of 24
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Diana
Vizoso
Samantha
Concepcion
Melissa Sirolli
Sean Faria
William Lopez Jr.
Prof. Bidot
BSC2085
M & W 7:05pm
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Alzheimers disease:
A Deeper Look
Diana Vizoso
Samantha Concepcion
Melissa Sirolli
Sean Faria
William Lopez Jr.
BSC2085
M & W 7:05pm
Professor Bidot
December 07, 2009
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Table of Contents
Page(s) #Title Page.................................................................................................................................... 2
Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................ 2
Reason and Concept .................................................................................................................... 3
Causes ........................................................................................................................................ 4
Sign and symptoms ..................................................................................................................... 6
Diagnosis .................................................................................................................................... 9
Treatments ................................................................................................................................ 11
Index ........................................................................................................................................ 19
Bibliography ............................................................................................................................. 23
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Reason
The reason my group choose this topic for our research paper is for three reasons. One
reason was the availability of information; it is easy to find information on the topic. Secondly was
the topic seemed very interesting because from the research we have collected at least two people
from this group will have Alzheimers disease as we age. Lastly was at least three of us from the
group have relatives with this disease and would like to know what at least is going on so we may
be some use to them. From this research paper we have learned a lot and this information we have
learned is irreplaceable.
Concept
Alzheimers disease is a brain disorder named for German physician Alois Alzheimer, who first
described it in 1906. Alzheimer's destroys brain cells, causing memory loss and problems
with thinking and behavior severe enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies or social
life. Alzheimers disease accounts for 50 to 70 percent of dementia cases. Other types of dementia
include vascular dementia, mixed dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and front temporal
dementia. The brain has 100 billion nerve cells (neurons). Nerve cell networks have special jobs.
In Alzheimers disease, as in other types of dementia, increasing numbers of brain cells deteriorate
and die. Plaques build up between nerve cells. Tangles form inside dying cells. Scientists are not
absolutely sure what role plaques and tangles play in Alzheimers disease.
Causes
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Scientists are still trying to fully understand the cause or causes of Alzheimers disease. In
the meantime, its said to be helpful that we understand the hallmarks of Alzheimers plaques and
tangles and the risk factors that affect a persons likelihood of developing the disease. Alzheimer's
disease is characterized by a build-up of proteins in the brain. Though this cannot be measured in a
living person, extensive autopsy studies have revealed this circumstance. The build-up manifests
in two ways. Plaques which are deposits of the protein beta-amyloid that accumulates in the spaces
between nerve cells. Another way this build up can occur is through tangles, which are deposits of
the protein tau that accumulate inside of nerve cells. Scientists are still studying how plaques and
tangles are related to Alzheimers disease.
One theory is that they block nerve cells ability to communicate with each other, making it
difficult for the cells to survive. It is likely that the causes include genetic, environmental, and
lifestyle factors, because people differ in their genetic make-up and lifestyle, the importance of
these factors for preventing or delaying AD differs from person to person. Autopsies have shown
that most people develop some plaques and tangles as they age, but people with Alzheimers
develop far more than those who do not develop the disease.
Scientists still dont know why some people develop so many compared to others.
However, several risk factors for Alzheimers disease have been uncovered. Genetics play a role in
some people with AD. A rare type of AD, called early-onset AD, affects people ages 30 to 60.
Some cases of early-onset AD, called familial AD, are inherited. Familial AD is caused by
mutations (permanent changes) in three genes. Offspring in the same generation have a 50-50
chance of developing familial AD if one of their parents had it.
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Advancing age is the number one risk factor for developing Alzheimers disease. One out
of eight people over the age of 65 have Alzheimers disease, and almost one out of every two
people over the age of 85 has Alzheimers. Facts and studies show that the probability of being
diagnosed with Alzheimers nearly doubles every five years after age 65. People who have a
parent or sibling that developed Alzheimers disease are two to three times more likely to develop
the disease than those with no family history of Alzheimers. If more than one close relative has
been affected, the risk increases even more.
