Alzheimer Disease (AD)
pathology
A disease due to loss of neurons in the brain. First described medically in 1907, Alzheimer Disease damages the brain in many areas through a buildup of protein deposits.
Dementia is a common symptom, and people with the disease usually don’t live longer than 4-6 years. Women who have the disease live longer than men. There is no cure for Alzheimer Disease, but many treatments are available to help manage the behavioral and cognitive symptoms of the disease. Much research is being done in this area.
Some of the signs of Alzheimer’s are loss of memory, finding difficulty in the performance of familiar tasks, language difficulties, disorientation in place and time and losing things.
Some risk factors include: Age – the majority of those with Alzheimer Disease are over 65 years old. Family history – if other close family members have Alzheimer’s a person’s risk increases. Head injury – a link has been noticed between a history of serious trauma to the head and Alzheimer Disease.
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