An Analysis Of Alzheimer's Disease

Our brains go through many changes as we age just like the rest of our bodies. Alzheimer Disease is a progressive loss of structure, function and death of neurons which gradually declines the cognitive abilities that affects multiple systems. AD affects the cerebral cortex which is the outer and main part responsible for memory, learning and reasoning, language resulting in destroying the qualities that forms an individual’s distinctive character. When compared, many fewer nerve cells and synapses are found in Alzheimer’s brain than in a healthy brain which leads to fewer connections among the living cells, hence, resulting in significant brain shrinkage. As the hippocampus shrink vastly, the brain loses to think, plan and remember or store new memories.

Due to the damages and changes in the brain, one of the first symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease is short term memory loss but as the disease progresses to deeper parts of the brain, long-term memory along with physical functions, such as swallowing, balance, bowel and bladder control starts getting affected too.
AD is identified by two main characteristics changes – Beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.
Beta-amyloid Plaques: The brain gets impaired and damaged by the clustered group of protein pieces called Beta-amyloid plaques which exist between cells and are circular in pattern. Due to these clumps cell-to-cell communication is interfered. The small clumps could trigger immune system cells that activate irritate and demolish the disabled cells which can obstruct cell-to-cell signalling at synapses.
Neurofibrillary Tangles: The abnormal collections of insoluble protein found inside the neurons and can contribute to the degradation of neuron which are known as Neurofibrillary Tangles. Through their extensions in brain cells the Tau protein supports to transport nutrients as well as other vital supports .It fails to function normally when tau protein supplies essential nutrients to the brain cells which may be abnormally defected. These unwanted threads of tau protein remain twisted into patchy tangles inside the cell making them collapse which dies ultimately. The clustered are tangled in dead cells and tissues that is left behind in the brain which is known as a ‘tombstone’ tangle.
The rate of the progression of the AD varies significantly. As the AD develops, plaques and tangles tend to have more effect on wider area of cortex in common and expected model. Some individual may live up to twenty years while others may only survive up to an average of eight years as per the fact of other health problems of individual and the age the disease been diagnosed.
Stages and affects:
Each individual will be affected by the disease differently. The experience, symptoms and progress they go through each stage may vary. Alzheimer's disease characteristically progresses gradually in three general stages — mild (early-stage), moderate (middle-stage), and severe (late-stage).
• Mild (Early-stage) Alzheimer's
Prior to symptoms being detected with tests, plaques and tangles starts developing in cerebral cortex, which is the part of the brain mainly involved in learning, making memory, thinking and planning. In the mild stage of Alzheimer's, though the person may feel like they’re experiencing memory lapses, forgetting usual words and having difficulties in remembering names and concentration, they may still be independent and be able to perform everyday errands like working, driving and being part of social activities. Friends and family may notice some changes. However, doctors may mark problems in concentration and memory only.

• Moderate (middle stage) Alzheimer's
Moderate Alzheimer’s is the classified as the longest stage and can last for many years. Doctors may be able to diagnose the patient in this second stage of the disease as the symptoms will be more noticeable to others. More plaques and tangles in the brain sections that help in memory, thinking and planning starts developing in this stage which results in personality and behaviour changes in individuals including suspiciousness and delusions or compulsive, repetitive behaviour problems. They also start having difficulty speaking, recognizing their loved ones and understanding language. Person starts becoming restless due to the changes in sleep patterns. Difficulties in expressing their thoughts and getting frustrated, angry, agitated and acting in unpredicted ways is mostly common in this stage but as the disease progresses the person suffering may require better level of care. Severe (late stage) Alzheimer's
In this stage of AD, a large area of the brain is affected by the dead cells which makes it shrink immensely. Due to most of the cortex being damaged, the memory and cognitive abilities of the person starts getting worse resulting in significant personality changes like making them lose ability to recognize their loved ones, caring for themselves, reacting to their surroundings, holding on a conversation and, eventually, to be able to move. Since most of their body functions starts deteriorating, there is more possibility of individual to be prone to infections, especially pneumonia which is mostly the cause of their death.