PSYCHOPATHOLOGY OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

References

Alagiakrishnan, K., Bhanji, R., & Kurian, M. (2013). Evaluation and management of oropharyngeal dysphagia in different types of dementia: A systematic review. Archives Of Gerontology And Geriatrics, 56(1), 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2012.04.011

Etindele Sosso, F., Nakamura, O., & Nakamura, M. (2017). Epidemiology of Alzheimer’s Disease: Comparison between Africa and South America. Journal Of Neurology And Neuroscience, 08(04). doi: 10.21767/2171-6625.1000204

Huether, S., McCance, K., Brashers, V., & Rote, N. (2016). Understanding pathophysiology (6th ed., pp. 1180-1200). Elsevier.

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2019). Learn how Alzheimer’s is diagnosed. Retrieved 30 July 2019, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/in-depth/alzheimers/art-20048075

Tina, M. What Body Systems Are Affected by Alzheimer Disease? | Livestrong.com. Retrieved 30 July 2019, from https://www.livestrong.com/article/177220-what-body-systems-are-affected-by-alzheimers-disease/

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• Alzheimer disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder that normally starts and gradually progresses with the brain cells dying off. Leading to memory loss.
• The leading cause of dementia which affects an individual cognitive, social and behavioral skills that destroy the capability of a person to function properly.
• According to Etindele Sosso, Nakamura & Nakamura (2017), as of 2015, there were 29.8 million people globally who had AD. I
• t mostly starts in people whose ages are over 65 years.

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• The exact cause of AD is still unknown till date.
• Early onset of Familial Alzheimer’s Disease is associated with 3 genes found in chromosome 21, namely;
• Abnormal amyloid precursor protein 14 [APP14]
• Abnormal presenilin 1 [PSEN1] and
• Abnormal presenilin 2 [PSEN2])
• Late onset of AD is related to changes in apolipoprotein E gene-allele 4 (APOE4) gene found in chromosome 19.

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• DNA methylation is one epigenetic markers for AD.
• Pathological alterations in the brain causes the loss of memory.
• These pathological alterations include;
• Accumulation of extracellular neuritic plaques with core of amyloid ß-protein
• Intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles
• Degeneration of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons
• If the brain is unable to get rid of amyloid the precursor protein, toxic fragments of amyloid ß-protein accumulates and which trigger neuritic plaques to diffuse, the transmission of impulses by nerve cells to be disrupted and the nerve cells to die.
• The tau protein in neiurons detaches forming an insoluble neurofibrillary tangles, which causes the neurons to die.
• Neurofibrilary tangles and neuritic plaques which are more concentrated in the cerebral cortex are the one that contribute to memory loss, through the loss of neurons.
• As shown in the figure attached in the slides above this causes the gri to shrink while the sulci widens.

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• As AD continues, it often extends to other brain parts which control coordination, walking and swallowing.
• Even though Alzheimer’s usually out as a problem that affect the thought and memory, it ultimately affects almost all the body functions.

Digestive system

• Swallowing difficulties
• People often eat while choking

Central Nervous system

• AD is a CNS disease an d therefore affects both the brain and spinal cord
• Amyloid plaque that is made up of fragments of dead brain cells and certain protein accumulates in the brain
• Tau protein also accumulate at abnormal levels rendering the brain cells to die and to ultimately die

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• Neurologist or geriatrician will first review clinical history of a client and their symptoms
• The physician will then run tests:
• Brain imaging
• MRI,
• CT scan
• Laboratory tests
• Memory tests
• Neuropsychological tests
• Mental status testing
• Future diagnosis will apply tool that will involve the detection of tau proteins like PET

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• Cure for AD has not been established.
• Are medicines that ease the symptoms in some people.
• Some drugs curb the breakdown of acetylcholine which is crucial for learning and memory.
• Treatment options depend on factors such
• Severity of the disease, clinical history, age, lifestyle, client’s or family’s or caregiver’ preferences
• Are three drugs commonly used, these are;
• Razadyne (galantamine)
• Aricept (donepezil)
• Exelon (rivastigmine)

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Thank you for listening.

You are a part of a global fight against Alzheimer’s disease

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