Category: Alzheimer’s Disease

Introduction

Community-based long-term planning has developed over time. Today, a higher level of specialized knowledge and organizational lessons may be used to better the healthcare system. It is important to note that a holistic well-being assessment for the aged is based on the assumption that they have greater physical and emotional health and cognitive health than younger people (Anderson et al., 2020). Furthermore, the rising number of older persons has influenced the necessity for regular medical examinations. Most older people start experiencing physical changes in their bodies around age 65 (Alzheimers Association, 2018). However, these changes vary depending on the individuals physical attributes. Additionally, the majority of elderly persons who are not institutionalized in nursing facilities are unable to get the care they need. Thus, the overall health of older individuals should be considered while they receive care. The essay discusses Alzheimers disease and its impacts on the population, culture, and finances, highlighting the current treatments available to alleviate some symptoms and improve the quality of life for those affected.

Problem Definition

Alzheimers disease is a neurological disorder that primarily affects older people. The disease is the most common form of dementia in older people, characterized by a gradual but continuous deterioration in mental function and the death of brain cells (Alzheimers Association, 2018). Alzheimers is characterized by the decline of nerve cells and neurodegeneration in specific brain regions, including the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex (Alzheimers Association, 2018). There have been many studies on what causes Alzheimers disease, but the specific cause is still unknown. Alzheimers Association (2018) postulated that the condition resulted from a combination of hereditary, environmental, and behavioral risk factors but acknowledged that the precise origin of the disease remained unclear. Currently, no cure can completely reverse the effects of the disease. However, certain drugs are available to help alleviate the symptoms for a short period.

Population Affected

Age and gender are key risk factors for the development of Alzheimers disease in a person. Women are more prone than males to suffer from this condition (Alzheimers Association, 2018). Besides, the Alzheimers Association (2018) further argues that adults, particularly the elderly, are the most often afflicted by Alzheimers. These individuals will encounter various neurological issues after being diagnosed with this illness, including memory loss, difficulties finishing tasks, and even behavioral abnormalities (Alzheimers Association, 2018). Some ethnic groups may also be affected by Alzheimers disease. According to the Alzheimers Association (2018), African Americans have a substantially greater risk of Alzheimers disease than Whites. The disease is a prevalent and debilitating condition that primarily affects women and elderly individuals, with some ethnic groups being at a higher risk.

Cultural Implications

Culture plays a significant role in shaping attitudes and beliefs about Alzheimers disease and the elderly population affected by the disease. Americans negative societal views of the elderly and those with dementia date back many generations (Krishnamurthi et al., 2022). However, attitudes towards the elderly and those living with dementia have changed for the better in recent years. The social stigma associated with Alzheimers disease is one cultural effect. Dementia is still stigmatized in specific communities, leaving those who suffer from it and their loved ones feeling embarrassed and alone (Krishnamurthi et al., 2022). This discrimination may make people reluctant to ask for assistance, which can hasten their decline and further stress their caretakers.

Financial Implications

The financial impact of the disease on the elderly is substantial, as the cost of caring for and supporting those with the disease continues to rise. According to a study by OHanlon et al. (2019), the estimated cost of caring for these patients in the United States is $277 billion and is expected to surpass $1 trillion by 2050. Similarly, the total cost of lifetime care, including Medicare, Medicaid, out-of-pocket expenses, and informal care for someone with dementia, was estimated at $341,840 in 2017 dollars (Alzheimers Association, 2018). Furthermore, the expenses of institutional care, such as nursing homes, and the financial strain faced by caregivers of Alzheimers patients add to the burden.

Legally, as memory loss and cognitive decline set in, individuals with Alzheimers may become vulnerable to financial exploitation and may need someone to manage their finances and make financial decisions for them. A durable power of attorney for finances or a trust can be established to ensure that the individuals assets are protected and used in their best interests (Smedinga et al., 2020). Finally, informed consent is a key ethical issue related to Alzheimers disease, as it can impact an individuals ability to understand and agree to medical treatments and interventions. For instance, if a person is unable to comprehend the risks and benefits of a particular treatment, they may not be able to provide informed consent, which can lead to ethical dilemmas for healthcare providers.

The Interventions

In some cases, medications may be prescribed to help improve symptoms of Alzheimers and slow down the progression of the disease. The United States Food and Drug Administration has approved two classes of medicine for treating Alzheimers disease: cholinesterase inhibitors like Razadyne and Exelon and memantine like Namenda (Alzheimers Association, 2018). However, it is crucial to remember that these drugs may have a wide range of potential adverse effects on the patients body, from mild to severe, leading to a partly dysfunctional state of health.

Physical Exercise

Physical activity is a beneficial intervention for those suffering from Alzheimers disease. Regular physical exercise has several advantages that may assist in reducing symptoms and decreasing disease development in the aged population. For instance, physical activity has been demonstrated to promote cardiovascular health, boost blood flow to the brain, and increase the synthesis of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that aids brain cell development and survival (Alzheimers Association, 2018). These benefits may enhance cognitive performance, lower the likelihood of getting the disease, and decrease the advancement of the illness in those who already have it.

Resources

Several resources are available to help the aged population deal with Alzheimers disease, including government initiatives, non-profit groups, and commercial sector resources. Government programs, for instance, Medicaid and Medicare, give financial help to Alzheimers patients and their families (Alzheimers Association, 2018). Additionally, the contributions of charitable organizations like the Alzheimers Association are also crucial in enhancing the quality of life for those living with the disease and their loved ones. These organizations provide a wide range of help to those in need, from emotional support to educational opportunities to material aid. Finally, private sector resources, such as private and long-term care insurance, may aid with the financial burden of Alzheimers disease. These resources may assist in paying for medical treatment and additional expenditures such as home care and respite care.

Intervention Costs

The cost of interventions for Alzheimers disease in the elderly can vary greatly depending on several factors, such as the type of intervention, the severity of the disease, and the individuals health insurance coverage. The cost of physical exercise for Alzheimers disease in the elderly can range from free to several hundred dollars per session. For example, community-based exercise programs and senior centers may offer free or low-cost exercise programs for the elderly. On the other hand, private personal training sessions can cost anywhere from $50 to $150 per hour (Yadav, 2019). Similarly, medication expenses for the disease can be significant. The average cost of donepezil (Aricept), a commonly prescribed drug for Alzheimers, is approximately $200 to $400 per month, while other drugs, such as memantine (Namenda), can cost even more (Yadav, 2019). Additionally, a persons health insurance coverage can influence the cost of medication.

Intervention Sustainability

Physical activity has been extensively examined and proved to be an effective therapy for Alzheimers disease in the elderly. It has been shown to enhance cognitive performance and slow disease progression (Alzheimers Association, 2018). However, its long-term viability depends on various aspects, including the availability of physical activities appropriate for the old, and their capacity to engage in physical activities. As the older population grows, so will the need for appropriate physical activities that are accessible, inexpensive, and safe, posing a challenge to the long-term viability of physical exercise as an intervention. Furthermore, drugs such as Cholinesterase inhibitors have been reported to improve some of the symptoms temporarily. However, the effectiveness of these medications declines with time, and they may ultimately be ineffective in managing the symptoms of Alzheimers disease (Alzheimers Association, 2018). This may necessitate using newer, costlier medications, posing a tremendous financial strain on the elderly and their families.

Conclusion

Alzheimers disease is a complex and challenging condition affecting the affected individuals, their families, and their communities. Despite being incurable, various treatments, including medications and lifestyle changes, can help to alleviate the symptoms and improve the quality of life for affected individuals. However, the high cost of care, social stigma, and the burden on caregivers make it a major challenge for those affected by the disease. Interventions to address the issue, including medications and physical exercise, are crucial to improving the lives of those with Alzheimers and their families.

References

Anderson, T. S., Marcantonio, E. R., McCarthy, E. P., & Herzig, S. J. (2020). National trends in potentially preventable hospitalizations of older adults with dementia. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 68(10), 22402248. Web.

Alzheimers Association. (2018). 2018 Alzheimers disease facts and figures. Alzheimers & Dementia, 14(3), 367-429. Web.

Krishnamurthi, R. V., Dahiya, E. S., Bala, R., Cheung, G., Yates, S., & Cullum, S. (2022). Lived experience of dementia in the New Zealand Indian community: a qualitative study with family caregivers and people living with dementia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 115. Web.

