Alzheimer's Disease: What It Is, Symptoms, Causes And Treatment

What is Alzheimer's Disease?

It is a neurodegenerative disease that causes the loss of cognitive functions, such as memory, orientation, attention and language. This loss of brain function occurs because of different processes, which lead to reduced synapses and neuronal death. As Alzheimer's Disease (AD) progresses, other parts of the brain can be affected, which interferes with the formation of new memories and the cognitive process.

Currently, the number of people living with dementia in the world is approximately 50 million. The outlook for 2050 is that this number will reach 152 million people. In Brazil, 55 thousand new cases of dementia are estimated every year. 1

Based on age, Alzheimer's Disease (AD) can be classified into two types: sporadic, usually of late onset (after age 65); and the familial, with early onset (before age 65), which represents only 5% of the cases of the disease. The most well-known form of AD is amnesia, with impaired recent memory and the ability to learn new facts.

In AD, there are different stages: mild, moderate and severe, as the disease progresses and impaired cognitive ability and daily activities. The clinical manifestations of dementia in AD go primarily through the stage designated mild cognitive impairment (CCL) and through the preclinical phase. In these phases, we are already able to perceive the cerebral alterations of AD, including the reduction in the uptake of cerebral glucose, that is, less use of glucose by the brain.

Alzheimer's disease and dementia

Dementia is a comprehensive term for several diseases that affect memory or other cognitive and behavioral skills, which significantly interfere with a person's ability to maintain their daily activities. Thus, Alzheimer's disease is a type of disease understood by the terminology Dementia. Alzheimer's disease and age Alzheimer's disease is the most frequent cause of dementia and, in Latin America, the prevalence of dementia at 60 years old is 1.3%, while from 90 years old it rises to 63.9%.

What are the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease?

According to the Ministry of Health, the first symptom in Alzheimer's Disease is recent memory loss. With the progression of the disease, more serious symptoms appear, such as: loss of remote memory (from older facts), irritability, language flaws, impaired ability to orient yourself in space and time.

What causes Alzheimer's disease?

The cause is still unknown. Although the disease is not considered hereditary, there are cases, especially when the disease starts before age 65, in which genetic inheritance is important. These cases correspond to only 5% of patients with Alzheimer's disease.

What are the risk factors?

Risk factors are hypertension, diabetes, obesity, smoking and physical inactivity. People with a history of complex intellectual activity tend to develop the disease later.

How to identify Alzheimer's disease?

There is no specific test to identify Alzheimer's disease in clinical practice. The diagnosis is made, above all, by exclusion. For that, some physical exams, laboratory tests, cognitive assessments and neuropsychological exams are performed.

Alzheimer's disease: which doctor to look for?

There are three medical specialists who can assist the person who has Alzheimer's Disease: the geriatrician, the neurologist and the psychiatrist. They are able to identify whether the reported symptoms are signs of Alzheimer's disease or are due to the natural aging process.

Is there treatment for Alzheimer's Disease?

There are treatments based on drugs and nutrients that can clinically benefit patients suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. In addition to these, there are also exercises that stimulate the brain.