Scientists have identified two kinds of genes that are associated with this familial risk
factor. The first is thought to be a risk gene, ApoE 4, that increases the likelihood of developing
Alzheimers, but does not guarantee it. In addition to ApoE 4, scientists think there could be up to
a dozen more risk genes yet to be discovered. The second kind of gene is a deterministic gene
and is much rarer than risk genes. Deterministic genes are only found in a few hundred extended
families around the world.
If a deterministic gene is inherited, the person will undoubtedly develop Alzheimers, but
probably at a much earlier age. Although age and family history are out of our control, scientists
have also identified several lifestyle factors that can influence a persons risk of developing
Alzheimers disease. A connection has been found between serious head injury and future
development of Alzheimers, so those who practice safety measures such as wearing seat belts and
not engaging in activities where there is a high risk of falling are at an advantage. Evidence states
that there should be a greater promotion of exercise and a healthy diet, to help reduce Alzheimers
risk.
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Avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol consumption, staying socially active, and engaging in
intellectually stimulating activities, have also been shown to have a protective effect against
Alzheimers disease. Finally, there is a strong link between heart health and brain health. Those
who are free of heart disease or related conditions are at a lower risk of developing Alzheimers or
another kind of disease than those who have cardiovascular problems.
Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimers disease
Alzheimers disease is the most common forms of Dementia. Alzheimers disease is a
serious brain disorder that impacts daily living through memory loss and cognitive changes. Some
common signs of Alzheimers disease can be mixed up with normal everyday normality of
forgetfulness. Early stages of Alzheimers can be detected mainly by memory loss regarding
recent conversations and events. It can start off as routinely placing important items in odd places,
forgetting names of family members and common objects. It also is a result of, repeated questions,
forgetting the way to get to a frequent visited place and even the inability to following simple
directions for a recipe. This stage can usually last from 2-4 years.
Moderate to middle stage Alzheimers disease is usually discovered when they can no
longer cover up problems, have rambling speech, unusual reasoning, and have problems with
places and times. Constant reminders are needed; assistance is needed with daily living activities,
mood and behavioral changes start to occur and about 80% of patients show evidence of emotional
and behavioral problems which are aggravated by stress and change that they are not used to.
This Stage can last from 2-10 years.
Severe to Late stage Alzheimers is the result of confusion of the past and present. Another
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sign is severe to total loss of verbal skills, they forget to speak or how to speak or write. The
person becomes completely incapable to care for self. They become very high risk to falling due
to gait dysfunction, and become bedridden. Patients begin to hallucinate, have severe mood
swings and behavioral issues. They tend moan and cry when unable to express what they are
feeling at the moment. They become totally dependent on others and need total support and care.
They can end up with issues such as the inability to swallow, incontinence, and illness. Illness is
the result of the body systems shutting down usually resulting in death. To sum up the basic
important information about Alzheimers disease one should the top ten basic signs to detect
Alzheimers.
First Sign is memory loss. We all experience it one way or another; it is just a matter of
knowing the difference between a slip-up and long-term forgetfulness. It is natural to forget an
appointment and/or a persons name but to later remember it. Second basic sign of Alzheimers is
challenges arising when planning or solving problems. We can easily make a mistake while
balancing our check book every once in awhile but forgetting to pay monthly bills can be a sign to
a serious condition. Third sign of possible Alzheimers disease is difficulty in completing familiar
tasks at home. Of course we forget what button to press when wanting to TiVo something but
forgetting the rules to your all time favorite board game, theres obviously a problem.
The fourth simple sign to detect Alzheimers disease is confusion time and place.
Obviously we can occasionally forget what day of the week it is but we always remember in the
end, whereas forgetting where we are and having no clue how we got there. These situations can be
very stressful. The fifth sign of Alzheimers is trouble understanding. Alzheimers prospect begins
having visual problems creating difficulty with reading. Over the years, with age, it is common to
be diagnosed with cataracts, which at this time would be natural to have difficulty reading or
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seeing.
