Alzheimer s Disease A Progressive Neurodegenerative...

As an individual grows older there are many signs of aging, which occur. There are common areas of decline in cognition such as some loss of hearing, vision, and working memory that are considered part of the normal aging process. When these symptoms start to worsen and vastly impair everyday tasks, the consideration of a form of dementia is brought forward. Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a brain disease, is the most common type of dementia, and affects majority of people 60 years or older (1,14). It is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, which only continues to worsen over time. Each individual is affected differently with symptoms and the progression. As of right now there is no cure for it (14). Biology of Alzheimer’s Disease†¦show more content†¦The evidence of neurofibrillary tangles is important to diagnosis. Inside the neurons, there will be abnormal clumps of tau protein. Tau protein normally attaches to microtubules of the neuron and acts as its stabilizer. Abnormal chemical changes cause Tau proteins to detach from the microtubules and stick to other tau proteins, forming threads, which clump together—tangles. Tangles may block the synaptic signaling between the neurons. Neurons will eventually begin to die and as this spreads, regions begin to shrink. The final stage will have widespread damage and significant shrinkage. Scientists are looking for specific types of cell death, which are found in normal aging, but greater in AD and the location matters. The brain will also show signs of inflammation in response to cellular injury (22, 23). Symptomology Alzheimer’s Disease deteriorates the brain and memory problems are the first warning signs of cognitive loss, especially the inability to remember new information. Progression of symptoms ranges from very mild to very severe. The pace of progression can happen rapidly or over a course of years. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a condition causing more memory problems than typical for an individual’s age, but it is not as severe as AD. Studies have shown a link with some older individuals with MCI go on to develop AD. Further early-cognitive deficits include trouble with finding or using the right words,