1. By: Laine Lyles
Alzheimer’s Disease

2. Case Background 78 year old man Confusing names of relatives
Having trouble controlling emotions
Having trouble making simple calculations
Does not remember how to play a card game
Adamant on the fact that he is clean
Trouble recognizing people that he has known for years
Trouble finding items such as glasses and keys

3. What happens in the brain?
When Alzheimer’s Disease begins the brain actually begins losing cells and tissue.
Electrical signals cannot be sent between cells.
The brain begins to lose synapses and nerve cells.
Neurotransmitters cannot travel between cells.

4. Alzheimer’s Stages
Alzheimer’s is commonly classified into three different stages:
Early
Mild or Moderate
Severe

5. Early Alzheimer’s In the Early Stage of Alzheimer’s:
The brain begins losing some of its synapses and cells begin dying.
Tau’s begin tangling
Tau’s control the lining up of the proteins in the brain, and when they begin tangling the proteins are no longer aligned, they begin to die, and nutrients cannot be transported to the areas of the brain where they need to be.
Proteins form in the areas between nerve cells
Beta amyloid pieces in the brain begin to stick together and prevent signals from being transmitted between cells.
Mainly effects frontal cortex and the hippocampus.

6. Mild or Moderate Stage
In the Mild or Moderate Stage the brain continues losing tissue and nerve cells due to lack of nutrients.
Tangles and proteins continue forming.
Person begins losing memories, having trouble organizing thoughts, and remembering familiar people. They may also have trouble expressing themselves and dealing with money.
This stage is when most people are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.

7. Severe Stage
In the Severe Stage of Alzheimer’s Disease people have excessive nerve cell and tissue loss, and have a very shrunken hippocampus.
They can no longer communicate or take care of themselves.

8. How long does each stage last?
In a typical Alzheimer’s patient:
The Early Stage
Begins about 20 years before diagnosis
The Mild or Moderate Stage
Lasts from 2 to 10 years
The Severe Stage
Lasts from 1 to 5 years
Most people with Alzheimer’s live from 8 to 20 years after diagnosis.

9. Life with Alzheimer’s People with Alzheimer’s will:
Begin to have trouble communicating with others
Need the assistance of a caregiver
Need constant labels or reminders in order to remember important information or people
Need assistance bathing or remembering to bathe
May need assistance in choosing what to wear
Should only drive in the earliest stage if able, and only on familiar roads for short periods of time.
Need assistance remembering to eat or preparing meals
Need assistance in regulating sleep patterns
Need assistance using the restroom or may need to wear adult diapers.
Need attention to prevent wandering.

10. Pictures

11. Occupations that Help Gerontologist Neurologist
Assist elderly in coping
Bachelor’s Degree
$39,530 a year
Neurologist
Deal with disorders of the nervous system
Diagnose illnesses and prescribe treatments
Bachelor’s Degree, Complete Medical School, 3 to 8 years of internship and residency
$193,667 a year

12. Sources http://www.alz.org/braintour/tour_links.asp