Alzheimer's Disease Abstract

Alzheimer's Disease Abstract

Alzheimer's Disease Zaven A. Ohanian San Joaquin Valley College Abstract This research report will provide a general overview of Alzheimer's disease. This overview will include background and history of the disease dating back to its discovery by Alois Alzheimer in Germany. It will provide in–depth information on the anatomy and pathophysiology of the disease, specifically on the roles of beta–amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles and on how they progress; what happens as they progress through the brain. Other topics that will be briefly covered include etiology, epidemiology, treatment, and prognosis. Alzheimer's Disease Background and History Alzheimer's disease is an acquired form of dementia that impairs the cognitive and behavioral functions of the patient. Impairment of these functions severely impacts the individual's capacity to function in social and occupational settings. There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease and its progression is long and steady. Alzheimer's disease was first observed by a German psychiatrist named Alois Alzheimer in 1901. Having been intrigued by the behavior of a patient at the Frankfurt Asylum, 51 year old female Auguste Deter, Alois Alzheimer began monitoring her condition. Dr. Alzheimer observed a number of symptoms including reduced comprehension and memory, aphasia, disorientation, unpredictable behavior, paranoia, auditory hallucinations, and pronounced psychosocial impairment (Maurer, Gerbaldo &Volk, 1997). When

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