CARMEL SCHOOL

KUWAIT!!!

DEPARTMENT OF
BIOLOGY
PROJECT WORK
SUBMITTED BY:

SHAGUFTA F.B
XI-A

TOPIC: ALZHEIMERS AND

DEMENTIA
BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE
CERTIFIED TO BE THE BONAFIDE RECORD OF WORK DONE
BY MISS SHAGUFTA F.B OF
CLASS XI A
DURING THE YEAR 2015-2016
DATED:
P.G.T
IN BIOLOGY
CARMEL SCHOOL
KUWAIT
SUBMITTED FOR ALL INDIAN SECONDARY SCHOOL
EXAMINATION IN BIOLOGY AT CARMEL SCHOOL KUWAIT

DATE:
EXTERNAL EXAMINER

SCHOOL SEAL

AKNOWLEDGEMENT

I HEREBY THANK MISS. JESSY SCARIA FOR

GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS
PROJECT ON ALZHEIMERS AND DEMENTIA.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR OFFERING ME
HELP DURING THE MAKING OF THIS BIOLOGY
PROJECT.I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR
WILLINGNESS TO HELPME OUTSIDE YOUR
CURRENT POSITION. I WANT TO THANK YOU
FOR ALL YOUR UNACCOUNTABLE
CONTRIBUTION IN THE COMPLETION OF THIS

PROJECT ON ALZHEIMERS !

ALZHEIMERS AND DEMENTIA, AN INTRODUCTION:

Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general
term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious
enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's disease
accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases.
Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that causes problems with
memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop
slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to
interfere with daily tasks

Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging, although the

greatest known risk factor is increasing age, and the majority
of people with Alzheimer's are 65 and older. But Alzheimer's is
not just a disease of old age. Up to 5 percent of people with
the disease have early onset Alzheimer's (also known as
younger-onset), which often appears when someone is in their
40s or 50s.
Alzheimer's worsens over time. Alzheimer's is a progressive
disease, where dementia symptoms gradually worsen over a
number of years. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but
with late-stage Alzheimer's, individuals lose the ability to carry
on a conversation and respond to their environment.
Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death in the United
States. Those with Alzheimer's live an average of eight years
after their symptoms become noticeable to others, but survival
can range from four to 20 years, depending on age and other
health conditions.
Alzheimer's has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms
are available and research continues. Although current
Alzheimer's treatments cannot stop Alzheimer's from
progressing, they can temporarily slow the worsening of
dementia symptoms and improve quality of life for those with
Alzheimer's and their caregivers. Today, there is a worldwide
effort under way to find better ways to treat the disease, delay
its onset, and prevent it from developing.
Alzheimer's is not just a disease of old age. Younger-onset
(also known as early-onset) Alzheimer's affects people younger
than age 65. Up to 5 percent of the more than 5 million
Americans with Alzheimers have younger-onset.

Who gets early onset Alzheimer's?

Many people with early onset are in their 40s and 50s. They
have families, careers or are even caregivers themselves when
Alzheimer's disease strikes. In the United States, it is
estimated that approximately 200,000 people have early
onset.
Diagnosing early onset Alzheimers:
Since health care providers generally don't look for Alzheimer's
disease in younger people, getting an accurate diagnosis of
early onset Alzheimer's can be a long and frustrating process.
Symptoms may be incorrectly attributed to stress or there may
be conflicting diagnoses from different health care
professionals. People who have early onset Alzheimer's may be
in any stage of dementia early stage, middle stage or late
stage. The disease affects each person differently and
symptoms will vary.
If you are experiencing memory problems:
Have a comprehensive medical evaluation with a doctor who
specializes in Alzheimer's disease. Getting a diagnosis involves
a medical exam and possibly cognitive tests, a neurological
exam and/or brain imaging. Call your local chapter of the
Alzheimer's Association for a referral.
Write down symptoms of memory loss or other cognitive
difficulties to share with your health care professional.
Keep in mind that there is no one test that confirms
Alzheimer's disease. A diagnosis is only made after a
comprehensive medical evaluation.

