BIOLOGY

INVESTIGATORY PROJECT
BHAVY GOYAL

2019-2020
 RAMJAS PUSA ROAD
BIOLOGY
INVESTIGATORY PROJECT
ACADEMIC SESSION: 2019-20

TOPIC:- Alzheimer’s

PREPARED BY:- BHAVY GOYAL

ROLL NO. :-
GUIDED BY :-Mrs. Babita gupta
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I extended my heartful gratitude to my physics teacher Mrs.
Babita gupta for her help & kind cooperation.
Without her support & valuable suggestion it would been
practically impossible on my part to complete this project.

I extend my thanks to our principal Mrs. Surbhi Dua

for her cooperation & encouragement.

I am very much thankful to CBSE authorization for

their idea about the project for me to come across
so many facts about which I didn’t know.

I am very much thankful to my parents & friends who

have been quite helpful in making the project a grand success.

Name:- Bhavy goyal

Class:- XII-Sc.A

Roll no:-

NAME OF PROJECT:- Alzheimer

 Alzheimer’s And
Dementia
Abstract
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other
intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60 to 80
percent of dementia cases.

Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms
usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks

Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging, although the greatest known risk factor is increasing age, and
the majority of people with Alzheimer's are 65 and older. But Alzheimer's is not just a disease of old age.
Up to 5 percent of people with the disease have early onset Alzheimer's (also known as younger-onset),
which often appears when someone is in their 40s or 50s.

Alzheimer's worsens over time. Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, where dementia symptoms
gradually worsen over a number of years. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage
Alzheimer's, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment.
Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Those with Alzheimer's live an
average of eight years after their symptoms become noticeable to others, but survival can range from
four to 20 years, depending on age and other health conditions.

Alzheimer's has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues.
Although current Alzheimer's treatments cannot stop Alzheimer's from progressing, they can
temporarily slow the worsening of dementia symptoms and improve quality of life for those with
Alzheimer's and their caregivers. Today, there is a worldwide effort under way to find better ways to
treat the disease, delay its onset, and prevent it from developing.
Alzheimer's is not just a disease of old age. Younger-onset (also known as early-onset) Alzheimer's
affects people younger than age 65. Up to 5 percent of the more than 5 million Americans with
Alzheimer’s have younger-onset.
Introduction
Who gets early onset Alzheimer's?
Many people with early onset are in their 40s and 50s. They have families, careers or are even caregivers
themselves when Alzheimer's disease strikes. In the United States, it is estimated that approximately
200,000 people have early onset.

Diagnosing early onset Alzheimer’s

Since health care providers generally don't look for Alzheimer's disease in younger people, getting an
accurate diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer's can be a long and frustrating process. Symptoms may be
incorrectly attributed to stress or there may be conflicting diagnoses from different health care
professionals. People who have early onset Alzheimer's may be in any stage of dementia – early stage,
middle stage or late stage. The disease affects each person differently and symptoms will vary.

Are you experiencing memory problems?

Have a comprehensive medical evaluation with a doctor who specializes in Alzheimer's disease. Getting
a diagnosis involves a medical exam and possibly cognitive tests, a neurological exam and/or brain
imaging. Call your local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association for a referral.

Write down symptoms of memory loss or other cognitive difficulties to share with your health care
professional

Keep in mind that there is no one test that confirms Alzheimer's disease. A diagnosis is only made after a
comprehensive medical evaluation.
Effects of Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer's disease is one of the costliest chronic diseases to society.

In 2015, the direct costs to American society of caring for those with Alzheimer's will total an estimated
$226 billion, with half of the costs borne by Medicare.

Average per-person Medicare spending for people age 65 or older with Alzheimer's and other dementias
is three times higher than for seniors without dementia. Medicaid payments are 19 times higher.

Nearly one in every five Medicare dollars is spent on people with Alzheimer's and other dementias. In
2050, it will be one in every three dollars.

