Alzheimer's Disease
by: Grace Walker
Causes of Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's Disease, also known as presenile and senile dementia, is a dominantly inherited disorder caused by gene mutation that occurs on the 21, 14 and 1 chrmosome. It occurs when amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles develop in the brain causing nerve cells to lose connection and die.
How Alzheimer's affects People
This disease usually occurs in adults above the age of 65, and in rare cases it develops in people ages 30-60. Some of the symptoms of alzheimer's is changes in personality and behavior, the effected person becomes antisocial, agitation occurs, and there is a big loss in language skills.
Life Style of Someone with Alzheimers
People affected by alzheimers usually dont begin having symptoms until the age of about 65. Since the symptoms begin so late, there is no treatment needed in their childhood or most of their adulthood. There is no cure for this disease so once you are diagnosed, theres not much you can do. Doctors can prescribe medicines to slow down the development of Alzheimers, but it will not conpletely stop the growth. The symptoms will slowly get worse and worse until you can barey remember your family or what you did earlier that day. Individuals with alzheimers can have children, but there is a good chance that they could devlop the disease also. There are prenatal tests for this disorder, but they arent recommended unless the mother is willing to terminate her pregnancy.
Treatments or Cures of the Disease
As of now, Alzheimer's Disease is uncurable. Scientists have come up with treatments that can slow the process of devolpment in the brain but they have yet to find a cure to completely stop the growth. There are also treatments to improve the life of those living with the disease, but it is very hard to live with this disease.
Kinds of Alzheimer's Disease
There are two types of Alzheimers:
- Early-onset: This form is very rare. Only about 5% of patients with Alzheimer's Disease have this type. Early-onset occurs in people ages 30-60 and moves at a faster pace.
- Late-onset: This form is much more common. It occurs in people usually 60 years or older. This is more common, but researchers aren't sure what gene causes this form.
Works Cited
"Alzheimer Disease." Genetics Home Reference. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2015.
"Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia | Alzheimer's Association." Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia | Alzheimer's Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2015.
"Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Fact Sheet." National Institute on Aging. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2015.
"Alzheimer's Disease Fact Sheet." National Institute on Aging. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2015.