23138778-Alzheimer-s-Disease

Definition
Definition
•Alzheimer's disease is a physical disease
which attacks the brain resulting in
impaired memory, thinking and behaviour.
The disease is named for the German
physician, Alois Alzheimer who, in 1907,
first described it.

Two different types:
Two different types:
1. Sporadic Alzheimer's disease
•The disease can affect adults at any age,
but usually occurs after age 65
•Sporadic Alzheimer's disease is by far the
most common form of Alzheimer's disease
•It affects people who may or may not have
a family history of the disease

2. Familial Alzheimer's disease
•The disease runs in a few families and is very
rare
•If a parent has a mutated gene, each child has a
50% chance of inheriting it
•The presence of the gene means that the person
will eventually develop Alzheimer's disease,
usually in their 40's or 50's
•Familial Alzheimer's disease affects a very small
number of people

Neurochemical (deficiencies of neurotransmitters
Environmental (repeated head trauma or exposure to
aluminum and manganese)
Viral (slow CNS viruses)
Genetic immunologic (abnormalities in chromosomes 14
and 21)
Risk Factors