Alzheimer’s Disease

Nick Beisel

Rebecca Ingold

Liz Conway

Alzheimer’s Introduction Form of Dementia Dr. Alois Alzheimer: discovered

plaques and tangles Two Types: _______ and Late Onset Ongoing Research No Cure Long-term Care

Risk Factors

Age: numbers diagnosed ________ every five years after age 65

Family History: Implications for Early Onset

Risk Factors: Ongoing Research Genetic Interaction

_________________ (ApoE): protein synthesis

ApoE carries __________ in blood Only 15% have type that increases risk Others still undiscovered

Risk Factors: Speculation Diet: low _______ levels Environment Correlations?

Heart Disease and Stroke High BP High Cholesterol

Previous slides from ADEAR

www.alzheimers.org/pubs/adfact.html

Symptoms: Characteristics Precursor

Mild forgetfulness: “senior moment” Early Stages:

Trouble remembering names, events, important dates, etc.

________________ difficulty Bothersome but not alarming

Symptoms: Characteristics Moderate Stages:

Interference with simple daily activities, e.g., brushing teeth

Impaired ____________________ Impaired speech, reading, writing, etc. Unable to recognize family members Easily noticed and reported

Symptoms: Characteristics Advanced Stages

Further deterioration of speech, etc. _________ Restlessness Mood Swings _____________ Wandering away from home

Symptoms: Why?

Normal MRI Alzheimer’s MRI

Images from www.med.harvard.edu/AANLIB/cases/case3/mr1/040.html

Symptoms: Why? Loss of brain volume Atrophy of various lobes Asymmetry of ventricles Atrophy of _____________ and

Amygdala

Treatment of Alzheimer’s Is no cure May be possible to reverse or minimize

symptoms

Types of Treatment Medications Hormonal Herbal _____ At Home Techniques

Medications Numerous kinds of medications to

relieve symptoms or control behavior Tacrine, Donepezil, Galantamine, & Memantine

____________ Helps with anxiety, sleep and behavior problems

http://my.webmd.com/hw/alzheimers/hw136880.asp

http://www.alzheimers.org/treatment.htm

Hormonal HRT can ________ risk of AD Estrogen

Increased risk of dementia too

http://www.alzheimers.org/treatment.htm

http://my.webmd.com/content/article/54/61448.htm

Herbs

Ginko Biloba May delay ___________ decay May have preventive measures

http://www.alzheimers.org/treatment.htm

New Diet Research __________ plaque build up causes

oxidation and inflammation kills brain cells Diets high in anti-oxidants slow oxidation and

work to prevent inflammation Purple fruits and vegetables Curcumin (spice) may help prevent memory

loss

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6560710/

At Home Techniques Make everything a ________ Walking helps stimulate the brain to talk Use reminders/ schedules Recall happy memories (LTM not impaired)

http://www.alzheimersdisease.com/info/answers/alzheimer-treatment-choices.jsp

http://www.my.webmd.com/content/article/54/61448.htm

AD by the numbers: There is an estimated 4.5 million

Americans suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease.

This number has more than doubled since _____.

www.alz.org

Alzheimer’s Association Poll 1 in 10 Americans have a family

member who suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease.

_____ Americans know someone with the disease.

www.alz.org

Costs of Alzheimer’s Disease ____ of all nursing home residents have

Alzheimer’s Disease. Living in a nursing home can range from

$42,000-$70,000 a year. The average lifetime cost of care is

$174,000.

www.alz.org

Care Giving for someone with Alzheimer’s

7 out of 10 Alzheimer’s patients live at home.

75% of their care is provided by family and ________.

The remaining 25% is paid care which can typically cost around $19,000.

www.alz.org

Care Giving Most caregivers are _______. Care giving for Alzheimer’s disease is

physically and mentally demanding These care givers can suffer from fatigue,

frustration, grief, depression, etc. High levels of stress make the care giver

vulnerable to illness.

www.faqs.org/health

Care Giving In early stages the patient loses ability to

do minimal tasks such as tying their shoes and selecting clothing.

Over time the patient will gradually lose the ability to take care of oneself.

www.ahaf.org

Nutrition ___________ is also very important.

A patient might forget how to prepare food or that they are hungry.

The caregiver should make sure the patient is receiving healthy meals.

www.faqs.org/health

The Safety of the Patient Patient will gradually lose the ability to drive

a car, cook, clean, shower, and ultimately take care of oneself.

Insert _______ devices such as bed rails and hand rails for the bathrooms.

Adjust electrical appliances

www.ahaf.org

Care for the Care Giver

_______________ and professional counseling.

Extremely demanding and frustrating. Spirituality

www.ahaf.org