![]() ![]() It affects about 6% of people 65 years and older, and women more often than men. It most often begins in people over 65 years of age, although up to 10% of cases are early-onset affecting those in their 30s to mid-60s. ![]() Īs of 2020, there were approximately 50 million people worldwide with Alzheimer's disease. Behavioral problems or psychosis due to dementia are often treated with antipsychotics, but this is not usually recommended, as there is little benefit and an increased risk of early death. Exercise programs may be beneficial with respect to activities of daily living and can potentially improve outcomes. The pressures can include social, psychological, physical, and economic elements. Affected people increasingly rely on others for assistance, often placing a burden on the caregiver. No treatments stop or reverse its progression, though some may temporarily improve symptoms. There are no medications or supplements that have been shown to decrease risk. Good nutrition, physical activity, and engaging socially are known to be of benefit generally in aging, and these may help in reducing the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's in 2019 clinical trials were underway to look at these possibilities. Examination of brain tissue is needed for a definite diagnosis, but this can only take place after death. Initial symptoms are often mistaken for normal aging. A probable diagnosis is based on the history of the illness and cognitive testing with medical imaging and blood tests to rule out other possible causes. The disease process is largely associated with amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and loss of neuronal connections in the brain. Other risk factors include a history of head injury, clinical depression, and high blood pressure. The strongest genetic risk factor is from an allele of APOE. There are many environmental and genetic risk factors associated with its development. The cause of Alzheimer's disease is poorly understood. Although the speed of progression can vary, the typical life expectancy following diagnosis is three to nine years. Gradually, bodily functions are lost, ultimately leading to death. As a person's condition declines, they often withdraw from family and society. As the disease advances, symptoms can include problems with language, disorientation (including easily getting lost), mood swings, loss of motivation, self-neglect, and behavioral issues. The most common early symptom is difficulty in remembering recent events. It is the cause of 60–70% of cases of dementia. Īcetylcholinesterase inhibitors, NMDA receptor antagonists (small benefit) Īlzheimer's disease ( AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that usually starts slowly and progressively worsens. Normal aging, Lewy body dementia, Trisomy 21. Genetics, head injuries, depression, hypertension īased on symptoms and cognitive testing after ruling out other possible causes Memory loss, problems with language, disorientation, mood swings ĭehydration and pneumonia in the terminal stage ![]()
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