Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that disrupts a person’s memory, thinking abilities, and behavior. This disease affects three major areas in the brain; the cerebrum, the cerebellum, and the brain stem. As the disease begins to take effect, these parts of the brain become obstructed, and the information that is supposed to be transmitted between neurons is hindered. The information that is responsible for sensory, learning, and memory progressively digress’ in productivity. Alzheimer’s disease causes nerve cell death and tissue loss all around the brain, which reduces the brain’s ability to function at a rapid pace and comprehend basic signals (“Alzheimer’s & Dementia,”n.d.). As parts of the brain begin to deteriorate, normal functions begin to drift away as well.
The cerebrum makes up three quarters of the brain. In the cerebrum, there is the ability to problem solve, move, think and feel (“Alzheimer’s Disease,”n.d.). The cerebrum can be divided into two halves, the right hemisphere and the left hemisphere. Each hemisphere has four lobes, occipital lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, and frontal lobe. Each lobe has specific tasks. For example, the occipital lobe is responsible for visual images.
…show more content…
To further look at the root or the causes of dementia, it all comes down to the neuron. There are billions of neurons within the brain, and each of them receives messages through the dendrites or stems of the neuron. As the message is received, it travels through the axon of the neuron to the terminal button (Feldman, 2010). Every neuron is interconnected by the synapse, a microscopic gap between neurons, which enables the message to continue traveling throughout the brain. There are proteins located in and on the neuron that is secreted by enzymes. A large protein called APP is broken down into protein beta-amyloid and Tau
Alzheimer’s is a systemic disease, meaning that it affects more than one part of the body. There are three major systems that are affected by Alzheimer’s. The first involves the Central Nervous System. The CNS includes the brain and spinal cord, allowing the nervous system to make the spinal cord and brain function. The Central Nervous System is affected because specific brain proteins begin to malfunction and brain cells die. The loss of brain cells is the reason for memory loss and
Alzheimer 's disease (AD) is a progressive degenerative disease of the brain from which there is no recovery. There are three brain abnormalities that are the hallmarks of the Alzheimer’s disease is initially caused by plaques buildup in the brain’s neurons as illustrated in figure 1. The support structure that allows the flow of the nutrients through the neurons gets damaged and ultimately there is loss of connection among the neurons and they die off (National Institute of Health, 2015). This causes the brain tissue to shrinks, which is called atrophies. All this ultimately lead the victim of this disease to face difficulties in governing emotions, recognize errors and patterns, coordinate movement, and remember. Ultimately, a person with AD loses all memory and mental functioning.
Alzheimer’s disease is the progressive loss of memory and mental functions. The disease affects memory, thought control, language, and other cognitive functions. The disease typically appears with old age and is often found age 60. Alzheimer’s causes the brain to develop clumps and tangles fibers in the brain tissue along with the loss of neuron connections. Throughout the brain, proteins are abnormally distributed and they form tangled bundles of fibers and amyloid plaques. Some neurons fail to function properly and lose their connections, which are necessary for the transmission of messages to the body. The hippocampus is the key brain structure in the formation of memories and often experiences the first signs of damage.
The disease stem cells could fix is called Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). The reason I chose this topic is because I have seen first hand how badly someone who suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease is affected in their daily lives. This disease completely takes over their lives and they turn into a completely different person who can hardly function. AD is very tough on the loved ones of the person suffering from it because that person, most of the time has no idea what is going on or who their loved ones are. The memories for people with AD is completely gone and even the simplest tasks such as remembering to use the bathroom becomes difficult. The way stem cells could be feasible is because stem cell-based therapies could potentially treat
The cerebrum is the largest portion of the human brain. It takes up about 4/5 of the weight of the brain and has what is described as a wrinkled cortex. Wrinkled cortex increases the surface area of which increases the number of neurons. This makes human brain to be more efficient than other vertebrates ("Cerebrum vs Cerebellum," n.d.). The cerebrum in divided by the cerebral fissure, which separates it into two hemispheres, the left and right which is being further discussed by a fellow classmate. The two hemispheres are connected by the corpus callosum. Both hemispheres can also be divided into four lobes which we know as the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occiptal lobes. The frontal lobe helps aids us with reasoning, speech, movement,
Alzheimer’s Disease has been one of the top leading causes of death in our country. It is understood that this disease is identified as an excess of the protein amyloid-ß within an increase of plaque (Seneff, Wainwright, and Mascitelli, 2010). Additionally, as the brain ages, it gets used to the inflammation and oxidative stress, so it is important to take the right amount of antioxidant micronutrients like vitamin C and vitamin E as well as anti-inflammatory macronutrients such as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to protect the brain from ageing (Whalley et. al, 2004). This is a devastating disease that affects most people over the age of fifty. Recently, there have been many studies done to figure out what causes this disease, if there is anything that can cure it, and how to prevent the disease. Seneff, Wainwright, and Mascitelli, believe Alzheimer’s develops with consuming too many carbohydrates, especially fructose and having a deficiency in cholesterol and dietary fats as well (2010). Whalley, Starr, and Deary have seen that poor diet, poverty, and failing health are links to developing Alzheimer’s Disease (2004). Furthermore, seeing increase in plasma homocysteine concentration increases risk of Dementia, which can result from an inadequate intake of vitamin B12/folate (Walley et. al, 2004). Additionally, Gray supports Walley’s findings and even believes having an adequate intake of vitamin B12/folate will have a positive effect on the overall health
Alzheimer’s disease is a prominent brain disease that effects a massive amount of individuals in the United States. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for 60-80% of dementia cases, with no chance of being cured, prevented or decelerating over time (Alzheimer’s Association, 2014). AD is the most well-known form of dementia, causing complications in brain function in the areas of memory, thinking, and behavior (Alzheimer’s Association, 2014). In an effort to gain a deeper understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, researchers create new knowledge about the disease, which is then distributed to the public. The goal in this information disbursement is to find new and inventive ways to treat AD, prevent AD from progressing at such a rapid pace, and aid in the quality of life in those diagnosed with AD as well as caregivers and medical professionals providing treatment to individuals’ with AD.
