Analysis of the Alzheimer's Disease

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Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), according to the Journal for Nurse Practitioners, is a progressive disorder that causes a decline in the functioning of the brain. The irreversible brain disorder destroys memory, thinking capability, and other mental abilities (Ulep, Saraon & McLea 129). The condition mainly manifests at the age of sixties, or older with its early onset observed among persons in their thirties.
What causes the disease?
While scientists do not know the actual cause of AD, advanced age is the chief risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. On estimate, the chances of developing AD double every five years after sixty-five and is even greater at the age of eighty-five, where one-third of this population develops the condition. According to David and Howard (70), free radicals, reactive oxygen species commonly present among the aging population and produced through cellular respiration, facilitate the condition’s development. The reactive oxygen species destroys proteins and membrane lipids resulting in increased regulation of antioxidant enzymes linked to AD (Munoz, David, & Howard70). Additionally, the mutation of the RNA messenger in older people also results in the development of AD. The mutation results in the deletion of two bases in the protein sequence and the subsequence abnormal functioning of the brain due to the condition (Munoz et al. 70).
Genetics is another crucial risk factor for Alzheimer’s. The genes one inherits from their parents can contribute to the risk of AD as the gene variant of the apolipoprotein E gene on chromosome 19, amyloid precursor protein, and presenilin 1 and 2 on chromosomes 14 and 1, which predisposes one to AD, are passed down along with other genes. Having a parent, sibling, or any relative first-class suffering from the disease increases one’s risk of the disease by thirty percent. The risk is significantly higher if more than one relative suffers from it (Bagyinszky, Youn, An & Kim 535).
Environmental and lifestyle factors such as cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, head injury, smoking, and cholesterol can increase one’s chances of suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. These factors interfere with the brain’s health through heart attacks, blocked blood veins, and damaged lungs and heart, creating a disconnect as one age. It then precipitates the abnormal functioning of brain cells hence, the development of Alzheimer’s.
Current research being conducted related to the disease
Several research investigations are being conducted to understand and control Alzheimer’s disease. For example, an international research team at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, on June 28, 2021, developed a vigorous but straightforward blood test to detect and screen for AD early. With an accuracy level of 96%, the test is a buildup of the current screening through brain imaging to identify beta-amyloid and tau proteins that damage the brain, causing the development of the disease.
The New York University School of Medicine in June 2021 came up with new research to develop a treatment regimen to stop the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Through monkey brains, they introduced new psychotherapy to make immune protection cells ingest misshapen proteins such as amyloid-beta, so they do not build up and destroy the brain, causing the disease’s progression. The research study found that elderly monkeys who received the therapy enjoyed a 59% decrease in plague protein deposits than untreated monkeys (Wisniewski & Scholtzova). Additionally, more research is underway to develop more drugs that, if approved, will significantly slow down the advancing of the disease by strengthening the immune system, preventing the destruction of the brain, and producing blockers to the harmful proteins.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease
Memory loss is the central sign of the disease. Individuals struggle to grasp new information and begin forgetting recently learned information and important dates and events. Consequently, they keep repeating a question or conversation, starts to misplace things, forget appointments, or get lost (The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association 396). Cognitive challenges are other symptoms. A once organized individual and able to solve any problem s...