A Brief History of Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer's, which is named after the German psychologist Alois Alzheimer's, seems to be a disease of the last century but the brain degeneration, cognitive impairment and worrisome behavioral and psychiatric difficulties which often characterize the disorder have undoubtedly been about for hundreds of years. A brief lesson in Alzheimer's disease history tells us that despite the fact that Dr. Alzheimer's is the disease's namesake, Alzheimer's friend Emil Kraepelin played an equally crucial part in the identification of the disease. Kraepelin singled out and grouped together the warning signs of the disorder, suggesting they represented a distinctive disease process, though Alzheimer was the first to have an understanding of what was truly happening within the brains of Alzheimer's sufferers. He discovered odd plaques and tangles within the brain of one of his patients, a fifty year old woman who showed the symptoms of the disorder recognized by Kraepelin.

After Kraepelin and Alzheimer's identification of the condition at the start of the 20th century, Alzheimer's disease history indicates that very few advances were made in recognizing or treating the disorder, which could be diagnosed only after death with an autopsy until the closing stages of the 20th century. The disease was first diagnosed in patients between the ages of 45 and 65 and labeled as "presenile dementia”. The name Alzheimer's disease only gained popularity in the 70s and 80s as a name for sufferers over 65 years of age. These days the disease has identifiable and diagnosable symptoms which can be seen in people as young as 30. Generally, an aggressive sort of Alzheimer's that occurs in patients under the age of 65 has a known genetic component, while the emergence of the disease in individuals over 65 has various other factors involved in its development, such as health and fitness, job, and environment.

Recent advancements in science and technology have resulted in an encouraging new era in the history of Alzheimer's.  Cognex, the first Food and drug administration approved drug~drug approved by the Food and drug administration} used to decrease the speed of the disease process became available in 1990 and three other drugs quickly followed. The drugs slow cognitive impairment in individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer's by elevating lowered levels of acetylcholine inside the brain, which are essential for the healthy functioning of neurons. Further research is currently being undertaken to find solutions to prevent Alzheimer's disease from developing. Specific hormones like estrogen and anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin have been shown to have a mediating impact and environmental factors, like mentally challenging jobs, dance and chess have been found to lessen older individuals odds of getting Alzheimer's disease. Even simple things like donning a car seatbelt or motorcycle helmet might be central to protecting against Alzheimer's disease.

Rapid detection strategies are being produced to improve treatment of the disorder. As an example, genetic studies has found markers for familial Alzheimer's disease and non-familial Alzheimer's. Additionally, advanced technology like PET scans and MRIs, are being used to detect structural changes in the brain which might show the development of Alzheimer's before signs and symptoms even begin. While the baby boomer generation begins to age, researchers are afraid of the strain that a lot of dementia patients could put upon the healthcare system.

SymptomsOfAlzheimers.org gives you answers to numerous questions that you might have about Alzheimer's and is an excellent Alzheimer's resource center for those people looking after close relatives and loved ones suffering from this condition.