Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's is not just a disease of the elder. Early-onset Alzheimer's, otherwise known as younger-onset, affects those younger than the age of 65. Many who get younger-onset are usually in their 30’s, 40’s, or 50’s. In the United States, more than 200,00 people have early-onset. Those dealing with it can be in the early, middle, or end stage of the disease. This disease is located in chromosome 12, and also chromosomes 21, 14, and 1, located on PS1 (or AD3.
Early-onset Alzheimer's is an unexpected form of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. There are two types of early-onset Alzheimer's: Common Alzheimer's disease, and Genetic Alzheimer's disease. The majority of people with this disease have the common form. The disease will progress in roughly the same way as it does in older people with Alzheimer's. Genetic Alzheimer's disease is rare. Only a few hundred have genes that contribute to the disease.
The symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer's are closely similar to the symptoms of Alzheimer's.
Early symptoms include forgetting important things, such as particularly newly learned informational or important dates, asking for the same information again and again, difficulty solving basic problems, such as keeping track of bills, losing track of the date, losing track of where you are, difficulty with vision problems, and changes in mood and personality. Later symptoms include severe mood swings and behavior changes, deepening confusion about time, suspicions about friends, families, and strangers, difficult speaking, eating, walking, and severe memory
loss.
The brain is an extremely powerful organ, that has three main parts. The cerebrum fills up most of the skull. This part of the brain is involved in thinking, feeling, remembering, and problem-solving. It also controls different movements. The cerebellum is at the back of the head, just below the cerebrum. This part controls balance and coordination. Finally, it is beneath the cerebrum, and in front of the cerebellum. It connects the brain to the spinal cord. The brain stem controls more automatic functions, such as breathing, digestion, heart rate, and blood pressure. The brain includes networks of blood vessels such as arteries, veins, and capillaries. Alzheimer’s leads to tissue loss and dead nerve cells. Therefore, the brain shrinks slowly changing many functions. For example, a part of the brain known as the cortex, gets smaller in size, damaging thinking and remembering function.
Many are affected with early-onset Alzheimer's. Important figures such as Ronald Reagan, Rosa Parks, and Pat Summitt are affected with it. Pat Summitt was the University of Tennessee women’s basketball coach, who was diagnosed with early-onset alzheimer’s. She had different symptoms that sometimes happened during her games. She went to Mayo Clinic for answers and treatment, but unfortunately died in 2011.
Early-Onset Alzheimer's is a tragic disease to the lives of thousands. It can be shown through symptoms in younger ages. There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's. Drugs and medicines can be given, though, to relieve symptoms. Researchers are looking for an innovative way to improve the lives of those with early-onset Alzheimer's.