What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Neurons and Neurotransmitters Neurons are cells inside the brains. Chemical transmitters (neurotransmitters) which transport electrical messages between the cells and carry them from one part of the brain to another. Alzheimer's Disease causes the death of neurons.

Second image of brain shows fewer neurons

GlaxoSmithKline is a Pharmaceutical Company which is investigating the theory that metabolism of glucose or the making of glucose is a key cause of Alzheimer’s Disease. Images courtesy of Gary Small, M.D., UCLA Medical Center s/issue1/alzheimers.html

Previous slide: Left brain is normal / right brain has Alzheimer’s The red–orange colour shows normal levels of metabolism of glucose using an imaging -technique on two brains: one normal (on the left), the other with Alzheimer’s (on the right). The right brain has low levels of glucose. Glucose powers the brain and the right brain is not making use of glucose in the effective way the left brain is doing.

amyloid plaques Alzheimer’s Disease produces the formation of amyloid plaque on nerve endings in the brain Studies suggest that the plaque can form in one day Scientists are working on medication which prevents amyloid plaque from developing

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Alzheimer’s Short-term memory loss Mild personality changes Problems with thinking in an abstract way Problems with organising Confusion/disorientation Loss of bowel/bladder control Green = early stages / blue = later stages

Who is likely to develop Alzheimer’s? 417,000 people in UK have Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s is most common type of dementia Affects 1/14 people over 65 15,000 under 65 have it also

Possible factors in development Age - over 65s more likely Genetic inheritance - few cases Severe head injuries may increase potential to develop later in life High blood pressure/high cholesterol

Alzheimer’s Society 250 locations in UK Provide help and information to those with Alzheimer's and their carers Offers the help of volunteers to carers Raises money to support the Society Invests £1.5 million each year into ‘Quality Research in Dementia Programme’

Now take the quiz on myths and facts about Alzheimer’s Take it on -line via If the internet is not available, your tutor will give you a hard copy of the test on the website page.