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Frequently Asked Questions About Alzheimer's Disease -
What is Alzheimer's disease?
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a degenerative
disease that usually begins gradually, causing a person to forget recent
events or familiar tasks. How rapidly it advances varies from person to
person, but the brain disease eventually causes confusion, personality and
behavior changes, and impaired judgment. Communication becomes difficult as
the affected person struggles to find words, finish thoughts, or follow
directions. Eventually, most people with Alzheimer's become unable to care
for themselves. Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe the loss of cognitive or intellectual function. Many conditions can cause dementia. Dementia related to depression, drug interaction, thyroid disease and other problems may be reversible if detected early. That's one of the reasons why it's important that a professional assessment takes place, so that the actual cause can be identified and proper care provided. Several other diseases also cause dementia, such as Parkinson's, Creutzfeldt-Jakob, Huntington's and Multi-Infarct or vascular disease, caused by multiple strokes in the brain. The Alzheimer's Association has developed a list of warning signs that include common symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. (Some also apply to other dementing illnesses.) Individuals who exhibit several of these symptoms should see a physician for a complete examination.
What causes Alzheimer's disease? Scientists are still not certain. Age and family history have been identified as potential risk factors. Researchers are exploring the role of genetics in the development of Alzheimer's, but most agree the disease is likely caused by a variety of factors. Each year, scientists are uncovering important new clues about potential causes of the disease, which is helping to generate more accurate diagnostic tests and better treatment options for affected individuals. How is Alzheimer's disease diagnosed? There is no single, comprehensive diagnostic test for Alzheimer's disease. Instead, physicians or other specialists rule out other conditions through a process of elimination. A comprehensive evaluation to establish diagnosis will include a complete health history, physical examination, neurological and mental status assessments, and other tests including analysis of blood and urine, electrocardiogram (EKG) and chest x-rays. Documenting symptoms and behavior over time, in chronicle fashion, will help physicians understand the person's illness. The physician may order additional tests, as needed including: computerized tomography (CT Scan), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), formal psychiatric assessment, and/or neuropsychological testing. A diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's disease can be obtained through evaluation with approximately 90 percent accuracy. The only way to confirm a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is through autopsy.
Alzheimer's disease causes the formation of
abnormal structures in the brain called plaques and tangles. As plaques and
tangles
accumulate in affected individuals, nerve cells' connections are reduced.
Areas of the brain that influence short-term memory tend to be affected
first. Later, the disease works its way into sections that control other
intellectual and physical functions. Does Alzheimer's disease run in families?
The evidence is not clear. Cases where several
members of a single family have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's are rare
(except in families who have a history of early-onset Alzheimer's, a form of
the disease that typically strikes middle-aged members of the same Does Alzheimer's disease occur in younger adults? Yes, though less frequently. The disease can occur in people in their 30s, 40s and 50s; however, most people diagnosed with Alzheimer's are older than 65. The early-onset form of the disease that strikes younger people accounts for less than 10 percent of all reported cases and is considered quite rare. Scientists believe this variation of the disease may be genetically transmitted across multiple generations of the same family. Isn't memory loss a natural part of aging? Yes and no. Many healthy individuals are less able to remember certain kinds of information as they get older. But the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease involve more than simple lapses in memory. People with Alzheimer's experience difficulties communicating, learning, thinking, and reasoning, all of which can have an impact on a person's work, social and family life. Alzheimer's is a disease that destroys brain cells - which is not a normal part of aging.
There is no medical treatment currently
available to cure or stop the progression of Alzheimer's disease. As of
February 2001, there were four prescription medications approved by the FDA
for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. These include Tacrine (Cognex),
Donepezil (Aricept), Rivastigmine (Exelon), and Galantamine (Razadyne). About
half of the people taking these medications show modest and temporary
improvement in memory and thinking skills. Vitamin E is often prescribed
because it may inhibit molecular activity contributing to brain cell damage.
Other medications may be prescribed to treat such symptoms as agitation,
anxiety, depression, and poor sleep. What about AD-related research?
The causes of AD are not known and are
currently receiving intensive scientific investigation. Suspected causes
include diseased genes or a genetic predisposition, abnormal protein
build-up in the brain and environmental toxins. Scientists are applying the
newest knowledge and research techniques in molecular genetics, pathology,
immunology, toxicology, neurology, psychiatry, pharmacology, biochemistry
and epidemiology to find the causes, treatments and cure for AD. What are the economic impacts of AD?
At some point, a person with AD will require
24-hour care including assistance with daily activities such as eating,
grooming and toileting. The cost of care for persons with AD is estimated to
be at least $100 billion per year. These costs include diagnosis, treatment,
home health care, and care in specialized facilities. The federal government
covers $4.4 billion and the states another $4.1 billion. Much of the
remaining costs are paid by the patients and their families. |