Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease is also known as Alzheimer disease, Alzheimer's and simply AD. It is sometimes incorrectly called "Old timers' disease".
Alzheimer's the most common cause of dementia, afflicting 24 million people worldwide. Alzheimer's is a terminal disease for which there is currently no known cure. It is most commonly found in people over 65 years old, although a less-common form called Familial Alzheimer's disease, or "early-onset Alzheimer's", also occurs - effecting about 5% of the total of Alzheimer's sufferers.[1]
Typically, the disease begins many years before it is diagnosed. In its early stages, short-term memory loss is the most common symptom, which is is often initially thought by the sufferer to be caused by other factors, such as aging or stress.[2] Later symptoms of the disease include confusion, anger, mood swings, language breakdown, long-term memory loss, and the general "withdrawal" of the sufferer as his or her senses decline.[2][3] Gradually the sufferer will lose minor, and then major bodily functions, until death finally occurs.[4] Survival after diagnosis has been estimated to be between 5 and 20 years.[5][6]
Symptoms
Although the symptoms are common, they are typically experienced in unique ways.[7] "Stages" are commonly referred to by professionals to describe the progressive nature of Alzheimer's (typically "early", "mid" and "late onset") but the symptoms can cross over these "boundaries" for many sufferers.
Diagnosis
The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are generally reported to a doctor or physician when memory-loss (or symptoms surrounding memory loss) begin to pose a serious concern. When Alzheimer’s disease is suspected, diagnosis is typically confirmed by a behavioural assessment, and some form of cognitive test. Often this is followed by a brain scan.[8]
Causes
The actual cause, or causes of Alzheimer's disease is unknown, but it is known to be associated with "Senile plaques" and "neurofibrillary tangles" in the brain.[9] There are many ideas about possible causes and cures of the disease.
Research
Alzheimer's disease causes incresing neurodegeneration of the brain, leading to accelerated memory loss. The incorrect folding of proteins leads to the formation of amyloid plaques. Current research aims to determine if such plaques are the result of, or the cause of, Alzheimer's disease.
Treatment
No treatment has been found to stop or reverse the disease, and it is not known whether current preferred treatments directly slow the spread of Alzheimer's in the brain, or simply manage the symptoms - and thus slow the progression of the disease that way. Many preventative measures have been suggested for Alzheimer's disease, but their values are uncertain: mental stimulation, exercise and a balanced diet are usually recommended, both as a possible prevention and as a sensible way of managing the disease.[10]
Pharmaceutical
Currently available medications offer relatively small symptomatic benefit for some patients but do not slow disease progression. The American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry published a consensus statement on Alzheimer's treatment in 2006.[11]
Systematic reviews
A systematic review found that the atypical antipsychotics risperidone and olanzapine showed the most benefit of all drugs; however they may increased the risk of stroke.[12]
Randomized controlled trials
Randomized controlled trials showed either small or absent benefit from acetylcholinesterase inhibitors[13] such as donepezil.[14][15]
The N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist memantine has shown effectiveness.[16]
Care management
Due to the incurable and degenerative nature of the disease care-management of Alzheimer's is essential. The role of the main Carer is often taken by the spouse or a close relative.[17] Caregivers may themselves suffer from stress, over-work, depression, and from being physically assailed.[18]
Alzheimer's in society
Famous people who have, or have died of Alzheimer's disease, are the US president Ronald Reagan, the UK Prime minister Harold Wilson, the writers Terry Pratchett and Iris Murdoch, and the film stars Rita Hayworth and Charlton Heston.
References
- ↑ Ferri CP, Prince M, Brayne C, Brodaty H, Fratiglioni L, Ganguli M, Hall K, Hasegawa K, Hendrie H, Huang Y, Jorm A, Mathers C, Menezes PR, Rimmer E, Scazufca M (2005). "Global prevalence of dementia: a Delphi consensus study". Lancet 366 (9503): 2112–2117. DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(05)67889-0. PMID 16360788. Research Blogging.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Waldemar G, Dubois B, Emre M, Georges J, McKeith IG, Rossor M, Scheltens P, Tariska P, Winblad B (2007). "Recommendations for the diagnosis and management of Alzheimer's disease and other disorders associated with dementia: EFNS guideline". European Journal of Neurology 14 (1): E1–26. DOI:10.1111/j.1468-1331.2006.01605.x. PMID 17222085. Research Blogging.
- ↑ Tabert MH, Liu X, Doty RL, Serby M, Zamora D, Pelton GH, Marder K, Albers MW, Stern Y, Devanand DP (2005). "A 10-item smell identification scale related to risk for Alzheimer's disease". Ann. Neurol. 58 (1): 155–60. DOI:10.1002/ana.20533. PMID 15984022. Research Blogging.
- ↑ Understanding Stages and Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease. National Institute on Aging (2007-10-26). Retrieved on 2008-02-21.
- ↑ Alzheimer's Disease Information Page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) (2008-02-07). Retrieved on 2008-02-12.
- ↑ Alzheimer's Disease Treatment and Prognosis. Healthlink. Retrieved on 2008-02-15.
- ↑ What is Alzheimer’s disease?. www.alzheimers.org.uk (August 2007). Retrieved on 2008-02-21.
- ↑ Alzheimer's Diagnosis of AD. Alzheimer's Reearch Trust. Retrieved on 2008-02-29.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedpmid15184601 - ↑ The Search for AD Prevention Strategies. National Institute on Aging (2006-08-29). Retrieved on 2008-02-29.
- ↑ Lyketsos CG, Colenda CC, Beck C, et al (2006). "Position statement of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry regarding principles of care for patients with dementia resulting from Alzheimer disease". The American journal of geriatric psychiatry : official journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry 14 (7): 561–72. DOI:10.1097/01.JGP.0000221334.65330.55. PMID 16816009. Research Blogging.
- ↑ Sink KM, Holden KF, Yaffe K (2005). "Pharmacological treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia: a review of the evidence". JAMA 293 (5): 596–608. DOI:10.1001/jama.293.5.596. PMID 15687315. Research Blogging.
- ↑ Kaduszkiewicz H, Zimmermann T, Beck-Bornholdt H, van den Bussche H (2005). "Cholinesterase inhibitors for patients with Alzheimer's disease: systematic review of randomised clinical trials.". BMJ 331 (7512): 321-7. PMID 16081444.
- ↑ Howard RJ, Juszczak E, Ballard CG, et al (2007). "Donepezil for the treatment of agitation in Alzheimer's disease". N. Engl. J. Med. 357 (14): 1382–92. DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa066583. PMID 17914039. Research Blogging.
- ↑ Courtney C, Farrell D, Gray R, Hills R, Lynch L, Sellwood E, Edwards S, Hardyman W, Raftery J, Crome P, Lendon C, Shaw H, Bentham P (2004). "Long-term donepezil treatment in 565 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD2000): randomised double-blind trial.". Lancet 363 (9427): 2105-15. PMID 15220031.
- ↑ Areosa Sastre A, McShane R, Sherriff F. "Memantine for dementia.". Cochrane Database Syst Rev: CD003154. PMID 15495043.
- ↑ O’Donovan ST. "Dementia caregiving burden and breakdown" (PDF). Retrieved on 2008-02-29.
- ↑ Selwood A, Johnston K, Katona C, Lyketsos C, Livingston G (2007). "Systematic review of the effect of psychological interventions on family caregivers of people with dementia". Journal of Affective Disorders 101 (1-3): 75–89. DOI:10.1016/j.jad.2006.10.025. PMID 17173977. Research Blogging.