OHanlon, J., Jacobson, E. D., & Perillo, K. (2019). The Role of Senior Centers in Mitigating Alzheimers and Other Forms of Dementia. Institute for Public Administration. The Role of Senior Centers in Mitigating Alzheimers and Other Forms of Dementia (udel.edu)

Smedinga, M., Bunnik, E. M., Richard, E., & Schermer, M. H. (2021). The framing of Alzheimers disease: Differences between scientific and lay literature and their ethical implications. The Gerontologist, 61(5), 746-755. Web.

Yadav, G. R. (2019). Effect of rTMS in Patients with Alzheimers Disease: A Sham Controlled Study (Doctoral dissertation, Ranchi university). ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.

Abstract

The disease I will be talking about is Alzheimer’s. This disease affects humans every day, and it is very sad. It affects not only human beings physically but also emotionally. This is especially a drastic change for family members and close friends. Seeing a person change completely and not remember things can have a huge effect on a person. The concepts I will be talking about are ways to know you are developing this, different types of tests to determine this, what it affects, the pathology, epidemiology, and the long-term effects. This will give you a deeper understanding of what this disease is and the huge effects it has on human beings.

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Having someone you have had all these shared memories with suddenly start to forget is something that can be emotionally hard. They start not to remember you, how to do things, what day it is, and even more. It can cause a person’s personality or mood to change and become depressed, suspicious, and even anxious. The disease I’m talking about is Alzheimer’s; these are not the only things that can happen. This disease affects human beings a lot.

Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s

There are ways to know if someone is developing this disease. The steps required stated by the article Alzheimer’s Disease is a doctor taking different tests and evaluating you by asking you a few questions and asking you to do different tasks. Other tests they take are called metal status testing and Neurophysiological tests (para. 3). They do these tests to look at your brain, but they can also take an MRI, CT, or PET scan.

Doing these different types of tests can help a doctor diagnose if Alzheimer’s is the disease you may have. Although a doctor tells you the final answer to know if you have this condition, there are symptoms that may show you signs of this. As article 10, early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s states some of these symptoms are not being able to remember things, misplacing things, mood changes, and having trouble concentrating (para. 13). Alzheimer’s is a disease that you can certainly see or notice early signs of.

Alzheimer’s affects the brain part of your body. As Stanley J. Swierzewski states, “The frontal lobe which is responsible for the voluntary movements, emotion, writing, and speech. The parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes are also involved. “The parietal interprets sensation, temporal is involved with understanding sounds and speaking words as well as emotions and memory, while the occipital is about understanding visual images” (Swierzewski, para 2). This is how Alzheimer’s affects each of these body parts. They affect each body part in dissimilar ways because of their different functions, yet each of them is affected greatly.

Pathology of Alzheimer’s

There have been three main things determined as the cause of this disease. The pathology, as stated in the “Cure Alzheimer’s Fund” article, is Abeta peptide accumulation, nerve cell death, and inflammation (para 1.). As one thing happens, more things continue to happen, which becomes a cycle and causes more death of cells. According to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, it was also stated that the cell amyloid is what builds outside the nerve cell, causing it to tangle and then strangle the nerve cell (para 1.). This becomes so dangerous that memory loss is developed.

Epidemiology of Alzheimer’s

The epidemiology of Alzheimer’s disease is mostly found in people who are 65 years old and older. As Chengxuan Qui and Laura Fratiglioni state in the article “Epidemiology of Alzheimer’s Disease,” “North America has the highest percentage with it being 6.4%. Africa has the lowest, which is 1.6%. At the same time, China has 4% and Latin America has 4.6%. Western Europe is close to North America with a 5.6%. It may be hard to believe, but one-third of people may develop Alzheimer’s” (Qui et al., ch 3.). This is very sad because this disease is something that is very hard to deal with. It takes a toll on the person dealing with Alzheimer’s life, but also on the people close to them because it changes them completely.

Treatments of Alzheimer’s

Though Alzheimer’s is very hard to deal with, there are treatments to help. Sadly, there is no cure for this disease, but two types of drugs called Cholinesterase inhibitors and Memantine can help deal with this. Cholinesterase inhibitors, according to an Alzheimer’s disease article, help with “cell to cell communication and can help with depression as Memantine helps as another brain cell communication” (Alzheimer’s disease, para.17). Both these medicines can help greatly with depression.

Though these medicines may help, there are side effects that can be experienced. As stated in the article Alzheimer’s disease with Cholinesterase, you can experience “diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite and sleep. While with Memantine, you may feel “constipated, headaches and dizziness” (para. 18). It’s up to the person if they are willing to deal with possibly having these side effects. Some experience it, while others don’t. This is a great route to take because you are slowing down this disease. It is so important to do anything you can so you can help the person dealing with this disease live a longer life.

Other ways to help with Alzheimer’s are by exercising, being supportive, and creating a nice environment for people who may be suffering from this disease. Making sure they eat and have healthy foods and a lot of vitamins is always good and necessary. Even keeping pictures and things that mean something around to look at is a way to help. It’s all about being as supportive as you can. Although through all this, it can be very hard not only on the person who has this disease but the one who is there to support because of everything that is happening. Always remember that support is one of the best things you can do because although they may not remember things most of the time, there may be moments when they do, and it will be such a warm feeling.

Long-term effects of Alzheimer’s

The long-term effect of Alzheimer’s, coming from a clear standpoint, is memory loss. You won’t be able to remember people, names, moments, even who you are. You will not want to eat or have an appetite. Not only will you forget things that happened a while ago, but you will start forgetting things that happened a day ago, too.

Although you can do things to cope with it and lengthen the life expectancy, theThe article “Life Expectancy and Long-Term Outlook for Alzheimer’s Disease” by Kimberly Holland states that life expectancy can be long or, sadly for some people, short. Holland stated, “After the diagnosis, it can be eight to ten years or as long as twenty years, although in some cases it can be only three years” (Holland, para. 5). Since this has no cure, all you can do is help out with the treatments to make the progression slow down which is why it is so important to take it seriously and make sure they are getting the right treatments.

A lot of people suffer from this disease; I have had a close family member with Alzheimer’s and seen how much it changes people drastically. My uncle was a fun, loving, jokester and always trying to make people happy. I grew up with him since I was a little girl and saw him as a young woman and a different person. He became depressed and did not remember us anymore. It was the hardest thing for our family. It didn’t stop us from trying to be as supportive as we could by showing him pictures and speaking to him about our memories. Sometimes, we heard him say our name and remember us for a few seconds; it brought the biggest smiles to our faces and hearts. Sadly, after his battle, he passed away about a year ago.

Conclusion

Alzheimer’s comes and disrupts your everyday life, taking a toll on your brain and body. When you have someone who goes through this disease, there are a lot of ways to cope with this. I am using the treatments that I stated and the medications to slow down this disease as much as possible. Be as strong as possible for them, and make sure they are still reminded they are loved and cared for. I saw how badly Alzheimer’s affects a human being. This disease is so hard to deal with, and nobody deserves to go through this.

References

1. 10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s. (n.d.). Retrieved October 8, 2018, from https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10_signs
2. Alzheimer’s disease. (2017, December 30). Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350453
3. Holland, K. (n.d.). Life Expectancy and Long Term Outlook for Alzheimer’s Disease. Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.healthline.com/health/alzheimers-disease/life-expectancy
4. Pathology – Cure Alzheimer’s Fund. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2018, from
   https://curealz.org/the-disease/pathology/
5. Qui, C., & Fratiglioni, L. (n.d.). Oxford Scholarship Online. Retrieved September 20, 2018, from http://m.oxfordmedicine.com/mobile/view/10.1093/med/9780199569854.001.0001/med-9780199569854-chapter-3
6. Swierzewski, S. J. (n.d.). Alzheimer’s Disease Overview, Brain Anatomy. Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/frontal-lobe#1

Introduction

Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia. It is the most widely recognized type of dementia. Dementia is a term used to depict memory misfortune and loss of other scholarly abilities, such as thinking and considering, that are sufficiently serious to cause issues in everyday life. Alzheimer’s illness is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, who found the malady in 1906. Alzheimer’s biggest hazard factor is maturing. In any case, it’s anything but an ordinary piece of maturing. While the lion’s share of individuals who have Alzheimer’s are beyond 65 years old, it can occur in somebody more youthful.

Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease

Early-beginning Alzheimer’s is the point at which the illness winds up discernible in somebody in their 40s or 50s. Around 5 percent of individuals with this sickness are in this age gathering. This is a disease that continuously deteriorates after some time. In the late stages, somebody with Alzheimer’s will most likely be unable to convey or dissuade people around them. They will likewise, in the long run, need full-time care for regular day-to-day existence. As indicated by the Alzheimer’s Association, it is the sixth driving reason for death in the United States. The normal life expectancy of somebody with the infection is eight years after analysis. However, they can satisfy 20 years depending upon other well-being conditions. There is no fix as of now. Notwithstanding, there are medicines that can moderate the movement and enhance the personal satisfaction of those with the infection.

The Pathological Journey: Plaques and Tangles

The most widely recognized early side effect of Alzheimer’s is trouble recalling recently learned data in light of the fact that Alzheimer’s progressions regularly start in the piece of the cerebrum that influences learning. As Alzheimer’s advances through the mind, it prompts progressively extreme side effects, including bewilderment, inclination, and conduct changes; developing disarray about occasions, time, and place; unwarranted doubts about family, companions, and expert guardians; increasingly genuine memory misfortune and conduct changes; and trouble talking, gulping and strolling. Individuals with memory misfortune or other conceivable indications of Alzheimer’s may think that it’s difficult to remember they have an issue. Indications of dementia might be increasingly clear to relatives or companions. (https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers)

Like a wide range of dementia, Alzheimer’s is caused by cerebrum cell passing. It is a neurodegenerative disease, which implies there is dynamic cerebrum cell demise that occurs after some time. In an individual with Alzheimer’s, the tissue has fewer and fewer nerve cells and associations. Autopsies have demonstrated that the nerve tissue in the cerebrum of an individual with Alzheimer’s has minor stores, known as plaques and tangles, that develop on the tissue. The plaques are found between the diminishing cerebrum cells, and they are produced using a protein known as beta-amyloid. The tangles happen inside the nerve cells, and they are produced using another protein called tau. Specialists don’t completely comprehend why these progressions happen. A few distinct elements are accepted to be included. (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/159442.php)

Specialists utilize a few strategies and apparatuses to help decide if a person who is having memory issues has ‘conceivable Alzheimer’s dementia’ (dementia might be because of another reason), ‘plausible Alzheimer’s dementia’ (no other reason for dementia can be found), or some other issue. To analyze Alzheimer’s, specialists may:

Ask the individual and a relative or companion inquiries regarding, by and large, well-being, utilization of remedy and over-the-counter meds, diet, past medicinal issues, capacity to do day-by-day exercises, and changes in conduct and identity

Lead trial of memory, critical thinking, consideration, tallying, and dialect

Complete standard therapeutic tests, for example, blood and pee tests, to recognize other conceivable reasons for the issue. Perform mind checks, for example, registered tomography (CT), attractive reverberation imaging (X-ray), or positron discharge tomography (PET), to discount other conceivable foundations for indications.

The Growing Impact

These tests might be rehashed to give specialists data about how the individual’s memory and other psychological capacities are changing after some time. They can likewise help analyze different reasons for memory issues, for example, stroke, tumor, Parkinson’s ailment, rest unsettling influences, reactions of drugs, a disease, gentle intellectual disability, or non-Alzheimer’s dementia, including vascular dementia. A portion of these conditions might be treatable and conceivably reversible.

Note that Alzheimer’s ailment can be absolutely analyzed simply after death by connecting clinical measures with an examination of cerebrum tissue in a dissection. Once in a while, biomarkers—proportions of what is going on inside the living body—are utilized to analyze Alzheimer’s. (https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/how-alzheimers-disease-diagnosed)

An expected 5.7 million Americans of any age are living with Alzheimer’s dementia in 2018. By 2050, this number is projected to rise to nearly 14 million. This number incorporates an expected 5.5 million individuals age 65 and more established and around 200,000 people under age 65 who have more youthful beginning Alzheimer’s.

One out of 10 individuals aged 65 and older (10 percent) has Alzheimer’s dementia. Just about 66% of Americans with Alzheimer’s are ladies. More established African-Americans are about twice as likely to have Alzheimer’s or different dementias as older whites. Hispanics are around one and one-half occasions as liable to have Alzheimer’s or different dementias as older whites. 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. It kills more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. ( https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures )

Conclusion

The degree to which a person with the disease can keep up his or her social connections can likewise assume an extensive job. Patients should chat with their specialist or an analyst for procedures to adapt to social circumstances. What’s more, keeping up with family duties for as long as possible can help enhance personal satisfaction. In later stages, a patient’s needs may change, and it is essential for a parental figure to realize how to think about themselves, notwithstanding their adored one.

References

1. “Alzheimer’s Disease: What If There Was a Cure?: The Story of Ketones” by Mary T. Newport
2. “Before I Forget: Love, Hope, Help, and Acceptance in Our Fight Against Alzheimer’s” by B. Smith and Dan Gasby
3. “Creating Moments of Joy for the Person with Alzheimer’s or Dementia” by Jolene Brackey

Introduction

Alzheimer’s is a disease that is only growing with casualties as humans live longer and give Alzheimer’s a chance to take over the brain. The United States culture has been very active in letting people know what causes other diseases like cancer and heart attacks. Yet, it is seemingly talked about what causes Alzheimer’s. Most Americans believe that it is an inherited disease, and that’s the only way a person can get it. But in reality, only 30 to 40 percent of Alzheimer’s victims get it generically; the rest get infected by (environmental).

Some of the many ways a person can get Alzheimer’s are easy things like having stress, not getting quality sleep, having a bad diet, not taking care of the brain, and changing it to keep it healthy. All of these causes are due to not living a healthy lifestyle. By living a healthier lifestyle and being aware and educated about the possible ways to get Alzheimer’s, people should have a better chance of never getting the horrendous disease that tears away memories, happiness, and sole, and the percentage of Alzheimer’s victims should go down from the sixth leading cause of death in America, instead of going up.

Unmasking Alzheimer’s Causality

There is beginning to be a link between environmental exposure and Alzheimer’s. There is a very strong connection already found by scientists that pesticides DDT can cause Parkinson’s disease. There is beginning to be a study correlation between DDT and Alzheimer’s. Dr. Jason Richards at Rutgers University did a study that tested the blood of people who had Alzheimer’s. They tested the blood for DDT and DDE in most of the pertisapents, and “they had levels of DDT and DDE four times greater than the control group”. (Sneed) There is no surgeon answer as to how DDT and DDE can cause Alzhiermsers, but Dr. Jason Richards believes, “But he speculates that DDT/DDE somehow encourage growth of the amyloid proteins that make up the plaques associated with the disease.” (Sneed)

Sleep, Stress, and Cognitive Health

In life, humans develop diseases, and a lot of these diseases are caused by some sort of unhealthy lifestyle. It is very common for one disease to lead to another. In the case of Alzheimer’s, studies are showing that people who already have high cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, and diabetes have a greater chance of getting Alzheimer’s disease. (Reuters Health) Dr. Rebecca Gottesman of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine said, “Each alone may not be enough to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, but having a number of these risk factors appears to be associated with an even higher risk” (Reuters Health) of getting Alzheimer’s disease.

This does not prove that if a person has one of these diseases, he or she will doomingly have Alzheimer’s, too. This does support that “vascular risk factors might directly impact Alzheimer’s changes in the brain” (Reuters Health). If vascular risk factors do impact getting Alzheimer’s, then it would be good for those individuals to know that they have a high risk of getting Alzheimer’s. After knowing that they can have time to do anything they can to delay or eliminate the disease. Not a lot of Americans have any idea that high cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, and diabetes could lead to Alzheimer’s disease. High cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, and diabetes are very common illnesses in America, and yet there is very little talk about how they can cause Alzheimer’s disease.

Stress and sleep are two things that Americans do all the time, and they have no idea that it can affect their mental health. Poor sleep can lead to high levels of beta-amyloid. Beta-amyloid is a brain-clogging protein. The brain tries to activate mechanisms to try to repair the myelin. The beta-amyloid blocks the repair mechanisms, and the brain stops producing myelin. Uninterrupted deep sleep is very important to the brain by helping flush the brain toxic out of the brain.