EFFECTS OF ALZHEIMERS

COST TO NATION
Alzheimer's disease is one of the costliest chronic
diseases to society.
In 2015, the direct costs to American society of caring for
those with Alzheimer's will total an estimated $226
billion, with half of the costs borne by Medicare.
Average per-person Medicare spending for people age 65
or older with Alzheimer's and other dementias is three
times higher than for seniors without dementia. Medicaid
payments are 19 times higher.
Nearly one in every five Medicare dollars is spent on
people with Alzheimer's and other dementias. In 2050, it
will be one in every three dollars.

 Unless something is done, in 2050, Alzheimer's is

projected to cost over $1.1 trillion (in 2015 dollars). This
dramatic rise includes a five-fold increase in government
spending under Medicare and Medicaid and a nearly fivefold increase in out-of pocket spending.
PREVALENCE
An estimated 5.3 million Americans of all ages have
Alzheimer's disease in 2015.
Of the 5.3 million Americans with Alzheimer's, an
estimated 5.1 million people are age 65 and older, and
approximately 200,000 individuals are under age 65
(younger-onset Alzheimer's).
Almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer's are
women. Of the 5.1 million people age 65 and older with
Alzheimer's in the United States, 3.2 million are women
and 1.9 million are men.
Although there are more non-Hispanic whites living with
Alzheimer's and other dementias than people of any other
racial or ethnic group in the United States, older AfricanAmericans and Hispanics are more likely than older whites
to have Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
The number of Americans with Alzheimer's disease and
other dementias will grow each year as the size and
proportion of the U.S. population age 65 and older
continue to increase. By 2025, the number of people age
65 and older with Alzheimer's disease is estimated to
reach 7.1 million a 40 percent increase from the 5.1
million age 65 and older affected in 2015. By 2050, the
number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer's
disease may nearly triple, from 5.1 million to a projected
13.8 million, barring the development of medical
breakthroughs to prevent or cure the disease.

Typical age-related memory loss and other changes compared

to Alzheimer's
Signs of Alzheimer's
Typical age-related changes
Poor judgment and decision making
Making a bad decision once in a while
Inability to manage a budget
Missing a monthly payment
Losing track of the date or the season
Forgetting which day it is and remembering later
Difficulty having a conversation
Sometimes forgetting which word to use
Misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps to
find them
Losing things from time to time
Have more time to plan for the future A diagnosis of
Alzheimer's allows you to take part in decisions about care,
transportation, living options, financial and legal matters. You
can also participate in building the right care team and social
support network.
Help for you and your loved ones Care and support services
are available, making it easier for you and your family to live
the best life possible with Alzheimers or dementia.
When you see your doctor:

"It took my mother having a stress-related heart attack before

we quit dismissing my father's progressing dementia to 'senior
moments' and got him a proper diagnosis of Alzheimer's. Had
we paid attention to the warning signs of this disease, a lot of
prevention could have been in place."-Brent
Your doctor will evaluate your overall health and identify any
conditions that could affect how well your mind is working.
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist such as a:
Neurologist specializes in diseases of the brain and
nervous system
Psychiatrist specializes in disorders that affect mood or
the way the mind works
Psychologist has special training in testing memory and
other mental functions
Geriatrician specializes in the care of older adults and
Alzheimer's disease

What are the stages of Alzheimer's?

-Alzheimer's disease typically progresses slowly in three
general stages mild (early-stage), moderate (middle-stage),
and severe (late-stage). Since Alzheimer's affects people in
different ways, each person will experience symptoms - or
progress through Alzheimer's stages - differently.

Overview of disease progression:

Mild Alzheimer's (early-stage)
Moderate Alzheimer's (middle-stage)
Severe Alzheimer's (late-stage)

Did you know?

