Alzheimer's Disease Case Study

Words: 1845
Pages: 8
Open Document
Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease with Nanotechnology Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the primary common cause of dementia in the geriatric population in the world. Due to the progressive nature of the disease, early diagnosis and treatment are essential in preventing more severe symptoms. Currently, there is no single effective diagnostic tool used in the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and medications designed to treat the disease only treat its symptoms (Silva, et al., 2012). The use of nanotechnology in detecting and treating AD at an early age will help to minimize the damage done to the brain by this disease. Research involving the amyloid cascade hypothesis will help to determine new and more effective diagnostic and treatment methods.
Background and rationale

Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the excessive deposition of fibrillar amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides, amyloid plaques (AP), cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) that are primarily made up of tau (τ) protein. The copious amount of these lesions supports the amyloid cascade hypothesis as the major causative incident in the development of AD (Roher, et al., 2013). The amyloid cascade hypothesis states that Alzheimer’s …show more content…
Levels of tau and Aβ peptides in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are markers that are currently being used in detecting AD. The issue with this detection method lies in the utilization of CSF. CSF presents very little correlation between Aβ peptide levels and the severity of the disease (Leung, et al., 2013). Other protein-based biomarkers have been used also, but with little success. Utilizing Aβ peptides as potential biomarkers may allow for precise detection of AD and for understanding the severity of the disease in each affected person. In order to establish this avenue of treatment, the use of nanotechnology is
Show More

Related Documents: Alzheimer's Disease Case Study

Case Study Of Alzheimer's Disease

Case Study Paper Ashley Stargill Introduction to Health and Disease November 22, 2014 David Carmon Disease and Progression Alzheimer’s is classified as a degenerative disease with no promise of recovery. The disease slowly and progressively attacks nerve cells in various parts of the cortex of the brain, and some of the surrounding structures. When a person has Alzheimer’s they lose their ability to govern emotions, recognize errors and patterns coordinate movement, and the ability…

Words 457 - Pages 2

Alzheimer's Disease Case Study

INTRODUCTION Approximately 36 million individuals have Alzheimer’s disease (AD) worldwide which is the common cause of dementia in the range of higher ages (Alzheimers.net, 2014). About 5% to 8% of people aged above 65, 15% to 20% of people aged above 75 and 25% to 50% of those aged above 85 are affected by Alzheimer’s disease (Duthey, 2013). Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversibly progressive disease of the brain characterised by gradual loss of memory, change in personality and a decline in cognitive…

Words 988 - Pages 4

Alzheimer's Disease: A Case Study

health attention. A health disparity that is increasingly common as we ages is, Alzheimer’s disease (AD). As it is mostly seen in those 65 and older, people younger than 65 can develop this disease as well. Alzheimer's disease is a form of dementia and is a progressive, degenerative disorder that attacks the brain's nerve cells, resulting in loss of memory, thinking, language skills, and behavioral changes ("Alzheimer's Foundation of America," 2014). It is important that we understand and gain…

Words 973 - Pages 4

Alzheimer's Disease: A Case Study

essay about a named disease, including a discussion of the symptoms, its diagnosis, treatment, and social/economic importance” Alzheimer’s Disease. Alzheimer’s is a disease which is caused by the build-up of protein in the brain. These build up’s change the way the brain works, and affect regions of the brain related to memory and learning to begin with. It is generally agreed that Alzheimer’s begins in the region of the brain called the hippocampus. Specifically, Alzheimer’s begins with the accumulation…

Words 1470 - Pages 6

Alzheimer's Disease: A Case Study

Management of Alzheimer’s Disease There is no current drug therapy that is curative for Alzheimer’s disease, but there are treatments available that will slow the progression of disease and to control the symptoms. The indirect-acting cholinergic agonists are the group of drugs that are prescribed for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. They work by reversibly blocking acetylcholinesterase at the synaptic cleft. This blocking allows the accumulation of ACh released from the nerve endings and…

Words 1486 - Pages 6

Condition-Alzheimer's Disease Case Studies

For the sake of confidentiality, the resident whom this case study is based upon will be referred to by the initial H. 1. Client Information: Age – 89 years, born on January 3, 1927. Significant social history – H was a member of the outdoors and hiking club and cross-country ski organization for many years. She has hiked most mountain ranges from here to Alberta. She knew the names of most wild flowers and plants. Travelling was one of her favorite things. She and her late husband explored much…

Words 1396 - Pages 6

Alzheimer’s: The Forgotten Disease Essay

Alzheimer’s: The Forgotten Disease University of Central Missouri Alzheimer’s: The Forgotten Disease Alzheimer’s disease, while it may not have been widely recognized as a life threatening disease decades ago, the knowledge of this incurable disease is growing with each year passing. With each year we grow as a community, country and world we learn more about ourselves and the way our bodies age. With the advancements in technology we have been able to live…

Words 2282 - Pages 10

Living With Alzheimer’s disease Essay

HISTORY OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE A. Dr. Alois Alzheimer III. WHAT IS ALHEIMER’S DISEASE? A. Definition B. Warning Signs C. Symptoms D. Diagnosis IV. WHO’S AT RISK? A. Risk Factors B. Biological & Genetics C. Other Possible Causes V. TREATMENTS A. Pharmacological Treatments B. Surgical C. Therapeutic VI. THE FUTURE OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE VII. CONCLUSION VIII. REFERENCE LIST Abstract As per the Alzheimer’s Association, An estimated 5.2 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease…

Words 2826 - Pages 12

Alzheimer's Dilemma

protection of the participants involved in scientific studies. For example, the process…

Words 541 - Pages 3

Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's Disease 1 Alzheimer's Disease HCA 415 Instructor Boone Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually even the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. Alzheimer's disease effects people in different ways, but the most common symptoms…

Words 2073 - Pages 9