Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease is one of the most commonly recognized types of dementia. Alzheimer’s
disease presents with irreversible cognitive decline, which commences as insidious short-term memory
dysfunction and gradually spreads to other cognitive domains, rendering patients mute and non-
ambulatory after 10-15 years of progressive course.1 According to the CDC, Alzheimer’s disease is a
progressive disease beginning with mild memory loss and possibly leading to a loss of one’s ability to
carry on a conversation and respond to the environment as it involves parts of the brain that control
thought, memory, and language.2 This disease has serious implications on an individual's ability to move
about their daily lives and can cause harm if left untreated. The prognosis of Alzheimer’s disease is poor
with the disease being one of the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States, the 6th leading
cause of death among US adults, and the 5th leading cause of death for those aged 65 and older.2
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s include memory loss that disrupts daily life, trouble paying bills or handling
money, difficulty completing familiar tasks, poor judgment, misplacing items, and changes in mood,
personality, or behavior.2 Essentially Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging as memory
problems tend to be the first warning signs of the disease.
There is no exact cause for Alzheimer’s disease. Although there is no single cause there are
factors that contribute heavily to the development of Alzheimer's. Scientists have found that age is the
best-known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.2 There is also research that suggests that family history
and genetics play a pivotal role in developing the disease but this doesn't mean that one’s genes will
automatically correlate to the disease.2 In most cases the most likely causes include age, family history,
genetics, and other risk factors such as head injuries.
Age is the greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer's. It is estimated that in the United States
alone approximately 5.3 million individuals have AD with that number continuing to rise as the baby
boomers continue to get older making it one of the fastest-growing epidemics.3 It has been determined
that as a result of declining fertility and increasing life expectancies is a phenomenon that is now
resulting in unprecedented growth in the elderly population which as a result increases the numbers of
people suffering from age-related forms of dementia such as Alzheimer's.3 Unfortunately as the geriatric
population rises so will the prevalence of age-related cognitive disorders likely resulting in Alzheimer’s
disease.
Genetics is also a contributing factor in those who may develop Alzheimer’s. Research has
concluded that genetics play a crucial role in complex, polygenic diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD).4
According to the Alzheimer's Association two categories of genes influence whether a person develops a
disease: risk genes and deterministric genes.4 It is also estimated that less than 1% of Alzheimer's cases
are caused by genetics but cases have been discovered in both.4
Treatment begins with building a medical team for support which will help to build a diagnosis
and improve medical care for the duration of the impacted person’s life. Treatment involves different
specialists and treatments dependent upon the individual's level of symptoms and how far advanced
Alzheimer's has become, which can change over some time. More than likely diagnostic tests and tools
are needed to ensure an accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
Although there is no cure for Alzheimer there are several treatment options. The most common
is associated with maintaining brain health, managing behavioral symptoms, and slowing or delay of
symptoms. One of the most common treatments is medications for mild to moderate cases and
moderate to severe cases. In mild to moderate cases individuals are often prescribed galantamine,
rivastigmine, and donepezil as these medications help control cognitive and behavioral symptoms.5 In
moderate to severe cases FDA FDA-approved drugs such as memantine are prescribed as they assist
with the decrease of symptoms, which enables individuals to maintain certain daily functions a little
longer than they would have without medication.5 Most FDA-approved drugs for AD are commonly
prescribed to those with early or middle stages as a means of slowing down or delaying the progression
of the disease.
Another effective treatment is Lacanemab (Leqembi). It is the first traditionally approved
treatment that addresses the underlying biology of Alzheimer's.5 This medication is most appropriate for
people in the early stages who have confirmed elevated beta-amyloid.5 Ultimately medications
prescribed for AD are used to target protein beta-amyloid and help reduce amyloid plaques which is the
hallmark of brain change in Alzheimer.5 Additionally these drugs prevent the breakdown of
acetylcholine, a brain chemical that is believed to be associated with memory and thinking.5 All in all
these medications are used as a means of providing comfort, dignity, and independence for a longer
period.
Other non-medical treatments include being physically active, involving oneself in social
interactions that can stimulate the brain and maintain daily functions, eating healthy, regularly seeing
one's doctor, trying new ways to keep the mind active like puzzles or brain games, and most importantly
spend time with loved ones and engage in community life. Although there is no cure these are the most
suitable treatment options that may help those with Alzheimer's live a longer and more productive and
fulfilled life.
This was such a rewarding discussion as I learned so much about Alzheimer's that I had not
previously known. In all honestly I was completely unaware of the seriousness of the disease and the
impact it has on an individual's quality of life. Prominent research concludes that treatment and early
detection of signs and symptoms are essential in fighting this awful disease as the longer the onset the
worse the prognosis will be without prevention. There are great pharmaceuticals and drug therapies
that help with improving the quality of life for those diagnosed with AD. Diagnosis is often discovered
through tests such as biomarker PET scans, blood tests, and CSF tests.
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in
hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”6 Romans 13:15
I chose this scripture because I believe hope brings about peace. Life is undoubtedly short, but is
what you do with that life that most matters in the eyesight of the Lord. Life is often saved as a result of
hope and peace. We must rejoice and glorify the Lord and be his ultimate servant and life is not
guaranteed to either of us so life should not be lived in vain but in God's ultimate truth and light.
Reference:
1.Huang X. Alzheimer’s Disease : Drug Discovery. (Huang X, ed.). Exon Publications; 2020.
2.CDC. Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias. Retrieved 1 Oct 2023. Published 21 Aug 2021.
https://www.cdc.gov/aging/aginginfo/alzheimers.htm#:~:text=Alzheimer%27s%20disease%20is
%20the%20most,thought%2C%20memory%2C%20and%20language.
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Terry AV, Callahan PM, Hall B, Webster SJ. Alzheimer's disease and age-related memory decline
(preclinical). Pharmacology, biochemistry and behavior. 2011;99:190-210.
4. Lagisetty Y, Bourquard T, Al-Ramahi I, et al. Identification of risk genes for Alzheimer's disease
by gene embedding. Cell Genom. 2022;2(9):100162. doi:10.1016/j.xgen.2022.100162
5. Santos (Ed.). (2022). Pharmacological treatment of Alzheimer’s disease : scientific and clinical
aspects. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-94383-7
Romans 1013:15(ESV).
