Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by memory loss and cognitive decline. There are approximately 50 million cases of dementia worldwide, with approximately 10 million new cases each year. In China, there are tens of millions of patients, ranking first in the world.
So, do you know about Alzheimer’s disease? What should we do when a family member suffers from Alzheimer’s disease?
ADVERTISEMENT
Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease and one of the most common forms of dementia in the elderly. Its main symptoms are memory loss and cognitive decline , which seriously affect patients’ thinking, behavior and daily living ability.
Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed primarily through two abnormal pathological features: Aβ (amyloid) deposits in the brain and Tau (protein) aggregation within cells. These abnormal protein accumulations lead to nerve cell dysfunction and death, disrupting normal brain communication and function.
In addition to memory loss and cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease may also manifest as language impairment, decreased spatial orientation, loss of ability to carry out daily activities, mood and behavioral changes, etc. As the disease progresses, patients may require around-the-clock care and support.
Currently, the cause of Alzheimer’s disease is not fully understood, but some risk factors, such as age, family heredity, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and diabetes, are believed to increase the risk of developing the disease.
Detailed explanation of pathogenesis
Aβ deposition
One of the key features of Alzheimer’s disease pathology is the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) in the brain. Aβ is a short fragment of protein that is normally cleared away. However, in Alzheimer’s disease, Aβ aggregates into plaques that cause neuronal toxicity and death, interfering with normal communication between neurons.
ADVERTISEMENT
