diease

Alzheimer's Disease


Alzheimer's Disease overview and Definition

Disease overview:

     It is a neurological in which the brain cella become inactive and results in dementia and impaired cognitive functions. Alzheimer’s 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. 


Epidemiology

It accounts for the 60-70 % of the dementia cases and it is uncommon under the age of 45 yrs.


Routes of Transmission

Mild stage:

greater memory loss and impaired cognitive functions.Wandering and getting lost,repeating the questions,difficulty in paying bills and collecting money,feeling difficult to do day to day activities,personality and behavioural changes.patients are often diagnosed in this stage

Moderate stage:

In this stage the damage occurs to the brain cell that controls the language,reasoning,sensory processing and consciousness.Memory loss and confusion grows and the patients loss the ability to recognize the family and friends.The person find difficulty in dressing and to cope up with the new situations,inability to do multistep task.The patient might experience hallucinations,delusions and paranoia.

Severe stage:

The amyloid and tau tangles covers the brain and leads to shrinkage of the brain.Loss of communication and the patient is completely depend on the other for their survival.the patient is mostly bed ridden at this stage and he/she is nearer to death.


Clinical signs & symptoms

Inability to recall the past events

Difficulty to recognize the family members

Difficult in finding the words and reading

Spatial or vision issues

Impaired reasoning /judgement skills

Movement difficulties and problems linked to smell perception is also seen in some cases


Differential Diagnosis

It is usually diagnosed with the history of the patient and behavioural changes and impaired cognitive functions.

Magnetic resonance imaging-MRI

Computed tomography-CT

Single photon emission computed tomography

 

Electroencephalogram(EEG): the doctors might suggest EEG to detect any abnormalities in the brain.

Imaging tests: CT scan, MRI scan SPECTs and  PET scans help doctors locate the tumor and determine if it is cancerous or benign.

Neurological exam: During a neurological exam, your doctor will look for changes in your balance, coordination, mental status, hearing, vision and reflexes. These changes can point to the part of your brain that may be affected by a tumor.

Spinal tap:A doctor uses a small needle to remove fluid from around the spine. A laboratory examines this fluid to look for cancer cells. It is also known as lumbar puncture.

Single photon emission computed tomography

 

Positron emission tomography :it is used in early diagnosis of Alzheimer disease.

Biomarker tests. A biomarker is a biological factor that can be measured to indicate the presence or absence of disease or the risk of developing a disease. The biomarker for Alzheimer disease is the beta amyloid,tau proteins and phsopho tau which are detected in the CSF 

Neuropsychological test mainly to observe cognitive functions is done with MINI MENTAL STATE EXAMINATION


Prognosis

A patient  with alzheimer disease tends to survive five to eight years after the diagnosis and this time period might increase depending upon the several factors.Patient with alzheiner tends to behave aggressive,paranoia and anxiety.


Prevention

Create positive environment

Stay mentally active: play crossword,puzzle and other brain active games.

Get physically active:it increases the blood flow to the brain and keeps the brain active.

Create stress free environment

 


Reference

http://medicinenet.com

http://cdcgov.in

http://who.in

Davidson principle and practice of general medicine-22nd edition

http://ncbi.gov.in

http://sciencedirect.in