Unit Dem 301
1.
There are many variations of dementia syndrome but there are certain causes that are more common. These are: Alzheimer’s: Scientists know that during Alzheimer’s two abnormal proteins build in the brain. They form clumps called either ‘plaques’ or ‘tangles’. These plaques and tangles interfere with how brain cells work and communicate with each other. The plaques are usually first seen in the area of the brain that makes new memories. A lot of research is focused on finding ways to stop these proteins in their tracks and protect brain cells from harm.
Early Onset Dementia: is the term used to describe Alzheimer’s which develops before the age of 65 years. It accounts for around 5% of all cases of Alzheimer’s disease.…show more content… It can also lead to incontinence. It also affects daily living tasks, due to forgetting what they are doing, or not remembering the basics to allow them to live a safe, healthy life style.
Serotonin: This chemical is the neurotransmitter, often called the ‘feel good’ neurotransmitter. It has a profound effect on mood, anxiety and aggression. This explains why dementia sufferers can often become aggressive, when they have never had an aggressive side before they had dementia. They can also become unpredictable, never knowing how there mood will be in from one minute to the next. People suffering from dementia can become scared of things that prior to having dementia would have never been a problem; this is also due to serotonin not being produced.
Acetylcholine: is the chemical which controls activity in the brain that is connected to attention, learning and memory. People suffering from Alzheimer’s often have low counts of Acetylcholine in there brain. This explains why people with dementia often have no interest in doing/learning new things as they can no longer process the information they need to obtain to do this. Also people with dementia often go from doing one thing to another without completing the first task they set out to do, this can be due to Acetylcholine being low.
Glutamine: This chemical is vital for making the links between neurons, which are at the centre of learning and long term
