Pathophysiology Of Dementia And Alzheimers Disease

Pathophysiology: Dementia Dementia, also known as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is a progressive, chronic, and degenerative. 60% of dementia occurs in people over the age of 65. Dementia causes loss of judgment, memory, change in personality, and visuospatial perception. Severe cognitive impairment can occur over time, as well as physical deterioration and death. The brain changes in size and weight as a person ages. There is also a narrowing of the gyri, enlargement of the ventricles, and widening of the cerebral sulci. In AD, these changes are accelerated, causing issues such as atrophy of the cerebral cortex and loss of cortical neurons. In addition, the pre-central gyrus of the frontal lobe, superior temporal gyrus, hippocampus, and substantia nigra are all affected. Changes in neurofibrillary tangles (tangled masses of fibrous tissue throughout the neurons) , amyloid-rich senile or neuritic plague (degenerating nerve terminals in the hippocampus which contain proteins that form neurotoxic plague in the brain) and granulovascular degeneration can all occur as well. Though the exact cause of AD is unknown, possible factors of cognitive impairment in older adults include neurologic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, psychological, environmental causes, nutritional deficiencies, and drug toxicity. Signs Symptoms: Alzheimer Disease is staged based on symptoms. Early (Mild) or Stage I can last up to 4 years. Middle (Moderate) or Stage II can last 2-3Show MoreRelatedThe Chronic Neurological Disease : Alzheimer s Disease1649 Words   |  7 PagesNeurological Disease: Alzheimer’s Hollie Haywood South Piedmont Community College Abstract Alzheimer’s disease has been around since 1901; a German psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer was the first man to identify and follow a case that is now known as Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is involved in synaptic deterioration and neuronal cell death, and causes degeneration in the hippocampus and amyloid deposition in blood vessels, ultimately cell death is the cause of the disease. There areRead MoreThe Role Of Traditional Medicines And New Treatment Targets915 Words   |  4 PagesDementia, a common problem in elderly, is rising worldwide including India. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a main etiology for dementia. Currently anticholinesterases, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, disease modifying agents form the mainstay of treatment of AD. However, recent breakthroughs in AD research have given multiple new treatment targets. This review summarizes the role of existing therapies and their limitations, role of traditional medicine s and new treatment targets. Read MoreThe Incidence Of Alzheimer s Disease Essay1380 Words   |  6 PagesEtiology The incidence of Alzheimer’s disease is 36 million people worldwide as of 2010, making it the most common cause of senile dementia. 1This number is expected to nearly double, to 65.7 million by 2030.1AD is accompanied by pathological features consistent with brain atrophy and neural cell death. 1The inflammatory response of the brain, that is commonly found in AD, is linked to several factors. 1Amyloid-B, inflammatory cytokines, and sphingolipids are some of the known factors associatedRead MoreAlzheimer s Disease Is A Disease Of The Brain1214 Words   |  5 PagesAlzheimer’s disease is a disease of the brain. This disease deteriorates parts of the brain and causes memory loss. Alzheimer’s disease is thought to be a disease that only older individuals develop. Forgetting can be a terrifying event in a person’s life, not to mention the life of an older individual who probably already has other health issues to worry about. This disease is not curable; however, it can be treated to a certain extent. Basically, all the treatment does is try to delay theRead MoreThe National Institute Of Neurological Disorders And Stroke Defines Dementia1563 Words   |  7 PagesStroke defines dementia as:â€Å" word for a group of symptoms caused by disorders that affect the brain. It is not a specific disease. People with dementia may not be able to think well enough to do normal activities, such as getting dressed or eating. They may lose their ability to solve problems or control their emotions. Their personalities may change. They may become agitated or see things that are not there. (Health, 2014).This essay is going to discuss and explore what dementia is and the fourRead MoreA Brief Note On The Canadian Baby Boom Generation3320 Words   |  14 PagesDementia is one of the age-related disorders which commonly affect the aging elderly population (65 and over). In 2010, the approximate number of people who had dementia was 35.6 million and it is estimated to double every twenty years, to 65.7 million in 2030 and 115.4 million in 2050 respectively. The incidence of dementia every year is 7.7 million which equals to one new case every four seconds (World Health Organization [WHO], 2012). In 2011, the Canadian baby boom generation initially beganRead MoreA Look At Non Alzheimer s Disease1684 Words   |  7 PagesA Look At Non-Alzheimer’s Disease Dementias By Katie Bergstrom, PA-S ABSTRACT: The most common tendency in assessing patients who display signs of dementia is to evaluate them for Alzheimer’s Disease. This means that Vascular Dementia, Dementia with Lewy Bodies, and Parkinson’s Disease Dementia are conversely overlooked as possible diagnoses. Special attention to clinical presentation and the use of diagnostic tests (such as the MRI) and assessment scales (like the Mini Mental State Exam) aid inRead MoreManifestations of Dementia Essay1343 Words   |  6 PagesManifestations of Dementia Melinda Godfrey GNUR543 St. John Fisher College Mrs. Yowell is a 90-year-old woman who is a resident of a long-term care facility. She was alert and mentally quite capable until about a year ago when she began to manifest signs and symptoms of dementia. A review of her medical records failed to document a thorough analysis of her dementia, but a diagnosis of â€Å"probable Alzheimer disease† was recorded. What are the common manifestations of dementia? The definitionRead MoreAlzheimer s Disease : A Complete Look At The Onset And Progression Essay2369 Words   |  10 PagesAlzheimer s Disease - A Complete Look at the Onset and Progression Alzheimer s disease is a condition that affects the cognitive status of many people around the world regardless of wealth, ethnicity, intelligence or any other factor. A specific case study that demonstrates the destructive nature of the disease can be seen in the case of Akram. Akram was an 80-year-old female with a past medical history of hypertension, diverticulitis, transient ischemic attack (TIA), and diabetes. She had a historyRead MoreVarying Aspects of Alzheimer’s Disease and Implementations for Nursing Care1954 Words   |  8 PagesThis paper will provide an overview of Alzheimer’s disease. It will explore its etiology, pathophysiology, risk factors and their modification, diagnostic and medical treatment including pharmacology, health education, and nursing care of Alzheimer’s disease based off nursing literature. It will go into detail of a patient who has experienced Alzheimer’s for 11 years and their specialized plan of care including their m edical history, physical assessment, concept mapping, nursing diagnoses, and specific