People with cognitive changes caused by Mild Cognitive
Impairment (MCI) have an increased risk of developing
Alzheimer's or another dementia. However, not all people with
MCI develop Alzheimer's.
Overview of disease progression:
The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease worsen over time,
although the rate at which the disease progresses varies. On
average, a person with Alzheimer's lives four to eight years
after diagnosis, but can live as long as 20 years, depending on
other factors.

Changes in the brain related to Alzheimer's begin years before

any signs of the disease. This time period, which can last for
years, is referred to as preclinical Alzheimer's disease.

The stages below provide an overall idea of how abilities

change once symptoms appear and should only be used as a
general guide. They are separated into three different
categories: mild Alzheimer's disease, moderate Alzheimer's
disease and severe Alzheimer's disease. Be aware that it may
be difficult to place a person with Alzheimer's in a specific
stage as stages may overlap
Mild Alzheimer's disease (early-stage):

Although the onset of

Alzheimer's disease cannot yet be stopped or reversed, an
early diagnosis can allow a person the opportunity to live well
with the disease for as long as possible and plan for the
future .In the early stages of Alzheimer's, a person may
function independently. He or she may still drive, work and be
part of social activities. Despite this, the person may feel as if
he or she is having memory lapses, such as forgetting familiar
words or the location of everyday objects.
Friends, family or neighbors begin to notice difficulties. During
a detailed medical interview, doctors may be able to detect
problems in memory or concentration.
Common difficulties include:
Problems coming up with the right word or name
Trouble remembering names when introduced to new
people
Having greater difficulty performing tasks in social or
work settings
Forgetting material that one has just read
Losing or misplacing a valuable object
Increasing trouble with planning or organizing
Moderate Alzheimer's disease (middle-stage):

During the moderate stage of

Alzheimer's, individuals may have greater difficulty performing
tasks such as paying bills, but they may still remember
significant details about their life.
Moderate Alzheimer's is typically the longest stage and can
last for many years. As the disease progresses, the person
with Alzheimer's will require a greater level of care.

You may notice the person with Alzheimer's confusing words,

getting frustrated or angry, or acting in unexpected ways, such
as refusing to bathe. Damage to nerve cells in the brain can
make it difficult to express thoughts and perform routine
tasks.

At this point, symptoms will be noticeable to others and may

include:
Forgetfulness of events or about one's own personal
history
Feeling moody or withdrawn, especially in socially or
mentally challenging situations
Being unable to recall their own address or telephone
number or the high school or college from which they
graduated
Confusion about where they are or what day it is

 The need for help choosing proper clothing for the season
or the occasion
Trouble controlling bladder and bowels in some
individuals
Changes in sleep patterns, such as sleeping during the
day and becoming restless at night
An increased risk of wandering and becoming lost
Personality and behavioral changes, including
suspiciousness and delusions or compulsive, repetitive
behavior like hand-wringing or tissue shredding
Advanced Alzheimers Disease

(late-stage):

Late-stage care decisions can be some of the hardest families

face. Connect with other caregivers who have been through
the process on our online message boards and get helpful
resources in our Caregiver Center.
In the final stage of this disease, individuals lose the ability to
respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and,
eventually, to control movement. They may still say words or
phrases, but communicating pain becomes difficult. As memory
and cognitive skills continue to worsen, personality changes
may take place and individuals need extensive help with daily
activities.

At this stage, individuals may:

 Require full-time, around-the-clock assistance with daily

personal care
Lose awareness of recent experiences as well as of their
surroundings
Require high levels of assistance with daily activities and
personal care
Experience changes in physical abilities, including the
ability to walk, sit and, eventually, swallow
Have increasing difficulty communicating
Become vulnerable to infections, especially pneumonia
AGE:

The greatest known risk factor

for Alzheimers is advancing age. Most individuals with the
disease are age 65 or older. The likelihood of developing
Alzheimers doubles about every five years after age 65. After
age 85, the risk reaches nearly 50 percent. One of the greatest
mysteries of Alzheimer's disease is why risk rises so
dramatically as we grow older.
Family history:

Another strong risk factor is family

history. Those who have a parent, brother, sister or child with
Alzheimers are more likely to develop the disease. The risk
increases if more than one family member has the illness.
When diseases tend to run in families, either heredity
(genetics) or environmental factors, or both, may play a role.