According to data available from the Alzheimer’s foundation every 67 seconds someone develops Alzheimer’s disease and currently at least 5.3 million people are affected by the disease. The numbers are expected to grow as 75 million baby boomers transition into retirement by 2030. Alzheimer disease is a brain disorder that causes decay and dis- function of neurons resulting in memory loss, speech and language impairment. This can also extend to challenges in physical and social behavioural. The brain, consisting of the cerebrum, cerebellum and brain stem is the primary target of Alzheimer’s disease. At three pounds the brain has a network of arteries and a folded cortex that is responsible for memory and movement. These functions are facilitated by a network of neurons. Alzheimer’s disease interferes with these neurons by disrupting electrical transfer; Death of brain cells is inevitable as the cortex shrinks becoming incapable of developing thoughts and memory. The Alzheimer’s patient experiences an altered personality with family members becoming strangers.
“There is one thing Alzheimer 's cannot take away, and that is love. Love is not a memory - it 's a feeling that resides in your heart and soul.” (Fade to Blank). The human brain is a remarkably complex organ that processes, stores, and recalls information. “Alzheimer 's disease (AD) is a slowly progressive disease of the brain that is characterized by impairment of memory and eventually by disturbances in reasoning, planning, language, and perception. Many scientists believe that Alzheimer 's disease results from an increase in the production or accumulation of a specific protein (beta-amyloid protein) in the brain that leads to nerve cell death.” (Crystal). It is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 50 to 80 percent of dementia cases, and currently has no cure. (# 3) Research continues to be done to develop better ways to care for those affected with the disease, as well as to find support for family members, friends, and caregivers. Alzheimer’s is a devastating illness that is not a normal part of aging. In order to find a cure, awareness needs to increase to improve understanding, develop effective treatments, and to essentially prevent the disease.
Alzheimer's seems to be a degenerative disease that affects everyone no matter the ethnic group one associates themselves with. Alzheimer's is a form of dementia, which is the general medical term for memory loss and the diminishing of intellectual abilities that eventually affects one's daily life. An ethnic group that is experiencing a growing rate of Alzheimer's is Japanese Americans. Several longitudinal studies of Japanese Americans have found rates of Alzheimer's Disease comparable to those found with older non-Latino white populations in the United States (Lee, Melichar, Musselman, & Yoo, 2015). Although studies have shown that rates are comparable for Japanese Americans versus the American majority, studies are consistently showing
Alzheimer’s disease is a common problem in today’s society and within the older population this disease makes up the largest form of dementia. Although it is a problem in mainly older people, this disease can still occur in the younger population also. People in their 30s-50s can be diagnosed with this disease, even though it is not as common as people in their 60s-90s. The number of people with Alzheimer’s in the U.S. is close to five million and is expected to double within the next 30 years. With our modern medicine and advancements one would think a cure would be available, however, getting to the cause of the disease is a major factor. The cause of Alzheimer’s disease is one that is very debatable and questionable and most likely is a result of multiple factors rather than one. The main issue with finding the cause is because this disease affects the brain and can
The human brain is a remarkable organ, complex chemical and electrical processes take place within our brains. They let us speak, move, see, feel emotions and make decisions. Inside a normal healthy brain billions of cells called neurons constantly communicate with one another.Healthy neurotransmission is important for the brain to function well. Alzheimer's disease destroys memory and thinking skills over time by compromising the ability of neurons to communicate with one another (Jannis).The disease triggers as two abnormal protein fragments called plaques and tangles accumulate in hippocampus, the part of the brain where memory first formed, and destroy brain cells. Eventually,after the plaques and tangles completely kill the
In a study that was done called aging, demographics and memory study (ADAMS) it was found that older African Americans are two times more likely than older whites to develop Alzheimer or any other dementia. Some of the reasons that have been discovered as to why older African Americans are more common to have Alzheimer’s is because they are found to have higher rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, along with other vascular diseases. Some other factors that can affect who may end up with Alzheimer’s are lower level of education, and socioeconomic characteristics which are found to be more common in African Americans. In the health and retirement study (HRS) 80% of African Americans were found to have high blood pressure. Other risks that have been found to have increased risk of Alzheimer’s are those with lower educations, low income being below $18,000 a year, and
The cognitive decline into the brain disease, Alzheimer’s, is a pathway that still has unanswered questions as to how this condition develops. Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that causes mental deterioration, such as memory loss (there is substantial damage to the medial temporal lobe, the main area in the brain for memory), loss of reasoning, and loss of language. One of the first warning signs of Alzheimer’s is memory loss, but there have been studies showing that a condition called mild cognitive impairment (MCI) could be the precursor to Alzheimer’s disease (“Alzheimer’s Disease Fact Sheet”). Mild cognitive impairment is also defined as memory loss but in smaller proportions compared to Alzheimer’s. MCI is an intermediate between the normal
The cerebrum is responsible for most of the brain’s functions and is the largest portion of the brain. The cerebrum is divided into a right and left hemisphere. It is also divided into four sections: the temporal lobe, occipital lobe, parietal lobe, and the frontal lobe. The frontal lobe controls problem solving, creative thought, judgment, behavior, smell, and personality. The parietal lobe focuses on how we comprehend. For example, how we comprehend