Alzheimer's Disease Pathology
Alzheimer`s disease is a degenerative disorder. People suffering from Alzheimer are reported to have memory loss and declining of thinking skills. This disease leads to behaviour changes such as confusion, disorientation, irritability creating a dependable relationship between patient and family members. Until today scientists still haven't managed to find a cure for the Alzheimer`s disorder. Yet, they try to understand and to explain the pathology of this disease.
Scientists have elaborated many theories regarding the causes which lead to Alzheimer`s disease. Many believe that factors such as environment and genetic structure have a great contribution over the human brain, leading to changes which represent the base of the disorder. It is said that people who were not engaged in activities that require mental effort are more likely to have the disease than others. Such a theory develops the idea of exercising the brain especially at old ages in order to avoid the disease. On the other hand a family history of dementia may contribute to having the disorder.
The Alzheimer affected brain is different from the normal one. The general cortex it's atrophied. Thus if the outer surface of the brain which is responsible for the intellectual functioning gets affected, the normal activities of a patient get damaged too. The autopsy reveals tow factors: in affected brains, the amount of the substance which is present in the folds is decreased. On the other hand the space between the folds gets larger. The proteins which are believed to cause neurons damage called amyloid plaques are part of a larger protein called amyloid precursor protein. The breakdown of the amyloid precursor protein leads to changes determining Alzheimer's.
Another theory explains the role of the tau proteins over the human brain. Neurofibrillary tangles also known as tau proteins represent the second cause of the Alzheimer's disease, as they have a very important role in the structure of a neuron. In patients with Alzheimer's this protein has overactive enzymes which is abnormal. Neurofibrillary causes death of the cells.
In order to determine the presence of the Alzheimer's disorder, specialists must take several tests to eliminate other possibilities that might be similar with the normal brain functions. Unfortunately in most cases the presence of Alzheimer's is diagnosed post mortem with the help of a brain tissue test.
By studying the anatomy of the brain, scientists are one step closer in finding a cure for this death ending disorder.
Showing posts with label Amyloid Alzheimer's. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Amyloid Alzheimer's. Show all posts
Monday, June 23, 2014
Alzheimer's Disease Gene
Alzheimer's Disease Gene
Alzheimer's disease is one that starts to affect brain cells over a significant period of time. When brain cells start sustaining this damage, the symptoms of Alzheimer's show up and these brain cells slowly start to die off. Once the dying of brain cells begins, some cognitive processes begin to fail, causing effects such as confusion, a decrease in image recognition, memory impairment and a decrease in awareness.
When a sufferer of this terrible disease reaches this stage, it is extremely difficult, and many times it is nearly impossible, to live a normal, independent life. Many who suffer with Alzheimer's need to be reminded of where they are, who they are, the dangers of every day life such as a hot kettle, the names of objects and colors, and even who their very own family members are. There are few moments during which the sufferer is aware of such things, but moments like this will continue to decrease as the disease continues. Currently, the most common cause of the disease dementia is Alzheimer's disease.
There's plenty of research taking place to find out what causes Alzheimer's disease, and how to prevent it, but there are still no clear answers when it comes to why this disease actually develops. It's quite clear that a lot more research will be needed before anyone can come close to answering this question. What is known to a great deal of certainty is the fact that once the disease begins, it progresses quite rapidly, and quick steps need to be taken to try and inhibit the rate at which this disease affects the brain, and this is done usually through medication.
Another important aspect that most researchers and experts agree on is the fact that there is nearly always a greater risk of developing Alzheimer's if there is a history of the disease in the family. This points to the fact that genes are involved in the appearance of this disease.
Many years of research have given us the conclusion that there are two genes that play a role when it comes to the development of Alzheimer's. The first gene is called the Risk Gene. Namely, this means that people who have this gene have a higher risk of getting Alzheimer's disease than those who do not have this gene. The second gene is known as the deterministic gene, and, as the name suggest, this gene is important because it guarantees whether or not someone will have to deal with Alzheimer's at some point in their life.
Alzheimer's disease is one that starts to affect brain cells over a significant period of time. When brain cells start sustaining this damage, the symptoms of Alzheimer's show up and these brain cells slowly start to die off. Once the dying of brain cells begins, some cognitive processes begin to fail, causing effects such as confusion, a decrease in image recognition, memory impairment and a decrease in awareness.
When a sufferer of this terrible disease reaches this stage, it is extremely difficult, and many times it is nearly impossible, to live a normal, independent life. Many who suffer with Alzheimer's need to be reminded of where they are, who they are, the dangers of every day life such as a hot kettle, the names of objects and colors, and even who their very own family members are. There are few moments during which the sufferer is aware of such things, but moments like this will continue to decrease as the disease continues. Currently, the most common cause of the disease dementia is Alzheimer's disease.
There's plenty of research taking place to find out what causes Alzheimer's disease, and how to prevent it, but there are still no clear answers when it comes to why this disease actually develops. It's quite clear that a lot more research will be needed before anyone can come close to answering this question. What is known to a great deal of certainty is the fact that once the disease begins, it progresses quite rapidly, and quick steps need to be taken to try and inhibit the rate at which this disease affects the brain, and this is done usually through medication.
Another important aspect that most researchers and experts agree on is the fact that there is nearly always a greater risk of developing Alzheimer's if there is a history of the disease in the family. This points to the fact that genes are involved in the appearance of this disease.
Many years of research have given us the conclusion that there are two genes that play a role when it comes to the development of Alzheimer's. The first gene is called the Risk Gene. Namely, this means that people who have this gene have a higher risk of getting Alzheimer's disease than those who do not have this gene. The second gene is known as the deterministic gene, and, as the name suggest, this gene is important because it guarantees whether or not someone will have to deal with Alzheimer's at some point in their life.
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