Alzheimer’s disease Part 1: causes, symptoms, treatment, screening, and stages

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s is a specific type of dementia that is a progressive neurological disorder. It leads to memory loss, impaired thinking, and change in behavior. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases. It is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain, which disrupt communication between neurons and lead to cell death.

What is Dementia?

Dementia is an umbrella term for a decline in cognitive function severe enough to interfere with daily life. It encompasses various conditions, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common form. Dementia affects memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, calculation, learning capacity, language, and judgment. The most common types of dementia include Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.

Differences and Commonalities Between Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease:

While Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia, not all dementias are Alzheimer’s. Understanding the differences and commonalities can help in recognizing and managing these conditions.

Image source: The Conversation

Which Population is Most Vulnerable to Dementia?

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, increasing age is the greatest known risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s or other dementias. It is believed that the development of these diseases stems from multiple factors. Unfortunately, a number of these factors are beyond a person’s control, gender being one such component. Research shows that 5.8 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s dementia. The vast majority (i.e. 5.6 million) are aged 65 and older.

While the chances of developing this disease are about the same for men and women ages 65 to 75, the odds dramatically increase for women after the age of 75. In the United States, of all people living with Alzheimer’s disease who are over 65, women make up two-thirds. This means the disease is nearly twice as prevalent in women as compared to men. This is due in part to the fact that women on average live longer than men.

Prevalence in the USA

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, approximately 6.2 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease. This number is expected to more than double by 2050. Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, and it is the only top-10 cause of death that cannot be prevented, cured, or even slowed significantly.

Impact on Individuals, Families, & Society

The impact of Alzheimer’s disease extends beyond the individual to families and society.

It affects the emotional and physical health of caregivers, often leading to caregiver burnout. The economic burden is also substantial, with Alzheimer’s and other dementias costing the nation $355 billion annually, a figure projected to rise to $1.1 trillion by 2050.

Age Groups Affected

Both dementia and Alzheimer’s disease primarily affect older adults, particularly those over the age of 65. However, it is important to note that early-onset Alzheimer’s can occur in individuals in their 40s or 50s. The risk of developing dementia increases with age, with prevalence rates doubling approximately every five years beyond age 65.

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Normal Aging Memory Loss vs. Signs of Dementia

Understanding the differences between normal age-related memory lapses and signs of dementia is crucial for early diagnosis and effective management. The table below highlights these differences:

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease

Early Symptoms

Early symptoms of Alzheimer’s often involve subtle changes that may be mistaken for normal aging. These include:

• Memory loss, particularly of recent events
• Difficulty planning or solving problems
• Confusion with time or place
• Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
• Problems with words in speaking or writing
• Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
• Decreased or poor judgment
• Withdrawal from work or social activities
• Changes in mood and personality

Progressive Symptoms

As Alzheimer’s progresses, symptoms become more severe and include:

• Increased memory loss and confusion
• Difficulty recognizing family and friends
• Inability to learn new things
• Difficulty carrying out multistep tasks such as getting dressed
• Problems coping with new situations
• Hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia
• Impulsive behavior

Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease progresses through several stages:

1. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): Early signs of memory loss, such as forgetting recent conversations or events.
2. Mild Alzheimer’s Disease: Increased memory loss, confusion, and difficulty with everyday tasks.
3. Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease: Greater memory impairment, needing help with daily activities, and changes in behavior.
4. Severe Alzheimer’s Disease: Loss of the ability to respond to the environment, communicate, and perform basic activities.