Genetics (heredity):

Scientist
s know genes are involved in Alzheimers. There are two types
of genes that can play a role in affecting whether a person
develops a diseaserisk genes and deterministic genes.
Alzheimer's genes have been found in both categories.
Genetic testing:

Genetic tests are available for both APOE-e4 and the rare
genes that directly cause Alzheimers. However, health
professionals do not currently recommend routine genetic
testing for Alzheimers disease. Testing for APOE-e4 is
sometimes included as a part of research studies.
Risk genes increase the likelihood of developing a disease, but
do not guarantee it will happen. Scientists have so far
identified several risk genes implicated in Alzheimer's disease.
The risk gene with the strongest influence is called Apo
lipoprotein E-e4 (APOE-e4). Scientists estimate that APOE-e4
may be a factor in 20 to 25 percent of Alzheimer's cases.
APOE-e4 is one of three common forms of the APOE gene; the
others are APOE-e2 and APOE-e3. Everyone inherits a copy of
some form of APOE from each parent. Those who inherit APOEe4 from one parent have an increased risk of Alzheimers.
Those who inherit APOE-e4 from both parents have an even
higher risk, but not a certainty.
Scientists are not yet certain how APOE-e4 increases risk. In
addition to raising risk, APOE-e4 may tend to make Alzheimer's
symptoms appear at a younger age than usual .Deterministic
genes directly cause a disease, guaranteeing that anyone who
inherits them will develop the disorder. Scientists have
discovered variations that directly cause Alzheimers disease
in the genes coding three proteins: amyloid precursor protein
(APP), presenilin-1 (PS-1) and presenilin-2 (PS-2).
When Alzheimers disease is caused by these deterministic
variations, it is called autosomal dominant Alzheimers
disease (ADAD) or familial Alzheimers disease, and many
family members in multiple generations are affected.
Symptoms nearly always develop before age 60, and may
appear as early as a person's 30s or 40s. Deterministic
Alzheimer's variations have been found in only a few hundred
extended families worldwide. True familial Alzheimers
accounts for less than 5 percent of cases.

Steps to diagnosis:
There is no single test that can show whether a person has
Alzheimer's. While physicians can almost always determine if a
person has dementia, it may be difficult to determine the exact
cause.
Diagnosing Alzheimer's requires careful medical evaluation,
including:
A thorough medical history
Mental status testing
A physical and neurological exam
Tests (such as blood tests and brain imaging) to rule out
other causes of dementia-like symptoms
People with memory loss or other possible warning signs
of Alzheimer's may find it hard to recognize they have a
problem and may resist following up on their symptoms. Signs
of dementia may be more obvious to family members or
friends.
Having trouble with memory does not mean you have
Alzheimer's. Many health issues can cause problems with
memory and thinking. When dementia-like symptoms are
caused by treatable conditions such as depression, drug
interactions, thyroid problems, excess use of alcohol or certain
vitamin deficiencies they may be reversed during the
medical workup, your health care provider will review your
medical history. He or she will want to know about any current
and past illnesses, as well as any medications you are taking.
The doctor will also ask about key medical conditions affecting
other family members, including whether they may have had
Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.

MEDICAL WORKUP:

 Physical exam and diagnostic tests

During a medical workup, you can expect the physician to:
Ask about diet, nutrition and use of alcohol.
Review all medications. (Bring a list or the containers of
all medicines currently being taken, including over-thecounter drugs and supplements.)
Check blood pressure, temperature and pulse.
Listen to the heart and lungs.
Perform other procedures to assess overall health.
Collect blood or urine samples for laboratory testing.