Unless something is done, in 2050, Alzheimer's is projected to cost over $1.1 trillion (in 2015 dollars).
This dramatic rise includes a five-fold increase in government spending under Medicare and Medicaid
and a nearly five-fold increase in out-of pocket spending
Prevalence
An estimated 5.3 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer's disease in 2015.

Of the 5.3 million Americans with Alzheimer's, an estimated 5.1 million people are age 65 and older, and
approximately 200,000 individuals are under age 65 (younger-onset Alzheimer's).

Almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer's are women. Of the 5.1 million people age 65 and older
with Alzheimer's in the United States, 3.2 million are women and 1.9 million are men.

Although there are more non-Hispanic whites living with Alzheimer's and other dementias than people
of any other racial or ethnic group in the United States, older African-Americans and Hispanics are more
likely than older whites to have Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

The number of Americans with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias will grow each year as the size
and proportion of the U.S. population age 65 and older continue to increase. By 2025, the number of
people age 65 and older with Alzheimer's disease is estimated to reach 7.1 million — a 40 percent
increase from the 5.1 million age 65 and older affected in 2015. By 2050, the number of people age 65
and older with Alzheimer's disease may nearly triple, from 5.1 million to a projected 13.8 million, barring
the development of medical breakthroughs to prevent or cure the disease.

Typical age-related memory loss and other changes compared to Alzheimer's

Signs of Alzheimer's
 Typical age-related changes
 Poor judgment and decision making
 Making a bad decision once in a while
 Inability to manage a budget
 Missing a monthly payment
 Losing track of the date or the season
 Forgetting which day it is and remembering later
 Difficulty having a conversation
 Sometimes forgetting which word to use
 Misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps to find them
 Losing things from time to time

Have more time to plan for the future–

A diagnosis of Alzheimer's allows you to take part in decisions about care, transportation, living options,
financial and legal matters. You can also participate in building the right care team and social support
network.
Help for you and your loved ones –
Care and support services are available, making it easier for you and your family to live the best life
possible with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

When you see your doctor

"It took my mother having a stress-related heart attack before we quit dismissing my father's
progressing dementia to 'senior moments' and got him a proper diagnosis of Alzheimer's. Had we paid
attention to the warning signs of this disease, a lot of prevention could have been in place."-Brent

Your doctor will evaluate your overall health and identify any conditions that could affect how well your
mind is working. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist such as a:

Neurologist– specializes in diseases of the brain and nervous system

Psychiatrist – specializes in disorders that affect mood or the way the mind works

Psychologist – has special training in testing memory and other mental functions

Geriatrician – specializes in the care of older adults and Alzheimer's disease

What are the stages of Alzheimer's?
Alzheimer's disease typically progresses slowly in three general stages — mild (early-stage), moderate
(middle-stage), and severe (late-stage). Since Alzheimer's affects people in different ways, each person
will experience symptoms - or progress through Alzheimer's stages - differently.

Overview of disease progression:

 Mild Alzheimer's (early-stage)

 Moderate Alzheimer's (middle-stage)
 Severe Alzheimer's (late-stage)

Mild Alzheimer's disease (early-stage):

Although the onset of Alzheimer's disease cannot yet be stopped or reversed, an early diagnosis can
allow a person the opportunity to live well with the disease for as long as possible and plan for the
future.In the early stages of Alzheimer's, a person may function independently. He or she may still drive,
work and be part of social activities. Despite this, the person may feel as if he or she is having memory
lapses, such as forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects.

Friends, family or neighbors begin to notice difficulties. During a detailed medical interview, doctors may
be able to detect problems in memory or concentration.

Common difficulties include:

1. Problems coming up with the right word or name

2. Trouble remembering names when introduced to new people
3. Having greater difficulty performing tasks in social or work settings
4. Forgetting material that one has just read
 5. Losing or misplacing a valuable object
6. Increasing trouble with planning or organizing

Moderate Alzheimer's disease (middle-stage):

During the moderate stage of Alzheimer's, individuals may have greater difficulty performing tasks such
as paying bills, but they may still remember significant details about their life.

