ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE 2- PATHOLOGY AND SYMPTOMS

How does Alzheimer’s affect the Brain? 

PATHOLOGY OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

  Alzheimer’s disease starts in a brain region known as the Lateral Entorhinal Cortex. This region leads to the hippocampus area of the brain which is mostly concerned with establishing long-term memory. The Lateral Entorhinal Cortex is usually affected by Alzheimer’s because it contains large amount of tau proteins. The presence of numerous tau proteins causes the Lateral Entorhinal Cortex to accumulate Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP). Both APP and tau proteins work synergistically to destroy the neurons in the entorhinal cortex, making that region vulnerable to Alzheimer’s. If the Lateral Entorhinal Cortex is affected, the hippocampus will also be affected. As time goes on, the disease spreads from the entorhinal cortex to the cerebral cortex. 

The main damaging effect of Alzheimer’s is the destruction of nerve cells or neurons in the brain. As the brain cells die off, the brain continues to shrink and reduce. When the cells in the hippocampus start to shrink, short term memory begins to fade, and there is reduced ability to perform routine tasks. As the disease progresses, and spreads through the cerebral cortex and the two hemispheres, judgment declines, speech and language is affected, and abrupt mood changes sets in. The death of more nerve cells in the brain will lead to serious changes in behaviour as patients may start to wander or become restless.

Towards the terminal stage of the disease, patients may no longer be able to recognize the faces of their relatives and friends, and may also lose the ability to communicate. They will become very disoriented and disorganized, and will require constant care and attention. 

Alzheimer’s disease progresses in seven stages. These include;

• 1.      No impairment stage
• 2.      Very mild decline stage
• 3.      Mild decline stage
• 4.      Moderate decline stage
• 5.      Moderately severe decline stage
• 6.      Severe decline stage, and 
• 7.      Very severe decline stage

   In the first stage, the person seems very normal, and does not experience any symptom. However, as the disease progresses, very mild symptoms begin to show up until it ends in the ‘very severe decline stage’ where the patient loses his communication ability, and sensitivity. He or she loses the ability to move, speak, or swallow. Death usually takes place after eight years, but some have been found to survive for up to 20 years.

Learn more:Treatment of Alzheimer's disease, Alternative (herbal) therapy for Alzheimer's disease     

                                     

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease

What are the symptoms of Alzheimer disease? Below are ten warning signs of Alzheimer’s.

i.                    Memory loss: Memory loss is the most common and earliest symptom of Alzheimer’s disease. Patients tend to forget information easily, especially the information that they recently acquired. They also begin to forget important dates and events.

ii.                  Challenges in planning or solving problems: People suffering from Alzheimer’s may have difficulty planning their life as they use to. They may not be able to concentrate and find solutions to problems. Since they tend to forget things easily, they may not be able to follow their daily routine of waking up at a particular time, catching the early bus to work, or finding the road that leads to the office. 

iii.                Finding it hard to complete daily task: People with Alzheimer’s find it difficult to take care of themselves and those around them. They find it hard to carry on with their daily work.

iv.                Confusion with time or place: People with Alzheimer’s may sometimes forget where they are, and they may have difficulty remembering dates.

v.                  Finding it difficult to view images, distinguish colours, or judge distance: Since a part of the brain coordinates sight is affected, people with Alzheimer’s may have difficulty viewing images, reading, or driving.  

vi.                Finding it difficult to speak or write: They may not be able to keep a conversation going, or to follow a conversation. They may find it hard to pronounce words, or to find the exact words to say at a particular time.  

vii.              Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps: People with Alzheimer’s are much disorganized. They may misplace things, and will not be able to go back and find them. As time goes on, they may start accusing those around them of stealing.

viii.            Decreased or poor judgment: People suffering from Alzheimer’s have poor judgment especially when money is involved. They may give huge sum of money to strangers or traders without thinking about it. There wouldn’t be much to think about since their brain cells are already being affected by the disease.

ix.                Withdrawal from work or social activities: People with Alzheimer’s may start being antisocial because of what they are passing through. They may also absent themselves from work, social activities, or sports.

x.                Changes in mood and personality: People with Alzheimer’s may randomly become sad, tearful, confused, depressed, or suspicious. Their moods can change quickly at any time.

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