Be prepared for the doctor to ask:

What kind of symptoms have you noticed?
When did they begin?
How often do they happen?
Have they gotten worse?
Having a family member or caregiver with you to provide
input can be helpful.
Information from a physical exam and laboratory tests can
help identify health issues that can cause symptoms of
dementia. Conditions other than Alzheimer's that may cause
confused thinking, trouble focusing or memory problems
include anemia, depression, infection, diabetes, kidney
disease, liver disease, certain vitamin deficiencies, thyroid
abnormalities, and problems with the heart, blood vessels and
lungs.
Genetic testing:

Researchers have identified certain genes that increase the

risk of developing Alzheimer's and other rare "deterministic"
genes that directly cause Alzheimer's. Although genetic tests
are available for some of these genes, health professionals do
not currently recommend routine genetic testing for
Alzheimer's disease.
Risk genes: While there is a blood test for APOE-e4, the
strongest risk gene for Alzheimer's, this test is mainly used in
clinical trials to identify people at higher risk of developing
Alzheimer's. Carrying this gene mutation only indicates a
greater risk; it does not indicate whether a person will develop
Alzheimer's or whether a person has Alzheimer's. Genetic
testing for APOE-e4 is controversial and should only be
undertaken after discussion with a physician or genetic
counselor.
Deterministic genes: Testing also is available for genes that
cause autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease (ADAD) or
"familial Alzheimer's," a rare form of Alzheimer's that accounts
for less than 5 percent of all cases. ADAD runs strongly in
families and tends to begin earlier in life. Many people in these
families do not wish to know their genetic status, but some get
tested to learn whether they will eventually develop the
disease. Some ADAD families have joined clinical studies to
help researchers better understand Alzheimer's
Neurological exam:
During a neurological exam, the physician will closely evaluate
the person for problems that may signal brain disorders other
than Alzheimers. The doctor will look for signs of small or
large strokes, Parkinson's disease, brain tumors, fluid
accumulation on the brain, and other illnesses that may impair
memory or thinking.
The physician will test:
Reflexes

 Coordination, muscle tone and strength

Eye movement
Speech
Sensation
If the evaluation does not indicate Alzheimer's disease or a
related dementia, but the symptoms continue to get worse
over time, your doctor may need to order more tests or you
may wish to get a second opinion.
NOTE: The neurological exam may also include a brain imaging
study.
Mental status tests:
Mental status testing evaluates memory, ability to solve simple
problems and other thinking skills.
Such tests give an overall sense of whether a person:
Is aware of symptoms
Knows the date, time, and where he or she is
Can remember a short list of words, follow instructions
and do simple calculations
The mini-mental state exam and the mini-cog test are two
commonly used tests.

Mini-mental state exam (MMSE):

During the MMSE, a health professional asks a patient a series
of questions designed to test a range of everyday mental
skills.

The maximum MMSE score is 30 points. A score of 20 to 24

suggests mild dementia, 13 to 20 suggest moderate dementia,
and less than 12 indicates severe dementia. On average, the
MMSE score of a person with Alzheimer's declines about two to
four points each year.
Mini-cog:
During the mini-cog, a person is asked to complete two tasks:
Remember and a few minutes later repeat the names of
three common objects.
Draw a face of a clock showing all 12 numbers in the right
places and a time specified by the examiner
The results of this brief test can help a physician determine if
further evaluation is needed.
Mood Assessment:
In addition to assessing mental status, the doctor will evaluate
a person's sense of well-being to detect depression or other
mood disorders that can cause memory problems, loss of
interest in life, and other symptoms that can overlap with
dementia.
Brain imaging:

A standard medical workup for Alzheimer's disease often

includes structural imaging with MRI or CT; these tests are
primarily used to rule out other conditions that may cause
symptoms similar to Alzheimer's but require different
treatment. Structural imaging can reveal tumors, evidence of
small or large strokes, damage from severe head trauma or a
buildup of fluid in the brain.
Imaging technologies have revolutionized our understanding of
the structure and function of the living brain. Researchers are
exploring whether the use of brain imaging may be expanded
to play a more direct role in diagnosing Alzheimer's and
detecting the disease early on.