Moderate Alzheimer's is typically the longest stage and can last for many years. As the disease
progresses, the person with Alzheimer's will require a greater level of care.

You may notice the person with Alzheimer's confusing words, getting frustrated or angry, or acting in
unexpected ways, such as refusing to bathe. Damage to nerve cells in the brain can make it difficult to
express thoughts and perform routine tasks.

At this point, symptoms will be noticeable to others and may include:

1. Forgetfulness of events or about one's own personal history

2. Feeling moody or withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations
3. Being unable to recall their own address or telephone number or the high school or college from
which they graduated
4. Confusion about where they are or what day it is
5. The need for help choosing proper clothing for the season or the occasion
6. Trouble controlling bladder and bowels in some individuals
7. Changes in sleep patterns, such as sleeping during the day and becoming restless at night
8. An increased risk of wandering and becoming lost
9. Personality and behavioral changes, including suspiciousness and delusions or compulsive,
repetitive behavior like hand-wringing or tissue shredding
 Advanced Alzheimer’s Disease (late-stage):

Late-stage care decisions can be some of the hardest families face. Connect with other caregivers who
have been through the process on our online message boards and get helpful resources in our Caregiver
Center.

In the final stage of this disease, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on
a conversation and, eventually, to control movement. They may still say words or phrases, but
communicating pain becomes difficult. As memory and cognitive skills continue to worsen, personality
changes may take place and individuals need extensive help with daily activities.

At this stage, individuals may:

1. Require full-time, around-the-clock assistance with daily personal care

2. Lose awareness of recent experiences as well as of their surroundings
3. Require high levels of assistance with daily activities and personal care
4. Experience changes in physical abilities, including the ability to walk, sit and, eventually, swallow
5. Have increasing difficulty communicating
6. Become vulnerable to infections, especially pneumonia
Genetic Testing
Genetic tests are available for both APOE-e4 and the rare genes that directly cause Alzheimer’s.
However, health professionals do not currently recommend routine genetic testing for Alzheimer’s
disease. Testing for APOE-e4 is sometimes included as a part of research studies.

Risk genes increase the likelihood of developing a disease, but do not guarantee it will happen. Scientists
have so far identified several risk genes implicated in Alzheimer's disease. The risk gene with the
strongest influence is called Apo lipoprotein E-e4 (APOE-e4). Scientists estimate that APOE-e4 may be a
factor in 20 to 25 percent of Alzheimer's cases.

APOE-e4 is one of three common forms of the APOE gene; the others are APOE-e2 and APOE-e3.
Everyone inherits a copy of some form of APOE from each parent. Those who inherit APOE-e4 from one
parent have an increased risk of Alzheimer’s. Those who inherit APOE-e4 from both parents have an
even higher risk, but not a certainty.

Scientists are not yet certain how APOE-e4 increases risk. In addition to raising risk, APOE-e4 may tend
to make Alzheimer's symptoms appear at a younger age than usual .Deterministic genes directly cause a
disease, guaranteeing that anyone who inherits them will develop the disorder. Scientists have
discovered variations that directly cause Alzheimer’s disease in the genes coding three proteins: amyloid
precursor protein (APP), presenilin-1 (PS-1) and presenilin-2 (PS-2).

When Alzheimer’s disease is caused by these deterministic variations, it is called “autosomal dominant
Alzheimer’s disease (ADAD)” or “familial Alzheimer’s disease,” and many family members in multiple
generations are affected. Symptoms nearly always develop before age 60, and may appear as early as a
person's 30s or 40s. Deterministic Alzheimer's variations have been found in only a few hundred
extended families worldwide. True familial Alzheimer’s accounts for less than 5 percent of cases.
Steps to diagnosis
There is no single test that can show whether a person has Alzheimer's. While physicians can almost
always determine if a person has dementia, it may be difficult to determine the exact cause.

