Abstract

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE – PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, DIAGNOSIS AND MODERN APPROACH OF TREATMENT

Dr. Bolay Bhattacharya *, T. Mangilal1 and R. Nagakishore

ABSTRACT

Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia accounting for around 60% of cases in the elderly. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s are problems with memory, judgement and thinking, which makes it hard to work or take part in day-to-day life. As the stages progress, memory loss and other signs of Alzheimer's become more apparent. Many people find help with Alzheimer's medications, but there is no cure for this form of dementia. Alzheimer's disease has been identified as a protein misfolding disease (proteopathy), caused by accumulation of abnormally folded amyloid beta and amyloid tau proteins in the brain. Alzheimer's disease is not genetically inherited although some genes may act as risk factors. On the other hand, around 0.1% of the cases are familial forms of autosomal dominant (not sex-linked) inheritance, which usually have an onset before age 65. Alzheimer's disease is usually diagnosed based on the person's history, history from relatives and observations of the person's behaviours. At present, there is no definitive evidence to support that any particular measure is effective in preventing AD. For the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease symptoms Acetyl cholinesterase (ACE) inhibitors like donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine are helpful. Since Alzheimer's disease is not cured completely and it gradually renders people incapable of tending for their own needs, caregiving essentially is the treatment and must be carefully managed over the course of the disease.

Keywords: Alzheimer's Disease, Amyloid, Neuro Fibrillary Tangles, ACE Inhibitors.