Alzheimer s Disease Symptoms And Diagnosis - 3197 Words

Alzheimer’s Disease Zaven A. Ohanian San Joaquin Valley College Abstract This research report will provide a general overview of Alzheimer’s disease. This overview will include background and history of the disease dating back to its discovery by Alois Alzheimer in Germany. It will provide in-depth information on the anatomy and pathophysiology of the disease, specifically on the roles of beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles and on how they progress; what happens as they progress through the brain. Other topics that will be briefly covered include etiology, epidemiology, treatment, and prognosis. Alzheimer’s Disease Background and History Alzheimer’s disease is an acquired form of dementia that impairs the cognitive and behavioral functions of the patient. Impairment of these functions severely impacts the individual’s capacity to function in social and occupational settings. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease and its progression is long and steady. Alzheimer’s disease was first observed by a German psychiatrist named Alois Alzheimer in 1901. Having been intrigued by the behavior of a patient at the Frankfurt Asylum, 51 year old female Auguste Deter, Alois Alzheimer began monitoring her condition. Dr. Alzheimer observed a number of symptoms including reduced comprehension and memory, aphasia, disorientation, unpredictable behavior, paranoia, auditory hallucinations, and pronounced psychosocial impairment (Maurer, Gerbaldo Volk, 1997). WhenShow MoreRelatedSymptoms And Diagnosis Of Alzheimer s Disease2581 Words   |  11 PagesWord Count: 1840 â€Æ' It is estimated that currently 5.1 million Americans may have Alzheimer’s disease. [1] 60-70% of dementia cases in the elderly are caused by Alzheimer’s. [2] As the population ages a greater percentage of Americans will be impacted whereas between present time and 2050 it is estimated that 20 percent of the population will be in an age category that puts them at risk. [1] The disease is a progressive, degenerative disorder that attacks the neurons resulting in memory loss, languageRead MoreSymptoms And Diagnosis Of Alzheimer s Disease2121 Words   |  9 PagesIn medicine, an early diagnosis can mean the difference between life and death. With today’s advancements in technology, early diagnosis is becoming a real possibility for many diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. Worldwide it is estimated that 24 million people have dementia, the majority of these people are thought to have Alzheimer’s disease. (Mayo Clinic, 2014) According to Alzheim er’s Foundation of America (AFA) (2015) Alzheimer’s disease is among the top ten leading causes of deathRead MoreSymptoms And Diagnosis Of Alzheimer s Disease3618 Words   |  15 Pagesthat by 2050 over 115 million people worldwide will suffer from some form of dementia (World Alzheimer’s Report, 2009). Dementia associated with Alzheimer’s disease is the condition that stems from Alzheimer’s disease in particular, rather than other conditions such as vascular dementia or fronto-temporal dementia for example. Earl symptoms may include problems generating people’s names or the correct names of objects, observable difficulty cognitively functioning in social situations, short termRead MoreSymptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment And Social / Economic Importance Of Alzheimer s Disease1380 Words   |  6 Pagesof the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and social/economic importance of Alzheimer’s disease A disease is a medical condition that affects a living organism either physically, mentally or emotionally. It is basically a condition involving a pathological process along with a set of various symptoms; some easily noticeable whereas others quite difficult to detect, making their treatment process slower. (Healio.com, 2012) Nevertheless, the social and economic impacts followed by the diagnosis of theRead MoreAlzheimer s Is The Greatest Known Risk Factor For The Individuals Ages919 Words   |  4 PagesAlzheimer s is a degenerative disease of the brain that causes dementia, which is a gradual loss of memory, judgment, and ability to function. It is the most common form of dementia, and may hinder an individual s performance of daily function. Sixty to eighty percent of dementia cases are caused by Alzheimer s. This disease is considered to be the greatest known risk factor for the individuals ages sixty and older. Most of the population affected by the disease with noticeable symptoms areRead More Alzheimers Disease Essay1733 Words   |  7 Pages Alzheimers Disease Alzheimer ¡Ã‚ ¦s disease is a slow, progressive, and degenerative disease of the brain. This disease is marked by a gradual loss of memory and other cognitive functions. quot;Alzheimers Disease is also known as the most common cause of dementia--a general term referring to the loss of memory and the ability to think, reason, function, and behave properlyquot; (Medina,1999). It primarily affects adults in their 60s or older and eventually destroys a persons ability to performRead MoreEarly Onset Alzheimer s Disease824 Words   |  4 PagesDistinguish Early Onset Alzheimer s From Normal Alzheimer s Disease By Dick Harkes | Submitted On August 26, 2011 Recommend Article Article Comments Print Article Share this article on Facebook Share this article on Twitter Share this article on Google+ Share this article on Linkedin Share this article on StumbleUpon Share this article on Delicious Share this article on Digg Share this article on Reddit Share this article on Pinterest What Is Early Onset Alzheimers If someone is diagnosedRead MoreSymptoms Of Alzheimer s Disease1006 Words   |  5 PagesAlzheimer s disease is a severe illness that affects the brain and leads to gradual memory loss, reduced intellectual ability and deterioration function of thinking. Alzheimer s disease (AD), the most common type of dementia, is a progressive neurological disorder that increasingly robs individuals of cognitive, behavioral, and functional skills (Demakis, 2007). The reason for the appearance this disease is a collection of disorders in the brain due to which its cells are dying partially. In theRead MoreAlzheimer s Disease : The Neurological Thief822 Words   |  4 PagesAlzheimer’s Disease: The Neurological Thief Ashley E. Campbell Psychology 210 October 31, 2015 Malvereen Harris Alzheimer’s Disease: The Neurological Thief It is a wicked disease that slowly steals our loved ones memories, independence and eventually their lives. While no one knows the exact cause of Alzheimer’s Disease, it is the leading cause of dementia related deaths to date. It was first described in 1906 by Alois Alzheimer, a German psychologist and neurologist. Alzheimer’s Disease is a neurologicalRead MoreDealing With Dementia Essay979 Words   |  4 Pages â€Å"Ted sought a diagnosis after being terminated from his job. Little did anyone know his memory and performance issues were due to a disease. (Life with ALZ)† This disease causes the loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. Dementia, is one form of this disease that gradually gets worse over time. It affects memory, thinking, and behavior. (WebMD, 1995) â€Å"Changes that take place in the brains of people. These brain changes may cause the memory loss and decline in other mental