Persistent Stress and Chronic stress can hinder nerve cell growth and shrinkage in the memory area tissue of the brain. Hindering nerve cell growth leads to Alzheimer’s by the death of nerve cells. Alzheimer’s kills nervous cells, and if the nerve cells are prohibited from growing, this will increase the chance of getting Alzheimer’s, which could be caused by Persistent Stress and Chronic stress. The shrinkage of the memory tissue of the brain can lead to Alzheimer’s. The most common way Dementia starts is with the shrinkage of the brain tissue. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of Dementia. When the memory tissues start to shrink, the brain starts to forget memories. The most common forgotten memory of early memory tissue shrinkage is recent/newer memories. Need a source for this one.

Unhealthy diets can increase a person’s chance of getting Alzheimer’s by causing inflammation and insulin resistance in the brain, which injure neurons and inhibit communication between brain cells. An unhealthy diet leads to metabolic disorder, which is linked to the signal-processing system in the brain. Eating excessively processed foods can, along with other fatty foods, create insulin resistance, which will injure neurons in the brain. Refine carbs can make the brain have dramatic shifts in blood sugar, which can lead to insulin resistance; not eating a good helping of omega-three fat foods will not help the brain and could lead to Alzheimer’s because omega-three fat foods have beta-amyloid plaques, which will help prevent Alzheimer’s (Mace) pg:334.

Not taking the right vitamins could also lead to Alzheimer’s. Folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin D, magnesium, fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, and coenzyme Q10 help preserve the brain and decrease inflammation in the brain. Douud, Gwenale Preventing Alzhimers Dieses-Related to Gray Matter by Vitamin B Treatment says that “use of vitamin B intake supplements have reduced as much as seven-folds, cerebral atrophy in the gray matter” Pp 9523-9528; The effect that the vitamin B supplement possibly affects grey matter to support the brain health and prevent Alzheimer’s. Not taking the right vitamins could affect the chances of a person getting Alzheimer’s. The 36-Hour Day, by Mace, Nancy L., and Peter V. Rabins, explains how “Having a poor diet can lead to Cognitive Decline.”

Cognitive Engagement and Social Interaction

Cognitive abilities are memory and thinking skills. A person who has a cognitive decline has a very high risk factor of getting Alzheimer’s. Nitrosamines are nitrogen-based fertilizers that are used in Tabaco products, color, flavor, and preserve natural foods (Sneed). “Researcher Suzanne de la Monte of Brown University’s Warren Alpert Medical School believes there is a connection between the rising number of Alzheimer’s cases and the greater amounts of nitrogen-based chemicals added to our food” (Sneed). America has consumed extranmical amounts of tobacco, food color, flavor, and preserved foods. If the link between nitrosamines and causing Alzheimer’s is true, then America should be worried and start to avoid those products.

Living a physically active life could cause and lead to Alzheimer’s. The Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation said physical exercise can reduce a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s “by up to 50 percent.” By not participating in physical activity, an individual does not stimulate the brain, which provides its ability to make and maintain connections in the brain. Not being able to make and maintain old connections in the brain can lead to the deterioration of neurons in the brain and ultimately start Alzheimer’s.

Naftolin, Frederick, and Mitchell Harmans’s scholarly journal Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease and Cognitive decline describes “The interaction between physical activity and the putative mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s disease progression.” (Putative mechanisms, means “the cause of death.”) Naftolin, Frederick, and Mitchell Harmans research that if a person is not physically active, it can lead to “putative mechanisms” of Alzheimer’s. When a person is physically active, they should avoid letting their head get hit and causing a head injury. Head injuries can increase a person’s chance of getting Alzheimer’s and is a greater chance after the age of fifty-five.

Physical Activity and Brain Vitality

Like most diseases, there are many contributing factors to getting Alzheimer’s. Brain health is a very important thing, and it is what Alzheimer’s attacks and breaks down. Not having a healthy working brain can lead to Alzheimer’s. There are many different ways that the brain can deteriorate and lead to Alzheimer’s.

“Keeping the brain working” is a way to prevent Alzheimer’s. A person that is not socially active and doesn’t have conversations with other human beings could lead to the deterioration of the brain and ultimately lead to Alzheimer’s. Not keeping the brain active and not challenging it daily could lead to Alzheimer’s. An example of keeping the brain actively thinking would be doing crossword puzzles, reading, brain food learning tools, and games.

When people don’t practice their memory, examples like looking at old photo albums and working on attaining a great memory could be in danger of Alzheimer’s. A Study conducted by NIH ACTIVE Help Guide said, “Older adults who received as few as ten sessions of mental training not only improved their cognitive functioning in daily activities in the months after the training but continued to show long-lasting improvements ten years later.” The NIH ACTIVE study provides evidence that not doing anything to help the brain’s health will not help it continue to be healthy and could lead to the deterioration of the brain.

Alzheimer’s can be passed down genetically. “30 to 40 percent of Alzheimer’s is passed down genetically”. Alzheimer’s can be passed down genetically by getting an APOE gene from one of your parents. Not everyone who has an APOE gene gets Alzheimer’s. The common miss belief is that Alzheimer’s is a genetic gene; if a person in the family has Alzheimer’s, the individuals in that family will get the disease. This is false because 30 to 40 percent of Alzheimer’s victims get the disease through a genetic trait; the rest are (Environmental and lifestyle).

Pesticides and Environmental Exposure

Environmental, Lifestyle Alzheimer’s can mean that humans get diseases through environmental factors and exposure. It can also mean that the diseases were gotten through lifestyle. Lifestyle is the way you live your life and what you do to cause or prevent Alzheimer’s. A study done by the British Medical Journal claimed that “Missense mutations in three genes are known to cause atonal dominant forms of early onset Alzheimer’s diseases.

The amyloid precursor protein gene is located on chromosome 21, and genes for presenilin one and presenilin two are located on chromosome 14 and 1.” These are the different genes that the Alzheimer’s trait can be passed down on. The British Health Article did a survey, and they decided that “the 50 or so mutations associated with presenilin one may explain up to half of all cases of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.” Half of the early cases of Alzheimer’s of the mutations associated with Presenilin 1 conflicts with the theory that only 30 to 40 percent of Alzheimer’s victims get it through genetics.

Conclusion

Alzheimer’s disease occurs when brain cells and their connections degenerate and die, which leads to confusion and memory loss. Over 5.5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s Disease, and there is a 10 percent chance of getting it after turning 65 years old. Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in America. Yet in America, we are not as worried about the causes of Alzheimer’s compared to our concern with other diseases, such as cancer.

However, Alzheimer’s Disease is one of the more horrible ways to die, and there needs to be a greater awareness of what causes it to aid in reducing a person’s chances of falling victim to this horrible, deadly disease. Most Americans are educated on what can cause/increase the risk of common diseases such as cancer. However, the causes or risk factors of Alzheimer’s Disease are seldom talked about. People need to be educated and aware of the factors that can increase a person’s chances of
getting the horrendous brain-deadening disease, Alzheimer’s.

References

1. “Still Alice” by Lisa Genova
2. “The Forgetting: Alzheimer’s: Portrait of an Epidemic” by David Shenk
3. “On Pluto: Inside the Mind of Alzheimer’s” by Greg O’Brien
4. “Creating Moments of Joy Along the Alzheimer’s Journey: A Guide for Families and Caregivers” by Jolene Brackey

Introduction

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that causes people to lose their memory and eventually their ability to do easy, everyday tasks. Approximately 5.7 million Americans have this disease, and it is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. In 20 years, it is predicted that 14 million Americans will have Alzheimer’s disease(2018).

Alzheimer’s Disease: A Looming Crisis

Unfortunately, there isn’t one drug to treat this disease due to its complexity. However, current approaches include the management of behavior and maintaining mental function(2016). In January 2019, CNN released an article claiming that blood tests can detect Alzheimer’s up to 16 years before symptoms occur.

This article explains how researchers started measuring the level of NfL, neurofilament light chain (a protein in the blood), to see if any rise in the level of NfL could lead to disease. Basically, NfL is a marker for nerve cell loss in the brain, and the more of the NfL you have, the more damage you have. Based on this, a research team under Mathias Jucker went on to conduct a test of NfL levels of 405 individuals with dominantly inherited Alzheimer’s. This study has been going on for seven years now, and the results show that NfL is a good predictor of brain development.

