Alzheimer's disease:
Scientists are continuing to uncover the mysteries of alzheimer's disease, the brain malady that affects more than 160,000 Australians and 38,000 New Zealanders. New treatments now slow the progression of symptoms and make home care easier
What is happening
Few ailments are as heartbreaking as Alzheimer's disease. Initially, the body remains vigorous, while the mind slowly and inexorably wastes away. Then mild disorientation and memory lapses give way to agitation, confusion and eventually helplessness, as what we know as the 'self' disappears altogether.
Nobody knows what causes the mental wasting of Alzheimer's although scientists have found that sickly protein plaques (called beta amyloids) and tangles for nerve cells progressively riddle the brains of people with the disease. Cells die off in large numbers, depleting brain chemicals that help us think and remember. The disease mostly strikes the elderly, and if someone in your immediate family has it, you may be more likely to get . Having a stroke may play a role, as many head inquiries, high cholesterol, slow-growing infections, declining oestrogen levels and nutritional deficiencies. If you go to your doctor about your forgetfulness, rest assured: the diagnosis is rarely
Alzheimer's. In fact, people with the disease are usually unaware of their mental decline and deny it even exists.
LIKELY FIRST STEPS
Doctors and psychologists can now diagnose Alzheimer's at an earlier stage, when people are most likely to benefit from drugs, counsellling an a broad range of therapies. While none is a cure, these treatments can delay progression of these disease.
Most patients are advised to start on medication. Benefits may be modest, but drugs can temporarily reverse or stablise progression of the illness, easing the burden on careers. Counselling and other lifestyle therapies can boost mood and enhance daily living skills
Medications
The Alzheimer's drugs currently available are called cholinesterase inhibitors and all work in a similar way; they slow the breakdown of a memory-enhancing brain chemical called acetylcholine. The medications are most effective in the earlier stages of the illness, so early referral to a specialist for an assessment is important.
Like all Alzheimer's drugs, donepezil (Aricept) and rivastigmine (Exelon) have only limited benefits for those with mild to moderate disease. They may offer some aid for more advanced disease as well. Exelon may be the drug of choice for those with rapid progression of symptoms. Extracted from daffodil bulbs, galantamine (Reminyl) has effects similar to Aricept and Exelon. One promising study indicates that this drug may have sustained effects that accumulate over time. Patients can continue on these medications only if an assessment shows they have received significant benefit from the treatment.
Scientists are continuing to uncover the mysteries of alzheimer's disease, the brain malady that affects more than 160,000 Australians and 38,000 New Zealanders. New treatments now slow the progression of symptoms and make home care easier
What is happening
Few ailments are as heartbreaking as Alzheimer's disease. Initially, the body remains vigorous, while the mind slowly and inexorably wastes away. Then mild disorientation and memory lapses give way to agitation, confusion and eventually helplessness, as what we know as the 'self' disappears altogether.
Nobody knows what causes the mental wasting of Alzheimer's although scientists have found that sickly protein plaques (called beta amyloids) and tangles for nerve cells progressively riddle the brains of people with the disease. Cells die off in large numbers, depleting brain chemicals that help us think and remember. The disease mostly strikes the elderly, and if someone in your immediate family has it, you may be more likely to get . Having a stroke may play a role, as many head inquiries, high cholesterol, slow-growing infections, declining oestrogen levels and nutritional deficiencies. If you go to your doctor about your forgetfulness, rest assured: the diagnosis is rarely
Alzheimer's. In fact, people with the disease are usually unaware of their mental decline and deny it even exists.
LIKELY FIRST STEPS
- Begin drug treatment and therapies as early as possible.
- Consider natural treatments during early stages
- Treat any related conditions in the early stages, depression, anxiety or irritability are common. other symptoms may arise as the disease progresses, such as insomnia, delusions or aggression.
- Seek support to help with transitions, decisions and emotional upheaval.
- Initiate discussion about advanced directives and decisions while mental capacities are still intact.
- Could it be something other than Alzheimer's? Could prescription medicines be causing these symptoms?
- Would it help to enter a clinical trial that's testing new drugs and treatments?
- Does Alzheimer's shorten a normal life span?
- Are there ways to avoid becoming a burden to others?
- What planning should be done for the later stages of the disease?
Doctors and psychologists can now diagnose Alzheimer's at an earlier stage, when people are most likely to benefit from drugs, counsellling an a broad range of therapies. While none is a cure, these treatments can delay progression of these disease.
Most patients are advised to start on medication. Benefits may be modest, but drugs can temporarily reverse or stablise progression of the illness, easing the burden on careers. Counselling and other lifestyle therapies can boost mood and enhance daily living skills
Medications
The Alzheimer's drugs currently available are called cholinesterase inhibitors and all work in a similar way; they slow the breakdown of a memory-enhancing brain chemical called acetylcholine. The medications are most effective in the earlier stages of the illness, so early referral to a specialist for an assessment is important.
Like all Alzheimer's drugs, donepezil (Aricept) and rivastigmine (Exelon) have only limited benefits for those with mild to moderate disease. They may offer some aid for more advanced disease as well. Exelon may be the drug of choice for those with rapid progression of symptoms. Extracted from daffodil bulbs, galantamine (Reminyl) has effects similar to Aricept and Exelon. One promising study indicates that this drug may have sustained effects that accumulate over time. Patients can continue on these medications only if an assessment shows they have received significant benefit from the treatment.
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