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Alzheimer's Disease
(NR001)

Introduction

Alzheimer's Disease is defined by the National Institute on Aging as progressive, irreversible declines in memory, performance of routine tasks, time and space orientation, language and communication skills, abstract thinking, and the ability to learn and carry out mathematical calculations. Other symptoms include personality changes and impaired judgement.

The hallmark changes of AD are dense deposits (neuritic plaques) of a protein fragment called beta amyloid outside the nerve cells (neurons) in the brain, and twisted strands (neurofibrillary tangles) of a protein called tau inside the cells. There is a loss of these neurons' connections (synapses) with other neurons in areas of the brain that are vital to memory and other mental abilities. This process is thought to also cause an inflammatory response, which has lead to the investigation of anti-inflammatory medications as an adjunctive therapy. In addition to the loss of neurons, there are also lower levels of chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the brain that carry complex messages back and forth between millions of nerve cells.

A team approach utilizing the expertise of the primary health care provider, nursing, and social work together with the patient, significant others, and caregivers is usually the most effective approach in treating AD. Other disciplines may, at times, be very important members of this team, including physical or occupational therapy, speech therapy, psychiatry, case management, support groups, clergy and hospice.

MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information

The Medifocus Guide on Alzheimer's Disease provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:


What Your Doctor Reads:

This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:


MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information

MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.

MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.

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