Alzheimer's disease handout

Seth Vander Kooy

I.What is Alzheimer's disease

1.Memory loss in older people.
2.Scientists do not know the cause.
3.As it progresses neurons in the brain are destroyed.
II.Stages of Alzheimer's disease
1. normal function
2.forgetfulness
3.starts to effect job and family
4.harder to concentrate first stage that can be diagnosed as true Alzheimer's disease
5.need assistance
6.unaware of surroundings or personal history
7.unable to walk
III.Treatment of Alzheimer's
1.there is no know cure
2.Aricept, Exelon, and Razadyne all increase acetylcholine
3.while Namenda regulates glutamate
4.none of these stop Alzheimer's only slow it down.
IV.Genetics
1.APO-E 4 is a know gene that increases risk of Alzheimer's
2.only 10% of all Alzheimer's cases have a purely genetic cause.
V.Stem cells would not be a likely cure for Alzheimer's
1.The new stem cells would need to reconnect with the already existing brain cells
2.The pre-existing Alzheimer's will have to be cured so the new brain cells don't die like the old ones