Alzheimers Disease

Our brains change as we age. Many of us notice slower thinking and problems with recalling certain events as we grow older; nonetheless, confusion, memory loss and other key changes in how our minds work may be a sign that brain cells are failing. Many people confuse Alzheimer’s disease with dementia. Dementia is a set of symptoms that include problem solving, reasoning skills and memory loss while Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disorder that is usually characterized by considerable dysfunctions in cognition, functionality, and behavior (Sabbagh et al., 2011). Researchers have discovered changes that take place in the brains of those who have Alzheimer’s disease that may cause the memory loss and decline in other mental abilities that occur with Alzheimer’s disease. While it is not entirely understood why these brain changes occur, scientists have been searching for underlying factors that may lead to Alzheimer’s disease. Such precursors include an increase in Amyloid β peptides, a decrease in the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, and the demyelization of the myelin sheath.

Throughout the process of aging the concentrations of acetylcholine decrease resulting in irregular lapses of short-term memory. Once acetylcholine is released into the synapse, a protein (acetylcholinesterase) breaks it down. Acetylcholinesterase is required to ensure that acetylcholine does not stay in the synapse for an excessive amount of time; if it remains in the synapse too long it can impair the brain's health. Acetylcholine is important for the functions of many different nerves and is particularly important for parts of the brain involved in memory and learning because they use acetylcholine extensively (Chu et al., 2005). Notably, acetylcholine levels are lower in people with Alzheimer's disease. This suggests that the loss of acetylcholine-secreting neurons may cause some of the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by