Alzheimer’s disease has been described as “the great unlearning”, a “disease of memory” and a

“demise of consciousness”. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that insidiously and

gradually destroys one’s memory, ability to learn and reason, and make good judgments, and eventually

destroys one’s ability to communicate and carry out activities of daily living. The personality changes

that accompany this degenerative disease are also real and include confusion, suspicion, fearfulness,

and dependency. [ CITATION Alz09 \l 1033 ] In 2010, it is estimated there are as many as 5.3 million

people living with Alzheimer’s disease in the United States. This includes 5.1 million people age 65 and

over and 200,000 people under age 65 with younger onset Alzheimer’s disease. Every 70 seconds,

someone in America develops Alzheimer’s disease and by mid-century someone will develop

Alzheimer’s disease every 33 seconds. By 2012, there will be nearly half million new cases of Alzheimer’s

disease each year and by 2050 there will be nearly a million new cases annually. Direct and indirect costs

of Alzheimer’s disease were more than $148 billion in 2008.[ CITATION Alz091 \l 1033 ] In the not too

distant future, it is very possible that Alzheimer’s disease will be effectively treated and even prevented.

Ongoing research is uncovering new and startling insights into Alzheimer’s. Better understanding of the

genetic and environmental risks factors will lead to much earlier diagnosis of the disease and treatment

before cognitive functions of the brain begin to fade.

Alois Alzheimer, a German neuropathologist is credited with the discovery in 1906 of the

disease, named after him. Specifically, Alzheimer examined under the microscope brain lesions from one

of his patients who had died, following a long stay in a mental institution. Alzheimer was able to detect

twin markers in the affected brain tissue. These were plaques in the empty spaces between nerve cells

and stringy tangles erupting from within the nerve cells.[ CITATION Alz09 \l 1033 ] The significance of

these markers has been debated for almost 90 years. For a long time, scientists have wondered which, if

not both, of the twin markers may be responsible for Alzheimer’s disease. In recent years, intense
research has revealed additional genetic and environmental clues for the development of the disease,

the formation of the plaques and the mechanism by which brain cells shrink and die.

There are several tests used to diagnose the onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms and the stage that a

patient may be in. The first stage is considered the mild stage and lasts from approximately two to four

years. During this time the patient may feel or exhibit the following: loss of initiative and interest in

favorite activities and hobbies, forgetfulness of common items, such as bread or water, increased

forgetfulness that interferes with ability to complete tasks, confusion with numbers and their meaning,

decreased judgmental ability and common sense. The second stage is considered the moderate stage

and can last approximately two to eight years after the first stage. During this time the patient may feel

or exhibit the following: forgetting common daily tasks, inability to recognize close friends and family,

wondering around, getting lost, increased confusion, anxiety and personality changes, delusions and

insomnia. The third stage which is considered the severe stage lasts approximately one to three years

after the second stage. During this time the patient may feel or exhibit the following: inability to

remember anything or to process new information, cannot recognize family members, cannot use or

understand words but still responds to music, touch, or eye contact, difficulty eating or swallowing,

inability to dress, bathe or groom self, inability to control bowel and bladder functions, and most will

become bedridden. [ CITATION Wea09 \l 1033 ]

The actual causes of Alzheimer’s disease are not yet known with certainty. Alzheimer’s is not

related to problems of the circulatory system. However, the disease is always characterized by the

presence of sticky plaques outside the neurons and stringy tangles within them. It is not yet known

whether the lesions occur simultaneously or whether something else triggers them. There is much new

and exciting research that has developed new theories on the cause of Alzheimer’s disease. There are

three new theories in the cause of Alzheimer’s disease. With these three theories, comes a world of
possibilities, the possibility of early detection and even a cure. The first theory is the Beta Amyloid

Theory. Many researchers now believe that the culprit that causes Alzheimer’s is a fragment of a very

sticky protein known as “beta amyloid”. Alzheimer’s patients appear to produce an abundance of beta

amyloid which is a protein fragment of a much larger protein known as the amyloid-precursor protein,

or APP for short. Beta amyloid fragments are produced when enzymes known as “secretatses” react

with APP. An abundance of sticky beta amyloids appears to form the plaques observed on the surface of

neuron cells. When these plaques grow dense, an inflammation develops. A reaction by the body’s

immune system cells winds up killing innocent nerve cells. The good news about this theory is that if

indeed beta amyloid is the cause of Alzheimer’s disease, therapies will soon begin to be implemented.

[ CITATION Scr04 \l 1033 ]The second theory is the Apoe Theory, in this theory it is believed that APOE4,

a gene that was recently discovered, may be responsible for the susceptibility of people to Alzheimer’s

disease. According to this research, the predisposing gene APOE4 may even be present at birth, and may

not manifest until age 65 or older. [ CITATION Bla08 \l 1033 ]The third theory is the Tau Theory; this

theory advocates that another molecule, known as “tau”, assembles microtubules that support the

structure of the nerve cells, in the same way that ties hold a railroad track in place. Chemical changes in

the nerve cells cause the tau molecules to change shape. When this happens, the tau molecules can no

longer hold the microtubules properly aligned. The “railroad ties” begin to twist and tangle causing the

cells to shrink and die. [ CITATION Car09 \l 1033 ]Ongoing research studies indicate that several genetic

and environmental factors may be responsible for the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Understanding the differences between predisposing genetic and preventable environmental risk

factors, may lead to earlier diagnosis and halting in the progression of the disease.

Although there is extensive ongoing research, no cure has yet been found for Alzheimer’s.

However, the National Institute on Aging reports on research studies related to the discovery of a new

molecular marker for Alzheimer’s disease. This marker is a cellular enzyme. Such discoveries may result
in a breakthrough for a cure. In the not too distant future, it is very possible that Alzheimer’s disease

will be effectively treated and even prevented. A cure is out there, waiting to be found, hidden under

the shrouds of mystery and forgotten memories of those that suffer with this debilitating, devastating

disease.
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Carson, Harlice. "Searching for the Cure; Alzheimer's Disease." American Journal of Science and
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Fackelmann, Kathleen. "USA Today." 05 November 2006. USA Today. 05 June 2009
<http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2006-11-05-caffeine-alzheimers_x.htm>.

Institute, Scripps Research. "A New Hypothesis About Alzheimer's Disease." Science Daily (2004): 22-34.

McVeal, Matthew. "The Assisted Living Executive." 2007: The Year In Alzheimer Science 3 10 2007: 34-
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Tanzi, Rudolph, Parson, Ann. Decoding the Darkness: The search for the genetic cause of Alzheimer's
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 The Great Unlearning

A look into Alzheimer’s Disease

Gwendolyn Luke

Dr. Beverly Morris

PSY 230