Advancing Research in Alzheimer's Disease - Essay Example

At present there are millions of elderly individuals suffering from this disease around the world, and the numbers are set to increase in the years to come. There are various symptoms of the disease, depending on each individual. However, there are also symptoms which are commonly manifested by patients. Most of the early symptoms of the disease include age-related symptoms like forgetfulness and memory lapses. Where such memory gaps are more common and extensive, a possible diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is considered with confirmatory tests carried out in order to determine the presence of the disease.

Other symptoms of the disease may include confusion, irritability, aggression, mood swings, and long-term memory loss. The more progressive the disease is, the greater the danger is to the patient. The cause of the disease has not been significantly established, but it is mostly attributed to plaques and tangles in the brain (Jack, et.al., 2010). Current available treatments are only for the management of its symptoms and there are still no treatments available for the treatment of the disease and for stopping its progression.

Various clinical trials have been carried out through the years in the hope of coming up with a treatment for the disease however, no significant success has been gained in these areas as yet. In general however, mental stimulation, balanced diet, and exercise has been suggested as preventive remedies for the disease, and in some ways, they have been known to delay the onset of the cognitive symptoms of the disease (Buschert, et.al., 2010). Supportive treatment from family and the community is also crucial for these patients.

This paper shall now establish and consolidate current available evidence on the disease, including its causes, its effects, the stages in the progression of the disease, as well as treatment. Body Causes The causes of Alzheimer’s are still very much unknown, however some individual cases have been able to trace genetic factors to be the cause of their Alzheimer’s. Genetics Majority of Alzheimer’s cases are rare and sporadic cases. This would mean that rarely are they genetically passed on to family members.

Still, some genetic mutations are considered risk factors for Alzheimer’s. About 0.1% of the Alzheimer’s cases are considered a mutation of the autosomal dominant gene which may manifest before the age of 65 (Seshadri, et.al., 2010). Under these conditions, the disease would be known as early onset familial Alzheimer’s disease. This form of the disease is said to be caused by mutations in three possible genes: the amyloid precursor protein, the presenilins 1 and the presenilins 2 (Seshadri, et.al., 2010).

The mutations in these genes often cause a rise in small protein A?42 which is a major element for the senile plaques (Seshadri, et.al., 2010). The mutations may also change the ratio for A?42 and its other small protein forms. This would indicate that the mutations can cause the manifestation of the disease even where they decrease the production of the A?. This would also indicate the other functions of the presenilin in terms of the APP functions. Majority of the Alzheimer’s cases do not manifest autosomal-dominant genetic transmission; however, these genes may still pose as risk factors for generational transmission.

The most commonly established risk factor is the inheritance of the ?4 allele of the apolipoprotein E (Bateman, et.al., 2011). This inherited gene increases the risk of developing the disease, but the manifestation is also based on other environmental elements. Other genes may also present as risk factors which cause the late onset of Alzheimer’