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Nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease. Experts predict that by the year 2050, this number will rise to nearly 13 million. In 2021, it was the 5th leading cause of death among people age 65 and older. Living with the condition, or helping support a family member that has it, is stressful! Finding the appropriate resources and care is often hard to coordinate. In fact, 70% of caregivers say that coordinating care is difficult, and 60% of health care workers believe that the care system in the US is not effective at helping patients and families navigate treatment.
So what can you do? The first step is getting a better sense of the condition and how it will affect you or your loved one. PatientsLikeMe is here to provide a comprehensive overview of both dementia and Alzheimer's.
Dementia and Alzheimer's
Dementia is a general term for memory loss and cognitive damage serious enough to interfere with daily life. It encompasses a number of different diseases, including Alzheimer's. Any disease grouped under the term "dementia" is caused by abnormal changes to the brain. Symptoms of dementia then trigger a decline in cognitive ability severe enough to impair function and affect behavior, feelings and relationships.
Alzheimer's disease makes up between 60-80% of all dementia cases. Alzheimer's makes it hard for people to remember things, think clearly, and perform everyday tasks. It usually starts slowly and gets worse over time. It is not a normal part of aging. The brain, like every other part of our body, ages over time. Most people as they get older have a harder time remembering things. With Alzheimer's, the damage to the brain is far more severe. Disorientation, mood and behavior changes, confusion, suspicions about family or friends, and difficulty speaking are common symptoms. The greatest risk factor of Alzheimer's is age, with the majority of cases. occurring over the age of 65. There is no cure, but there are treatments that can help manage symptoms.
Have you been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease? PatientsLikeMe is actively recruiting for a clinical trial. See if you qualify and express your interest today.
How It Affects the Brain
The brain is made up of billions of nerve cells called neurons. About 100 billion in fact, with over 100 trillion connections! Each of these nerve cells connects with others to form communication networks. Certain groups of nerves have different jobs, like remembering, thinking, learning. Others help with sight, hearing, and smell. Researchers are not sure how Alzheimer's starts, but they do know that damage beings with the nerve cells. As some break down, the damage spreads throughout the network. This leads to irreversible damage to the brain.
Common Symptoms
Doctors tend to diagnose Alzheimer's in one of three distinct stages. Symptoms depend on how much of the brain has been damaged, and how far the disease has spread. This is not a complete list, but a summary of the most common signs to watch for.
Mild Alzheimer's
- Memory loss
- Poor judgement
- Losing track of dates of locations
- Repeating questions
- Wandering and getting lost
- Mood and personality changes
- Increased anxiety and aggression
Moderate Alzheimer's
- Increased confusion and memory loss
- Inability to learn new things
- Difficulty with language, reading, writing, and numbers
- Shortened attention span
- Changes in sleeping patterns
- Problems recognizing friends and family
- Inappropriate emotional outbursts
- Repetitive statements or movement
Severe Alzheimer's
- Inability to communicate
- No awareness of recent experiences or surroundings
- Weight loss with no interest in eating
- Loss of bowel and bladder control
- General physical decline
- Seizures
Treatment
Scientists are working hard to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease. There is not one currently, but there are medicines that can help with symptoms. Researchers are also studying new treatments that might slow down the disease or prevent it from starting. As of right now, the FDA has approved two categories of medications for treating the condition.
Medications That Treat Symptoms
The progression of Alzheimer's leads to damage to the brain, specifically neurons. This leads to both cognitive and physical decline. Certain medications have been approve to treat the related side effects. Cholinesterase inhibitors help treat symptoms related to memory, thinking, language, and judgment. Glutamate regulators help with memory as well, but can also improve attention, reason, and the ability to perform simple tasks. For physical symptoms, doctors may turn to orexin receptor agonists, which treat insomnia. They can also utilize atypical antipsychotics which are typically used in treating schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Medications That Change Disease Progression
This category of drugs is helps slow disease progression. Currently, the FDA has approved two medications under this umbrella. Aducanumab is a monthly intravenous infusion therapy. Unfortunately, the manufacturer discontinued production in 2024. This treatment was the first therapy shown to remove beta-amyloids from the brain. These amyloids have been shown to cause both cognitive and function decline. Lecanemab is the second intravenous infusion that has been shown to remove bate-amyloids. It is given bi-weekly instead of monthly, and was approved for treatment of early Alzheimer's.
Are you thinking about clinical trials? PatientsLikeMe is actively recruiting for a clinical trial. See if you qualify and express your interest today.
Tips for Caregivers
Family and caregivers play a big role in helping someone with Alzheimer's. It is important to stay calm and patient. Try to understand how the person with Alzheimer's feels. Remove items that might cause accidents, like rugs that can cause tripping. Keep important items, like keys and phones, in easy-to-find places. Daily routines can help reduce confusion. Doing the same activities at the same time each day can be comforting. Spend time together and encourage the person to stay socially active. Simple activities like going for a walk or playing a game can be enjoyable.
Taking care of someone with Alzheimer's can be challenging. It is important for caregivers to take care of themselves too! Support groups and community resources can provide help and relief.
Alzheimer's disease is a serious condition that affects memory and thinking skills. While there is no cure yet, researchers are working hard to find better treatments. Hopefully, this guide helps clear up any questions you had about the condition. Be sure to check out PatientsLikeMe for more health resources and support!