Treatments-at-a-glance:

Generic

Brand

Approved
For

Side Effects

Donepezil

Aricept

All stages

Nausea, vomiting, loss of

appetite and increased
frequency of bowel
movements.

Galantamine

Razadyne

Mild to
moderate

Nausea, vomiting, loss of

appetite and increased
frequency of bowel
movements.

Memantine

Namenda

Moderate
to severe

Headache, constipation,
confusion and dizziness.

Rivastigmine Exelon

Mild to
moderate

Nausea, vomiting, loss of

appetite and increased
frequency of bowel
movements.

Vitamin E

Not
approved

Can interact with

antioxidants and
medications prescribed to
lower cholesterol or
prevent blood clots; may
slightly increase risk of
death.

Not
applicable

Treatment Horizon:

"The science of Alzheimer's has

advanced to show potential underlying drivers of the disease.
And we have candidate drugs we can test because of this basic
science knowledge."
- Richard Mohs, Ph.D.
A worldwide quest is under way to find new treatments to
stop, slow or even prevent Alzheimer's. Because new drugs
take years to produce from concept to marketand because
drugs that seem promising in early-stage studies may not work
as hoped in large-scale trialsit is critical that Alzheimer's and
related dementias research continue to accelerate. To ensure
that the effort to find better treatments receives the focus it
deserves, the Alzheimer's Association funds researchers
looking at new treatment strategies and advocates for more
federal funding of Alzheimer's research.
The hope for future drugs:
Currently, there are five FDA-approved Alzheimer's drugs that
treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's temporarily helping
memory and thinking problems in about half of the people who
take them. But these medications do not treat the underlying
causes of Alzheimer's.

In contrast, many of the new drugs in development aim to

modify the disease process itself, by impacting one or more of
the many wide-ranging brain changes that Alzheimer's causes.
These changes offer potential "targets" for new drugs to stop
or slow the progress of the disease. Many researchers believe
successful treatment will eventually involve a "cocktail" of
medications aimed at several targets, similar to current stateof-the-art treatments for many cancers and AIDS. Sign up for
our weekly e-news and stay up-to-date on the latest advances
in Alzheimer's treatments, care and research.
Targets for future drugs:
Over the last 30 years, researchers have made remarkable
progress in understanding healthy brain function and what
goes wrong in Alzheimer's disease. The following are examples
of promising targets for next-generation drug therapies under
investigation in current research studies:
Beta-amyloid is the chief component of plaques, one hallmark
Alzheimer's brain abnormality. Scientists now have a detailed
understanding of how this protein fragment is clipped from its
parent compound amyloid precursor protein (APP) by two
enzymes beta-secretase and gamma-secretase. Researchers
are developing medications aimed at virtually every point in
amyloid processing. This includes blocking activity of both
enzymes; preventing the beta-amyloid fragments from
clumping into plaques; and even using antibodies against
beta-amyloid to clear it from the brain. Several clinical trials of
investigational drugs targeting beta-amyloid are included
below in the key clinical trial summary.
Tau protein is the chief component of tangles, the other
hallmark brain abnormality. Researchers are investigating
strategies to keep tau molecules from collapsing and twisting
into tangles, a process that destroys a vital cell transport
system.

Inflammation is another key Alzheimer's brain abnormality.

Scientists have learned a great deal about molecules involved
in the body's overall inflammatory response and are working to
better understand specific aspects of inflammation most active
in the brain. These insights may point to novel antiinflammatory treatments for Alzheimer's disease
Insulin resistance and the way brain cells process insulin may
be linked to Alzheimer's disease. Researchers are exploring the
role of insulin in the brain and closely related questions of how
brain cells use sugar and produce energy. These investigations
may reveal strategies to support cell function and stave off
Alzheimer-related changes.
Gauging treatment impact with brain imaging and biomarkers:
In addition to investigating experimental drugs, many clinical
trials in progress include various brain imaging studies and
testing of blood or spinal fluid. Researchers hope these
techniques will one day provide methods to diagnose
Alzheimer's disease in its earliest, most treatable stages
possibly even before symptoms appear. Biomarkers may also
eventually offer better methods to monitor response to
treatment.
Learning from families with rare Alzheimer-causing genetic
changes:
Another new approach to testing experimental drugs to be
given before symptoms appear focuses on individuals with rare
genetic mutations that guarantee they'll eventually develop
Alzheimer's disease. All of these currently known mutations
affect beta-amyloid processing or production.

