Alzheimer"s Disease: A Brief History
Progressive mental deterioration due to aging has been recognized and documented throughout history.
But in 1906, Alois Alzheimer was the first to identify a collection of brain cell abnormalities as a disease.
A German psychiatrist and neuropathologist, he is credited with identifying the first case of presenile dementia, which was later named after him: Alzheimer's disease.
Dr.
Alzheimer identified the incurable, degenerative, and terminal disease through a brain autopsy he performed on one of his patients.
During the procedure, he discovered neuritic plaques, or dense deposits surrounding the nerve cells of the brain.
Inside the cells, he noted twisted bands of fibers, or neurofibrillary tangles.
When these are found during autopsies today, it's a sure sign the person had Alzheimer's disease.
In the 1960s, scientists determined there was a link between cognitive decline, and the number of plaques and tangles in the brain.
Until that point, much of the medical community considered Alzheimer's a normal part of aging.
After this discovery, though, the condition was widely recognized as a disease.
Doctors continued to research Alzheimer's into the 1970s, but it wasn't until the 1990s that researchers made significant discoveries regarding complex nerve cells in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's.
In addition to these discoveries, a better overall understanding of the disease was achieved within the scientific community.
Research also revealed Alzheimer's disease susceptibility genes, and several drugs that treat the cognitive symptoms of the disease were approved.
Over the last decade, scientists compiled a tremendous amount of data regarding the potential risk factors for Alzheimer's, among them, environmental and genetic.
They also gained a better understanding of the processes that lead to the formation of plaques and tangles in the brain.
Today, the disease remains incurable.
Specific genes related to early-onset and late-onset forms have been identified, but researchers are still looking into environmental and lifestyle causes, as genetic risk factors don't explain all of the causes.
The most effective drugs currently in use and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only treat the symptoms of the disease-not the causes-and slow its progression.
Drug and non-drug treatments can help with both cognitive and behavioral symptoms.
Researchers are always looking for ways to alter the disease's course, and to improve the quality of life for the people suffering from it.
There are currently two types of medications approved by the FDA that treat the cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer's.
They affect the activity of two chemicals that carry messages between the brain's nerve cells.
Cholinesterase inhibitors are one of those medications.
They prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger key for learning and remembering.
This medicine delays the average patient's symptoms for 6 to 12 months, and a small percentage of patients will see larger benefits.
Three common types of cholinesterase inhibitors are usually prescribed: donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine.
Donepezil is used during all stages of the disease, while the others are used to treat mild to moderate cases.
Memantine, which regulates the activity of glutamate (another chemical messenger associated with learning and memory), treats moderate to severe Alzheimer's.
Similar to cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine slows the symptoms of the disease.
An important non-drug approach to helping someone with the disease involves managing their environment.
Changing it in such a way that eliminates various challenges offers patients an increased sense of security, peace of mind, and a higher level of comfort.
One of the most difficult aspects of Alzheimer's to deal with is the change in the patient's demeanor.
Someone with Alzheimer's can sometimes be perceived as being "mean" to loved ones.
This type of behavior is actually a symptom of the disease.
Ensuring the patient's comfort is key to minimizing these behavioral changes.
Patients should be monitored for signs of fatigue, pain, hunger, thirst, infections, constipation, full bladder, and skin irritation.
Keeping the room temperature at a comfortable level is also important.
Caretakers and family members must bear in mind, though, that regardless of the steps taken to prevent them, behavioral differences will most likely not be eliminated completely.
In order to keep Alzheimer's patients calm, it's best to not initiate or engage in arguments with them.
Instead, redirect their attention, and be patient and supportive.
A calm and uncomplicated environment is crucial to maintaining their comfort level.
But in 1906, Alois Alzheimer was the first to identify a collection of brain cell abnormalities as a disease.
A German psychiatrist and neuropathologist, he is credited with identifying the first case of presenile dementia, which was later named after him: Alzheimer's disease.
Dr.
Alzheimer identified the incurable, degenerative, and terminal disease through a brain autopsy he performed on one of his patients.
During the procedure, he discovered neuritic plaques, or dense deposits surrounding the nerve cells of the brain.
Inside the cells, he noted twisted bands of fibers, or neurofibrillary tangles.
When these are found during autopsies today, it's a sure sign the person had Alzheimer's disease.
In the 1960s, scientists determined there was a link between cognitive decline, and the number of plaques and tangles in the brain.
Until that point, much of the medical community considered Alzheimer's a normal part of aging.
After this discovery, though, the condition was widely recognized as a disease.
Doctors continued to research Alzheimer's into the 1970s, but it wasn't until the 1990s that researchers made significant discoveries regarding complex nerve cells in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's.
In addition to these discoveries, a better overall understanding of the disease was achieved within the scientific community.
Research also revealed Alzheimer's disease susceptibility genes, and several drugs that treat the cognitive symptoms of the disease were approved.
Over the last decade, scientists compiled a tremendous amount of data regarding the potential risk factors for Alzheimer's, among them, environmental and genetic.
They also gained a better understanding of the processes that lead to the formation of plaques and tangles in the brain.
Today, the disease remains incurable.
Specific genes related to early-onset and late-onset forms have been identified, but researchers are still looking into environmental and lifestyle causes, as genetic risk factors don't explain all of the causes.
The most effective drugs currently in use and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only treat the symptoms of the disease-not the causes-and slow its progression.
Drug and non-drug treatments can help with both cognitive and behavioral symptoms.
Researchers are always looking for ways to alter the disease's course, and to improve the quality of life for the people suffering from it.
There are currently two types of medications approved by the FDA that treat the cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer's.
They affect the activity of two chemicals that carry messages between the brain's nerve cells.
Cholinesterase inhibitors are one of those medications.
They prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger key for learning and remembering.
This medicine delays the average patient's symptoms for 6 to 12 months, and a small percentage of patients will see larger benefits.
Three common types of cholinesterase inhibitors are usually prescribed: donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine.
Donepezil is used during all stages of the disease, while the others are used to treat mild to moderate cases.
Memantine, which regulates the activity of glutamate (another chemical messenger associated with learning and memory), treats moderate to severe Alzheimer's.
Similar to cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine slows the symptoms of the disease.
An important non-drug approach to helping someone with the disease involves managing their environment.
Changing it in such a way that eliminates various challenges offers patients an increased sense of security, peace of mind, and a higher level of comfort.
One of the most difficult aspects of Alzheimer's to deal with is the change in the patient's demeanor.
Someone with Alzheimer's can sometimes be perceived as being "mean" to loved ones.
This type of behavior is actually a symptom of the disease.
Ensuring the patient's comfort is key to minimizing these behavioral changes.
Patients should be monitored for signs of fatigue, pain, hunger, thirst, infections, constipation, full bladder, and skin irritation.
Keeping the room temperature at a comfortable level is also important.
Caretakers and family members must bear in mind, though, that regardless of the steps taken to prevent them, behavioral differences will most likely not be eliminated completely.
In order to keep Alzheimer's patients calm, it's best to not initiate or engage in arguments with them.
Instead, redirect their attention, and be patient and supportive.
A calm and uncomplicated environment is crucial to maintaining their comfort level.