The sixth sign of Alzheimers is having trouble with speech i.e. speaking and writing. It
creates difficulty in joining in on conversations happening around them and or even while theyre
speaking they stop because they do not recall the subject of the conversation. We can be in the
middle of a conversation and be distracted by something but as long as we are reminded by just a
simple word. The seventh sign of Alzheimers is misplacing things and the inability to retrace ones
steps to remember. Its normal for us to misplace the remote or even our car keys time to time but
to place our common everyday items in awkward places is a little sign of Alzheimers.
The eighth sign of Alzheimers disease is decreased or poor judgment. It is normal for us
to every once in a while make bad decisions and Alzheimers prospects pay less attention to their
personal hygiene or can even pay people such as telemarketers large sum of money due to poor
judgment with money. The ninth sign of Alzheimers disease is withdrawal from work or social
activities. We are always at fault for feeling weary from work and wanting to be alone not having
to go social gatherings or family gatherings from time to time. It is perfectly normal. An
Alzheimers prospect will begin to withdraw from their favorite hobbies and forget how their
favorite teams play. They can begin to feel that they dont want to participate in anything anymore
and become lonely.
The final sign of Alzheimers is the change in mood and/or personality. The prospect can
become depressed, confused and even suspicious. We can usually create a routine of how we do
things and when they get interrupted we can become irritated and frustrated and it is perfectly
normal on occasion.
Diagnosis
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Alzheimers disease causes physical change in a persons brain that cannot be properly
diagnosed until being closely examined. Physicians are able to diagnose Alzheimers with 90%
accuracy due to thorough examination. Several of these medical examinations include the patients
history, a mini-mental state exam, specific laboratory testing, and certain neuro-imaging
examinations (Beers and Berkow). By gathering certain information from these exams, a doctor
can identify if a patient suffers from Alzheimers and what stage of Alzheimers the patient is
currently in.
For further explanation, a doctor will ask a series of questions to compose a medical
evaluation of the patient. The questions asked as part of the patients history includes information
of the problem occurring, a history of current illnesses, and any family history in regards to the
occurring problem. Physicians perform mini-mental exams that focus on the patients attention
span, memory and other types of mental moods. For instances, the doctor performing the exam
will try to interpret the different mood swings the patients undergoes. Another example would be
the attitude, behavior and appearance towards other people. Specialists evaluate patients on the
following statuses: Cognition, Insight judgment, Speech and language, Thought content, and
Thought processes.
After the physician has performed several mental tests, they usually send the patient to a
laboratory to have blood work done. Even though there is not a specific lab test that can identify
Alzheimers, the physician tries to rule out the possibility of other diseases by checking the levels
of certain chemicals in the body. Specialist analyze the levels of Vitamin B12, TSH (for the
thyroids), CBC (for anemia), and HIV. Furthermore, depending on the conditions of the patient,
the next step to evaluate if the patient has Alzheimer is to perform several neuro-imaging exams.
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One of the main exams that a patient undergoes is a CT scan. A CT scan takes multiple X-ray
pictures of a certain body part to analyze any major changes. Patients with possible Alzheimers
carry out a CT scan of the brain, where specialist can observe changes in the size of the brain. A
size reduction of the brain may be a result of Alzheimers. Another imaging exam will be an MRI,
which shows the functional changes of the brain. MRIs also rule out the possibility of
Alzheimers by observing if any tumors are present (Kasper, Braunwald and Fauci). As stated
previously, a patient cannot be properly diagnosed with Alzheimers until further studies are done
after the patients death. These are some of the methods to determine the possibility of a patient
suffering Alzheimers. There is only one method that has been recently discovered to diagnose
Alzheimers at 100% accuracy which is an autopsy on the brain.
Treatments
Although no cure for Alzheimers disease is yet available, medical and behavioral
treatments for the disease may ease symptoms for the individual with Alzheimer's.T
he symptoms
that can be treated are the cognitive and behavioral symptoms. There is only three ways for treating
symptoms of Alzheimers. They are the Standard Treatments, Sleep Treatments and lastly
Alternative Therapy.
