One of the most frustrating of modern diseases is Alzheimer's disease. First described in Europe in 1906, Alzheimer's is characterized by mental degeneration causing memory loss but preserved motor skills.
Causes:
The key to the disease is atrophy of the brain itself. The brains curves called gyri actually look dried up and shrunken upon inspection. Two major changes take place in the brain as the disease progresses. The development of senile plaques as well as neurofibrillary tangles, (both are microscopic deposits) and degenerations at the cellular level.
Possible Treatments:
Alzheimer's disease is not the same as senility and can begin as early as 40 years of age. Eventually the victim may become completely incontinent and may develop dementia. Both the exact cause and treatments are uncertain at this time. Many herbal as well as pharmaceutical agents such as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory drugs and cholinesterase inhibitors are being employed with results that are hopeful at best.
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