Alzheimer s Disease And Its Effects - 1257 Words

Alzheimer’s in its Full Effect Alzheimer’s disease is named after German physician, Dr. Alois Alzheimer. In 1906, Dr. Alzheimer noticed changes that happened in the brain tissue of Auguste D., who had died of an unusual mental illness. Her symptoms included memory loss, language problems, and unpredictable behavior. So, what exactly is Alzheimer’s? It is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. Alzheimer’s has been detected in nearly 15% of people 71 years of age or older because it is caused by a genetic mutation, the disease gets worse over time, and there is currently no cure for it. Unfortunately, scientists do not fully†¦show more content†¦The Genetic Alzheimer’s disease form is extremely rare. A few hundred people have genes that directly contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. The majority of people with early-onset Alzh eimer’s disease have the common form of the disease. The disease will progress in roughly the same way as it does in older people with Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s disease leads to nerve cell death and tissue loss throughout the brain. Over time, the brain shrinks dramatically, affecting nearly all of its functions. In advanced Alzheimer’s, the surface layer that covers the cerebrum, shrinks and withers. This damage to the cortex destroys the normal ability to plan ahead, recall, and concentrate. Alzheimer’s also affects the hippocampus. This part of the brain plays an important role in memory. The disease causes the hippocampus to shrivel, which harms the brain’s ability to create new memories. The ability of doctors to diagnose the disease has improved in recent years, but a conclusive diagnosis can be established only when autopsy or brain biopsy shows that nerve cell loss has occurred in the parts of the brain associated with cognitive funct ioning (Alzheimer’s Disease). Alzheimer’s typically follows certain stages which will bring changes in the affected person’s and family’s lives. Because the disease affects each individual differently, the order in which they appear, and the duration of each stage