Standard Treatments consist of two types of medications that have been approved by the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The two types of drugs are cholinesterase inhibitors
and Memanatine. Cholinesterase inhibitors are prescribed to treat symptoms related to memory,
thinking, language, judgment and other thought processes. Three different cholinesterase
inhibitors are commonly prescribed. Donepezil also called Aricept, which is used to treat all stages
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of Alzheimers disease. Galantamine also called Razadyne, used to treat mild to moderate stages
of Alzheimers. Rivastigmine also called Exelon, usually used to treat mild to moderate
Alzheimers. Tacrine also called Cognex, the first cholinesterase inhibitor, was approved in 1993
but is rarely prescribed today because of associated side effects, including possible liver damage.
Cholinesterase inhibitors work by increasing the levels of a chemical messenger involved
with memory, judgment and other thought processes called acetylcholine. There are certain cells
in the brain that produce or release this chemical messenger acetylcholine, which in fact actually
help communicate between other cells. Upon this messenger reaching the receiving cell various
other chemicals as well as an enzyme called acetyl cholinesterase appear. This enzyme acetyl
cholinesterase breaks down acetylcholine so it can be recycled.
However Alzheimers disease damages or worst yet destroys the cells that produce or use
acetylcholine. As a result of this process reduces the amount of acetylcholine to carry messages.
Cholinesterase inhibitor is actually an enzyme created to slow down the process of breaking down
the acetylcholine. Cholinesterase inhibitor accomplishes this by blocking the activity acetyl
cholinesterase. This process saves some acetylcholine from being destroyed by the Alzheimers
disease. These medications help the brain work better but it doesnt stop or reverse the destruction
of the brain cells. Cholinesterase inhibitors do not prevent Alzheimers from getting worst this is
just a method to slow the progression down.
Cholinesterase inhibitors seem to offer other benefits, as well. For example,
Galantamine appears to stimulate the release of acetylcholine and to strengthen the way certain
message-receiving nerve cells respond to it. Rivastigmine may block the activity of another
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enzyme involved in breaking down acetylcholine. In contrast if side effects occur, they commonly
include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and increased frequency of bowel movements. It is
strongly recommended that a physician who is experienced in using these medications monitor
patients who are taking them, and that the recommended guidelines be strictly observed.
Memantine also called Namenda is prescribed to improve memory, attention, reason,
language and the ability to perform simple tasks. This was the first Alzheimer drug of the NMDA
receptor antagonist type. Memanatine is used to treat moderate to severe Alzheimers only.
Memantine works by regulating the activity of a chemical involved in information
processing, storage and retrieval called glutamate. Perceptibly Glutamate triggers NMDA
receptors to let a controlled amount of calcium into a nerve cell as a result of this process it
significantly helps with learning and memory. The calcium helps creates the chemical
environment required for information storage. In the same way Glutamate can be helpful it can be
damaging. If there is excess Glutamate it over stimulates NMDA receptors so that they allow too
much calcium into nerve cells. In a nut shell excess glutamate causes disruption and death of cells.
However Memantine may protect cells by partially blocking NMDA receptors. Adverse
side effects include headache, constipation, confusion and dizziness. Scientists have made
remarkable progress in understanding how Alzheimers affects the brain. Their insights point
toward promising new treatments to slow or stop the disease. Ultimately, the path to effective
therapies is through clinical studies.
The second treatment to help Alzheimers is sleep treatment. This is a significant factor of
Alzheimers because doctors have not found the exact reason why this happens. Many people with
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Alzheimers experience changes in their sleep patterns. Similarly how Alzheimers affect memory
and behavior, sleep changes also occur to Alzheimers patients. There have been cases of this in
older adults without dementia who notice this as well. These conflicts occur more frequently and
tend to be more brutal in Alzheimers patients. This is common in later stages of Alzheimers yet
there have been reports and studies show to be found in the early stages as well.
