History of the Origin of Alzheimers Disease - Essay Example

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE Introduction One of the most popular diseases that received important attention at present time is Alzheimer’s disease, which is associated with the person’s forgetfulness. Alzheimer’s disease is a memory dysfunction characterized by memory loss or mental difficulty. This receives much attention considering that it does not only affect few but especially many of aged individuals today. This paper tries to figure out some important details of Alzheimer’s disease by discussing about its background, description, some important findings and its relation to the field of psychology today. History or origin of Alzheimer’s disease In ancient times, people already witnessed how Alzheimer’s disease affected its victims. Some of the ancient people believed that everything about the disease was caused by an evil spirit. On the other hand, some attempted to study the brain in the hope to find for an explanation about the disease. However, in the absence of a microscope, there was none to be found since a brain affected by Alzheimer’s disease was the same with the normal brain if viewed only by the naked eye. It was in the year 1907 when Alois Alzheimer, a German physician found out that a 51-year-old woman patient who died with memory problems and problematic behavior had brain with many of its cells gone when viewed at the microscope (Brill, 2005). This opened the door to do more researches about chemicals and cells involved in Alzheimer’s disease. Important figures and important dates about Alzheimer’s disease The significant discovery of Alzheimer’s disease in 1907 led to different and significant responses from people around the world. In France, among any other medical conditions, Alzheimer’s disease was mostly feared by French women those aging from 35 years old and above (Gauthier, 1998). The reason was that even minor problems with memory were highly thought as the brief introduction of the disease. The year from 1990 to 2000 was the “Decade of the Brain” declared by President George H. W. Bush and the US congress (Brill, 2005). This encouraged experts to discover more about the disease by conducting and supporting more Alzheimer’s disease researches. Research on drugs to prevent the disease is still an on-going process especially on vaccine that soon to prevent the disease. In the United States, one out of five people from 75 to 84 years old and half of 85 years old are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease making it as the fourth leading cause of death in the country (Feldman, 2003). Ronald Reagan is one of the most famous people who died from Alzheimer’s disease in 2004 (Brill, 2005). This only proves that the disease never chooses its victims. Everyone can have it and it can happen to all at some point of their lives. It is in this regard that various studies are on going in order to find out more about the disease. What are the probable causes? How can it be prevented? How can it be treated? In line with these questions, it cannot be denied that various important findings were readily available for literature review and for analysis. Important findings or information related to Alzheimer’s disease Severe memory problem is the most conspicuous symptom of Alzheimer’s disease. The root cause of this disease is until now not so certain but increasing evidence suggests that it is caused by certain defect of production of the protein beta amyloid which is responsible for the maintenance of nerve cell connections (Feldman, 2003). In some other important studies, there are different important factors found out to contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Genetic factors were found out to contribute to the case of Alzheimer’s disease (Schellenberg, Bird, Wijsman, Moore & Martin, 1989). In some families, the disease is most likely inherited that at some point it can be considered as dominant trait. The study found out significant methodology in finding significant defective genes that are associated with the development of pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. Another study found that infection with important pathogens can create risks for cognitive impairment and in particular Alzheimer’s disease (Honjo, Reekum, Nicolaas & Verhoeff, 2009). The study aimed to find out if infectious diseases contribute to the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. It was reported that the following infectious agents such as herpes simplex virus type 1, picornavirus, Borna disease virus, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter plylori and spirochete contribute to the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease. Thus, based on this report, further hypothesis can be developed such as: infection especially on the nervous system may contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. The above factors are just some of those considered at present time to significantly cause Alzheimer’s disease. Various studies are on going about the disease in order to finally understand it clearly. At this point, many things about the disease still remain a mystery to be unraveled. Alzheimer’s disease’s relation to the field of psychology today One of the major neurotransmitters in our body is Acetylcholine (ACh) which is responsible for muscle movement and cognitive functioning. This neurotransmitter is located at the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nervous system and some organs of the parasympathetic nervous system which gives specific effects such as excitatory in brain and autonomic nervous system and inhibitory elsewhere. Due to the involvement of Acetylcholine in memory, its level of production is associated with Alzheimer’s disease (Feldman, 2003). Initially, a person with the disease starts with minor forgetfulness of things, but as it progresses, memory loss becomes so evident, the victim will loss ability to speak and understand and eventually physical deterioration comes in leading to death (Feldman, 2003). Alzheimer’s disease leads to gradual deterioration of cognitive abilities and such can be prevented by maintaining intellectual stimulation as an exercise to cognitive skills (Feldman, 2003). In psychology, one of the most important subjects considered is the cognitive ability of an individual. There is measurement, explanation and changing of behavior of both humans and animals in psychology. In particular, this implies that psychology seeks not only to explain but in the process it also tries to influence and make necessary and relevant approaches in order to quantify information about human or animal individual behavior. From this point of view, it is clear that the occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease to humans may therefore prevent the study in line with the cognitive ability of an individual. Conclusion Alzheimer’s disease is a very important subject to study since it directly affects human behavior in particular. Such a disease is very complex which means that considerable number of studies may not be enough to cover all the mysteries behind it that are still waiting to be unveiled in the days to come. References Brill, M. T. (2005). Alzheimer’s Disease. China: Marshall Cavendish Benchmark. Feldman, R. S. (2003). Essentials of Understanding Psychology. New York: McGraw-Hill. Gauthier, S. (Ed.). (1998). Pharmacotherapy of Alzheimer’s Disease: Drug development in Alzheimer’s disease: a review of its history and a preview of its future. London: Martin Dunitz. Honjo, K., Reekum, R. V., Nicolaas, P. L. & Verhoeff, V. (2009). Alzheimer’s disease and infection: Do infectious agents contribute to progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s and Dementia, 5(4), 348-360. Schellenberg, G. D., Bird, T. D., Wijsman, E. M., Moore, D. K. and Martin, G. M. (1989). The genetics of Alzheimer’s disease. Biomedecine & Pharmacotherapy, 43(7), 463-468. Read More