What is Alzheimer's disease? What are its symptoms and Treatment?

In our daily life, we forget some simple things. Sometimes we keep our belongings at some particular place, and we forget where we have kept them. This happens with each of us in our life.

But, if this happens to you in your everyday life, and you even forget about the recent activities you have done, then this is a disorder. And this disorder is known as Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease is an aging disease. It is also known as neurodegenerative disease. And, this degeneration of neurons is progressive.

This is progressive impairment of memory and activities of the brain.

Now it comes, how this disease is caused?

Senile plaques are formed in the vessels that reach the brain. Plaques are the fats that are accumulated in the blood vessels, that restrict blood circulation.  As a result of senile plaques,  tangles are formed in the parts of the brain. These tangles cause inflammation in the parts of the brain.

This inflammation destroys neurons. Along with it, neurotransmitters are also destroyed.

Mainly, neurotransmitter such as acetylcholine gets destroyed. Among our nerve cells, the Cholinergic nerve gets destroyed. This decreases the amount of Acetylcholine. 

 What are the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease?

One of the major symptoms of this disease is loss of memory. A person can't even recall his recent activities or daily activities.

As the neurotransmitter gets destroyed, a person suffers from depression, anxiety, and Insomnia.

Insomnia is a condition in which, a person suddenly behaves rudely with a loud voice.

The person also loses his ability to make a judgment. A person, who is affected by this disease, daily misplaces his or her belongings.

 What are the treatments available for this disease?

This disease is caused due to destruction of neurons. Neurons are the fundamental unit of our nervous system. This leads to the destruction of neurons along with neurotransmitters.

This increases the complexity of the problems. There's a need to prevent the death of the Cholinergic nerve. This disease is progressive. So the destruction of the cholinergic disease should be prevented. It becomes very much necessary to take certain treatments under such conditions.

As the death of the Cholinergic nerve is prevented, the level of the neurotransmitter called, acetylcholine gets increased. 

Mostly, the drugs which are used for the treatment of this disease affect the Cholinergic nerve and stimulate the secretion of the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine. These drugs improve the level of Acetylcholine.

It is very much important to note that, the treatments with these drugs depend only on the nerves that are surviving.

These drugs can't work on the dead nerves. What causes the decrease in the level of Acetylcholine?

The answer is, an enzyme known as Acetylcholine esterase is responsible for the esterification of acetylcholine and decreases its availability.

All those drugs which have an impact on CNS affect the presynaptic and presynaptic functions of the body, to show their effect.

They affect the synthesis, storage, and release of neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters bind with the receptors and bring a biological response.

What are the drugs that are used for the treatment of this disease?

The very first drug that was used for the treatment of this disease, is not used now because of dizziness, nausea, and vomiting, and abdominal cramps.

Instead of the first one, another drug is used, which has very few side effects. These drugs decrease the level of an enzyme called Cholinesterase.

Nootropic agents: These drugs increase the level of acetylcholine by decreasing the level of acetylcholinesterase.

Sometimes NSAIDs are also used for the treatment of this disease. NSAIDs delay the possibility of Alzheimer's disease. But exact mechanisms are not yet explained.

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