Josh deGuzman

1. Alzheimer’s Disease
Meghan Clusserath and Josh deGuzman

2. -type of dementia that causes problems
with memory, thinking, and behavior
Definition

3. 1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life
2. Challenges in planning or problem solving
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure
4. Confusion with time or place
5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
6. New problems with words in speaking or writing
7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
8. Decreased or poor judgment
9. Withdrawal from work or social activities
10. Changes in mood and personality
*The symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time.
Symptoms

4. Age:Most individuals with the disease are 65 or older. The
likelihood of developing the disease doubles about every 5 years
after the age of 65.
Genetics:
1. Deterministic Genes-directly cause the disease, guaranteeing that
anyone who inherits the gene will develop the disease
2. Risk Genes-increase the likelihood of developing a disease, but do not
guarantee it will happen
Risk Factors

5. Stage 1- No impairment: normal function
Stage 2- Very mild decline: may feel like having memory lapses, but no symptoms of
dementia
Stage 3- Mild decline: forgetting material just read, losing valuable objects, trouble
remembering names of people just met
Stage 4- Moderate decline: impaired ability to perform challenging mental
arithmetic, difficulty performing complex tasks, forget own personal history,
moody or withdrawn
Stage 5- Moderately severe decline: confused about where they are and what day it
is, unable to recall address, number, or high school, needs help choosing
appropriate clothing
Stage 6- Severe decline: changes in sleep patterns, lose awareness of surrounding,
need assistance using bathroom, personality and behavioral changes
Stage 7- Very severe decline: lose ability to carry conversation or control movement,
need help eating and personal care, can’t smile or sit up without support
Stages of AD

6. -Plaques:clumps of proteins called beta-amyloid peptide
-Tangles:twisted microscopic strands of the protein tau
-Loss of connections among brain cells
-Eventual death of brain cells
-Inflammation of brain
Brain Abnormalities that may
indicate AD

7. There is currently no treatment to stop AD, but
medications can slow or relieve some symptoms
Medications:
Antidepressants for low mood and irritability
(Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa)
Anxiolytics for anxiety, restlessness, verbally
disruptive behavior (Ativan, Serax)
Antipsychotic medications for hallucinations,
delusions, aggression, hostility, uncooperativeness
(Abilify, Clozaril, Haldol)
Treatment

8. -Studies show that, like other chronic common conditions, Alzheimer’s develops as a result of many
complex interactions among multiple factors
Heart-head Connection:
- There is strong evidence that links brain health to heart health. The brain is nourished by the blood
pumped by the heart, so it is important to keep the heart healthy in order to keep the brain healthy.
Brain cells use at least 20% of the food and oxygen your blood carries.
Physical exercise and diet:
- Exercise reduces your risk of developing Alzheimer’s because it increases blood and oxygen flow to
the brain. A heart-healthy diet (like the Mediterranean) also helps protect the brain.
Social connections and Intellectual Activity:
-It is also important to keep strong social connections and keep the mind mentally stimulated as you
age.
Prevention:

9. Most common form of dementia
5.2 million Americans (3.2 women, 1.8 men) have Alzheimer’s
6th leading cause of death (500,000 annually)
Patients with AD live for an average of 4-6 years after
diagnosis, but the disease can last for up to 20 years
In 2013, 15.5 million family and friends provided 17.7 billion
hours of unpaid care to those with AD or other types of
dementia (care valued at $220.2 billion)
Most expensive condition in the U.S.($214 billion in 2014 and
estimated $1.2 trillion in 2050)
Facts

10. ●Memory loss is a natural part of aging
●AD is not fatal
●Only older people can get AD
●Aspartame causes memory loss
●There are treatments available to stop
the progression of AD
Alzheimer’s Myths

11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waeuk
s1-3Z4
AD Video

12. -
http://www.alz.org/research/science/alzh
eimers_disease_causes.asp
-
http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts
/documents_info.php?documentID=101
References: