Symptoms of Alzheimer’s include:

Progressive memory loss. It starts with short-term memories, like where you put your car keys or shoes. The ability to recall names or things that just occurred is affected. It then progresses to long-term memories, such as the names of people very close to you, and the ability to know the date, place, and time. The severity of the disease is seen when sufferers forget important activities of daily living and the health begins to decline.

Loss of speech. You may understand what others are saying to you, but not be able torecall the words to use to answer. You may also notice words getting mixed up such as using the word “apple” for “light switch.” In later stages, Alzheimer’s patients stop speaking completely.

Loss of motor skills.Motor skills may become slightly impaired at first and then more significantly in the final stages. Simple tasks like putting a coat on and writing are affected first. As the disease progresses, important functions like swallowing and bladder control are lost.

Loss of the five senses. In the end stages, you may not understand sensations from any of the senses. You may not understand what you hear or interpret pain signals. You may not be able to process what you see, taste, or smell. One dangerous effect is not being able to remember the smell of smoke when something is on fire.

Altered behavior and moods. You may seem happy and smiling one day and then angry and hostile the next.

The cause of Alzheimer’s disease is not fully understood but involves a progressive loss of brain function due to a loss of neurons and their connection. A healthy human brain contains billions of neurons – the specialized cells responsible for processing and transmitting information via electrical and chemicalsignals. Neurons send messages to and from the brain to the body’s muscles and organs. In Alzheimer’s disease, this process is disrupted, and these pathways lose function and eventually the cells die. While a healthy brain will shrink with age, there is not an excessive loss of neurons. This is not the case with Alzheimer’s disease. It is characterized by the large-scale destruction of neurons and their connections in many different parts of the brain. The molecular and cellular changes in the brain are accompanied by the development of amyloid plaques, a collection of proteins that congregate between neurons and disrupt their function. People with Alzheimer’s show chronic inflammation with glial cells (responsible for waste and toxin removal) unable to clear away these plaques. In the late stages of Alzheimer’s, neural networks are almost completely destroyed and the brain begins to atrophy losing a significant amount of volume.

Risk factors increase the likelihood of Alzheimer’s and these include:

Genetics. If you have a close relative, parent, or sibling suffering from Alzheimer’s you may also suffer from the disease.

Advanced age. The risk for Alzheimer’s increases after the age of 65. There have been cases in people under 65.

Women. The disease is more common in women, but men get it too.

Major head injuries. People who suffer head trauma are at higher risk.

Chromosome disorders. People who have chromosome disorders, such as Down syndrome, seem to acquire Alzheimer’s in the mid-life stages between 30 and 40 years of age.

The doctor will take a thorough family and medical history. It is important to understand that not all cases of memory loss are due to Alzheimer’s or dementia. There can be other causes, so a good medical examination along with lab tests needs to be done. If tests for a physical cause are ruled out, the doctor will progress to the following testing:

Mental status examination. Testing for cognitive functions and thought processes.

Imaging. Looking for “lesions” or plaques on the brain tissue.

Further neurological testing. This can show what parts of the brain are intact and working properly or are failing.

Diagnosis is usually made by grouping together all the findings to make the correct diagnosis. No single test can diagnose the disease at this time.

While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, it is manageable with drugs to help slow its progression. Research is ongoing for better treatments and improving sufferer’s lives.

Since the main issue with Alzheimer’s is how the chemical messengers work between brain cells, some medications can increase their function. This does not stop damage to brain cells, but it does help them work better. Commonly prescribed drugs include cholinesterase inhibitors such as donepezil (Aricept) and memantine (Namenda). Doctors may need to add sedatives like diazepam (valium) or lorazepam (Ativan) for behavioral changes. Depression and anxiety may be treated with antidepressants or antianxiety medications. Currently, researchers are looking at new drugs that prevent plaques from forming in the first place and reducing inflammation in brain tissue.

While it is not completely known how effective alternative therapies are, many people have found the following to be helpful:

• Coconut oil
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Co-Q 10
• Gingko biloba

Always consult your doctor before using any herbal or alternative treatments. Herbs can have interactions with other medications and side effects.

• Keep a journal or notebook close by to write down important information.
• Spend some time every day re-orienting to your surroundings and loved one. “Good morning, it’s Tuesday, December 10th. You have therapy today.” Do this throughout the day. Announce familiar people as they enter the home, “Look mom, Carly is here.” This helps to reduce frustration.
• Keep medications in pill reminder boxes.
• People with Alzheimer’s tend to wander off. Start thinking about home safety early on in the disease. Enclosing porches, railing, and baby gates can help curb this issue and keep your loved one safe.
• Provide adequate stimulation. Even if they don’t seem interested, read to them, turn on the TV or play some music. Music has proven to be one skill Alzheimer’s patients never lose. They have been found singing familiar songs even in the very late stages of the disease.

Clinical trials recruit human volunteers to be involved in research studies to determine if new treatments for diseases are safe and effective. These trials are pivotal in the development of new treatments for the prevention and cure of Alzheimer’s disease. There are many different types of clinical trials that are actively researching this degenerative brain disease. These include:

• Treatment trials
• Diagnostic studies
• Online studies
• Prevention trials
• Quality of life studies

If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial or you are researching new treatment options for a loved one, the Alzheimer’s Association website has a free clinical trial match service that guides you through possible trials that may contribute to a new treatment or cure. You can find the link here if you are interested.

Centers for Disease Control. (2020, June). Alzheimer’s disease. Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/aging/aginginfo/alzheimers.htm

Li, X.-L. (2014, July 15). Behavioral and psychological symptoms in Alzheimer’s Disease. Biomed Research International. Retrieved from:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4123596/

Mayo Clinic.(2018, December 8). Alzheimer’s disease. Retrieved from Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350447

Mucke, L. (2009, October 15). Alzheimer’s disease. Nature. Retrieved from:https://doi.org/10.1038/461895a

National Institute on Aging. (2017, May 16). What happens to the brain in Alzheimer’s disease? Retrieved from:https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-happens-brain-alzheimers-disease