Parkinson’s Disease vs. Alzheimer’s
Introduction
The umbrella term of dementia has upscale of 7 million reported cases in the US a year, however, the symptoms of certain dementias can range from merely forgetfulness to unbearable tremors. To demonstrate the broad spectrum of dementia diseases, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s will be juxtaposed. Alzheimer’s disease is generally a memory disabling disease while Parkinson’s disease attacks motor skills. In the following pages an overview of dementia will be described as well as the history of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Afterwards, their history, biology, treatment, and social aspects will parallel Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, in order to illustrate the extensive range of dementia. …show more content…
Dissimilar from Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s is categorized by the excessive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the brain and does not produce memory loss in the patient. The cause of Parkinson’s is still unknown. Yet numerous researchers consider it to be possibly caused by genetic factors and environmental factors, such harmful toxins.13 The damage of dopamine neurons produces more mood changes and depression in patients with Parkinson’s because dopamine is a chemical that makes you anticipate happiness. While women are more at risk for Alzheimer’s, men are twice as likely as women to develop Parkinson’s …show more content…
Treatment of Alzheimer’s includes preventing decay of brain tissue using cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine and social interaction to combat feelings of depression/anxiety. Cholinesterase inhibitors inhibit acetylcholine from breaking down. They can help brain cells work more effectivly. “But they don't stop or reverse the destruction of brain cells and loss of acetylcholine that occur in Alzheimer's disease.”16 This is why immediate detection is necessary. Memantine controls the body’s level of glutamate, just enough and learning functions proficiently, too much and the brain can be over stimulated. Memantine has produced few results for mild conditions—it is seen as a medication for those who do not respond to other
Introduction
The umbrella term of dementia has upscale of 7 million reported cases in the US a year, however, the symptoms of certain dementias can range from merely forgetfulness to unbearable tremors. To demonstrate the broad spectrum of dementia diseases, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s will be juxtaposed. Alzheimer’s disease is generally a memory disabling disease while Parkinson’s disease attacks motor skills. In the following pages an overview of dementia will be described as well as the history of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Afterwards, their history, biology, treatment, and social aspects will parallel Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, in order to illustrate the extensive range of dementia. …show more content…
Dissimilar from Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s is categorized by the excessive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the brain and does not produce memory loss in the patient. The cause of Parkinson’s is still unknown. Yet numerous researchers consider it to be possibly caused by genetic factors and environmental factors, such harmful toxins.13 The damage of dopamine neurons produces more mood changes and depression in patients with Parkinson’s because dopamine is a chemical that makes you anticipate happiness. While women are more at risk for Alzheimer’s, men are twice as likely as women to develop Parkinson’s …show more content…
Treatment of Alzheimer’s includes preventing decay of brain tissue using cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine and social interaction to combat feelings of depression/anxiety. Cholinesterase inhibitors inhibit acetylcholine from breaking down. They can help brain cells work more effectivly. “But they don't stop or reverse the destruction of brain cells and loss of acetylcholine that occur in Alzheimer's disease.”16 This is why immediate detection is necessary. Memantine controls the body’s level of glutamate, just enough and learning functions proficiently, too much and the brain can be over stimulated. Memantine has produced few results for mild conditions—it is seen as a medication for those who do not respond to other