Familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD) or early-onset Alzheimer’s is an inherited, rare form of the disease, affecting less than 10 percent of Alzheimer’s disease patients. FAD develops before age 65, in people as young as 35. It is caused by one of three gene mutations on chromosomes 1, 14 and 21. If even one of these mutated genes is inherited from a parent, the person will almost always develop FAD. All offspring in the same generation have a 50/50 chance of developing FAD if one parent has it.
The majority of Alzheimer’s disease cases are late-onset, usually developing after age 65. Late-onset Alzheimer’s disease has no known cause and shows no obvious inheritance pattern. However, in some families, clusters of cases are seen. Although a specific gene has not been identified as the cause of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, genetic factors do appear to play a role in the development of this form of the disease.
Can Alzheimer’s Disease be Fatal?
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an illness that causes death by debilitating the individual and increasing susceptibility to other diseases, such as pneumonia, and to injuries often caused by falls. On average, death usually occurs 8 to 10 years after the initial diagnosis of AD.
On average, patients with Alzheimer’s disease live for 8 to 10 years after diagnosis. However, this terminal disease can last for as long as 20 years.
Can Alzheimer’s Disease be Prevented?
We can’t control our family history or genetic makeup. We can take steps to minimize other risk factors. Head injury is a risk factor and this risk can be minimized, for example, by wearing a seat belt in cars and a helmet while bicycling. A high level of homocysteine is a risk factor and can be minimized by eating a balanced diet to ensure adequate levels of vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and folate (which lower levels of homocysteine). Some population-based (epidemiological) studies suggest that modest wine drinking and consumption of fish, as opposed to diets high in pork or beef, may prevent or delay onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Similarly, diets high in antioxidants may reduce risk. Many fruits and vegetables, such as prunes, raisins, blueberries, broccoli and spinach, are natural sources of antioxidants. There is preliminary but inconclusive evidence suggesting that the statin drugs that lower cholesterol or the frequent use of anti-inflammatory drugs may also reduce risk of AD. Keeping our minds active with reading, discussion and other intellectual pursuits and our bodies active with aerobic exercise may also have preventive benefits.
Are there personality changes in Alzheimer’s disease?
Often, lifelong personality characteristics become exaggerated as we age and this may be true for those with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). As AD progresses, personality characteristics may fade and disappear, causing a change in lifelong ways of relating. Thus, a person with AD who was meticulous about possessions as a young person may first become annoyingly preoccupied about the location and condition of possessions but later lose interest in them.
How many people in the United States have Alzhiemer’s Disease?
Estimates vary, but experts suggest that as many as 5.1 million people in the United States may have Alzheimer’s disease. Symptoms usually begin after age 60, and the risk of developing the disease increases with age. While younger people in their thirties and forties also may get Alzheimer’s disease, it is much less common. It is important to note that Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging.
What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease?
Scientists do not yet fully understand what causes Alzheimer’s disease. For most people, there probably is not one single cause, but several genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that affect each person differently. Increasing age is the most important known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Chronic diseases (heart disease and diabetes), diet, exercise, and social engagement may also play a role in whether or not a person develops Alzheimer’s.
What are the first signs of Alzheimer’s?
The first sign of Alzheimer’s disease typically is mild forgetfulness. People with mild Alzheimer’s may have trouble remembering recent events or take longer than before to finish a task. Simple math problems may become hard to solve. A person may seem healthy but is actually having more and more trouble making sense of the world around him or her. Such difficulties could be due to Alzheimer’s disease or another condition. A doctor should be consulted to make a diagnosis.
Will a Vaccine one day prevent Alzheimer’s?
Early vaccine studies in mice reduced plaques in the brain and improved performance on memory tests. But when they were done in humans, they had to be stopped because some people experienced harmful side effects. Scientists are continuing to study different vaccines, and several drug companies are testing the safety of new vaccines in early-stage clinical trials.
Can eating certian foods help prevent Alzheimer’s Disease?
Some recent studies suggest that how we eat may be linked to our risk of developing or not developing Alzheimer’s disease. One observational study found that people who ate a “Mediterranean” diet had a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s, but it is not clear if the diet itself reduced their risk. This style of eating includes lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, a fair amount of fish, some meat and poultry, small amounts of sugar and dairy products, plus olive oil and red wine. Scientists are also looking at the effect that DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), an omega-3 fatty acid found in some fish, might have on people with Alzheimer’s
