Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is the leading form of dementia, representing 63% of dementia cases.  It is a progressive, degenerative disease that destroys vital brain cells. Symptoms of the disease include a gradual onset and continuing decline of memory, changes in judgment or reasoning, and an inability to perform familiar tasks.  Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of aging.

Changes in the Brain

Several changes occur in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. The brain cells shrink or disappear, and are replaced by dense, irregularly-shaped spots, or plaques. Another indicator of the disease is thread-like tangles within existing brain cells. These tangles eventually choke healthy brain cells.

Effects of Alzheimer’s Disease

Over time, Alzheimer's disease will impact every aspect of a person's life: how he/she thinks, feels and acts. It is difficult to predict the symptoms each person will have, the order they will appear or the rate of the disease’s progression. However, it is certain that a person’s mental abilities, emotions, behaviour, and physical abilities will eventually all be affected.

Although the disease results in changes, it does not affect the person’s ability to appreciate, respond to and experience feelings such as joy, anger, fear, love or sadness.

Once brain cells are damaged by Alzheimer’s disease they cannot be restored, but there are treatments and strategies that can help both the person with the disease and the caregiver.

At present, there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease.

The Cause of Alzheimer’s Disease

We still don’t know what causes Alzheimer’s disease or how to stop its progression.  Researchers believe there is no single cause of the disease, rather a combination of factors.

 

Reference:  Alzheimer Society of Canada, 2010