Alzheimer's disease is a neuro-degenerative, age-related disorder defined by forgetfulness. At Aster Hospitals, the neurology department offers best-in-class treatment for patients suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementias. The trained faculty at Aster CMI, which includes geriatric physicians, neurosurgeons, and psychologists, help rehabilitate patients who have difficulty remembering recent events or forget their past lives and those in them.
The typical onset of Alzheimer's is after 65, but it is not part of the normal aging process. Alzheimer's is a disease that affects 1/8th part of the population, and women are more affected than men.
Symptoms of Alzheimer's
- Trouble with focusing on one thing
- Difficulty in wearing clothes
- Mental confusion
- Feeling depressed
- Dramatic change in emotions
- Loss of direction
- Poor limb coordination
- Trouble in communication
Though the main reason for Alzheimer's is not known, a combination of factors is most likely responsible. These factors include:
- Nerve cell entangling.
- Protein plaque buildup in certain parts of the brain. A blood protein called ApoE is thought to be responsible for this disease's progression.
Other precipitating factors include:
- Genetics
- Head injury
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- History of mental illnesses
Types of Alzheimer's
Early onset Alzheimer’s
- It is a rare condition.
- It, usually, shows signs in the 40s or 50s; an individual is more susceptible if they have a parent with Alzheimer’s.
- Down's syndrome cases have a higher chance of developing it.
- Defects in chromosome 14 and muscle twitching are the defining characteristics of early-onset Alzheimer’s.
Late-onset Alzheimer’s
- More likely to occur after 65 years of age.
- The actual cause is not known.
Familial Alzheimer’s
- It is Alzheimer's that runs in families, that is, if more than two generations have a member suffering from the disease.
- Constitutes 1% of all Alzheimer's cases.
Dementia
It is defined by the loss of rational thinking, reasoning, and remembering basic things in everyday life. It is an age-related disorder but can happen at any stage in life. Dementia can be categorized as mild to moderate to severe, where the person has to depend on someone else for everyday tasks. Dementias can also cause extreme changes in personalities and emotional states.
Dementia is a common condition affecting a large part of the population over 80 years of age, though it cannot be labeled as a normal part of aging. It is reportedly associated with the gradual loss and death of healthy neurons. Alzheimer's is also a type of dementia.
Symptoms of dementia include:
- Memory loss, judgment issues
- Confusion
- Feelings of anxiety
- Forgetfulness
- Difficulty in speech and communication
- Difficulty in hearing and interpreting
- Unable to manage money
- Taking more time to complete regular tasks
- Becoming over-emotional/stressed over minor issues
- Experiencing hallucinations and paranoia
- Impulsive behavior
- Anger issues
- Disregard for others' feelings
- Balance and movement issues
Dementia involves a progression of degeneration and loss of neural tissue, possibly due to genetic variants. However, the main causative reason is still unknown.
Types of dementia
AD type dementia
- Frontotemporal dementia: Can occur anytime after 60 years of age
- Lewy body dementia: Abnormal deposition of the protein alpha-synuclein makes Lewy bodies, which can cause dementia.
- Vascular dementia: Dementia caused by blood-related problems, like obstruction in the regular flow or a ruptured blood vessel.
- Mixed dementia: This can be due to a mix of the above reasons.
Much research is underway to look for causes of dementias to help manage and treat them better. Always rule out benign forgetfulness of elderly before a diagnosis of dementia.
Health Conditions Treated
- Alzheimer Disease
- Dementia with Lewy bodies
- Vascular dementia
- Frontotemporal dementia
FAQs
At Aster Hospitals we provide the highest quality of care and a transformative experience for all your healthcare needs. With our network of multi-speciality hospitals, specialised doctors, and world-class technology, we bring global standards of medical care to our patients.
Which is the simplest test for dementia?
The Mini-Cog test is a simple 3-minute test to help diagnose early dementia.
What is the permanent treatment for dementia?
As of today, there is no permanent cure for dementia.
Which vitamin deficiency is also a risk factor for developing Alzheimer's in old age?
Vitamin D deficiency is a serious risk factor for developing Alzheimer's.
What is the first line of treatment for dementia?
Ace inhibitors are used to increase the amount of acetylcholine (neurotransmitter). This helps to increase the activity between the nervous tissue of the brain and keep it more active.
What is the five-word test for Alzheimer's?
It is a standard test to assess cognitive abilities in old patients screened for Alzheimer's. The physician asks the patient to choose a list of five random words and asks them to repeat the exact words after a short time. This is carried on for 3 to 4 cycles.
What is the leading cause of Alzheimer's?
Most research point toward a combination of lifestyle, genetic, and environmental factors influencing the degeneration of nerve cells, which can cause various types of dementia.
Can oral bacteria cause Alzheimer's?
Scientists have found that an oral bacteria called Porphyromonas gingivalis can migrate from the mouth to the brain. It then releases enzymes that break down nerve cells. This increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's in old age.
What is the life expectancy with Alzheimer’s disease?
As per the latest studies, the life expectancy can be approximately 8 to 10 years with Alzheimer's. It is less if the patient is diagnosed at 70 to 80 years.
Advanced Technology & Facilities
Aster Hospitals are one of the leading medical destinations for people looking for a proper diagnosis and treatment of dementia, especially Alzheimer's. It is a difficult journey for the patient and family alike. Therefore, at Aster Hospitals, we have the latest equipment and test facilities so that a loved one gets the treatment they need. Our experienced panel of doctors, including neurologists, neuropsychologists, physiologists, geriatricians, and psychologists, all come together to give the patient the best quality of life possible.
Diagnostic tests
Cognitive tests and questionnaires
A list of tests and interviews, such as SAGE, MMSE, ACE-III, and MOCA, conducted by medical specialists to help decide on the diagnosis. These tests assess:
- Problem-solving
- Math solving
- Logical reasoning
- Language skills
- Balance test
Scans:
CT and MRI
Magnetic resonance and computer imaging are used to check for tumors, infections, and lesions which can cause dementia.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
A PET scan uses radiation to create images of different brain regions depending on energy use or specific molecules
Tauvid tracer
A Tauvid tracer is also used to locate protein deposits (ApoE, alpha-synuclein) and Tau tangles (a protein called Tau that appears tangled).
Psychiatric evaluation
It helps to look for mental illness and other behavioral issues.
Genetic testing
Rare cases of Alzheimer's or dementia may require genetic counseling and testing to look for family-inherited diseases.
CSF tests
CSF (cerebral spinal fluid) is the transparent fluid that forms a covering around the brain and the spinal cord. A doctor can do a lumbar puncture or spinal tap and get a sample for CSF to detect abnormal levels of proteins that can cause Alzheimer's and other dementias.ˀˀ
PrecivityAD test
It tests for beta-amyloid and ApoE in blood
