About a year ago, someone very close to me was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. When I received the news about this my heart broke, I thought she wasn't going to be able to remember who I was anymore, she would have to live in a nursing home, and that she would soon die. This was her biggest fear because she watched her brother and her mother slip away from Alzheimer's. I don't know much about this disease, so I figured this would be a perfect chance to find out a little information.
Alzheimer's disease is keeping scientists on their toes. They are not sure what exactly causes this extreme form of dementia to occur. They do know, however, that it is caused by protein misfolding, some forms are hereditary, but others are not. Alzheimer's disease is thought to be related to the beta-amyloid protein. Misfolded beta-amyloid gradually accumulates and forms larger structures, called fibrils, which are thought to cause the death of brain cells. One heritable form of the disease involves mutations within the beta-amyloid protein itself. These mutations can increase the tendency of the protein to misfold, heightening the risk for contracting the disease and causing it to start earlier.
One of the strongest genetic factors for Alzheimer's disease is the presence of a specific version of the apolipoprotein E gene. This protein is important for fat metabolism and while it is strongly linked with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease, there are no explanations as to why there is such a strong link. This gene is present in approximately 50% of Alzheimer's disease patients and is heritable.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for this disease. Medications can help slow it down, but it can not stop it. It's sad to see a loved one not remembering if they ate at all for the day, to see them forgetting who there friends are, and waking up in the middle of the night screaming because they don't know where they are at. If you know someone who has Alzheimer's you need to be supportive, and let them no that you are there for them.
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I feel really bad for people whom have Alzheimer's disease. I really wish there was a cure for it. I don't know if I could handle one of my family members having it and not being able to remember who I am. That would totally be heart breaking. I wasn't sure if it was hereditary or not. It is nice to know that it is and isn't hereditary. Thanks Amanda for the info.
ReplyDeleteAlzheimer's disease is so sad because that is horrible to not know who some of your friends and family are , it is heart breaking to see ones who suffer from it. It is sad that is not curable that the medication can help only a little but to help the full benefit for these patients that suffer from it. We all need to be supportive of these people because we have to put ourselves in there shoes, it is not a easy thing to go to.It makes think that we do not have it as bad as we may think we do, so have it way worse then we can ever imagine.
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