. Some studies have suggested that the effects of galantamine may persist for a year or more, and even strengthen over time.
• tacrine. Tacrine (Cognex) was the first cholinergic protective drug. It has to be taken four times a day, just modest benefits, and no benefits for patients who carry the ApoE4 gene. At high doses, can also damage the liver. In general, new protective cholinergic drugs do not represent as great a risk for the liver is now used for Alzheimer's disease (Castleman, Gallagher-Thompson, and Naythons 2000).
Half of the patients who mild to moderate improvement in eye disease shown. Recent studies, however, show little difference in effectiveness among them. All these drugs have effects gastrointestinal side, such as nausea. However, these drugs still have some effect. Some researchers found that some patients may have no reaction to a particular drug, in this case the drug should be changed and is not really an opportunity that will work. There are also some alternative treatments under consideration at this time. One is the Gingko Biloba. It is a common herb that increases blood flow to the brain. Your extract EGB 761 may improve memory bit of patients with mild to moderate AD. Gingko Biloba has only minimal side effects. Turmeric also has properties that may protect from AD. Turmeric is a spice that curcumin is one component that is believed to protect against AD. Studies have also found that melatonin, the natural hormone that has to do the regulation of sleep, could break the beta-amyloid, and is able to pass through the blood - brain barrier. The studies reported that melatonin improves sleep, and in some cases delayed mental regression (H. Simon).
A number of other medical treatments are being investigated and promising Early and late trials. Investigations are focusing on agents that can prevent the accumulation of amyloid beta, its toxic effects on cells nerve, or other mechanisms of the disease. Among them are the following:
• N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) blockers. NMDA blockers such as memantine (Ebixa) bind to glutamate, an amino acid that stimulates the nerves and, in excess, is a murderer powerful nerve cells. Memantine has shown to be most effective in improving symptoms and is being considered for approval in Europe and the U.S..
• The growth factors that stimulate neural activity in the brain. Cerebrolysin (Cere) is an example of such drugs and is showing promise in clinical trials to improve mental function and other symptoms, with sustained effects even after of the drug has been stopped. Leteprinim potassium (Neotrofin) activates genes that produce nerve growth factors in the brain. The first human trials suggest it may have positive effects on memory and behavior. Insulin and insulin growth factors can prevent the accumulation of beta amyloid.
• Antioxidants. indole-3-propionic, or IPA (Oxigon) is a natural agent that can interfere with enzymes that contribute to the process of Alzheimer's disease.
• Huperzine alpha, another acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, improved mental function, behavior and mood in patients with Alzheimer's disease in a Chinese study. Other research also suggests some benefits.
• Piracetam is a nerve protective agent called nootropics. Has suffered a series of small studies, with few results significant. More research is needed to determine benefits.
• Researchers are investigating immunotherapies, including vaccines, which use the beta-amyloid molecules as targets for the body's immune system and antibodies that block proteins known as CD40-CD40L, which are involved in amyloid deposition.
• Tetracyclines. Antibiotics known as tetracyclines, including tetracycline itself, doxycycline and minocycline have anti-inflammatory properties now being investigated in a number of chronic inflammatory diseases (such as periodontal disease). They may also have activity against beta-amyloid the brain (H. Simon).
The worst thing about Alzheimer's disease is not fully investigated yet. None of the doctors probably be diagnosed. And it is not Worse still be cured. The worst thing is that AD lethal in all cases. Use of all the treatments that have been or are being studied can only postpone the need for nursing home (Terry, Katzman, Bick, Sisodia 1999).
The issue of Alzheimer's disease is of vital importance to me and should be for everyone. Mainly because no one is sure to get AD and there is no sure way to escape it. Our modern medicine has developed through the ages and now is cured many dangerous diseases, however, it is simply powerless against Alzheimer's disease. If fully investigate AD scholars will help you understand the brain and its impact on people's behavior. Using this knowledge would likely impact on the brain and its functions. Unfortunately, all studies carried out around the year and were presented above do not can say something about the TDA, with a hundred percent certainty. All drugs have included not stop AD, and may even little things in stride. It is very unpleasant indeed that mankind has developed so greatly to the progress of the brain, but have not yet found any way to stop the regression of the brain.
About the Author
Jeff Stats is a staff writer at custom essay writing service Mindrelief.net. You can order highest quality custom college essay, term paper, and research paper
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