Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease

Andrius Baskys, MD, PhD

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Alzheimer’s disease (AD), also known as Alzheimer dementia, late onset Alzheimer’s or just Alzheimer’s, accounts for 60% to 70% of cases of dementia. It is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that usually starts slowly and gets worse over time. The most common early symptom is difficulty in remembering recent events (short-term memory loss). As the disease advances, symptoms may include language problems, easily getting lost, mood swings, loss of motivation, not managing self care and changes in behavior. As a person’s condition declines, she or he often withdraws from family and society. Gradually, bodily functions are lost, ultimately leading to need for care. Although the speed of progression can vary, the average life expectancy following diagnosis is three to nine years.

What causes Alzheimer’s disease?

The cause of Alzheimer’s disease is not known but most likely is brain aging – the major risk factor. Other risk factors include history of head injuries, depression or hypertension. Diagnosis is based on disease history and neurocognitive testing, DNA tests, blood tests and brain imaging to rule out other possible causes.

Alzheimer’s disease risk

Like many illnesses encountered later in life, Alzheimer’s disease is multifactorial. Both genetic and environmental factors play a role in the disease pathogenesis.These disease risk factors are sometimes referred to as “modifiable” and “non-modifiable”. Examples of  modifiable risk factors are elevated blood pressure, elevated blood cholerol, elevated blood sugar, obesity, lack of exercise, depression and tobacco. Examples of non-modiafiable risk factors are family history, history of brain injury, low educational attainment, history of a heart attack or stroke, and genetics.

Although we do not know yet how to reduce the impact of all of the risk factors, we know that we can reduce or eliminate altogether at least some of them, and indirectly reduce a total disease risk.

To estimate the total disease risk, use our Alzheimer’s Risk Calculator by clicking on the link on this page or downloading a free app from the Google Play store. Genetic testing for important variants in genes associated with Alzheimer’s (for example APOE) can significantly improve the accuracy of disease risk determination.

Are you at risk for Alzheimer’s?

To answer this question, use our Alzheimer’s Risk Calculator by clicking on the link on this page or downloading a free app from the Google Play store. Genetic testing for important variants in genes associated with Alzheimer’s (for example APOE) can significantly improve the accuracy of the risk determination.

Treatment

There are no treatments that stop or reverse memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Those affected increasingly rely on others for assistance, often placing a burden on the caregiver, which often leads to caregiver burnout. Exercise programs are beneficial with respect to activities of daily living and potentially improve outcomes. Medications such as Donepezil, Rivastigmine, Galantamine, Memantine may provide a temporary relief.

The most important aspects of Alzheimer’s disease treatment is the correct diagnosis to rule out any treatable causes of memory impairment: depression, lack of vitamins, medication side effects and others. As with most medical conditions, a timely evaluation by a physician specializing in diagnosis and treatment of memory disorders is the best approach to assuring the optimal outcome of a memory problem.


    
     
   

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