This seems hard to believe that such a thing as difficulty sleeping can be caused by
Alzheimers. There are several patients with Alzheimers that wake up more often and stay awake
longer during the night. Brain wave studies have shown to have a decrease in both dreaming and
non-dreaming sleep stages. Sometimes those who cant sleep may be unable to lie still, or yell or
call out, disturbing the sleep of their caregivers.
Alzheimers patients have tendency for daytime napping and other shifts in the sleep-wake
cycle. Individuals may feel very drowsy during the day and then be unable to sleep at night.
Experts estimate that in late stages of Alzheimers, individuals spend about 40 percent of their time
in bed at night awake and a significant part of their daytime sleeping. Patients should have a
thorough medical examination to identify any treatable illnesses that may be contributing to the
sleeplessness. Some conditions are Depression, Restless legs syndrome, Sleep apnea.
Most doctors mostly try the non-drug treatment first due to the amount of medications
patients usually are taking. This treatment aspires to build a sleep routine, to decrease daytime
napping and to create the sleep environment necessary. The structure of this treatment consists of
Maintaining a schedule for regular times for meals and for going to bed and getting up, Encourage
regular daily exercise includes seeking morning sunlight exposure, Treat any pain, Avoid alcohol,
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caffeine and nicotine, If the person is taking a cholinesterase inhibitor avoid giving the medicine
before bed, Make sure the bedroom temperature is comfortable, If the person awakens, discourage
staying in bed while awake; use the bed only for sleep, Discourage watching television during
periods of wakefulness.
The second Sleep treatment is obliviously medications. This is for the cases that non-drug
fails help the sleeplessness. There is one rule for delivering sleep medications all experts agree on
begin low and go slow. This rule came about because of the risk of sleep inducing medication on
older adults who are cognitively impaired are significant. The risks are increased risk for falls and
fractures, confusion, and a decline in the ability to care for oneself. However once a sleep pattern
has been established patients are too slowly discontinue them.
The most common used sleep medications are Tricyclic antidepressants, such as
nortriptyline and trazodone. Another is Benzodiazepines which common names are lorazepam,
oxazepam and temazepam. Sleeping pills also called zolpidem, zaleplon and chloral hydrate.
Lastly are antipsychotics such as haloperidol, risperidone, onlanzapine and quetiapine.
The final treatment is alternative therapy which consists of several herbal remedies,
vitamins and other dietary supplements. The safety and capability of these products are based
fundamentally on testimonials, tradition, and a rather small body of scientific research.The reason
this is called alternative therapy is due to the unknown. The effectiveness, safety, purity are all
unknown. The claims do not present enough evidence of effectiveness for FDA, as well as FDA
has no authority over supplement production. The safety of this therapy is also not regulated. The
safety precautions are actually given by healthcare professionals to the manufacturers. Not to
mention the risk of these products can have serious or serve interactions with prescribed
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medications.
Vitamin E is used to treat Alzheimers because it is an antioxidant, a substance that may
protect nerve cells from certain kinds of chemical wear and tear. There is one large federally
funded study that shows that vitamin E can slightly slow down the loss of ability to carry out daily
life. Patients should not take vitamin E to treat Alzheimers unless supervised by physician. The
Vitamin E doses in these cases are relatively high. This high dose is why vitamin E should never
been taken without proper supervision. Vitamin E can interact with other medications, including
those prescribed to keep blood from clotting.
Coenzyme Q10 or ubiquinone is another antioxidant that is used in Alzheimers patients.
This usually naturally produced in the body and is necessary for ordinary cell reactions. There was
a synthetic version of this compound called idebenone, which was studied with Alzheimers but
produced complimentary results. There is also no information on an adequate dose to be taken and
considered safe. Consequently there can be harmful effects due to the lack of study.
Coral Calcium which is advertised as a cure for Alzheimers, cancer and other illnesses.
This is a form of calcium carbonate that is derived from shells of formerly living organisms that
made up coral reef. In June 2003, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) filed a formal complaint against the promoters and distributors of coral
calcium. Coral calcium differs from ordinary calcium supplements only in that it contains traces of
some additional minerals incorporated into the shells by the metabolic processes of the animals
that formed them. It contains no amazing health benefits.
