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C8 Alzheimer's Disease: An Overview. https://www.13abc.com/content/news/Drug-to-slow-Alzheimers-disease-shows-promise-489187521.html. Objectives. Describe nerve cell interaction in the Human Brain Examine Alzheimer's Disease Discuss the stages of Alzheimer's
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C8 Alzheimer's Disease:An Overview https://www.13abc.com/content/news/Drug-to-slow-Alzheimers-disease-shows-promise-489187521.html
Objectives • Describe nerve cell interaction in the Human Brain • Examine Alzheimer's Disease • Discuss the stages of Alzheimer's • Summarize the risk factors of Alzheimer's • Explain the role of imaging in the diagnosis process • Discuss different treatments options • Identify the prognosis of Alzheimer's
ThesisStatement Alzheimer's disease is a multifaceted disease that currently has no cure; however early diagnosis through medical imaging and neurological testing provide therapeutic options that can increase a person's lifespan and delay complications that coincide with this condition.
ABOUT ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE • Most common form of Dementia • Neurodegenerative disease • 6th leading cause of death US • 5 million Americans are currently afflicted • No cure https://www.mybraintest.org/dementia-types-symptoms-alzheimers-vascular/
Human Brain • Nerve Cell Interaction • Signal moves from dendrites down the axon • Connects with another nerve cell at the synapse where neurotransmitters are released • Specific function is produced http://www.katebrilakis.com/skeletal--muscular-nerve-receptors.html
Nerve Cell Disruption With Alzheimer's Disease signals do not travel normally through the nerve cells due to: • Plaque -sticky buildup of pieces of beta-amyloid protein that disrupts the signal interaction between the nerve cells • Tangle - tau protein gets twisted causing this transport system to fail https://columbiasciencereview.com/2015/04/18/a-promising-cure-for-alzheimers-disease/ As tangle and plaque numbers increase, the individual progresses through the stages of Alzheimer's.
Stages of Alzheimer's Preclinical Stage of AD • Can last years to decades before diagnosis • The start of the formation of plaques and tangles in the brain • Before signs and symptoms are recognizable. http://www.alzheimersblog.org/2016/10/27/preclinical-alzheimers-disease/
Stages of Alzheimer's Symptoms of MCI may remain stable for years, progress to Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia, or improve over time Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) • Memory Slips • Poor Judgement • Family and friends notice changes *About 8 of every 10 people with MCI go on to develop Alzheimer's disease within 7 years. http://www.scientificanimations.com/alzheimers-disease-different-stages/sag_alzheimers_170918_03/
Stages of Alzheimer's Mild AD • Thought process disturbances • Behavior disturbances • Memory loss • Personality changes • Misplace objects • Difficulty with problem solving http://www.lornoxicam.org/alzheimers-disease/stages-of-alzheimers.php
Stages of Alzheimer's Moderate AD • Dependent on daily help • Forget personal detail about life • Increased confusion • Repeat information • Unable to recognize people • Unable to control bladder or bowel movements • Aggressive behavior https://www.agenebio.com/pipeline/about-amci-and-alzheimers-dementia/
Stages of Alzheimer's Severe AD • Disorientation • Loss of verbal communication skills • Require care for daily needs • Loss of motor function https://www.alzoc.org/resources/what-is-alzheimers-disease/
Risk factors VASCULAR PROBLEMS • Damage to a person’s vascular system especially in the brain can lead to Alzheimer’s Disease • AGE • The most significant risk factor. • After the age of 65, the risk of Alzheimer’s doubles every five years. After age 85, the risk reaches to nearly one-third. https://www.kindlycare.com/alzheimers-risks-causes-prevention/ • FAMILY HISTORY OF DEMENTIA • If an individual has one or more family members with AD, the risk of developing it increases.
Diagnosing Alzheimer's • Blood Work • Neurolgoical Testing to test reflexes, memory, responses, memory, or other cognitive issues. • Brain Imaging – structurally and functionally • Genetic Testing Brain imaging and neurological testing are the two major tests performed to diagnose Alzheimer's.
Computed tomography (CT) Structural imaging https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Figure-2-Plain-Computed-Tomography-CT-Brain-Axial-Image-Normal-ventricles-and_fig2_235976073 • Structural imaging looks at brain atrophy. • Atrophy of the hippocampal region is the main area of focus which is located in the posterior area of the brain. • The image on the far left shows significant atrophy throughout the brain. Normal Brain CT AD Brain CT https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/186570/view/brain-with-alzheimer-s-disease-ct-scan
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRi) Structural imaging (cont.) • MRI uses magnetism • MRI better tissue quality • MRI more expensive so not always available to patients MRI is the better option for visualizing small details of brain tissue for Alzheimer's if it is available to the patient. This image shoes significant brain atrophy in the Alzheimer's brain compared to the normal brain. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/research/advancements-in-research/fundamentals/in-depth/we-need-to-talk-about-alzheimers-disease
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fmri) Functional imaging • Functional imaging evaluates blood flow and metabolic uptake of the brain. • Used throughout Alzheimer's Disease as a measuring tool throughout the stages. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197458010001788
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Functional imaging (cont.) Uses the radioactive material fludeoxyglucose (FDG) to measure the brains glucose metabolic function. https://howshealth.com/alzheimers-disease/ https://usciences-alzheimers.weebly.com/stages.html
Medication for Memory Aimed to help the memory of affected individual https://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-acetylcholinesterase.htm • Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter in the brain that is pertinent to memory. When one has Alzheimer's this chemical is scarce causing the decline in memory. • Cholinesterase Inhibitors – aid in memory by slowing the breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain.
Medication for behavioral symptoms Medication to suppress symptoms, should only be used as long as the benefits outweigh the risks. • Antipsychotics – suppress hallucinations and paranoia • Antidepressants – help with depression and anxiety • Mood Stabilizers - aid with agitation and aggression • Benzodiazepines – relaxant to help with calming and sleeping https://www.healthdiseaseblog.com/2016/11/treatment-options-Alzheimers-disease.html
Therapeutic Treatment • Supportive Psychotherapy -- allows individuals with AD to share emotions openly and correspondingly encourages them to maintain daily activities as much as possible. • Memory Training Therapy -- external memory aids to enhance the persons memory function overall • Validation Therapy -- reduces stress levels, helps to finish any unresolved life goals, and facilitates independent living acknowledging feelings and working with the lack of bodily function they now have in the moderate or severe stages of AD. • Reminiscence Therapy -- allows time to review life events and reorganize the events to help with memory • Reality Orientation -- helps to gain a sense of control and to improve self-esteem by orientating them with the current situation whether that is in assisted living or still in one’s own home
Prognosis This is a disease that one dies with, not because of. Many people suffer with comorbidities with the two most common being: - Pneumonia - Cardiovascular Disease These comorbidities stem from a more sedentary lifestyle that patients endure with losing abilities of daily living.
conclusion With the number of people affected by Alzheimer's increasing, the early detection through imaging and neurological testing can help slow the progression and delay the associated complications that stem from it. https://www.docpanel.com/blog/post/alzheimers-disease-and-benefit-radiology-second-opinion
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