However, the article goes on to explain that this method isn’t really new. They do this kind of test to tell people that they have cancer as well. Also, NfL levels increase if there is brain damage from an injury/accident. Therefore, this test isn’t just for diagnosing Alzheimer’s. There has also been previous research in hopes of detecting Alzheimer’s in the early stages. In 2014, a team of researchers used a blood test to look at ten specific lipids in people’s blood, and the results were that they were able to predict Alzheimer’s prior to any symptoms (Avramova, 2019).

Conclusion

This new research is extremely important in the process of trying to find a treatment for Alzheimer’s before it develops into dementia. Although there is a long way to go, every step matters, and this research is a big step in the right direction. Alzheimer’s is a terrible disease that not only affects the person who is diagnosed but also their families. The Alzheimer’s Association estimated that nearly 17 billion hours of unpaid care is provided by 15 million caregivers(Allied Services 2018). This disease also causes a lot of physical, emotional, and financial stress to loved ones. Unfortunately, the disease is expected to skyrocket over the next few years; therefore, a cure is needed now(Cirillo, 2011). This new blood test research will hopefully lead to finding a treatment prior to the start of symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

Works Cited

1. Avramova, Nina. “Blood Test Could Detect Alzheimer’s Years Before Symptoms Begin.” CNN, Cable News Network, 22 Jan. 2019, www.cnn.com/2019/01/22/health/alzheimers-detected-blood-test-study-intl/index.html.
2. Cirillo, Anthony. “Why Is Alzheimer’s Disease Research Important? | Alzheimer’s Disease.” Sharecare, 29 Nov. 2011, www.sharecare.com/health/alzheimers-disease/why-alzheimers-disease-research-important.
3. “Alzheimer’s Disease Fact Sheet.” National Institute on Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 17 Aug. 2016, www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-disease-fact-sheet#treating.
4. “Facts and Figures.” Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Association, 2018, www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures.
5. “The Importance of Alzheimer’s Awareness.” Allied Services, 27 Nov. 2018, www.allied-services.org/the-importance-of-alzheimers-awarness/.

Introduction

Alzheimer’s disease tends to affect the elderly, which causes them to lose old and new memories. For most, losing memories becomes confusing and frustrating. Some patients don’t lose all their memories. They just can’t find the right words for what they want to say. Hence, the Alzheimer’s Association chose to write, “I know what I want to say. I just can’t find the words.”. Early signs of possible dementia are the loss of communication skills, loss of sense of direction, and forgetting basic life functions, i.e., personal hygiene. The suicide rate of patients affected by Alzheimer’s is significantly higher when compared to the rates of other dementia patients. The amount of emotional strain and discomfort put on those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is astronomical. Alzheimer’s Association’s ad explicitly tells you that she’s confused and distressed but implicitly says that she’s hurting emotionally and knows a cure doesn’t exist.

Depicting Desolation: Visual and Emotional Elements

When looking at the advertisement, you see an elderly woman who looks depressed. She stands with a white sign that describes her thoughts because she doesn’t know which words will get her point across. The tone of the ad is sad and sympathetic towards the woman. When you look at the background, you see that it’s blurred. Maybe it’s for visual aspects, but in reality, it’s blurred to show that she can’t remember her past or recall what has happened earlier in her life. The creators of the ad want to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s and the charities attached to it. Alzheimer’s Association is one of the largest donors to finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease and helping provide care. By advancing their research, their goal is to eradicate Alzhiermers completely. Since the ad is in a magazine whose target audience is business owners and entrepreneurs of an older, more mature demographic, the creators expect the reader to know the general definition of Alzheimer’s Disease and how it makes the affected feel.

Alzheimer’s Impact on Caregivers and Families

During the early and middle stages of Alzheimer’s, it’s common for a patient to experience some form of depression. With the help of the Association, treatment that is given can make a large difference in their quality of life. As of now, there is no cure or a way to slow down the natural effects, but thanks to the donations and funding provided by the Alzheimer’s Association, there are “drug and non-drug options that may help treat symptoms” (Alzheimer’s Association).

Most people think of Alzheimer’s as a disease that affects memory and thinking, mostly due to lapses in the beginning stages of the disease. In the early stages, people start to misplace objects, forget faces and names, and have difficulties recalling recent events. Toward the end, “people may completely lose the ability to speak” (Harvard Medical School). At the bottom of the ad, the Association added a short description of where to find information about Alzheimer’s. The ad appeals to ethos or values by spreading information about the first signs and warnings of potential dementia.

Common feelings caregivers and families often experience are “guilt, grief and loss, and anger.” (Alzheimer’s Society Canada). Alzheimer’s is often referred to as a family disease because of the strain and sadness of watching someone you love slowly deteriorate. Alzheimer’s can lead those diagnosed at a loss of words, which makes the people who have a fully functioning vocabulary feel guilty and sympathetic. The Ad uses facial expressions and body language to emote the woman’s feelings and overall demeanor. The older woman is stressed and frustrated. Purple is a sympathetic color and is often used to evoke a feeling of close relationships and sensitivity. The Ad uses pathos or emotions to attract a reader or viewer to gain more knowledge about Alzheimer’s and the effects it has on a person’s emotions.

Conclusion

Alzheimer’s can lead to depression of the ones affected and the family and friends of those. While you’re still young, take advantage of your youth and ability to have a fully capable memory, speaking your mind without delay and feeling no confusion. In recent research, it’s been shown that head trauma is linked to Alzheimer’s, especially if the affected is at any point unconscious. You can help reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s by protecting your head. Alzheimer’s Association utilizes the appeals of value (ethos) and emotions (pathos) to persuade a viewer to investigate and gain knowledge about Alzheimer’s.

References

1. “The Alzheimer’s Action Plan: The Experts’ Guide to the Best Diagnosis and Treatment for Memory Problems” by P. Murali Doraiswamy and Lisa P. Gwyther
2. “On Pluto: Inside the Mind of Alzheimer’s” by Greg O’Brien
3. “Somebody I Used to Know: A Memoir” by Wendy Mitchell

“Although pathophysiology is a science, it also designates suffering in people; the clinician should never lose sight of this aspect of its definition.” (McCane and Huether, 2019). Pathophysiology is a realm of science which encompassess the harmful effects of disease on the human body. As a future RN, I find great importance in this study and recognize the potential current research and understanding of disease has to increase the length and quality of life. As a nurse, I will be responsible for providing support, encouragement and comfort to not only my patients, but their families who are also affected by the impairments of disease. In this role, staying current about new technologies and treatments available to cure illness or treat symptoms will be essential in providing care. One illness which devestates the lives of many today is Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).

Along with over 26 million individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease worldwide, stands their families and loved ones (Cao et al. 2018). I am one of many individuals who has been personally affected by (AD). My Nana was diagnosed last year, although we had noticed signs much sooner. She still remains relatively independent, but her condition is worsening as she has now lost the ability to cook and drive. I know the progressive disease will continue to deteriorate her memory and physical ability, which is why I am passionate about the current efforts to slow or reverse these effects. Current attempts and studies being conducted by researchers to find a cure or new treatment options have provided me with hope for the furture of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Targeting Amyloid

One of the hallmark signs of AD is the insoluble accumulation of Beta-Amyloid referred to as amyloid plaques. The formation of these plaques occurs before symptoms appear and worsen as the disease progresses. One of the major attempts of slowing Alzheimer’s has been geared towards targeting amyloid-beta via inhibitors and immunizations. Amyloid-Beta originates from Amyloid precursor protein (APP) which is cleaved by enzymes. Researchers thought that if they can inhibit this process, it can decrease the devastating effects of amyloid. BACE1 inhibitors have shown to reverse “amyloid deposition and improve cognitive function in a mouse model with 5x Familial AD (FAD) transgenic background” (Cao et al. 2018). However, when tested on adults, this inhibitor did not work quite as effectively. Cao and others (2018) believe that conducting more studies to identify the optimal timing to use BACE1 inhibitors will increase efficacy. In my opinion, this attempt is not a failure because with more research, it could potentially be an effective method if utilized in the correct population.