Ginkgo biloba is a plant extract containing several compounds. Ginkgo biloba is thought to
have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits that may have positive effects on cells within the
brain and the body. However, multicenter Phase III study published in the Journal of the
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American Medical Association (November 19, 2008) proved that gingko was acting as a placebo
in delaying changes in memory, thinking and personality and had no impact on the development of
Alzheimers.
Huperzine-A is a moss extract usually used in traditional Chinese medicine. The properties
of Huperzine-A is very similar to those of cholinesterase inhibitors. As a result, it is promoted as a
treatment for Alzheimer's disease also may be comparable to approved drugs for Alzheimers.
There was a study for this drug launched in spring 2004 by no results has been mentioned. This is
also another drug that has been regulated as a dietary supplement with no uniform standards. It is
recommended not to be taken with prescribed medication due its similarity to cholinesterase
inhibitors and increase side effects of prescribed drug.
Last form of alternative therapy is Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 is a type of
polyunsaturated fatty acid it has been more linked to heart disease and stroke than Alzheimers.
There are only two types of Omega-3s qualified for use. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) recently added to 75% of prenatal vitamins for develop of brain in
babies. This fatty acid cannot be made in the body this is fatty acid primarily use from fish oil or
flax oil. The reason why this was linked to the reduction of brain decline was that DHA is the chief
omega-3 in the brain. There are theories that Omega-3s are might influence dementia risk include
their benefit for the heart and blood vessels, anti-inflammatory properties, and support while
protecting the nerve cell membranes. These findings are still under study and are in the preliminary
stage.
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Index
1. Alzheimers disease - a common form of dementia of unknown cause, usually beginning
in late middle age, characterized by memory lapses, confusion, emotional instability, and
progressive loss of mental ability. Named after Alois Alzheimer (18641915), German
neurologist, who described it in 1907.
2. Antidepressants- of or pertaining to a substance that is used in the treatment of mood
disorders, as characterized by various manic or depressive affects.
3. Anti-inflammatory- acting to reduce certain signs of inflammation, as swelling,
tenderness, fever, and pain.
4. Autopsy- inspection and dissection of a body after death, as for determination of the cause
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of death; postmortem examination.
5. Cholinesterase inhibitors- is an enzyme that increases the levels of a chemical messenger
involved with memory, judgment and other thought processes called acetylcholine.
6. Coenzyme Q10- a naturally occurring, fat-soluble, vitamin like enzyme found in a variety
of foods and synthesized in the body: sold as a dietary supplement for its antioxidant
properties.
7. Confusion- lack of clearness or distinctness: a confusion in his mind between right and
wrong.8. Coral Calcium- This is a form of calcium carbonate that is derived from shells of formerly
living organisms that made up coral reef.
9. Dementia- severe impairment or loss of intellectual capacity and personality integration,
due to the loss of or damage to neurons in the brain.
10. Depression- condition of general emotional dejection and withdrawal; sadness greater and
more prolonged than that warranted by any objective reason.
11. Diagnose- to determine the identity of (a disease, illness, etc.) by a medical examination:
The doctor diagnosed the illness as influenza.
12. Dietary supplement- product taken orally that contains one or more ingredients that are
intended to supplement one's diet and are not considered food.
13. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)- an omega-3 fatty acid found especially in cold-water fish.
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14. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)-An omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oils.
15. Fatty acid- any of a class of aliphatic acids, esp. palmitic, stearic, or oleic acid, consisting
of a long hydrocarbon chain ending in a carboxyl group that bonds to glycerol to form a fat.
16. Federal Trade Commission (FTC)- A federal agency responsible for maintaining the
competitive markets, thereby discouraging restraint of trade and monopoly. The clout and
aggressiveness of the FTC vary greatly depending on its membership and the incumbent
Presidential administration.
17. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - The FDA is responsible for protecting the public
health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs,
biological products, medical devices, our nations food supply, cosmetics, and products
that emit radiation.
18. Ginkgo biloba- is a plant extract containing several compounds.
19. herbal remedies- a plant or plant part or an extract or mixture of these used to prevent,
alleviate, or cure disease called also herbal, herbal medicine.
20. Huperzine-A - is a moss extract usually used in traditional Chinese medicine. The
properties of Huperzine-A is very similar to those of cholinesterase inhibitors.
21. medical examinations- thorough physical examination; includes a variety of tests
depending on the age and sex and health of the person.
22. Memory- the mental capacity or faculty of retaining and reviving facts, events,
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impressions, etc., or of recalling or recognizing previous experiences.
23. mild stages of Alzheimers- progress from mild forgetfulness to widespread neurological
impairment and ultimately death.
24. moderate stages of Alzheimers- progress from moderate forgetfulness to widespread
neurological impairment and ultimately death.
25. Omega-3 - a polyunsaturated fatty acid, essential for normal retinal function, that
influences various metabolic pathways, resulting in lowered cholesterol and triglyceride
levels, inhibited platelet clotting, and reduced inflammatory and immune reactions.
26. Polyunsaturated fatty acid - an unsaturated fatty acid whose carbon chain has more than
one double or triple valence bond per molecule; found chiefly in fish and corn and soybean
oil and safflower oil.
27. Restless legs syndrome- a nervous disorder of uncertain patho-physiology that is
characterized by restlessness of the legs usually as evidenced by aching, crawling, or
creeping sensations in them especially at night or when lying down and that is often
accompanied by insomnia and by involuntary twitching of the legs during sleep called also
restless legs.
28. Serve stages of Alzheimers- is the result of confusion of the past and present. Another
sign is severe to total loss of verbal skills, they forget to speak or how to speak or
write. The person becomes completely incapable to care for self.
29. Sleep apnea- a temporary suspension of breathing, occurring in some newborns (infant
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apnea)and in some adults during sleep
30. Supplements- something added to complete a thing, supply a deficiency, or reinforce or
extend a whole.
31. Vitamin- any of a group of organic substances essential in small quantities to normal
metabolism, found in minute amounts in natural foodstuffs or sometimes produced
synthetically: deficiencies of vitamins produce specific disorders.
32. VitaminE
- a pale-yellow viscous fluid, abundant in vegetable oils, whole-grain cereals,
butter, and eggs, and important as an antioxidant in the deactivation of free radicals and in
maintenance of the body's cell membranes: deficiency is rare.
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Bibliography
Alzheimers Association. Early Onset Dementia: A National Challenge, A Future Crisis.
(Washington, D.C.: Alzheimers Association, June 2006) Accessible at www.alz.org
Alzheimers Association. Professionals & Researchers, Alzheimer's disease, Treating
Alzheimers: Cognitive Symptoms. Accessible at www.alz.org
Beers, Mark H. and Robert Berkow. "The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 17th
Edition." Delirium and Dementia. Whitehouse Station, New Jersey: Merck Research
Laboratories, 1999. Chapter 40.
Lon S. Schneider MD, (University of Southern California) reflects in the Journal of the
American Medical Association (JAMA. 2008;300[19] Ginkgo Biloba and Alzheimer's
Disease Online article accessible http://www.audiology.org/news/Pages/20081119a.aspx
Kasper, Dennis L., et al. "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 16th Edition." Bird,
Thomas D. and Bruce L. Miller. Dementia. New York: McGraw-Hill Professional, 2004.
Chapter 365.
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Appendix
A.1 During the presymptomatic stage ofAlzheimer's disease (A), a beta accumulates in diffuse plaques.Axons and dendrites within and near the plaque appear structurally normal. By the symptomatic stage (B),
many plaques appear "mature. Nearby microglia and astrocytes are activated, and axons and dendrites are
degenerating.
A.2 This illustration demonstrates a CT scan of the brain.
Physicians are able to notice any changes of the brain to
distinguish Alzheimers.