Alzheimer's Disease

From Psy3241

Alzheimer's Disease is a form of dementia involving the progressive deterioration of psychological functions as a result of abundant loss of cortical and subcortical neurons. Alzheimer's Disease is the most common form of dementia which rises with increasing age and exceeds one new case per 100 in the 70-80 age group. The time of diagnosis is usually after age 65, as symptoms may not be acknowledged until this time. The time from diagnosis until death is usually about 7 years, and is equally distributed amongst men and women. There is evidence that Alzheimer's may effect the brain gradually for 5 decades before symptoms arise.

Diagnosis

The neurobehavioral and clinical criteria for all types of dementia include inabilities whilst learning new material or inability to recall past material accurately as well as impairment of at least one higher cognitive function. The patient may also develop aphasia, apraxia, or agnosia. These impairments must be significant enough to effect the patients daily life. A physical exam, medical history report,