Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex and challenging condition that impacts millions of lives globally. In the United States, almost 1 in 9 individuals over the age of 65, and more than 1 in 3 over the age of 85 have been diagnosed with AD, corresponding to a total of 6.7 million. Approximately 200,000 under 65 have been diagnosed.
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
AD is a progressive neurological disorder that affects memory, cognitive functions, and behavior through the loss of neurons in the brain.
Types of Alzheimer’s disease
- Early-Onset Alzheimer’s: Developing before age 65, it progresses rapidly and has strong genetic links.
- Late-Onset Alzheimer’s: Developing after age 65, it’s the most common form and can have genetic and environmental influences.
- Familial Alzheimer’s Disease (FAD): Inherited form with genetic mutations that cause early onset.
- Late-Onset Alzheimer’s with Genetic Risk: A type of gene APOE ε4 increases susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease but does not guarantee disease development.
- Sporadic Alzheimer’s Disease: There is no apparent genetic link; this is likely a result of complex interactions between genes and the environment.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease
Common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include:
- Memory Loss: Forgetfulness and difficulty recalling recent events.
- Cognitive Decline: Challenges in reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making.
- Behavioral Changes: Mood swings, confusion, disorientation, and taking longer than usual to complete normal daily tasks
What causes Alzheimer’s?
The risk of Alzheimer’s disease is 60-80% dependent on genetics. Other probable causes include changes in the brain due to age, and other environmental and lifestyle factors.
How to treat Alzheimer’s?
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease; current treatments aim to manage symptoms, including improvements to focus, memory, and cognitive function, easing agitation, and enable execution of daily tasks.
Medications prescribed for Alzheimer’s will depend on disease severity. Mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s may be treated with cholinesterase inhibitors such as donepezil, galantamine, and rivastigmine. These medications prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical involved in memory, focus, and muscle movement. As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, the breakdown of acetylcholine increases to the point that these medications may no longer work. Newer drugs such as lecanemab and aducanumab have been approved by the FDA to treat mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s. Both drugs activate the immune system to attack plaques of the beta-amyloid protein which accumulate between nerve cells disrupting their function. Consistent safety monitoring with MRIs is required with the administration of these novel therapies.
For moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease, patients may be prescribed memantine, which is thought to block the effects of a chemical called glutamate. Nerve cells in patients with Alzheimer’s overproduce glutamate. Blocking these effects helps with confusion and may enable patients to carry out some normal daily functions independently.
Combination therapy of memantine and one of the cholinesterase inhibitors mentioned above shows a small, but significant improvement in cognitive function in moderate-to-severe Alzheimer’s disease.
These patients may experience agitation symptoms including yelling, profane language, excessive hand gestures and pacing, and physical aggression, which can be quite stressful for patients, relatives, and caregivers. Agitation in Alzheimer’s may be treated with brexpiprazole, a drug originally approved to treat schizophrenia and major depressive disorder.
Alternative therapies for Alzheimer’s disease in addition to prescribed medications may relieve symptoms. These include the following: consumption of coconut oil, coenzyme Q10, coral calcium, herbal supplements such as ginkgo biloba, chato-son, and kami-untan, and omega-3 fatty acids; acupuncture, and distractive therapies such as aromatherapy, light, and/or music therapy. Consulting with a licensed healthcare professional is strongly recommended before starting an Alzheimer’s patient on an alternative therapy. This is to address any potential drug-supplement interactions, and allergies, and to ensure the combination of therapies does not worsen symptoms.
How Ayuda Health can help patients with Alzheimer’s disease?
Ayuda Health, as a mobile application for chronic disease, offers valuable benefits for individuals dealing with Alzheimer’s disease. The app aids in medication adherence through reminders, fostering consistent treatment routines. It facilitates symptom tracking, enabling users and caregivers to monitor cognitive changes and share data with healthcare professionals. Ayuda Health also provides a platform for caregivers to collaborate and receive guidance, easing the caregiving journey.
References
Alzheimer’s Association: Alzheimer’s
U.S. Federal Government website for Alzheimer’s and related dementias: Alzheimer’s
