Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive non-reversible form of dementia or mental impairment caused by aging. It destroys brain cells, memory, and eventually causes mental impairment. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia — a group of brain disorders that cause the loss of intellectual and social skills; affects memory, thinking and behavior.
The Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease
The most common symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease are:
- Memory loss - not recognizing familiar people, misplacing things
- Difficulty in planning and performing familiar tasks
- Trouble finding the right words, expressing thoughts and having a conversation
- Disorientation to time and place
- Making judgements and decisions
- Changes in behavior and personality
- Difficulty in multitasking.
Treatment for Alzheimer's Disease
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease at this time and no treatment available to reverse the deterioration of the disease. However, research is underway to see if radiation may reduce amyloid, proteins that build up on the arteries of the brain, to improve memory function.
Your Michigan Head & Spine Institute doctor will consider the following when determining your treatment plan:
- Age, overall health and medical history
- Extent of the disease
- Medication tolerance, procedures and therapies
- Expectations.
Medications that may be prescribed for some symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, including the following:
- Depression
- Behavioral disturbance
- Sleeplessness.
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