In addition, passive immunizations against amyloid-beta may be the future of AD treatment. BAN2401 acts on soluble amyloid beta protofils. In a study conducted by Cao and others (2018), 18 months of treatment with a large dosage conveyed decreased clinical progression and amyloid accumulation. ApoE4+ carriers were excluded from this dosage, but the findings remain significant because BAN2401 still provided positive effects for others. There are currently more efforts to target ApoE, which will provide even more opportunities for carriers of ApoE4+ to still recieve effective treatment as medicine advances. Another passive vaccine, Aducanumad, aimed to decrease amyloid plaques (Cao et. al. 2018). It was successful for individuals with prodromal and mild Alzheimer’s. This also showed a “delayed cognitive decline” (Cao et. al. 2018). While none of these treatments provide a definitive cure, the failures of targeting amyloid has pushed researchers to dig deeper and seek how to attack other components of this multifactorial disease leading us closer to answers. It should also be noted that different treatments may work better for certain individuals depending on how far the AD has progressed. Overall, these efforts should not be discreditied regardless of the outcome.

Therapy Options Targeting Tau Proteins

Tau protein aggregates make up neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), another clinical manifestation of AD. It is now thought that Tau accumulation may potentially have a larger effect on cognitive decline seen in AD than amyloid-beta (Cao et. al. 2018). There are many approaches being taken to interupt the creation of Tau’s NFTs, but O-GlcNAcase inhibitors appear to create immense hope as it prevents the enzyme from stripping sugar from the Tau protein. Animal studies have been successful with the use of this inhibitor showing a prevention of NFTs, increased neuron survival and decrease of tau phosphorylation (Cao et. al. 2018). These results are significant because decreasing neuron loss will coincide with a decrease of devastating symptoms that AD brings about. I am especially excited to see how research progresses with these findings as it enters human clinical testing.

Symptomatic Treatment: Serotonin 6 (5-HT6) receptor

Today there are symptomatic treatment options on the market such as Memantine and acetylcholinersterase inhibitors which act to reduce the loss of ACh and “correct the imbalance of glutamergic signaling.” (Jong & Mork, 2017). These medications have been successful at improving “cognition, function and even selected behavioral symptoms in AD patients.” (de Jong & Mork, 2017). While great strides have been made in symptomatic treatment for AD, researchers are still working diligently to identify more methods to improve the lives of not only Alzheimer’s patients, but their caregivers and family as well.

One route scientists are eager to further explore is the atagonism of the serotonin 6 receptor. In AD, research has supplied evidence that the serotonergic system breaks down which ultimately affects an individuals learning and memory. In addition, it has been shown that there is an imbalance of excitation and inhibition among neurons which contributes to the slowing cortical EEG seen in Alzheimer’s patients (de Jong & Mork, 2017). Idalopiridine, a serotonin 6 receptor antagonist, was able to enhance the neuronal network oscillations of the frontal cortex in rats and had a synergistic effect when combined with donepzil (de Jong & Mork, 2017).

A functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed on awake rats to indicate how many brain regions Idalopiridine and donepezil activiate alone and together. Alone Idalopiridine activated only 8 brain regions, donepezil activated 19, but when administered together they collectively activated 36 brain regions (de Jong & Mork, 2017). The combination also appears to reap many benefits by raising ACh levels significantly. This information is relevant for AD patients because it provides insight to how this additive effect may create a new combination therapy which can allieviate symptoms pertaining to cognition, emotion, motivation, learning and memory.

Conclusion

The options discussed above are just a few of the countless efforts researchers have devoted to bettering the future of Alzhiemer’s treatment. Each failure has presented a new found victory which improves the lives of many patients, caregivers and family members who endure the exhaustion and devastation that AD carries. As we look into the future of Alzheimer medications, I think it has been made very clear researchers will not quit until they have exact answers on how to best treat this multifactorial disease. In addition, there are currently FDA approved drugs which already provide some benefit to AD patients so adding to those already positive effects can only provide a brighter future.

The average lifespan in humans is reaching its limit. Resultantly, the need for intervention strategies to relieve age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders has never been more prevalent. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is now the leading cause of dementia and death among all the age-related illnesses. It is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of amyloid (A)-prone fragments and phosphorylated tau clustered in different parts of the brain. Unfortunately, most research studies of possible AD therapies have failed to produce beneficial results on cognitive health in the last decades. As Alzheimer’s is a heterogeneous disorder, limited administration of a single action procedure may thus only support a small subgroup of people. Thus, it is plausible that dietary strategies derived from natural food compounds have earned significant attention lately in reversing the cognitive impairment caused by AD or other age-related diseases.

According to a clinical study performed on an animal model of AD in 2015, the polyphenolic extract of blueberries and grapes (PEBG) fed to mice showed promising results in the improvement of spatial working memory. The major focus of conducting this trial was to determine whether if PEBG can help boost memory performance by the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BENF), a protein that helps in the growth of neurons. Supplementations of a high polyphenolic diet of grapes and berries were fed to 12-month-old mice with major symptoms of Alzheimer’s. The main components of the diet were Catechins, epicatechins and gallic acid, the clinical trials on mice were continued to be observed for nearly four months. The supplemental doses were ranged from 500-2500 mg/kg. Meanwhile, the mice were analyzed for various behavioral aspects, like explanatory, anxiety, memory, and motor performances. After the trial period of 122 days, the results were evaluated. It was shown that, although supplementation of PEBG did not have a much thorough effect on beta-amyloid and tau biomarkers, it significantly enhanced object recognition in mice and improved memory performance without modifying levels of anxiety or motor activities. Also, senior citizens with age-related cognitive decline demonstrated significant improvement in their cognitive skills and memory performances after ingesting polyphenol-rich foods, like grapes or blueberry juices. (Alexandrea Dal-Pan, Stephanie. D, Phillippe Barossa et al., 2017)

In another 6.5-year trial conducted, known as PREDIMED (Prevention with the Mediterranean Diet) it was revealed that the consumption of Med Diet supplemented with extra virgin olive oil or raw nuts, resulted in improved cognitive abilities as compared with the group who just consumed a low-fat diet. The study proposed the objective that the Mediterranean Diet had a more significant effect on cognition than a controlled low-fat diet. This randomized trial was done with senior citizens, between the ages of 55-80 years. After the participants were assessed in accordance to inclusion-exclusion criteria, the eligible sample population were given one of the three dietary plans; one Mediterranean diet that was supplemented with 1 liter of extra virgin olive oil per week, another one was the same Mediterranean diet but this time supplemented with about 30g of mixed nuts, the last diet was the standard low-fat diet. The sample groups were asked to come for a series of cognitive tests after the completion of an average of 6.5 years follows up. After several neurological tests including, CDT (Clock Drawing Test), MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination), etc, the scores were analyzed and it was concluded that consumers of MedDiet either enhanced with extra virgin olive oil or mixed nuts, had better scores, in comparison with the ones who consumed the controlled low-fat diet. These findings of Elena. H, Pedro. C strengthened the evidence that MedDiet has protective effects on cognitive or neurological health. (Elena. H, Pedro. C, Estefan is Toledo et al., 2015)

An additional study with a similar objective found out that increasing constancy to the Mediterranean diet was associated with lower risks of Mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. The main focus of this study was to determine if there was any relation between the two variables namely; Cognitive impairment and the Mediterranean diet. The results were analyses with the help of MeDi scores (0-9). These scores not only encouraged the evidence of a strong link between Med Diet and cognitive health, but it also showed that adherence to this dietary lifestyle also slowed down the conversion of mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease, thus suggesting that it could help in reducing the overall risk of Alzheimer’s disease. (Balwinder Singh, Ajay. K et al., 2014)

To observe the effects of the Mediterranean diet, either with high adherence or low adherence, on Alzheimer’s disease, a 3-year study was conducted at New York University, in 2018. The basic purpose of this research was to determine the effect of the Mediterranean diet on biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease, specifically the beta-amyloid marker. About 82 participants were selected for the study, out of this about 12 were excluded mid-study, due to absence in follow-ups, incomplete questionnaires, or other medical problems. The baseline ages for the eligibility of participants was 50 years or above. The current dietary history and future dietary information of the sample population were collected via food frequency questionnaires developed by Harvard. The foods were combined to form 30 food groups, their average consumption was calculated, and MeDi scores were generated. A greater MeDi score between 5-9, indicated higher adherence while poor MeDi scores between 0-4 showed lower adherence. After 3 years, the final results of the study concluded that at the start of the study, the participants showed low CMRglc rates (reflects neural dysfunction) and high beta-amyloid deposition. Abnormalities in biomarker’s changes in Alzheimer’s disease appeared after one and a half years of following this diet. Finally, the combined results stated that high adherence to the Mediterranean diet may help protect against Alzheimer’s and aging of the brain for further 3.5 years, and also that dietary changes may indeed affect the progression of Alzheimer’s, with a lowered risk of having dementia. (Valentina Berti, Michelle Walters, Joanna Sterling et al., 2018)