One project is the Alzheimer's Prevention Initiative (API), an

international public-private consortium established to conduct
research in an extended family in Antioquia, Colombia, in
South America. At 5,000 members, this family is the world's
largest in which a gene for familial (inherited) Alzheimer's has
been identified. Familial Alzheimer's disease is also known as
autosomal-dominant Alzheimer's disease (ADAD).
API's first clinical studies will test therapies targeting betaamyloid in family members who are known to carry the
Alzheimer's-causing gene but who have not yet experienced
symptoms. Delaying or preventing the appearance of
Alzheimer's in these family members could offer compelling
evidence for the promise of beta-amyloid as a therapeutic
target.

Alzheimer's Myths:

Myth 1: Memory loss is a natural part of aging.

Reality: As people age, it's normal to have occasional memory
problems, such as forgetting the name of a person you've
recently met. However, Alzheimer's is more than occasional
memory loss. It's a disease that causes brain cells to
malfunction and ultimately die

Myth 2: Alzheimers disease is not fatal.

Reality: Alzheimer's disease has no survivors. It destroys brain
cells and causes memory changes, erratic behaviors and loss
of body functions. It slowly and painfully takes away a person's
identity, ability to connect with others, think, eat, talk, walk
and find his or her way home
Myth 3: Only older people can get Alzheimer's
Reality: Alzheimer's can strike people in their 30s, 40s and
even 50s. This is called younger-onset Alzheimer's. It is
estimated that there are more than 5 million people living with
Alzheimers disease in the United States. This includes 5.2
million people age 65 and older and 200,000 people younger
than age 65 with younger-onset Alzheimers disease.
Myth 4: Drinking out of aluminum cans or cooking in aluminum
pots and pans can lead to Alzheimers disease.
Reality: During the 1960s and 1970s, aluminum emerged as a
possible suspect in Alzheimers. This suspicion led to concern
about exposure to aluminum through everyday sources such as
pots and pans, beverage cans, antacids and antiperspirants.
Since then, studies have failed to confirm any role for
aluminum in causing Alzheimers.
Myth 5: Aspartame causes memory loss.
Reality: This artificial sweetener, marketed under such brand
names as NutraSweet and Equal, was approved by the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in all foods and
beverages in 1996. Since approval, concerns about
aspartame's health effects have been raised. According to the
FDA, as of May 2006, the agency had not been presented with
any scientific evidence that would lead to change its
conclusions on the safety of aspartame for most people.
Myth 6: Flu shots increase risk of Alzheimers disease

Reality: A theory linking flu shots to a greatly increased risk of

Alzheimers disease has been proposed by a U.S. doctor whose
license was suspended by the South Carolina Board of Medical
Examiners. Several mainstream studies link flu shots and other
vaccinations to a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease and
overall better health.
Myth 7: Silver dental fillings increase risk of Alzheimer's
disease
Reality: According to the best available scientific evidence,
there is no relationship between silver dental fillings and
Alzheimer's. The concern that there could be a link arose
because "silver" fillings are made of an amalgam (mixture)
that typically contains about 50 percent mercury, 35 percent
silver and 15 percent tin. Mercury is a heavy metal that, in
certain forms, is known to be toxic to the brain and other
organs.
Myth 8: There are treatments available to stop the progression
of Alzheimer's disease
Reality: At this time, there is no treatment to cure, delay or
stop the progression of Alzheimer's disease. FDA-approved
drugs temporarily slow worsening of symptoms for about 6 to
12 months, on average, for about half of the individuals who
take them.

THANK YOU!!!