Welcome back to Demystifying Medicine.
In today's video
We will be discussing Alzheimer's disease.
Wait.
What is it again?
Did you know that memory actually involves forgetting?
Every day we are exposed to millions of stimuli that
get process by our brain and each time only
selected stimuli are processed and encoded into our long-term memory.
Whatever doesn't make the cut gets forgotten.
As we age, we naturally starts to forget things
more easily
and this is normal!
However,
there are some of us who may experience something
that is beyond normal memory loss
such as Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia.
Please take a moment to read the list differentiate between
normal aging and Alzheimer's disease.
At this point,
you must be wondering,
What is Alzheimer's?
Is it the same thing as dementia?
And how do I know if I have it?
Well,
all I miss is defined as an irreversible neurodegenerative brain disorder
that leads to the progressive loss of brain cells,
also known as neurons. Neurons are needed to
receive and transmit information within the brain.
So when the connections between them are destroyed, normal functioning
within the brain becomes disrupted,
resulting in dementia.
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a set
of symptoms are associated with the decline of cognitive abilities
such as memory loss and thinking skills.
Dementia affects the daily lives of more than half a million Canadian seniors,
with Alzheimer's being the most common cause. of characterize
Alzheimer's can start at different stages in life, characterized as
late onset or early onset.
Late onset is typically the sporadic one and certain individuals
who are in their mid sixties.
Early onset describes the start of Alzheimer's and individuals in their thirties
to Mid sixties and is commonly familial.
There are two forms of Alzheimer's: sporadic and familial.
The majority of cases are sporadic,
meaning no one knows how the disease arises.
The second type is familial and is a rare form
of Alzheimer's.
It arises due to a mutation
in a gene that is inherited from a parent.
These mutations commonly occurred in three major genes.
The amyloid precursor protein,
gene (APP),
Presenillin1 gene and Presenillin2 gene.
At the cellular level, there are two proteins that are believed to be involved
in the progression of Alzheimer's.
Beta Amyloida and TAU proteins.
Inside the neurons, TAU starts to build
up in an abnormal amount,
forming tangles,
While between the neurons, beta-amyloid proteins
Start to clump up to form plaques.
The continuous development of these,
tangles and plaques eventually leads to the deterioration of brain
cells and loss of synaptic connections.
With the continuous death of cells, the brain starts to shrink,
especially in the hippocampus.
The hippocampus is a structure of the brain that is
crucial for long-term memory.
The destruction of this structure will result in memory loss
and cognitive decline of a patient with Alzheimer's disease.
Beyond the narrow level,
there are environmental factors that may indirectly contribute Alzheimers,
such as repeated exposure,
to lead. Lifestyle choices
may also in directly contribute to Alzheimer's, such as an unhealthy diet,
sedentary behaviour, and repeated exposure to stress, among other factors.
As mentioned earlier,
symptoms of Alzheimer's include dementia,
although more elaborately,
they may involve problems with language, visual, and spatial skills,
as well as impaired reasoning with judgement. These issues prevent
individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease
from performing normal activities in their everyday life
On top of these difficulties, patients with Alzheimer's are also
negatively affected by the stigma surrounding disorder.
Within society, there are many people who believe that
individuals with Alzheimer's are useless and dependent.
While their conditions compel them to require more assistance,
They are not incompetent.
They are still functioning members of our society.
While Alzheimer's is irreversible,
meaning there is currently no cure available,
there are tests that can diagnose the disease in its early stages.
Currently some of the standard tests performed are MRI or
CT scans, among others.
But according to a recent studies,
a retinal scan is currently being studied to determine its
accuracy in detecting Alzheimers in its really stages.
This test involves the retina, because it gives us the opportunity
to explore non-invasive biomarkers for dementia
and Alzheimer's disease.
In this case, biomarkers
can include different cells, structures, and any retinal changes
that have occurred. Detection of these biomarkers would lead to
early diagnosis for patients with Alzheimer's. Although evidence is
accumulating in support of Alzheimer's disease
related changes in the retina, further studies are required to confirm this new diagnostic method.
It is important to undergo testing
if you suspect yourself or someone of having Alzheimer's, because
while there is no cure,
there are certain interventions that may reduce the risk and
severity of the disease. If Alzheimer's is diagnosed early enough,
the progression of the disease can be slowed down by
taking medication, such as
acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.
Such medications work to decrease the symptoms of Alzheimer's by
improving communication between nerve cells.
While there are no ways to prevent Alzheimer's, it is recommended to incorporate
physical activity into your everyday life and
maintain a well-balanced diet.
If you suspect someone of having Alzheimer's,
recommend them to see a doctor and discuss their options.
For individuals and families,
living with dementia,
here is a list of a few resources
that offer support.
See you next week and take care of your health!