The Biology of Alzheimer's Disease
In patients with Alzheimer's neuritic plaques containing amyloid proteins are found and
neurofibrillary tangles which are paired helical filaments containing tau proteins in the cortex and
hippocampus.
There is a loss of choline acetyltransferase which is important in the making acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter.
The risk of Alzheimer's disease increases with age.
People with Alzheiemer's have decline in at least two of the following:
memory which is usually the first
symptom,
language,
spatial orientation,
personality and social
skills,
abstract reasoning, and
judgement
As the disease progresses patients may become apathetic and may develop behavioral disturbances resulting in restlessness and wandering.
Alzheimer's patients
eventually are unable to take care of themselves, unable to speak or walk, and they lose basic
biological controls (loss of bladder and fecal control), some patients may develop
seizures.
The diagnosis of Alzheimer's is clinical, and should be made by a trained professional. Prior to making the diagnosis tests are generally performed to rule out other causes
of dementia.
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