For a more microscopic approach between the relationship of Diet and Alzheimer’s or Dementia, several researchers carried out a study in January 2020, with the major objective of determining the interactions of underlying protein, which results in neuropsychological symptoms in those with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Data from several participants and previous researches were gathered, entered into a computer system, and integrated using the DAVID database (provides proper tools for processing the true biological meaning of large genomic networks). The results showed that the basic pathological cause of Alzheimer’s is the disrupted synaptic distribution which leads to loss of synapses, hence behavioral difficulties in people with Alzheimer’s. This in turn is caused by unique proteins that are categorized into two functional categories; the first ones are proteins involved in phosphorylation, while the other ones are chaperones. The main reason behind including this research was that a more clear view of the pathology of Alzheimer’s may lead to better insight for further dietary-based researches for both Dementia and Alzheimer’s. (Yimin Mao, Daniel. W, Rachel. M et al., 2020)

Furthermore, another study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of polyphenols on the aging brain and Alzheimer’s. Researchers like Sebastian, Heike, Sabine, etc collected several available studies and trials, to provide a better understanding of the polyphenolic mechanisms which provide protective or even reversible effects for neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer’s. A polyphenol-rich diet is abundant in flavonoids, mainly curcumin, flavanols, hydroxyl tyrosol, anthocyanin, terpenes, etc. The conclusive discussion suggested that consumption of anthocyanin, lead to reduced semantic interference in memory. Also, the ingestion of tea polyphenols was associated with reduced cognitive decline. Several studies also evidenced that G. Biloba (herb) was found to reduce neurogenesis and lower impaired nutrigenomics. Further, there is much evidence that supports the protective effects of polyphenols on cognition. (Sebastian. S, Heike Asseburg, Sabine. K et al., 2012)

In a pilot study, conducted in 2018 in Spain, it was observed that the use of coconut oil was associated with improved problem solving and enhanced memory. Moreover, the positive effects were much more prevalent in women than in men. This study was carried to detect the additional effects of the Mediterranean diet when supplemented with coconut oil instead of extra virgin olive oil and also to determine its beneficial functions in several variables; age, gender, stage of Alzheimer’s. For this purpose, 44 participants were selected mostly belonging to senior citizen houses. All 44 participants had Alzheimer’s and they have divided into two homogeneous groups; the first 22 participants were those who consumed a Mediterranean diet supplemented with coconut oil, while the remaining 22 were the control group. Before assigning the diet, four tests were conducted to assess the participants: Benton Temporal Orientation Test, Clock Drawing Test, Categorical Verbal Fluency Test, and lastly the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test. After evaluation, the case sample was told to follow the Mediterranean diet along with 40 ml of coconut oil (first 20 ml during breakfast and remaining 20 ml during lunch) for 21 days continuously, while the control group was asked to consume just the typical Mediterranean diet, without any supplementation. After the said period of 21 days, and several follow-ups, the results were analyzed. They showed that there was more improvement in memories, both episodic and semantic, and also in problem-solving, for those who took coconut oil as a supplementation in contrast to the control group who did not. Not only this, but this study also provided evidence for the MCFA-based ketogenic diets, for its protective functions in various neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, Epilepsy, and Sclerosis. (Jose Enrique, Maria. P, David Sancho et al., 2018)

For another dietary pattern, also known as the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) a randomized control trial took place for about 4 years, unraveling major opportunities for the implementation of this dietary pattern in several other conditions in the upcoming future. The study showed that the DASH diet was a highly assessable and more economically friendly diet. Its beneficial effects were not only limited to hypertension only, but they branched to a much more diverse array of health conditions, some of them are different types of CVDs or Alzheimer’s, etc. Although more trials are needed to know exactly the effects the DASH diet has on Alzheimer’s, one thing is for sure that this study evidence that the DASH diet may become a convenience for those suffering from both, financial difficulties as well as Alzheimer’s disease. (Dori Steinberg, Laura. S, Gary. G et al., 2017)

To examine the combined effect of both the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet, a study was conducted in 2014. Its major objective was to determine the effect of both dietary patterns on cognitive decline in older people. This cohort study comprised of eight hundred twenty-six participants, who aged 80 years or above. The majority of the participants were females with more than 14 years of education. Most of the participants belonged to an ongoing study MAP, Memory and Aging Project, which was initiated in 1997. The sample population was asked to fill a modified food frequency questionnaire which was based on MAP, containing 144 food items. They were asked to fill in their usual, routinely consumption. After this, two different dietary patterns were assigned to people, one of which was the Mediterranean diet it had 10 food groups, along with alcohol intake, while the DASH diet had 7 food groups. Three components were the same in both diets, the energy intake was from total fat, or saturated fat and some mg of sodium per day were ingested. Scores were set, for the DASH diet (0 – 10), and the Mediterranean diet (0 – 55), out of which the maximum score could be 55. Meanwhile, cognitive functioning was annually assessed by 19 different tests, mainly for memory and visuospatial ability. The results presented a mean DASH score of 4.1, while the Mediterranean score counted a maximum of 31.3, along with lowering cognitive score from 0.12 to negative 0.08 (normal ranges 3.23 to negative 1.60). This study evidenced the support of the alternate hypothesis, that both DASH and the Mediterranean diet are linked with lowering rates of cognitive decline. (Christy. C, Hong Li, Yamin, et al., 2014)

This study was carried out to analyze the relation of the MIND diet and the reduced incidence of Alzheimer’s disease. The study population consisted of 923 volunteers between the ages of 58-98 years, residing in old homes or retirement centers. The participants were asked to fill the Food Frequency Questionnaires before the study and were also clinically assessed. (According to the diagnostic criteria; 144 cases of Alzheimer’s and 14 cases of non-Alzheimer’s dementia were reported). Other variables like BMI, physical activity, hypertension were also assessed. Participants were asked to consume (Fruits 3-4 servings/day), (High Dairy 2+ servings/day), (High Starch 2 servings/day), (1 fish meal/week) and overall (>6 meals/week). The diet scores were computed, according to the filled FFQs and servings were devised. This dietary pattern was observed over the period of 12 months and the MIND score was analyzed and correlated with both the Mediterranean and DASH diet scores. The results suggested that high adherence to all 3 dietary patterns individually is found to have an inverse relation to Alzheimer’s, but moderate adherence to the MIND diet could support the lowered risk of Alzheimer’s as well. (Martha Clare Morris et al., 2015)

After the evidence supported positive effects of both the DASH diet and Mediterranean diet, nonpharmaceutical treatment approaches received a lot of attention in Alzheimer’s research, this leads to the creation of a new hybrid diet, named MIND diet (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay). The purpose of this study was to evaluate which of the MIND diet components, are more responsible for its beneficial effect on cognition. In this clinical study, it was seen that MIND dust consumption resulted in an overall reduction of Alzheimer’s by 53 percent, all while significantly lowering cognitive decline. These effects were mainly caused by the combined functions of both diets like antioxidant activity, anti-atherogenic activity, anti-inflammatory activity, and cognitive enhancing functions of both Mediterranean and DASH diet. (Syed Harris Omar, 2019)

A recent cohort study of 2019, was carried out to determine other additional effects of MIND diet on cognitive health, after a stroke. About a hundred participants were selected, eligibility criteria were based on fulfilling assessment forms, cognitive tests and also had a history of stroke. The participants were asked to follow the MIND diet, which included the consumption of vegetables, nuts, poultry, berries, and olive oil, along with reducing the consumption of fried and sugary foods. MIND scores of the sample population were computed and analyzed, the results once again were concluded in favor of the MIND diet, stating its inverse relation to cognitive health not only for Alzheimer’s but those who also suffered from a stroke. It also stated that the MIND diet is more superior than other diets when it comes to nonpharmaceutical treatment options. (L. Cherian, Y. Wang et al., 2019)

