1. Alzheimer's Disease
Well, I am former president and California governor, Ronald Reagan. I died in 2004 from Alzheimer’s Disease. You might say I’m the world’s most famous victim of that terrible disease. So, let’s start by forming into small groups and listing what you know about Alzheimer’s Disease.
Students will be able to explain the causes, symptoms and long-term effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

2. I’m Simoncini’s mother-in-law, Cherie, another Alzheimer’s victim
I’m Simoncini’s mother-in-law, Cherie, another Alzheimer’s victim. What did you recall?
Students will be able to explain the causes, symptoms and long-term effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

3. Alzheimer's Disease Alzheimer’s Disease is a brain
disorder named for German
physician Alois Alzheimer, who
first described it in 1906.
It is a progressive and fatal
brain disease
> 5 million Americans
Destroys brain cells
Causes problems with memory, thinking and
behavior
Worsens over time; is fatal
7th leading cause of death in USA
Students will be able to explain the causes, symptoms and long-term effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

4. Alzheimer's Disease Most common form of dementia
Students will be able to explain the causes, symptoms and long-term effects of Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer's Disease
Most common form of dementia
(general term for loss of memory and other
intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere
with daily life.)

5. Alzheimer's Disease No current cure Current treatments can
make life better
Parts of cells’ “factories”
stop running well
Scientists not sure what
causes the cells to
malfunction
Eventually the cells die
Students will be able to explain the causes, symptoms and long-term effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

6. Alzheimer's Disease Two abnormal structures called plaques and
tangles are prime suspects in damaging and
killing nerve cells.
Plaques: build up between nerve cells
Tangles form inside dying cells
Most people develop some plaques and
tangles as they age; but those with
Alzheimer’s tend to develop far more
While scientists aren’t exactly sure what
roles plaques and tangles play in the disease,
most believe they block communication
among nerve cells and disrupt activities that
cells need to survive.
Students will be able to explain the causes, symptoms and long-term effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

7. Alzheimer's Disease Risk factors: Greatest: age
Likelihood of developing the
disorder doubles every 5
years after 65; after 85, the
risk is 50%
Family history—evidence that
it may be hereditary
Genes are involved
Strong link between serious head injury and
a future risk of developing Alzheimer’s
New (2011): link with Type II Diabetes
Strong evidence linking brain health to heart
health
Students will be able to explain the causes, symptoms and long-term effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

8. Alzheimer's Disease Ten warning signs of Alzheimer’s Memory Loss
Difficulty performing familiar tasks
Problems with language (forget simple words)
Disorientation to time & place
Poor or decreased judgment
Problems with abstract thinking
Misplacing things
Changes in mood or behavior
Changes in personality
Loss of initiative
Students will be able to explain the causes, symptoms and long-term effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

9. Alzheimer's Disease
In medicine, sundowning, also known as sundown syndrome, is a
syndrome involving the occurrence or increase of one or more
abnormal behaviors in a circadian rhythm. Sundowning typically
occurs during the late afternoon, evening, and night, hence the
name. It occurs in persons with certain forms of dementia and
psychosis, such as seen in Alzheimer's disease. Although not
widely surveyed, sundowning is estimated to occur in 45% of
persons diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. A person who
is sundowning may exhibit mood swings, become abnormally
demanding, suspicious, upset or disoriented, and see or hear
things that are not there in the late afternoon and evening.
After wandering, sundowning is the second most common type
of disruptive behavior in institutionalized persons with dementia.
Sundowning often co-occurs with wandering, and the combination
of these two syndromes is an important contributing factor to an
emergency situation: elopement at night. The cause of
sundowning is unknown, but may be related to disturbed
circadian rhythm.
Students will be able to explain the causes, symptoms and long-term effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

10. Alzheimer's Disease
Students will be able to explain the causes, symptoms and long-term effects of Alzheimer’s disease.