Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease

Dr Aparna Vijay Kumar
September 20, 2020

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Alzheimer’s disease is a common cause of dementia. Dementia is a general term for loss of memory. Along with loss of short term memory, individuals develop loss of reasoning and thinking; as well as behaviour disturbances.

It is not just a disease of old age, though, it is often seen above 65 years of age. In less than 10% of cases, it is seen in patients between 40 to 60 years of age. It starts with difficulty in learning new things which shows impact on working memory, getting lost in familiar places followed by forgetting people, emotional and behavioural disturbances subsequently leading to a mute, bed bound state.

It is due to death of brain cells or neurons in memory area of the brain causing loss of connectivity with other neurons by the deposition of abnormal protein beta amyloid and tau. What causes this formation of protein is still under research. A combination of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors is implicated.

The presence of apolipoprotein gene (APOE ) increases the risk but neither all individuals with the gene develop the disease nor all individuals with Alzheimer’s disease have this gene. Presence of metabolic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, obesity, obstructive sleep apnea; diet and level of physical and mental activity also are implicated.

Diagnosis is only by clinical history and neurological examination. Imaging like SPECT, PET and MRI brain help in confirmation and ruling out treatable causes of dementia.

It is a slowly progressive disease with no cure as brain cells do not regenerate. Treatment with drugs aims at controlling the symptoms and slowing the progression by regulating the level of neurotransmitters or chemicals.

Care givers have a very challenging and important role in management of patients as caring of a person with Alzheimer’s disease causes physical and financial burden. Care givers also need support to cope up with the stress of handling their loved ones.

The take home message is that a healthy diet and regular exercise early on in life reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Healthy diet and regular exercise also prevent life style diseases like diabetes, hypertension, obesity and heart problems. Regular walking increases the level of a chemical brain derived neurotrophic factor( BNF) which potentiates memory.

A Mediterranean style of diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, legumes, olive oil has been shown to prevent the progression of disease in patients with minimal cognitive decline, a precursor of Alzheimer’s disease. Diet rich in curcumin, omega-3 fatty acids and cocoa have proven benefits with vitamin B12,D, E  and folate supplements.

 

Dr Aparna Vijay Kumar Senior Neurologist, Citizens Specialty Hospital

Comments

S C Sharma
 - 
Tuesday, 22 Sep 2020

Very informative article explaining in simplest language.

rmangala raman
 - 
Monday, 21 Sep 2020

Highly informative beneficial and clearly simplified to reach common man. Thank you.

S.Bhagyam Sharma
 - 
Monday, 21 Sep 2020

Very good information thank you very much Dr Aparna

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News Network
November 10,2024

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Mangaluru: A tragic accident took place on Saturday at Chembugudde near Thokkottu, claiming the life of a 47-year-old woman after a tanker lorry ran over her. The victim, identified as Rahmat H Rashid, was riding pillion with her husband, Abdul Rashid G, on their scooter. 

The couple was traveling from Yenepoya Hospital to Bajpe when the scooter skidded on the poorly maintained road. Rahmat fell onto the road and was fatally struck by a tanker lorry that was coming from behind. Despite being rushed to the hospital, doctors declared her dead upon arrival.

The incident prompted a swift response from the DYFI Ullal Taluk Committee, which staged a protest on Saturday night, condemning the unsafe condition of the road. Nithin Kuthar, president of the committee, criticized MLA and Legislative Assembly Speaker UT Khader for failing to ensure safe infrastructure, despite touting the road as toll-free. 

Kuthar demanded immediate repairs, warning that the committee would march to the MLA’s office with black flags if the road is not fixed within a week.

Former DYFI State President Sunil Kumar Bajal also voiced frustration over the deteriorating condition of Thokkottu market, highlighting the struggles people face while crossing roads riddled with dangerous potholes. In response to public outcry, temporary repairs were made to the road at Chembugudde on Sunday, though locals remain wary and demand a more permanent solution. 

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News Network
November 11,2024

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Udupi, Nov 11: The Karkala town police in Udupi have arrested Krishna Naik, the sculptor responsible for installing a 33-foot Parashurama statue at Umikkal Hill in Bailur, Karkala taluk. 

Naik, the owner of Krish Art World and a resident of Bengaluru's Visvesvaraya Layout, was apprehended in Mahe, part of the Union Territory of Puducherry, for allegedly substituting a look-alike statue in place of a genuine bronze figure at the Parashurama Theme Park in Karkala.

Udupi Superintendent of Police Dr. Arun K confirmed the arrest, stating that Naik faces charges under Sections 420 (cheating) and 409 (criminal breach of trust) of the Indian Penal Code. 

This legal action followed a complaint lodged in June by Krishna Shetty, a resident of Nallur village, Karkala. Shetty claimed that Naik had received a payment of ₹1,25,50,000 from Udupi Nirmithi Kendra for the installation of a bronze Parashurama statue. However, Naik allegedly deceived the government by installing a replica instead.

The statue was unveiled on January 27, 2023, by then Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. Current Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has since ordered a CID investigation to probe deeper into the alleged fraud surrounding the statue's installation at the theme park.

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News Network
November 12,2024

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The UN humanitarian coordinator for Lebanon has warned that the “picture of life in Lebanon remains grim,” highlighting an "alarming" level of human suffering and significant humanitarian consequences due to the ongoing Israeli carnage.

Imran Riza, the UN Deputy Special Coordinator and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL), provided a stark overview of the Arab country's dire circumstances in a statement released on Monday.

“The current picture of life in Lebanon remains grim. Yesterday, airstrikes reportedly killed 23 people, including seven children, in the village of Aalmat in Mount Lebanon,” Riza said on X.

An airstrike in the city of Tyre on the same day resulted in the tragic deaths of five siblings from a single family, all of whom had special needs, according to his statement.

He added that in the last week, Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 241 individuals and left 642 others injured in Lebanon, as reported by the Ministry of Health.

“In the past month, more than 185,000 people have fled their homes in their search for safety within the country, bringing the total to over 870,000 people internally displaced,” Riza said

The UN official highlighted that numerous individuals, including the elderly and those with health issues, are staying behind while witnessing the ruins of their ancestral homes.

He urged for the swift safeguarding of civilian people and infrastructure, emphasizing the necessity to uphold international humanitarian law and end the ongoing violence.

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that Israeli forces bombed a house in the town of Maydoun in Bekaa on Monday night, killing three people and destroying the house.

Earlier, Israel bombed the northern town of Ain Yaaqoub, killing at least 14 people.

The killings came as Israeli military continued to pound Lebanon, bombing shops selling electrical appliances in the southern city of Tyre and carrying out air raids on the towns of Shamshtar in eastern Baalbek and Roumine in southern Nabatieh.

Lebanon’s Ministry of Health said Israeli attacks killed at least 54 people across the country on Monday.

Israel’s merciless attacks continue despite calls from the UN Security Council for an immediate ceasefire and directives from the International Court of Justice urging measures to prevent genocide and alleviate the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and Lebanon.

In Lebanon, at least 3,243 people have been killed and 14,134 others wounded in Israeli attacks since the war on Gaza began on October 7, 2023.

The Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah opened a support front for Palestinians in Gaza only a day after the Israeli regime unleashed its genocidal war on the besieged territory.

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