Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, irreversible brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out daily tasks. For most people with Alzheimer’s, symptoms first appear in their mid-60s.
The disease is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer. In 1906, Dr. Alzheimer noticed changes in the brain tissue of a woman who had died of an unusual mental illness. Her symptoms included memory loss, language problems, and unpredictable behavior. After she died, he examined her brain and found many abnormal clumps called amyloid plaques and tangled bundles of fibers called neurofibrillary, or tau, tangles.
These abnormal clumps and tangled bundles of fibers in the brain are still considered some of the main …show more content…
Scientists do not yet fully understand what causes Alzheimer’s disease. There probably is not one single cause, but several factors that affect each person differently. Scientists have determined certain risk factors that are common to most Alzheimer’s cases. They have determined that age is the best-known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers believe that genetics may also play a role in developing Alzheimer’s disease. Changes in the brain can begin years before the first symptoms appear. Researchers are still studying whether education, diet, and environment play a role in developing Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists are finding more evidence that some of the risk factors for heart disease and stroke, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and low levels of the vitamin folate may also increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Evidence is also growing for physical, mental, and social activities as protective factors against Alzheimer’s …show more content…
Other dementias include Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal disorders, and vascular dementia. It is common for people to have mixed dementia which is a combination of two or more disorders, at least one of which is dementia. Some people have both Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Other conditions that may cause memory loss or dementia include: medication side effects, chronic alcoholism, tumors or infections in the brain, blood clots in the brain, vitamin B12 deficiency, some thyroid, kidney, or liver disorders, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, sleep disturbances. Some of these conditions may be treatable and possibly reversible. They can be serious and should be treated by a doctor as soon as
The disease is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer. In 1906, Dr. Alzheimer noticed changes in the brain tissue of a woman who had died of an unusual mental illness. Her symptoms included memory loss, language problems, and unpredictable behavior. After she died, he examined her brain and found many abnormal clumps called amyloid plaques and tangled bundles of fibers called neurofibrillary, or tau, tangles.
These abnormal clumps and tangled bundles of fibers in the brain are still considered some of the main …show more content…
Scientists do not yet fully understand what causes Alzheimer’s disease. There probably is not one single cause, but several factors that affect each person differently. Scientists have determined certain risk factors that are common to most Alzheimer’s cases. They have determined that age is the best-known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers believe that genetics may also play a role in developing Alzheimer’s disease. Changes in the brain can begin years before the first symptoms appear. Researchers are still studying whether education, diet, and environment play a role in developing Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists are finding more evidence that some of the risk factors for heart disease and stroke, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and low levels of the vitamin folate may also increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Evidence is also growing for physical, mental, and social activities as protective factors against Alzheimer’s …show more content…
Other dementias include Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal disorders, and vascular dementia. It is common for people to have mixed dementia which is a combination of two or more disorders, at least one of which is dementia. Some people have both Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Other conditions that may cause memory loss or dementia include: medication side effects, chronic alcoholism, tumors or infections in the brain, blood clots in the brain, vitamin B12 deficiency, some thyroid, kidney, or liver disorders, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, sleep disturbances. Some of these conditions may be treatable and possibly reversible. They can be serious and should be treated by a doctor as soon as