You forget what your child looks like, think your sibling is your spouse — Alzheimer’s Disease is one of the most dreaded manifestation of ageing. Ninety-six years after it was identified by Alois Alzheimer, we are nowhere close to finding a cure, even though experts warn that it is as worrisome as AIDS or cancer.The truth about Alzheimer’s remains that death is the ultimate ‘respite’ for the patient. It is said to be the fourth leading cause of death among adults in the U S between the ages of 75 and 84.What is the Alzheimer’s Disease?A progressive, degenerative disease that affects the brain, causing impaired memory, thinking and behaviour. It is said to be the most common form of dementia. More women get it than men, but on the whole the disease cuts across region, gender and class. ‘‘ Symptoms appear gradually during the first two to four years and are often mistaken for the early signs of normal ageing,’’ says Dr Kalyan Bagchi, vice president of the Alzheimer’s and Other Related Disorders Society of India and president of Society for Gerontological Research.How does one diagnosis it?Since the causes are unclear, experts say there is no single clinical test to identify it. An autopsy of the Alzheimer’s-ridden brain shows patches like plastic plates or moist wool all over the lobes. The brain cells die and there is accumulation of protein and shrinkage. There are many theories like genetic predisposition, or the fact that it is caused due to a cluster of disease like heart disease and diabetes. Evaluation has to include a complete medical examination, health history, physical, neurological and psychiatric assessment and other necessary tests.What are its symptoms?According to Dr Bagchi, the symptoms appear in three stages. The first is the cognitive impairment (memory loss), the second, behavioural changes like problems with language, inability to read or write and a decline in intellectual abilities severe enough to interfere with work and activities of daily living. The final stage is when the patient is completely bed-ridden. Doctors point to these warning signals — difficulty in performing familiar tasks like tying shoelaces or driving, disorientation of time and place,.and erratic behaviour and changes in mood.Is there any cure?Although there is still no cure for the disease, a number of drugs can slow down it’s progression.‘‘Drugs like Reminyl (galantamine), Aricept (donepezil hydrochloride) and Exelon (rivastigmine) slow down the progression. Tranquilisers or sleeping pills can be given to control some of the symptoms like agitation and sleeplessness,’’ says Dr Rajesh Nagpal, Neurologist and an Alzheimer’s expert at Maharaja Agrasen Hospital. The brunt of the care falls on the immediate family and care-givers have to pay adequate attention to their own health as well. What does one do for a patient in the initial stages?•Proper nutrition and calm environment are a must.• One of the main problems is loss of short memory. So memory aids and joggers like message boards, handy lists and instruction sheets.•Keep objects at the proper place and mark dates on the calendar, along with a list of daily activities.• Put up labelled pictures of family members.• Take daily walks and increase communication.Are there some new breakthroughs in the pipeline? Currently researchers are fighting to reduce the neurological disorders. Recently, the FDA gave a go-ahead to make available a medicine that treats disabling symptoms of the disease. Studies are also on to find if estrogen replacement therapy may slow the onset of the disease.
