alzheimers disease

Written Case Study 1 : ALZHEIMER 'S DISEASE

Michele Norman

Walsh University

Alzheimer 's disease pertains to a progressive neurodegenerative condition that predominantly affects elderly individuals . One main characteristic feature of this disease is dementia or the loss of memory . The signs and symptoms of Alzheimer 's disease are usually observed among individuals of age 65 years and older . Unfortunately the symptoms of this disease progress as the individual ages and thus it is possible that by the time an individual reaches 75 years of age , he will be at a

disease has been recognized as a public health issue because it has resulted in elderly individuals who have forgotten important information such as where they live , the names of their family members and even their home phone numbers . It is thus difficult to trace when an Alzheimer 's patient lives if he himself does not recall any information that would help in his identification

Pathological screening for this disease is generally based on the presence of protein deposits in the brain , which are technically called amyloid plaques . These deposits are accumulated in both neuropil as well as vascular areas of the brain , which are also located within the cortical region of the cerebrum , where most of the memory of an individual is stored . Amyloid plaques are comprised of beta amyloid peptides , which are of approximately 39 to 43 amino acids in length (Adler et al , 1991 . These peptides have been characterized...