Understanding Alzheimer’s Through Alzheimer’s Disease Information
Alzheimer’s disease is one of the leading causes of death in America. This disorder was first identified by the German physician Alois Alzheimer in 1907. This disorder is a serious illness that affects the memory ability of the brain, capability of learning, making rational decisions and capacity to function routinely.
This disease is not characterized by an occasional misplacing of the car keys or some common bout of forgetfulness. In order to avoid confusion between simple acts of forgetfulness and Alzheimer’s it is important to be educated by acquiring Alzheimer’s disease information. Through education and awareness detection of early warning signs will allow for a timely diagnosis and treatment of loved ones.
What is Alzheimer’s?
Through Alzheimer’s disease information we understand Alzheimer’s to be a disorder characterized by the progressive erosion of the nervous tissue within the central nervous system. This erosion is caused by the buildup of plaque within the brain caused by rogue proteins.
There are two key risk factors towards the possibility of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The first factor is genetics with the identification of three genes that allow for the accumulation of protein in the brain resulting in plaque buildup. A family’s medical history of Alzheimer’s also increases the risk of future generations being diagnosed with this disease.
In addition, Alzheimer’s disease information reveals that a key factor in susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease is age. It is anticipated that those 65 years of age or older will be part of newly diagnosed cases that are estimated to double every five years.
Indications of Alzheimer’s disease includes memory loss, communication impairment, lapses in judgment, disorientation, inability to process visual data, and extremes in emotional behavioral. Often the early signs of Alzheimer’s are dismissed as part of the aging process. Knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease information can help to differentiate between what is normal and what may be the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s. The advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease includes the deterioration of reasoning processes, destruction of individuals personality and the inability to task normally.
Prognosis
There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. However, many encouraging research studies are being conducted.
One of two research studies includes the working towards a vaccine. This vaccine stimulates the immune system to identify the proteins produced that cause plaque buildup in the brain. Upon identification the immune system attacks this protein. Preliminary laboratory results have shown a positive effectiveness upon laboratory mice.
Finally, Alzheimer’s disease information reveals research which demonstrates the effect that a decrease in calories has upon the condition of Alzheimer’s. Early research findings indicate that the brains of mice, fed 30 percent less food, contained higher levels of a specific protein. This protein was found to work against the aging process. The brains of the mice were also found to have significantly lower amounts of plaque and even indicated a reversal of plaque buildup. The lower amounts of plaque were attributed to the lesser quantities of calories ingested by the mice and the subsequent production of the age fighting protein.
