The history of Alzheimer's disease
Because throughout history of progressive mental deterioration has been detected in old age and described. But it was only the beginning of the 20th Century, in 1906, identified the German physician Dr. Alois Alzheimer (1864-1915) the symptoms of abnormal brain cells. He argued the case of a woman who died after years of severe memory problems in complete confusion. After her death he took before an autopsy on her brain and described dense deposits around the outside of nerve cells (plaques). Inside the nerve cells he found twisted slivers (fibrils). Degenerative brain disease that now bears his name. Even today, the Alzheimer's disease are clearly identified only by an autopsy.
Much could be explored about the nature of the plaques and tangles and the destruction processes affected by these brain regions in recent decades. In addition, the research penetrates deeper and deeper into the genetic factors that contribute to Alzheimer's disease. Four genes have been identified. Three of these genes (on chromosomes 1, 14 and 21) correlate with the early form of Alzheimer's disease. A gene (on chromosome 19) increases the risk of developing the disease in old age. suffice in most cases, the genetic risk factors alone to cause the disease. Today it is clear that many other factors are involved and the researchers look for it.
In the last few years in Germany four drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease were admitted. None of them can actually cure the disease. But do bear in order to delay the disease process and to mitigate the symptoms.
Although Alzheimer's is still only one hundred percent can be diagnosed by an autopsy, doctors are able today are almost certainly provide an accurate diagnosis. By observing the course of the disease, perform medical tests, test methods use, memory performance measure and assess the psychological status, manage the exact delimitation of the disease. An early diagnosis is important because the available treatments work best when they are used in an early stage of the disease.
There is no treatment that could cure Alzheimer's disease. People suffering from the disease today can rely only on drugs that control symptoms and / or slow the progression of the disease.