What is Alzheimer's disease and what are its causes?
It is normal for adults to experience some memory loss as they age. However, significant memory loss that disrupts daily life is not a normal part of aging and could be a sign of Alzheimer's disease, or another brain health condition.
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative brain disorder that affects memory, cognitive function, and behavior. It can affect people of all ages and walks of life but it is most common in older adults. The exact cause of Alzheimer's disease is not fully understood, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
How is Alzheimer’s disease diagnosed and how does it differ from other cognitive disorders?
Alzheimer's disease is typically diagnosed through a combination of methods, including a neurological examination, laboratory tests, and imaging studies. A diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is usually made based on the presence of specific symptoms and changes in brain function, as well as the exclusion of other possible causes for these symptoms.
The diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease can be challenging because the symptoms of the condition can be similar to those of other cognitive disorders, such as vascular dementia or Lewy body dementia. It's important for a healthcare provider to carefully evaluate an individual's symptoms and medical history in order to accurately diagnose the condition and determine the most appropriate course of treatment.
Some of the key differences between Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders include:
Age of onset: Alzheimer's disease is most commonly diagnosed in people over the age of 65, although it can also occur in younger individuals. Other cognitive disorders, such as vascular dementia, can occur at any age.
Symptoms: The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease typically progress gradually over time, starting with mild memory loss and eventually leading to more severe cognitive impairment. Other cognitive disorders may cause more sudden changes in cognitive function, such as after a stroke or brain injury.
Causes: The cause of Alzheimer's disease is not 100% clear but other cognitive diseases can be diagnosed based on identifying their respective causes, such as a brain injury, stroke, or blood vessel disease.
Who is affected by Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a common condition that affects millions of people around the world each year. In fact, several famous people have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease before they died including Ronald Reagan, Charlton Heston, Margaret Thatcher, Gene Wilder and Linda Ronstadt. People are much more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease in advanced age. Family history of the disease, certain genetic mutations, and certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes are believed to be contributing factors. Lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and cognitive activity may also play a role in the development of Alzheimer's disease.
What causes Alzheimer’s disease?
Sorry to disappoint but it’s currently very unclear what causes Alzheimer’s disease. It is clear that it’s a gradual, degenerative disease—not a disease that is caused in an instant by traumatic brain injury, stroke, etc. Up until 2022, it was believed that Alzheimer's disease was somehow caused by the presence of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain. These structures are believed to contribute to the death of brain cells and the loss of brain function that occurs in Alzheimer's disease. Unfortunately, it turns out that this whole line of scientific literature was built on a faulty foundation of fraud.
How is the disease treated?
There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease, and treatment is focused on managing symptoms and slowing the progression of the disease. Other cognitive disorders may have more specific treatment options that are tailored to the underlying cause of the condition. For Alzheimer’s disease, like other incurable, progressive diseases, the emphasis is on making the patient, caregivers and family as comfortable as possible and giving the patient the ability to function as normally as possible for as long as possible.