Abstract Submission | Alzheimer's Disease (AD) | Causes | Diagnosis | Treatment | Neurology 2018 | Pulsus Conference

Alzheimer's Disease (AD)

Is the most common cause of dementia. Because its frequency increases with age, the number of people it strikes is growing as the population ages. In addition to memory loss, the first signs of Alzheimer's often include language difficulties and trouble with routine activities, such as driving and shopping. Mood changes may also occur. As the disease progresses, long-term memory may also be affected, and behavioural changes such as aggression, agitation, delusions and verbal outbursts may occur. The ability to carry out daily tasks, such as dressing or bathing, may be compromised. In severe Alzheimer’s, the abilities to talk and walk may be lost.

Causes of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's is a neurodegenerative disease, which means neurons (brain cells) progressively degenerate, eventually losing function and dying. Cells in the hippocampus, a seahorse-shaped structure deep in the brain that plays a major role in the formation of memories, appear to be especially vulnerable. In brain-imaging studies of people with Alzheimer's, the hippocampus is consistently smaller than normal. Accumulation of beta amyloid in nerve cells, in between the nerve cells and in the small blood vessels, together with vascular changes and possibly inflammation, are features of AD. There may be an inherited predisposition, but no specific cause has been identified in AD. The symptoms start insidiously and progress steadily over 10-20 years.
The brain pathways that link the hippocampus to other brain regions are also damaged, especially for those that lead to the prefrontal cortex, the brain’s control centre for cognitive functions. Many scientists believe this damage may be responsible for the persistent short-term memory problems that appear in the early stages of the disease.

Common Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease

Each person with Alzheimer's may experience different symptoms, and symptoms may change over the course of the disease. Some of the common ones are described below.

• Difficulty in recalling names, objects, places, times and dates
• Not recognising family and friends, or not recalling their names
• Forgetting one’s own phone number or address
• Difficulty finding your way to or from a familiar place
• Tendency to wander from home or office
• Day/night disorientation with difficulty sleeping
• Noticeable language and intellectual decline
• Poor judgement, inability to follow simple instructions or stay focused on a task
• Progressive sense of distrust
• Dulled emotions or interest in activities
• Depression
• Unusual agitation and irritability
• Hallucinations or delusions

(source: Alzheimer's Association)

Diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease

The earliest signs of Alzheimer's disease are usually first noticed by a friend or relative. If you or someone close to you is experiencing any of the symptoms listed in “Common Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease”, it is important to see a doctor as early as possible to determine the cause. Memory loss could be the result of a number of things, many of which may be reversible.
Currently, the only definitive diagnosis for Alzheimer's disease is based on an examination of brain tissue during autopsy. To establish a clinical diagnosis, doctors focus on ruling out, by process of elimination, all other possible causes of symptoms to determine whether AD might be the cause.

The evaluations your doctor should perform include:

• Medical history – current medical or psychological conditions, including a thorough review of personal and family health history and medications being used
• Neurological examination - assesses one’s sense of time and place, ability to remember, understand and communicate, and complete simple calculations
• Physical examination - evaluation of nutritional status, blood pressure, and pulse rate

If these initial examinations don't reveal a clear problem, additional tests might include:

• Brain imaging scans, such as MRI or CT, to look for tell-tale brain changes
• Laboratory tests, including blood and urine tests to try to identify blood-based or hormonal irregularities
• More extensive neuropsychological evaluations, which might include tests of memory, reasoning, vision-motor co-ordination, and language function
• Psychiatric evaluations, to assess mood and other emotional factors.

A diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease is usually said to be either:

Probable: All other disorders that may cause dementia have been ruled out; or
Possible: AD is suspected, but other causes cannot be ruled out

Treatment for Alzheimer's Disease

As science progresses toward a better understanding of what kills brain cells in Alzheimer's disease, the hope is that medicines or other therapies might be developed to delay, prevent or reverse the damage. Clinical trials are underway for drugs, as well as a vaccine, that seek to interrupt the build-up of amyloid in the brain. If they are found to be safe and effective, these would be the first treatments that address what many experts think is the underlying cause of cell death. Unfortunately, it could take years for these therapies to reach patients. In the meantime, the primary goals of therapy for AD are to improve the quality of life and day-to-day functioning.
Current treatments for Alzheimer's include three relatively new medications that increase brain levels of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in the learning and memory processes. These drugs - Aricept, Exelon and Reminyl - have been modestly successful in some patients for improving memory and attention skills, and they may also have a beneficial effect on behavioural symptoms such as aggression.
Treatments may also target behavioural symptoms associated with AD, such as agitation, delusions, hallucinations, depression, or sleep difficulties. Medications to control these problems might include anti-depressants (such as Prozac, Zoloft and others), or sleep aids (such as Zopiclone). Consistent medical and psychological therapy is important for the individual as well as for family members.


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