Old Timers and Alzheimer's
by Markus Sadowski
Why Alzheimer's
I chose Alzheimer's disease because so many people in the world are affected by it, but the reason why is somewhat unclear to me. By researching Alzheimer's, I hope to learn why millions of people are being diagnosed with it every year. With thorough research, I hope to find out if there is a cure to Alzheimer's, which would truly benefit the world.
About Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's disease is a chronic disease that starts slowly, then gets worse and worse as time passes, and is most common in people above the age of 65. Its most common symptom in patients is short term memory loss, but it can also lead to loss of motivation, mood swings, and dependency on others to do everyday tasks. As Alzheimer's continues to effect a patient's brain, they slowly began to withdraw from society, and after an average of 3 to 9 years, they die.
How Alzheimer's Affects the Brain
As Alzheimer's progresses in a patient's brain, nerve cells begin to die, and tissues are lost throughout the brain. The neurotransmitter Acetylcholine, which is affiliated with memory and learning, is decreased in concentration, which leads to memory loss. The whole brain shrinks dramatically, and Alzheimer's begins to suppress almost all of its functions.
Research on Alzheimer's
The cause of Alzheimer's disease remains relatively unknown. It could be due to genetics, or from a history of head injures, depression, hypertension, or lack of excersize, but researchers are not quite sure. The main attempt to cure the world of Alzheimer's is made by The Alzheimer's Association, who are attempting to eliminate the disease through treatments and modifications to the brain.
Interesting Facts About Alzheimer's
-1 out of every 9 people has Alzheimer's.
-Every 68 seconds, somebody is diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
-Currently, in the USA, over 5 million people have Alzheimer's.
More Info
To learn more visit http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publication/alzheimers-disease-fact-sheet
Works Cited
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alzheimer's_disease
http://m.alz.org/what-is-alzheimers.asp
http://www.alz.org/braintour/healthy_vs_alzheimers.asp
http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/403khttp://www.alz.org/braintour/alzheimers_changes.asp
http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publication/alzheimers-disease-fact-sheet