Alzheimer's Research Paper

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Alzheimer’s disease is a slowly progressive disease of the brain that is characterized by impairment of memory and eventually by disturbances in reasoning, planning, language, and perception. Alzheimer’s disease begins slowly. In Alzheimer’s disease, brain cells degenerate and die, causing a steady decline in memory and mental function. It first involves the parts of the brain that control thought, memory and language. People who are suffering from this disease may encounter some trouble remembering things that happened recently or names of people they know. Because Alzheimer’s is permanent and progresses with time, it will gradually become worse. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but in the later stages individuals with Alzheimer’s…show more content…
One may experience and increase in forgetfulness and mild confusion (Mayo Clinic, 2011). Over time, the disease has a growing impact on the individual’s memory, ability to speak and write coherently, their judgment and problem solving. As Alzheimer’s advances through the brain it leads to increasingly severe symptoms, including disorientation, mood and behavior changes. Other changes may also signal the very early stage of Alzheimer’s disease. For example, brain imaging and biomarker studies of people with a family history of Alzheimer’s are beginning to detect early changes in the brain like those seen in Alzheimer’s (PubMed Health, 2010). Scientists believe that for most people, Alzheimer’s disease results from a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors that affect the brain over time. Scientist don’t fully understand the causes of Alzheimer’s disease, but its effect on the brain is clear. It kills and damages the brain cell. As more and more brain cells die, Alzheimer’s leads to significant brain shrinkage. When examining Alzheimer’s brain tissue under a microscope, there are two types of abnormalities that are considered hallmarks of the disease. These are Plaques and Tangles (Mayo Clinic,…show more content…
Abnormal processing of beta-amyloid is a prime suspect in the brain cell death in Alzheimer’s, but the ultimate cause remains unknown. Tangles are the twisting of tau proteins, which leads to the failure to transport nutrients and other essential materials to the brain. Although most people develop some plaques and tangles as they age, those with Alzheimer’s tend to develop far more. They also tend to develop them in a predictable pattern, beginning in areas important for memory before spreading to other regions. Scientists do not know exactly what role plaques and tangles play in Alzheimer’s disease, but it is believed that they somehow play a critical role in blocking communication among nerve cells and disrupting processes that cells need to survive. It’s the destruction and death of nerve cells that causes memory failure, personality changes, problems carrying out daily activities and other symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (Mayo Clinic,

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