Overview of Alzheimer's Disease (Dementia) and it's Treatment

Alzheimer's disease (AD), recognized more than a century ago, is a progressive neurological condition and the primary cause of dementia, representing 60–80% of cognitive impairments in older adults. It typically starts with mild memory lapses, especially in recalling recent events, and gradually worsens over time. As the disease advances, individuals may experience difficulties with language, disorientation, mood shifts, neglect of personal care, and behavioral changes, ultimately leading to social withdrawal, loss of bodily functions, and death. While the onset of symptoms usually occurs after the age of 65, brain alterations linked to AD can begin many years or even decades before symptoms manifest. Although Alzheimer’s is not a normal aspect of aging, there is no cure available as of now. Medications approved by the FDA, such as donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, and memantine, offer temporary relief by improving memory, cognition, and daily functioning but do not halt or reverse the disease. Research is focused on understanding the role of beta-amyloid plaques and tau protein tangles in the brain, which are defining characteristics of AD pathology. Scientists aim to explore how these abnormalities harm neurons in hopes of discovering more effective treatments. Lifestyle choices, including mental and physical exercises, may help delay the onset of the disease. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) funds research efforts to deepen our understanding of Alzheimer's disease and develop interventions to slow its progression, providing hope for future therapeutic breakthroughs.