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image above shows a person with
Alzheimer’s disease has less brain tissue
(right) than the person who does not have
the disease (left).
The disease was first identified by Dr. Alois
Alzheimer in 1906. He described the two hallmarks
of the disease: “plaques” – numerous tiny dense
deposits scattered throughout the brain which
become toxic to brain cells at excessive levels and
“tangles” which interfere with vital processes
eventually “choking” off the living cells. As well,
when brain cells degenerate and die, the brain
markedly shrinks in some regions.
As Alzheimer’s disease progresses and affects
different areas of the brain, various abilities
become impaired. The result is changes in abilities
and/or behaviour. At present, once an ability is lost,
it is not known to return. However, research is now
suggesting that some relearning may be possible.
The effects of Alzheimer’s
disease
Alzheimer’s disease eventually affects all
aspects of a person’s life: how he or she
thinks, feels and acts. Since individuals
are affected differently, it is difficult
to predict the symptoms each person
will have, the order in which they will
appear, or the speed of the disease’s
progression.
1 Dementia is a syndrome consisting of a
number of symptoms that include loss
of memory, judgment and reasoning,
and changes in mood, behaviour
and communication abilities. Related
diseases include: Vascular Dementia,
Frontotemporal Dementia, Creutzfeldt-
Jakob Disease and Lewy body Dementia.
In general the following will gradually be
affected by the disease:
Mental abilities – A person’s ability to understand,
think, remember and communicate will be
affected. The ability to make decisions will be
reduced. Simple tasks that have been performed
for years will become more difficult or be
forgotten. Confusion and memory loss, initially
for recent events and eventually for long-term
events, will occur. The ability to find the right
words and follow a conversation will be affected.
Emotions and moods – A person may appear
uninterested and apathetic, and may quickly lose
interest in the hobbies they previously enjoyed.
The ability to control mood and emotion may be
lost. Some individuals are less expressive and are
more withdrawn. However, it is now becoming
clear that a person even in the later stages of the
disease may continue to feel joy, anger, fear, love,
and sadness.
Behaviour – Changes will develop in the way the
person reacts to his or her environment. These
actions may seem out of character for the person.
Some common reactions include repeating the
same action or words, hiding possessions, physical
outbursts and restlessness.
Physical abilities – The disease can affect a
person’s physical co-ordination and mobility,
leading to a gradual physical decline. This will
affect the person’s ability to independently
perform day-to-day tasks such as eating, bathing
and getting dressed.
Research, treatment and strategies
There have been significant advances in treatments
that can have an impact on an individual’s dayto-
day life. Earlier diagnosis is improving
the quality of life for many people who
begin treatment in the early stages. Several
medications may slow the decline of
memory, language and thinking abilities in
some people. Although these drugs do not
work for everyone, they are a valuable step
forward in the treatment of Alzheimer’s
disease. Promising results are emerging from
clinical trials of new drugs and vaccines that
attack the disease process and provide hope
for continued advances in treatment.
New behavioural therapeutic strategies
are also helping people living with the
disease. Therapeutic techniques, like physical
activity and music therapy, are being used
as viable and useful treatments. Research
shows that the quality of life of people with
Alzheimer’s disease, and also their caregivers,
is significantly improved by activities that
emphasize their strengths and abilities. By
understanding the person’s personality, life
experiences, support systems and ways of
coping, an approach to care can be created
that preserves and improves quality of life.
Risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease
While the specific cause or the cure for
Alzheimer’s disease is not known, the disease
appears to develop when the combined
effects of certain risk factors reach a
threshold level. Many of these risk factors
are known but there are likely others that
are yet to be identified. When the threshold
level is reached, the brain’s ability to repair
and maintain itself is overwhelmed, and the
disease process begins.
Risk factors increase the chances of getting
Alzheimer’s disease. Age and genetics are
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