46. ​​Nervous System and Alzheimer's

Chapter 46: Nervous System and Alzheimer's

The nervous system is a complex communication network that regulates and coordinates bodily functions. It is made up of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (nerves that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body). This chapter will address the relationship between the nervous system and one of the most prevalent neurological diseases today: Alzheimer's disease.

What is Alzheimer's?

Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and worsen over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. Although the exact cause of Alzheimer's is still unknown, it is known that the disease affects the central nervous system, leading to the death of nerve cells in the brain.

Alzheimer and the Nervous System

In Alzheimer's disease, nerve cells (neurons) in parts of the brain begin to die. This is likely due to two types of neural damage: beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Beta-amyloid plaques are clusters of a type of protein that accumulates between neurons. Neurofibrillary tangles are abnormal tau proteins that accumulate inside neurons. This damage is enough to disrupt the normal functioning of neurons and cause their death.

As more and more neurons die, different areas of the brain begin to shrink. In the brain of a person with advanced Alzheimer's, the shrinkage is significant, and the brain has much less mass than a healthy brain.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Early symptoms of Alzheimer's may include forgetfulness and mild confusion. As the disease progresses, symptoms become more severe and may include disorientation, changes in mood and behavior, confusion about events, times and places, unfounded suspicions about family, friends and professional caregivers, difficulties with speaking, swallowing and walking.

To diagnose Alzheimer's, doctors perform tests to assess memory and other thinking skills. They may also perform a series of tests, such as blood tests and brain imaging, to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms.

Treatment and Prevention

Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease. However, there are pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments that can help alleviate some symptoms. Pharmacological treatments generally involve medications that can help slow the progression of the disease or alleviate some of its symptoms. Non-pharmacological treatments may involve therapies such as physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy.

While preventing Alzheimer's is still an ongoing field of research, studies suggest that maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk of developing the disease. This may include maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, maintaining an active social life, and participating in brain-challenging activities such as reading, writing, and doing puzzles.

In summary, the nervous system plays a crucial role in Alzheimer's disease. While there is still much to learn about this devastating disease, understanding how it affects the nervous system is an important step toward developing more effective treatments and, eventually, a cure.

References

This chapter draws on information from reliable sources such as the Alzheimer's Association, the Mayo Clinic, and the National Institute on Aging. For more information, see these sources.

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