Author Question: What has research shown concerning the possible causes of Alzheimer's disease? What will be an ... (Read 27 times)

Jkov05

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 556
What has research shown concerning the possible causes of Alzheimer's disease?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What signs and symptoms distinguish depression from dementia?
 
  What will be an ideal response?



diesoon

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 353
Answer to Question 1

On autopsy, the brains of persons with Alzheimer's disease show two distinctive characteristics: tangled clumps of nerve cells and patches of nerve-cell branches called plaques. The neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, is involved in learning and memory. Patients with Alzheimer's disease have dramatic reductions in the amount of acetylcholine produced in the brain. A strong correlation exists between the amount of loss of acetylcholine in the brain and the severity of dementia. The genetic basis for many cases of early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease is now established. Some studies have linked Alzheimer's disease to abnormalities on chromosome 21, which has been identified as the location for the gene for a protein called beta amyloid, which is found in the characteristic clumps and plaques of this disease. However, it is not clear if beta amyloid is the cause or the result of brain cell degeneration. The degeneration may be due to the protein called apolipoprotein E (Apo E). A high percentage of Alzheimer's patients have at least one gene coding for this type of Apo E protein known as E4.

Answer to Question 2

The progression of depression is uneven and occurs over a period of weeks; the progression of dementia is even and occurs over a period of months or years. A person with depression complains about memory loss; a person with dementia denies or hides memory loss. The symptoms of depression are often worse in the morning; those of dementia are worse later in the day or when fatigued. The depressed person is aware of his or her disability, whereas the demented person is not. Alcohol and drug abuse are common among people with depression, but rare among people with dementia.



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question


 

Did you know?

Before a vaccine is licensed in the USA, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviews it for safety and effectiveness. The CDC then reviews all studies again, as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Every lot of vaccine is tested before administration to the public, and the FDA regularly inspects vaccine manufacturers' facilities.

Did you know?

Famous people who died from poisoning or drug overdose include, Adolf Hitler, Socrates, Juan Ponce de Leon, Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland, and John Belushi.

Did you know?

Stevens-Johnson syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis syndrome are life-threatening reactions that can result in death. Complications include permanent blindness, dry-eye syndrome, lung damage, photophobia, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, permanent loss of nail beds, scarring of mucous membranes, arthritis, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Many patients' pores scar shut, causing them to retain heat.

Did you know?

Pope Sylvester II tried to introduce Arabic numbers into Europe between the years 999 and 1003, but their use did not catch on for a few more centuries, and Roman numerals continued to be the primary number system.

Did you know?

In 1844, Charles Goodyear obtained the first patent for a rubber condom.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library