Introduction to Alzheimer’s Disease
The term Alzheimer’s disease (AD) conjures up a multitude of images. Most people are aware of someone who has suffered from the disease either as a friend or relative. According to the National Institute on Aging, AD is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects primarily memory, later cognition, and general overall condition. People with AD are usually over the age of 65 and have a life expectancy of three to eleven years after onset of symptoms. The disease itself affects different regions of the brain to various extents, by generation of abnormal amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. AD was first described in 1907 as a new disease identified in a “peculiar disorder” in a patient with senile dementia. The disorder was later reclassified as AD, a psychiatric disorder.
Epidemiology and Risk Factors
With the ever-increasing number of aging adults, the number of people suffering from dementia is increasing rapidly. The occurrence of dementia is low before the age of 60 but then doubles every 5 years to reach a prevalence of 20-40% by the age of 85. With the current aging of the population and increased life expectancy, the cost of dementia is expected to increase dramatically over the next few decades. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) accounts for about 60-70% of all dementia cases, making it the most frequently occurring form of dementia in people over the age of 65. Most of the affected patients are already present and symptomatic at an older age. AD was responsible for 3.1% of all deaths worldwide in 2016, although the contribution of AD to mortality is likely to be much higher. In the United States, AD is the sixth-leading cause of death, and the fifth-leading cause of death in patients aged 65 years or older.
Diagnostic Techniques and Biomarkers
Cognitive impairment, which can be measured using brief neuropsychological tests, is one of the cardinal features of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Besides cognitive impairment, these patients, particularly those with more advanced stages, exhibit a variety of neuropsychiatric and neurological symptoms that collectively define a clinical syndrome. When these cognitive and other neuropsychiatric symptoms occur in the context of a gradual decline over months to years, the picture of cognitive dysfunction is generally termed “dementia”. Dementia further refers to a greater level of cognitive impairments that interferes with daily living – meaning that the individual wants to maintain, including privacy, and who the patient has been historically, in terms of inherent human personality, holding principles, and values. In general, dementia describes a possible range of cognitive deficits and levels of severity, enabling us to define qualitative dimensions: not just whether impairment is present, but how advanced it is.
No disease-modifying or rational symptomatic therapy for cognitive impairment in AD is available. Unlike treatment for hypertension and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, the “penicillin era for dementia” in AD is far seen. Although basic research for a better understanding of the etiopathogenesis of AD is quickly and efficiently performed, resulting in new hopes for decisive breakthroughs, many pharmaceutical companies are slowly and expensively exploring new treatment chances within the area of AD.
READ MORE ABOUT Parkinson’s Disease https://www.ihmorg.org/parkinsons-disease/
Conclusion
Alzheimer’s disease poses profound challenges for individuals, families, and healthcare systems due to its progressive nature and impact on cognitive and functional abilities. Despite the absence of a cure, advancements in research, early diagnosis, and innovative treatment strategies offer hope for better management and improved quality of life. Ongoing efforts in research, awareness, and support are vital in addressing the complexities of Alzheimer’s and working towards a future where effective treatments and prevention strategies can provide relief and hope for those affected.
INTERNATIONAL HEALTH AND MEDICINE ORGANIZATION IHMO
