Alzheimer's
disease was first described by a German physician Dr. Alois Alzheimer
in 1906 (International). Alzheimer's disease is a disorder that causes
a person to lose their brain cells. This disease is the most common
type of dementia. Area's of the brain that control memory and thinking
skills are affected first, as the disease worsens, cells in other regions
of the brain die also(Related). Symptoms of this disease may be: loss
of memory, difficulty in understanding words, difficulty in performing
tasks, and often having mood changes. Each person will experience different
symptoms. Alzheimer's disease advances at different rates. The illness
may continue to last anywhere from three to twenty years (Disease).
Eventually, Alzheimer's patients will need complete care. The loss of
brain function itself could cause death. There are no cures for Alzheimer's
Disease, but there are a few drugs that can be given to patients to
minimize or stabilize symptoms. However, these drugs cannot alter the
progression of losing cells. A few of the drugs are: Tacrine, Donepezil,
Rivastigmine, and Galantamine. These drugs are known as cholinesterase
inhibitors. They prevent the breaking down of acetylcholine, a chemical
messenger in the brain that is important for memory and other important
thinking skills(International). Many patients with Alzheimer's Disease
are also taking Vitamin E. Vitamin E is said to help brain cells defend
themselves from "attacks." Normal cell functions create a
byproduct called a free radical, a kind of oxygen that may damage structures
of cells and other genetic materials.(International). The damage is
called oxidative stress which plays a role in Alzheimer's disease. Hopefully
someday they will find a cure for this disease.
Works Cited
Alzheimer's Disease International. Last updated 24 Jan. 2002 Copyright.
www.alz.co.uk/alzheimers/
Alzheimer's
Disease and Related Disorder Association, Inc. Reviewed 01 Oct. 2002.
www.alz.org/AboutAD/overbiew.htm
Alzheimer's
Disease. Kinoshita, June. Founder and Executive Editor. www.Alzforum.org/dis.dia