Alzheimer’s Research Provides New Information Every Day
There are actually entire organizations dedicated to Alzheimer’s research. Some are medical organizations searching for treatments and cures, while others work on the political aspect of getting increased funding for that research. Some even sponsor conferences that bring together doctors and scientists in the field of Alzheimer’s research from all around the world. And there are some organizations that accomplish all of these, with great benefit to the patients and their caregivers.
Medicines for Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s research has yielded two types of medicines that treat the cognitive symptoms of the disease. Since the disease itself affects the chemicals and nerve endings in the brain, these medicines address those two.
Cholinesterase and memantine are both inhibitors that prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger in the brain that’s important for learning and memory. Both are appropriate for mild to moderate Alzheimer’s. Research shows that they do not cure the disease, but both offset the progression of its symptoms for some time.
Treating the Behavioral Disorders
Alzheimer’s disease affects more than just memory. Many patients experience behavior symptoms as well, including paranoia, irritability, anger, outbursts, restlessness, and delusions. Alzheimer’s research has shown that some medications can be prescribed to help control these side effects of the disease. However, if you would like to try a non-medical approach, there are things that one can do. Understanding that their behavior problems are simply part of the disease helps the caregivers to cope tremendously.
The So-Called Alzheimer’s Gene
Some Alzheimer’s researchers believe that they have pinpointed a certain gene that causes or contributes to the disease. However, there is still much work to be done in this area. Data shows that those with the gene do not necessarily get the disease, and those without it still can contract it. There is much controversy over the tests for this gene as they can be very misleading.
These organizations dedicated to Alzheimer’s research have done much good toward the treatment of the disease and the help needed for the caregivers. While doctors are still a long way off from finding a permanent cure, they are able to do quite a bit in helping to delay the progression of the disease in the meantime. And as long as they are able to continue funding Alzheimer’s research, there is always hope that one day this disease will be thing of the past.
Alzheimers Disease Is A Common Form Of Dementia
The disease is named after German doctor Alois Alzheimer. In 1906, Doctor Alzheimer noticed differences in the brain tissue of a patient of his that died with unusual mental illnesses and dementia. His study led him to discover abnormal clumps and tangles of fiber in the brains of those patients who were suffering from this same disease. So while it was common for persons who were older and losing their mental faculties to be dismissed as “senile,” Doctor Alzheimer was able to pinpoint the actual breakdown in the brain that led to the loss of their mental faculties.
According to the National Institute on Aging, there are actual brain changes in persons with Alzheimer’s Disease. They can see how nerve cells die in areas of the brain that affect memory and basic abilities. It may seem strange, but everything that we do on a daily basis is because of memory. We remember that we need to shower on a regular basis, that we need to close the door behind us when we leave the house. We don’t realize that we’re doing these things because of memory, and assume that they just happen naturally. But when those memories break down because of Alzheimer’s or any other mental disorder, even the most basic everyday functions begin to be confusing or neglected.
The brain works by a series of connections between nerve endings, all of which are related. For example, the part of the brain that controls speech sends signals to the nerves that spark the muscles and parts of the mouth when we want to talk. All of our mental and physical functions work this way. With Alzheimer’s disease, these nerve signals are disrupted or broken. If the brain cannot continue to make connections in the nerve cells that control memory, all the basic functions are interrupted. The brain cannot remember that it just asked a question, so a person repeats it. They cannot remember their own children, so they are now strangers. Alzheimer’s can be a very frightening and debilitating disease for the patients and the families as well.
