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Alzheimer’s

What is Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive degenerative neurologic disease that causes premature loss of brain cells leading to progressive memory loss and cognitive failure over time. It is the most common cause of the clinical condition we call dementia, and it leads to a continuous decline in thinking, behavioral and social skills that ultimately limits a person’s ability to function independently. Although some memory changes are seen with normal aging, this degree of memory impairment is not part of the normal aging process.

Symptoms

In the beginning, changes in memory can be subtle and often difficult to recognize from normal aging. The patient may not appreciate these changes themselves but, over time, the need for reminders and repetition become increasingly obvious to family members and friends.
A person with Alzheimer’s disease may not be able to communicate that he or she is experiencing pain, explain symptoms of another illness, follow a prescribed treatment plan, or explain medication side effects.
The most common early symptom is difficulty remembering newly learned information or problems with short-term recall.
As the disease progresses it leads to increasingly severe symptoms including:
  • Disorientation, mood, and behavior changes
  • Deepening confusion about events, time, and place
  • Unfounded suspicions about family, friends, and professional caregivers
  • More serious memory loss and behavior changes
  • Difficulty speaking, swallowing, and walking

Stages of Alzheimer’s

The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease worsen over time, although the rate at which the disease progresses varies person to person. 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 are separated into three categories: mild Alzheimer’s disease, moderate Alzheimer’s disease and severe Alzheimer’s disease. It may be difficult to place a person with Alzheimer’s in a specific stage as stages may overlap.

Early Stage

Mild Symptoms
Still functioning independently
Symptoms:
  • Difficulty recalling words and names
  • Trouble with organization
  • Work and social tasks

Middle Stage

Moderate Symptoms
Longest stage - increased level of care
Symptoms:
  • Fear of being alone
  • Sundowning behaviour
  • Wandering
  • Delusions & Compulsions

Late Stage

Severe Symptoms
Round-the-clock care
Symptoms:
  • Lose awareness of surroundings & experiences
  • Decreased physical abilities
  • Difficulty communicating

Diagnosing Alzheimer’s

There is no single diagnostic test that can determine if a person has Alzheimer’s disease. Our doctors use a variety of approaches and tools to help make a diagnosis, such as:
  • Medical History and Genetic Testing
  • Mental Cognitive Status Tests
  • Physical Exams
  • Neurological Exams
  • Brain Imaging, most commonly MRI or CT
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Researchers trying to understand the cause of Alzheimer’s disease are focused on the role of two proteins, beta amyloid and neurofibrillary tangles.

Amyloid Plaques (Beta-Amyloid)

Created by clustering fragments of larger proteins, these deposits appear to have a toxic effect on neurons and can disrupt cell-to-cell communication.

Neurofibrillary Tangles

Created when tau proteins change shape and reorganize themselves, these tangles can disrupt the neuron transport system and are toxic to cells.

Risk Factors

The greatest known risk factor is increasing age, and the majority of people with Alzheimer’s are 65 and older. If it affects a person under 65 years old it is considered to be younger-onset, or early-onset, Alzheimer’s.
  • Family History: Those who have a parent, brother or sister with Alzheimer’s are more likely to develop the disease. The risk increases if more than one family member has the illness.
  • Genetics: Scientists know of two categories of genes that influence whether a person develops a disease: risk genes and deterministic genes. Alzheimer's genes have been found in both categories. It is estimated that less than 1% of Alzheimer’s cases are caused by deterministic genes (genes that cause a disease, rather than increase the risk of developing a disease).
  • Head Injury: There is a link between head injury and future risk of dementia. Protect your brain by buckling your seat belt, wearing your helmet when participating in sports, and “fall-proofing” your home.
  • Heart Health: Research has shown that the same risk factors associated with heart disease may also increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease. These include: lack of exercise, obesity, smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, poorly controlled type 2 diabetes.
These factors can all be modified. Therefore, changing lifestyle habits can to some degree alter your risk. For example, regular exercise and a healthy low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables are associated with a decreased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Lifestyle: One promising line of research suggests that strategies for overall healthy aging may help keep the brain healthy and may even reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other dementias. These measures include eating a healthy diet, staying socially active, avoiding tobacco and excess alcohol, and exercising both the body and mind.
  • Lifelong learning and social engagement: Studies have found an association between lifelong involvement in mentally and socially stimulating activities and a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease. Low education levels — less than a high school education — appear to be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.

Treating Alzheimer’s

There’s no cure for Alzheimer’s, but there are treatments that may change disease progression, and drug and non-drug options that may help treat symptoms such as behavior and sleep changes.
Understanding available options can help individuals living with the disease and their caregivers to cope with symptoms and improve quality of life, such as:

Helping people maintain brain health

Managing behavioral symptoms

Slowing or delaying symptoms of the disease

Living with Alzheimer’s

​Alzheimer’s disease is not a preventable condition. However, several lifestyle risk factors for Alzheimer’s can be modified. Evidence suggests that changes in diet, exercise, and habits — steps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease — may also lower your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other disorders that cause dementia.
During the early stage, it’s possible for people with dementia to live well by taking control of their health and wellness and focusing their energy on aspects of their life that are most meaningful to them. Some ways to live well with Alzheimer’s include:

Keep valuables in the same place at home, so they don’t become lost.

Keep track of medications and finances.

Install alarm sensors on doors and windows.

Remove excess furniture, clutter, and throw rugs.

Keep photographs and other meaningful objects around the house.

For someone with Alzheimer’s, establishing and strengthening routine habits and minimizing memory-demanding tasks can make life much easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Know you are not alone! At ANI we have a care team dedicated to creating a customized treatment plan with you. We also offer a number of internal and external resources, such as financial assistance through our Patient Support Fund and support groups through the Alzheimer’s Association.

Getting checked by a doctor can help determine if the symptoms you are experiencing are related to Alzheimer’s disease, or a more treatable conditions such as a vitamin deficiency or a side effect from medication. Early and accurate diagnosis also provides opportunities for you and your family to consider financial planning, develop advance directives, enroll in clinical trials, and anticipate care needs.

Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other cognitive abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases.

There is no known cure for Alzheimer’s today, however, a landmark new treatment, aducanumab (Aduhelm™), was given FDA approval in 2021. It is the first therapy to demonstrate that removing amyloid, one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease, from the brain is reasonably likely to reduce cognitive and functional decline in people living with early Alzheimer’s.

To speak with your doctor today about creating a treatment plan that’s right for you, call us at 404-351-0205.

Alzheimer's is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. On average, a person with Alzheimer's lives 4 to 8 years after diagnosis but can live as long as 20 years, depending on other factors. If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer’s make an appointment with one of our team members today at 404-351-0205 so we can create a care plan together that’s right for your needs.

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We encourage you to explore and learn what resources are available to you to support you and your loved ones through your diagnosis.
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