Diagnosing Patient #2 The two studs (you know who we are) (Zach and Jack in case you didn’t know)

Symptoms Confusing the names of relatives Trouble controlling emotions Trouble completing simple calculations (was a math major) Memory loss Will not shower; convinced he is clean Trouble recognizing people

Diagnosis: Alzheimer’s Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia Develops slowly and worsens over time Severe enough to interfere with daily tasks Not a normal part of aging, but is most prominent in senior citizens

Problems within the Brain Patients symptoms include learning and memory disorders Problems occur within the temporal lobe Nerve cell death and tissue loss Plaques build up between nerve cells Tangles form on nerve cells

More on Plaques Come from beta-amyloid Beta cells are sticky Clump together to form plaques Plaques may block cell-to-cell communication at the synapse May also trigger immune system cells that attack disabled cells

More on Tangles Destroy vital cell transport system made of proteins In healthy areas: Transport system is arranged in neat uniform lines Protein called tau keeps the tracks straight In tangled areas: Tau collapses into twisted strands (called tangles) Tracks fall apart and disintegrate Nutrients can no longer reach the cells, which then die

Treatment of Alzheimer’s No known cures Drug and non-drug treatments may help with both cognitive and behavioral symptoms Scientists are constantly looking for treatments and cures