What happens to your brain?

Everyone forgets things once in a while, such as where you placed your keys, why you were going into a room, and so forth. As you age, this is no different. The difference for people with Alzheimer’s is that this happens with increasing frequency and is not a normal part of aging. How do you tell the difference between just being forgetful and the start of Alzheimer’s? Is there anything you can do to fix it? Can it be prevented?

Definition

Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that impacts memory and other critical mental functions. It is the most common cause of dementia (a group of brain disorders associated with the loss of intellectual and social skills). It was first identified by ancient Greek and Roman philosophers but wasn’t given a specific name until 1901 when a German psychiatrist, Alois Alzheimer, identified the first case resulting in the disease being named after him. Alzheimer’s causes your brain cells to degenerate and eventually die. As this occurs over time, you end up with fewer and fewer brain cells. This also decreases the connections between the surviving brain cells. The progression of brain cell death and lost connections leads to your brain shrinking.

When looking under a microscope during post-mortem examination of people’s brains who have Alzheimer’s, it shows two significant abnormalities compared to people who don’t have it. The first are clumps of protein, beta-amyloid, that damage and destroy brain cells in several ways. These are called plaques, and one of the main things they do is interfere with cell-to-cell communication. The actual cause of brain cell death isn’t known yet, but the collection of these plaques on the outside of the cells is the main suspect. The other abnormality is the presence of tangles. For the brain to function normally, it depends on internal support and a transport system that carries nutrients and other materials throughout long extensions. This is carried out by a protein called tau. In the brains of people with Alzheimer’s, the threads of tau are found twisted in abnormal tangles inside the brain cells. This inhibits the transport system, which is thought to contribute to the destruction of brain cells.

The symptoms of Alzheimer’s start off subtly with increased forgetfulness and mild confusion. It takes away your ability to remember things at an increasing rate as it progresses. Typically, recent events go first, but eventually, the person forgets important people in their lives and how to care for themselves. Often, they undergo dramatic personality changes as well. The rate at which the symptoms progress varies from person to person, and, sometimes, the person isn’t aware of the changes, but family and friends notice them. These changes can start with the person forgetting that they have asked/stated something, so they keep repeating it. The person may routinely misplace things in illogical locations or get lost in familiar places. As the disease advances, they get to the point where they don’t remember entire conversations and appointments/events they attended. Also, they can forget the names of family members and everyday objects. The ability to reason, process higher levels of thinking, such as finances, or make decisions becomes impossible. Personality changes can include withdrawing away from others, mood swings, irritability/aggressiveness, wandering, and delusions.

It is important to note that essential skills learned early in life aren’t usually lost until the late stages of the disease. Some of these skills can include reading, hobbies/crafts that the person enjoys, dancing/singing, and the ability to tell stories/reminisce about the past. It can be helpful to encourage the person to participate in these events as it can allow them to have an increased quality of life by being successful at doing some things as the ability to do other things decline.

Treatment

While a substantial amount of research is being done to find a cure for Alzheimer’s, there isn’t one yet. There are two types of medications that have been found to slow the rate at which the symptoms advance. Cholinesterase inhibitors help increase cell-to-cell communication by replacing a neurotransmitter (acetylcholine) that is missing from the brain of a person with Alzheimer’s. Some examples are Aricept, Razadyne, and Exelon. The second medication is Namenda, and it works in a different area of the brain cell communication network for those with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s. While these medicines can help delay the symptoms from getting more severe, they can’t prevent it.

The best thing to do for treatment is create a safe and supportive environment. It’s vital to establish a routine and decrease memory-demanding tasks, including keeping important things (keys, wallet, etc.) in the same place, setting up autopayment for financial obligations, and changing medication doses to once daily, if possible. Also, schedule appointments for the same time on the same day of the week whenever possible. It is helpful to use a calendar to track their daily schedule. Encourage the person to carry a phone that has location capability in case they get lost. It’s important to reduce clutter (ex. loose rugs), install handrails, and wear shoes with good traction to minimize the risk of falling. People with Alzheimer’s often find images in mirrors confusing or frightening, so removing most of the mirrors in their home can be essential in helping provide a calm and stable environment. Keeping photographs and other meaningful objects around the house and listening to the person talk about their memories and feelings helps them cope with what is happening to them.

For caregivers of a person with Alzheimer’s, you must take care of yourself. You need to take a break daily to spend time with friends, take care of your own health, go to a support group or just have alone time. Learn as much as you can about the disease by researching information and talking to the person’s doctors. Ask for help from others when you need it and, if it is available, make use of the adult daycare center.

Prevention

There currently is no way to prevent getting Alzheimer’s. There seems to be a correlation between genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors that contribute to the likelihood of developing it. New research suggests a strong association between the risk of heart disease and the risk of Alzheimer’s. Therefore, if you decrease your chances of getting heart disease, you are thought to reduce the probability of getting Alzheimer’s. This means not smoking, decreasing your exposure to secondhand smoke, and managing your weight, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and Type 2 Diabetes, if you have any problems with these. It is essential to get plenty of exercise and a diet that includes fruits and vegetables. It has been found that people who are engaged in mentally and socially stimulating activities throughout their lives are less likely to have Alzheimer’s as they age. So, if there is an activity that you’ve always wanted to try, do it. Spend time with friends and participate in events that allow you to interact with others.

Alzheimer’s is upsetting for the person experiencing it and their loved ones. It isn’t easy to lose your independence and ability to remember things. Also, it is challenging to watch a loved one slowly lose the ability to be on their own and remember who you are. It’s essential to remember that your loved one isn’t acting this way on purpose, and getting angry with them won’t help the situation. By being supportive and calm, you can help make this transition easier for them. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak with your doctor. If you would like further information, please visit the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/