Alzheimer’s: A Degenerative Disease

Introduction As a rule dead neurons in the adult central nervous system (CNS) are not replaced nor can their terminals regenerate when their axons are interrupted. Therefore any pathological process causing neuronal death generally has irreversible consequences. Alzheimer disease (AD) is a disabling senile dementia, the loss of reasoning and ability to care for oneself that afflicts about 11% of the population over age 65. Claiming over 100,000 lives a year, AD is the fourth leading cause of death among the elderly after heart disease, cancer and stroke. The cause of most AD cases is still unknown but evidence suggests it is due to a combination of genetic factors, environmental or lifestyle factors and the aging process. AD is first characterized by Alois Alzheimer in 1907, it is a gradually progressive dementia affecting cognition, behavior and functional status. The exact pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying AD are not entirely known and no cure exists. Although drugs may reduce AD symptoms for a time, the disease is eventually fatal. AD profoundly affects the family as well as the patient. The need for supervision and assistance increases until the late stages of the disease, when AD patients become totally dependent on a family member, spouse or other caregiver for all of their basic needs.