Alzheimer's Disease

Dementia  is a loss of  functioning of the brain. This occurs with certain diseases. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one form of dementia. It affects memory, thinking, and behavior.
Memory impairment, problems with decision-making ability, judgment, and personality are other features of this disease.

Causes

Age and family history are risk factors for AD.

·         Though developing Alzheimer's disease is not a part of normal aging, the risk of developing AD goes up with old age.

·         Having a close relative such as a brother, sister, or parent who has AD increases your risk.

There are two types of AD -- early onset and late onset.

·         In early onset AD, symptoms first appear before the age of 60. Early onset AD is much less common than late onset.

·         Late onset AD, the most common form of the disease, develops in people age 60 and older.

When nerve cells (neurons) are destroyed, there is a decrease in the chemicals that help nerve cells send messages to one another (called neurotransmitters). As a result, areas of the brain that normally work together become disconnected.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of dementia are the difficulties with many areas of mental functioning:

·         Language

·         Memory

·         Perception

·         Emotional behavior or personality

·         Cognitive skills such as calculation, abstract thinking, or judgment

Dementia usually first appears as forgetfulness.
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the stage between normal forgetfulness due to aging, and the development of AD. People with MCI have mild problems with thinking and memory that do not interfere with everyday activities.

Symptoms of MCI include:

·         Forgetting recent events or conversations

·         Difficulty performing more than one task at a time

·         Difficulty solving problems

·         Taking longer to perform more difficult activities

The early symptoms of AD can include:

·         Language problems, such as trouble finding the name of familiar objects

·         Misplacing items

·         Getting lost on familiar routes

·         Personality changes and loss of social skills

·         Losing interest in things previously enjoyed, flat mood

·         Difficulty performing tasks that take some thought, but used to come easily, such as balancing a checkbook, playing complex games (such as bridge), and learning new information or routines

People with severe AD can no longer:

·         Understand language

·         Recognize family members

·         Perform basic activities of daily living, such as eating, dressing, and bathing

Signs and tests

AD can often be diagnosed through a history and physical exam by a skilled doctor or nurse. A health care provider will take a history, do a physical exam (including a neurological exam), and perform a mental status examination.
Tests may be ordered to help determine whether other medical problems could be causing dementia or making it worse. These conditions include:

·         Thyroid disease

·         Vitamin deficiency

·         Brain tumor

·         Stroke