Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease that causes a steady decline of cognitive ability, behavioural and physical capabilities, which can be linked to characteristic pathophysiological changes in the brain. An epidemiological study have found that Alzheimer’s disease is the prominent cause of all dementia cases, accounting for more than 50% or all reported cases of dementia (Dong et al, 2012). The originating cause of this dreadful disease has been determined to be due to not just one factor, but a mixture of different elements such as an individual’s genetic profile, lifestyle and environmental determinants. In the year 1906 Alois Alzheimer preformed his first autopsy of a patient that we now know suffered Alzheimer’s, he discovered extracellular
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In 1906, Dr. Alois Alzheimer examined the brain of deceased patient that he was following the steady decline of. What he found was a ‘shrinking’ of the peripheral layer of the cortex, which is the part of the brain that is associated to memory, linguistics and judgement (Fight Alzheimer’s Save Australia, n.d). Researchers have found that the first structure of the brain affected is the hippocampus, this results in a gradual decline of short-term memory function and thus this is one of the first symptoms seen in Alzheimer patients. After the hippocampus the amygdala is usually affected, the amygdala is linked to the limbic system. Deterioration of the amygdala impairs an individual’s ability to process and memorise emotional reactions (Intech, 2012). As the disease advances it spreads through all the lobes and areas of the brain, which leads to a slow deterioration of cognitive and functional …show more content…
Alzheimer’s disease can be classified clinically into three stages, mild, moderate and severe. Alzheimer’s is often diagnosed during the first stage, where the patient will be exhibiting mild symptoms such as repeating themselves, losing and misplacing things, mood changes, easily getting confused and lost and having difficulty handling money. In the second stage of moderate Alzheimer’s, damage starts to occur in parts of the brain that controls language, sensory processing and reasoning (National Institute on Aging, n.d). Indications that an individual is in the moderate spectrum of Alzheimer’s disease are symptoms including the inability to learn new things, difficulty recognizing family and friends, an increase in memory loss, confusion, impulsive behaviour, possible delusions, paranoia and struggling coping with new situations (National Institute on Aging, n.d). The final stage of Alzheimer’s is when an individual diagnosed usually becomes completely dependent on assisted care. The symptoms of severe Alzheimer’s include an incapability to communicate, seizures, trouble swallowing, weight loss, more time sleeping and lack of bowel control (National Institute on Aging,
In 1906, Dr. Alois Alzheimer examined the brain of deceased patient that he was following the steady decline of. What he found was a ‘shrinking’ of the peripheral layer of the cortex, which is the part of the brain that is associated to memory, linguistics and judgement (Fight Alzheimer’s Save Australia, n.d). Researchers have found that the first structure of the brain affected is the hippocampus, this results in a gradual decline of short-term memory function and thus this is one of the first symptoms seen in Alzheimer patients. After the hippocampus the amygdala is usually affected, the amygdala is linked to the limbic system. Deterioration of the amygdala impairs an individual’s ability to process and memorise emotional reactions (Intech, 2012). As the disease advances it spreads through all the lobes and areas of the brain, which leads to a slow deterioration of cognitive and functional …show more content…
Alzheimer’s disease can be classified clinically into three stages, mild, moderate and severe. Alzheimer’s is often diagnosed during the first stage, where the patient will be exhibiting mild symptoms such as repeating themselves, losing and misplacing things, mood changes, easily getting confused and lost and having difficulty handling money. In the second stage of moderate Alzheimer’s, damage starts to occur in parts of the brain that controls language, sensory processing and reasoning (National Institute on Aging, n.d). Indications that an individual is in the moderate spectrum of Alzheimer’s disease are symptoms including the inability to learn new things, difficulty recognizing family and friends, an increase in memory loss, confusion, impulsive behaviour, possible delusions, paranoia and struggling coping with new situations (National Institute on Aging, n.d). The final stage of Alzheimer’s is when an individual diagnosed usually becomes completely dependent on assisted care. The symptoms of severe Alzheimer’s include an incapability to communicate, seizures, trouble swallowing, weight loss, more time sleeping and lack of bowel control (National Institute on Aging,