Alzheimer’s Disease

THANSEER.P. P
AGS20MPSY023
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive and irreversible brain condition. The two most

common symptoms of the condition are confusion and memory loss. Alzheimer's disease

slowly causes thinking and memory to deteriorate to the point that even simple tasks become

difficult or impossible. Alzheimer's disease is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer in 1906.

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are Behavioral and personality changes, Wandering or

getting lost, Trouble recognizing family and friends, Problems remembering events, time, and

places, Mood changes, Disorientation, Confusion. Causes of Alzheimer’s disease

are Alzheimer's disease is characterized by specific changes in the brain, primarily an

abnormal build-up of certain types of proteins. As the abnormal build-up of proteins lead to

tau tangles and amyloid plaques, previously healthy neurons stop functioning, the three

defining characteristics of the disease are neurofibrillary tangles, amyloid plaques, and

neuron loss. Stages of Alzheimer's disease Early Stage during this early stage of the disease,

people begin to experience mild symptoms but often still function and live independently,

Middle Stage this stage of the disease is usually the longest. During this time, symptoms

grow progressively worse. Memories, including long-term memories, begin to decline. Late

Stage during the late stages of the disease, mental function declines to the point that it has a

serious impact on physical functioning. At this point, people lose the ability to converse and

carry out movements. They require around-the-clock care and assistance. Diagnosis through

Brain imaging: Computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and

positron emission tomography (PET), Lumbar puncture, Mental status tests. Risk Factors are

Age, Being overweight, Family history, Lifestyle factors. Treatment, there is no cure for

Alzheimer's but there are treatments that can help slow the progression of the disease and
make living with the condition more manageable those medicines are Donepezil (Aricept),

Rivastigmine (Exelon), Galantine (Razadyne)

Reference
Pinel, J. P., & Barnes, S. J. (2014). Introduction to biopsychology. Pearson Education.
What Is Alzheimer’s Disease? (2020). Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-
is-alzheimers-disease-5075247#:%7E:text=Alzheimer’s%20disease%20is%20a
%20progressive,tasks%20become%20difficult%20or%20impossible.