Alzheimer’s Disease - Information Page

Alzheimer’s disease is now the most common form of dementia in older people causing a progressive degeneration of the brain. Estimated at affecting 1 in 10 people over the age of 65 Alzheimer’s affects the memory centers of the mind.

Alois Alzheimer a German physician first discovered the disease back in 1906 but it has only really been in the world’s focus for just over 30 years. Studies show that your greatest risk of acquiring Alzheimer’s is advancing age. Many people experiencing the first signs of Alzheimer’s are unwilling to admit to themselves or others that there is anything wrong. The available anti cancer drugs have distinct mechanisms of action which may vary in their effects on different types of normal and cancer cells.

As far as treatment is concerned, Alzheimer’s disease is treated in the same manner as other types of dementia. Some drugs can now slow down and sometimes improve the symptoms but so far no treatment has been discovered that can cure the disorder. At the moment, three drugs are used routinely to treat sufferers all of which have been approved by the FDA, Donepezil, Tacrine, and Rivastigmine.

Patients with mild to severe Alzheimer’s who are already receiving Donepezil are now given Memantine as an alternative. More than 80 percent of the Memantine excreted are unchanged by the kidneys.

Alzheimer’s disease has become a major issue as it is already the fourth largest killer in the United States. There is already 40 billion American dollars spent every year on treatment and this amount is set to rise. Last year alone, the National Institute on Aging spent nearly one-half of its budget on research related to this insidious disease.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is one proven method you can use to reduce the risks of contracting dementia. Some researchers into the disease have found that patients who are happy and healthy with Alzheimer’s, slow down the rate of their mental decline. This disease is still almost exclusively and aging condition and incidences of younger victims are rare.