Sunday, June 13, 2010

Alzheimer's disease

This disease was named after a German physician Alois Alzheimer. Alzheimer's destroys the brain cells, and is progressive and fatal. This causes memory loss, thinking and behavior problems. Because Alzheimer's gets worse over time it is considered the seventh leading cause of death. It is a common form of Dementia. As we get older our brains change, like our bodies. We notice slowed thinking and forgetting things are normal. Serious memory loss is not just a part of aging. In Alzheimer's increasing number of brain cells deteriorate and die.
In 1906 Alois Alzheimer did a study on a 51 yr old woman who had developed problems with memory, speaking and understanding. After she died he performed an autopsy. There in her brain he noticed shrinkage of the cortex mostly. It is the outer layer of the brain that deals with memory, thinking, judgement and speech. There is currently no cure or proven treatment to slow Alzheimer's progression. There are a number of medicines out to help improve functioning through everyday life.

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