Diagnosing Alzheimer's requires careful medical evaluation, including:

 A thorough medical history

 Mental status testing
 A physical and neurological exam
 Tests (such as blood tests and brain imaging) to rule out other causes of dementia-like
symptoms

People with memory loss or other possible warning signs of Alzheimer's may find it hard to recognize
they have a problem and may resist following up on their symptoms. Signs of dementia may be more
obvious to family members or friends.

Having trouble with memory does not mean you have Alzheimer's. Many health issues can cause
problems with memory and thinking. When dementia-like symptoms are caused by treatable conditions
— such as depression, drug interactions, thyroid problems, excess use of alcohol or certain vitamin
deficiencies — they may be reversed during the medical workup, your health care provider will review
your medical history. He or she will want to know about any current and past illnesses, as well as any
medications you are taking. The doctor will also ask about key medical conditions affecting other family
members, including whether they may have had Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.
Treatment Horizon

The science of Alzheimer's has advanced to show potential underlying drivers of

the disease. And we have candidate drugs we can test because of this basic
science knowledge." - Richard Mohs, Ph.D.

A worldwide quest is under way to find new treatments to stop, slow or even prevent Alzheimer's.
Because new drugs take years to produce from concept to market—and because drugs that seem
promising in early-stage studies may not work as hoped in large-scale trials—it is critical that Alzheimer's
and related dementias research continue to accelerate. To ensure that the effort to find better
treatments receives the focus it deserves, the Alzheimer's Association funds researchers looking at new
treatment strategies and advocates for more federal funding of Alzheimer's research.
The hope for future drugs
Currently, there are five FDA-approved Alzheimer's drugs that treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's —
temporarily helping memory and thinking problems in about half of the people who take them. But
these medications do not treat the underlying causes of Alzheimer's.

In contrast, many of the new drugs in development aim to modify the disease process itself, by
impacting one or more of the many wide-ranging brain changes that Alzheimer's causes. These changes
offer potential "targets" for new drugs to stop or slow the progress of the disease. Many researchers
believe successful treatment will eventually involve a "cocktail" of medications aimed at several targets,
similar to current state-of-the-art treatments for many cancers and AIDS. Sign up for our weekly e-news
and stay up-to-date on the latest advances in Alzheimer's treatments, care and research.
CONCLUSIONS
Over the last 30 years, researchers have made remarkable progress in understanding healthy brain
function and what goes wrong in Alzheimer's disease. The following are examples of promising targets
for next-generation drug therapies under investigation in current research studies:

Beta-amyloid is the chief component of plaques, one hallmark Alzheimer's brain abnormality. Scientists
now have a detailed understanding of how this protein fragment is clipped from its parent compound
amyloid precursor protein (APP) by two enzymes — beta-secretase and gamma-secretase. Researchers
are developing medications aimed at virtually every point in amyloid processing. This includes blocking
activity of both enzymes; preventing the beta-amyloid fragments from clumping into plaques; and even
using antibodies against beta-amyloid to clear it from the brain. Several clinical trials of investigational
drugs targeting beta-amyloid are included below in the key clinical trial summary.

Tau protein is the chief component of tangles, the other hallmark brain abnormality. Researchers are
investigating strategies to keep tau molecules from collapsing and twisting into tangles, a process that
destroys a vital cell transport system.

Inflammation is another key Alzheimer's brain abnormality. Scientists have learned a great deal about
molecules involved in the body's overall inflammatory response and are working to better understand
specific aspects of inflammation most active in the brain. These insights may point to novel anti-
inflammatory treatments for Alzheimer's disease.

Insulin resistance and the way brain cells process insulin may be linked to Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers are exploring the role of insulin in the brain and closely related questions of how brain cells
use sugar and produce energy. These investigations may reveal strategies to support cell function and
stave off Alzheimer-related changes.
Reference
o Biological Science: Third Edition By, N. P. O. Green (Author), G. W. Stout (Author), D. J. Taylor
(Author), R. Soper (Editor)
o Exploring Biology By, Ella Thea Smith
o NCERT Text Book
o Tell Me Why
o Encyclopaedia Britannica