Alzheimer's Disease

What is Alzheimer's Disease?

Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative brain disorder that involves a deterioration of brain cells and the gradual loss of many normal brain functions. Memory loss can be considered one of the initial warning signs or cues that present the onset of this disorder. Memory loss is quite normal for most aging indivduals but with Alzheimer's disease memory loss goes beyond just the occasional missing car keys. As the disease progresses many other symptoms like the inibility to complete familar everyday tasks, problems with language (unable to find the right words when speaking), disorientation, mood and personality changes, and the inability to think abstractly begin to present themselves. The disease in its late stages causes brain cells to die and as a result body systems begin to fail.

What does Alzheimer's do physically to the brain?

There are two areas of the brain that are greatly affected by this disease and they are the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus. The cerebral cortex includes the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes of the brain. Each of these lobes are responsible for carrying out specific cognative functions of the brain. The other area that is affected is the hippocampus. The hippocampus is located within the temporal lobe of the brain and it is involved with converting short-term memory into long-term memory. Alzheimer's is resposible for the overall loss in brain mass and the shrinking of the brain in these particular areas which results in compromised memory loss and proper brain functioning.

Is there a cure?

At the present time there is no known cure for this disease. Research is being done to find a cure but for now the only thing out there for people who are diagnosed with this disease is medication therapy to treat their symptoms. The medications only help to diminish or slow down the process of the disease.

References

Segal, J., & Wayne, M. (2009). Alzheimer's Disease: Signs, Symptoms, and Stages ofAlzheimer's Disease. Retrieved February 1, 2010, from helpguide.org website: www.helpguide.org/elder/alzheimers_disease_symptoms_stages.htm#stages

Swierzewski, S. (2007). Alzheimer's Disease: Alzheimer's Overview, Brain Anatomy. Retrieved February 1, 2010, from neurologychannel.com website: www.neurologychannel.com/alzheimers/index.shtml#cere