In another 12 week study conducted of the MIND diet in collaboration with speed process training, was checked in low educated population, to determine its additive effects on cognition. The participants were aged 60 years or above, with education as low as 10th grader, and self-reported diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or Dementia. The study population was to select seven food items/week, each serving designed specifically to provide a minimum of 1000 mg of polyphenols. They were also given IPad with 12-week application access to mind training games and much more. After the period of 12 weeks, the participants were assessed by filling the FFQs and cognitive tests. Also, this was the very first study to incorporate high polyphenol intake along with speed cognitive testing, the results not only showed positive impact but also paves way for future research possibilities for both Alzheimer’s and Dementia, as a nonpharmaceutical approach for therapeutic purposes. (Daniel O. Clark et al., 2019)

Lastly, another study was performed in 2018, to determine the effects of the high polyphenolic MIND diet, mainly on neuropsychic symptoms that come with Alzheimer’s. The main purpose was to evaluate the role of MIND diet on depression, in comparison with the Mediterranean diet. The participants were selected from several follow-ups, who were depression-free. Food consumption was noted and analyzed to produce MIND diet scores, and it was found out that the Mediterranean diet had high adherence towards lowered depression risk than the MIND diet. (Maira Bes. R, Gina. S et al., 2018)

In light of this researches, it is strongly evidenced that the consumption of either the Mediterranean diet or the DASH diet is beneficial in reducing Alzheimer’s. Still, not many studies were conducted to focus on the newly developed hybrid MIND diet, there are still a lot of questions about its effectiveness on Alzheimer’s, about its additional effects on the brain, what type of polyphenol is behind its effects and much more. This study is designed to fulfill these gaps and to establish a more clear understanding of its components and the relationship of this hybrid diet with Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative encephalopathy which occurs in pre- and post-elderly conditions with a gradual loss of cognitive and memory functions. As the population aging intensifies, the number of AD patients worldwide is growing rapidly, resulting in a heavy social burden. Thus, how to treat Alzheimer’s disease is the focus of the whole society.

In fact, the treatment of AD is a comprehensive management, which not only requires individuals, families, and even the whole society to participate. The treatment of AD mainly includes three aspects: drug treatment, non-drug treatment and life care.

First of all, the current anti-dementia, cognitive improvement drugs can improve the patient’s symptoms, delay the development and deterioration of the disease, but there is no drug that can fundamentally reverse or cure the disease.

However, scientists are working on finding the reason and effective medicine. As is proved for many years, AD is related to amyloid beta (Aβ) aggregations, neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), prominent neuroinflammation, and a series of physiological cascades including complement cascade initiated in response to the increased Aβ deposition. As a consequence, interference with neuroinflammation as a new therapeutic approach for AD treatment has gained great interest recently.

Currently, various complement components are known to be upregulated in AD brain, including C1q, C1r, C1s, and C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9. Recent research also showed that the pro-inflammatory complement factor C5a and its receptor C5aR are up-regulated in different mouse models of AD. Studies reported that blocking of C5aR with this inhibitor resulted in improved memory skills and reduced amyloid plaque formation, which may provide a new method for anti-AD drugs.

Apart from the medical treatment, non-pharmacological treatment, including cognitive rehabilitation training, vocational training, music therapy, and psychotherapy are also reported to be effective. For memory-losing patients, some training about instantaneous memory, short-term memory and long-term memory can be of great use. These can be some games of children’s cognitive training that are simple and can be conducted by family members. For those patients with mood and behavior changes who become irritable even with violent conduct, professional psychotherapy should be considered.

Last but not least, life care is necessary to be conducted by family members or professional nurses. In the first stage, the patient should be encouraged to do things independently, participate in a variety of social activities, and walk around accompanied by someone. In the second stage, family members or caregivers need to assist patients with some simple self-care, such as assisting patients to do something at their own pace, and appropriately encourage and comfort patients in the process to make them feel involved and delightful. In the third stage, patients have lost their ability to take care of themselves, so professional nurses are required to take care of the patients to eat, dress, clean, and exercise properly.

AD is a complicated disease in which there are many unknowns, but treatment can help delay symptoms and improve quality of life. In addition to the mentioned complement research for AD, there are many other researches being studies all over the world. It is believed that in the future, scientists will know more about AD and find a way to cure patients suffering from it.

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Alzheimer’s disease, also referred to as senile dementia, is a progressive, chronic neurodegenerative disorder which causes brain cells or neurons to degenerate and undergo a mechanism of programmed cell death which is different from classical apoptosis. It is the most common cause of dementia and accounts to 60-80% of the cases. Dementia is characterised by a decline is memory and loss of other cognitive abilities like language, problem solving and thinking skills and can have a negative impact on the daily life of the patient. Another common early symptom of Alzheimer’s in amnesia. Other symptoms may involve reduced ability to register new information, decline in reasoning, complex and multi tasking, and decision making capabilities. The greatest known risk factor is increasing age with majority of the patients being 65 years or age and older. It is caused when beta-amyloid protein accumulates and disrupts cell to cell communication, causes inflammation and eventually may kill off brain cells. However, Alzheimer’s is not just restricted to old age. Millions of cases worldwide report the Alzheimer’s patients being under the age of 65. This is known as Early-onset Alzheimer’s. In the initial stages, the memory loss is mild but as time progresses the memory loss worsens and individuals might even lose the simple abilities to carry on a conversation or respond to stimuli. Post diagnosis, a patient generally lives for somewhere between 4-8 years but can also live for as long as 20 years. Alzheimer’s Disease has no known cure. However, treatments are available for the symptoms which may temporarily decelerate the worsening of the disease but the treatments can’t stop Alzheimer’s from progressing.

SYMPTOMS

1. Decreased capacity to take in and recall new data, which can lead, for instance, to:

   • repetitive inquiries or discussions

   • misplacing individual assets

   • forgetting occasions or arrangements

   • getting lost on a commonplace course

2. Hindrances to thinking, complex entrusting, and practicing judgment, for instance:

   • poor comprehension of dangers

   • inability to oversee funds

   • poor basic leadership capacity

   • inability to design mind boggling or successive exercises

3. Impeded visuospatial capacities that are not, for instance, because of vision issues. These could be:

   • inability to perceive appearances or regular articles or to discover questions in direct view

   • inability to utilize straightforward instruments, for instance, to situate dress to the body

4. Disabled talking, perusing and composing, for instance:

   • difficulty considering normal words while expressing, hesitations

   • speech, spelling, and composing mistakes

5. Changes in character and conduct, for instance:

   • out-of-character mind-set changes, including tumult, unresponsiveness, social withdrawal or an absence of intrigue, inspiration, or activity

   • loss of compassion

   • compulsive, over the top, or socially unsuitable conduct

On the off chance that the number and seriousness of indications affirm dementia, the accompanying components would then be able to affirm Alzheimer’s.

• a continuous beginning, over months to years, as opposed to hours or days
• a stamped exacerbating of the person’s ordinary degree of cognizance specifically territories

On the off chance that manifestations start or compound through the span of hours or days, you should look for prompt restorative consideration, as this could demonstrate an intense disease.

Alzheimer’s is in all likelihood when memory misfortune is a conspicuous indication, particularly in the zone of learning and reviewing new data.

Language issues can likewise be a key early side effect, for instance, battling to locate the correct words.

On the off chance that visuospatial deficiencies are most conspicuous, these would include:

• inability to perceive items and countenances
• difficulty understanding separate pieces of a scene immediately
• difficulty with understanding content, known as alexia.

DIAGNOSIS

No particular test is sufficient to single out Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, doctors may observe signs and symptoms, the patient’s medical history and carry out assessments like blood or urine tests, CT (computed tomography) scan or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan of the brain. Sometimes the symptoms might be related to inherited disorders like Huntington’s disease. Therefore, genetic testing may be done while recording family history.

After this, the diagnostician may eliminate other conditions and take an assessment of cognitive abilities and perform genetic testing.

1. COGNITIVE ASSESSMENT:

Basic questions about age, family relations, names, times or numbers or location might be asked.

2. GENETIC TESTING

The gene APOE-e4 is associated with people over the age of 55 years have an increased chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

TREATMENT

There is no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease. The death of brain cells cannot be reversed. However, treatments are available for the symptoms which may temporarily decelerate the worsening of the disease but the treatments can’t stop Alzheimer’s from progressing.

These treatments might involve drug therapy with cholinesterase inhibitors like

• Donepezil
• Rivastigmine
• Tacrine
• Memantine

Memantine, an NMDA receptor (a glutamate receptor and ion channel protein found in nerve cells) antagonist, may also be used, alone or with a cholinesterase inhibitor. Physical care is an important aspect of dementia care.